Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-07-04
MENOKEN'S MERITS,
A Resume of the Resources, Capabili-
ties and Products of Memo.
ken Township.
Statements Showing That the Far
mers do Not Depend on
Wheat Farming
TOWN 1873, N Is.

>~N eAAS = IAN AS VOhIS V4SAA
oxen station, surrounded by the lively lit
tie village of the same name, situated in
one of the very best townships of prairie
land in all North Dakota. Of the thirty
six sections forming the township, all are
classed as No. l tillable land. 1t is not one
level plain-lt is slightly undulating or
gently rolling. Apple creek adds to the
beauty and value of this town by finding a
course to wind its way through its centre,
in a valley between the plains. This val
ley is twenty-five to fifty feet lower than
the prairie south of it, while the lands on
the north gradually slope south to the
creek. All through this valley, as on 9TH
er portions of this little stream, are many
thickets and groves of native trees, shrubs
and vines, and between these, groves and
bends in the creek are grassy parks I'M
marred by the pillow or disturbed by cult
walton. Up and down the creek on the ia
BILE lands, scattered over the township, are
the evidences on every hand of the
capital and labor invested by
building houses, barns, granaries
and fences; breaking, blowing,
seeding and cultivating the land. And to-
day. as L drive through the waving fields
of dark-green growing grain, and see in
many directions small bands of horses,
cattle and sheep, and find the lower places
filled with water. L most cordially endorse
the sayings of Farmer Howard: "Give
Menoken township rain at the right time,
even in moderate quantities, n every
settler in it will soon be out of debt, and
will be able to ride to the capital in MCKEE
plated carriages drawn by bIooded horses"
The buildings of oil kinds in this township
will average better, considering the num-
Der, h a those in any other town in the
county. 1t is my opinion that more tree
claims taken in this town have been sue
other town in the county. Conspicuous
for thrifty growth and evidences Of much
hard work and care, are the tree claims
belonging to c. r. Williams, Will Craven,
pr. Adams, 81. S. Ball, T. NJ. Craven, Mrs.
Schatfer and S. G. Smith, and for a good
showing around the house, the three-acre
grove at William Nelson's is noticeable.
claims, it may not be out of place
to say that to- persist and at
last succeed - in spite of the
expense, the hot winds, drouth and
prairie fires is evidence of staying quail
ties of the highest order. But these men
have fought the good fight and now can
point with pride to their groves and the
groves will stand as landmarks to pioneer
grit. Many others have trees around their
homes and are adding to them. This year
heavy rains will do much to encourage
tree planting. Where you see a farmer
setting out trees around his house, it is
conclusive evidence of his intention to live
there. The heavy growth of grass should
warn all to make fire breaks. Not only
fhA froaS hr,f rroiN cf0n1y hnt,Cn lor,>r
and granaries will be in danger. This has
been a very busy season with the farmers
throughout the county. Without much
hired help they have gone to work with a
determination to win, if it lies in their
power. If they don't, it will not be their
fault.
The acreage in Menoken township seed
422 acres; corn, 80 acres; rye, 100 acres;
flax, 125 acres; barley. Is acres; Millet, 80
acres; potatoes, 35 acres; vegetables, rs
acres.
The reader will see at a glance that this
is a varied assortment. It is no a one-idea
crop. They do not and will not longer
depend OF wheat alone.
another index of what they are depending
on. The number of horses, 149; mules, s;
cattle, 277; mich cows, 100; sheep, 881;
lambs, 500; hogs. 100; fowls, 1000.
While the $40 acres of millet will go far
toward %fattening and carrying this stock
through the winter and feeding in the
spring, the hay crop will be the largest
mense straw yield from the grain fields.
So stock keeping and fattening this year
will be very satisfactory all round. I am
convinced from what / have observed by
visiting a large number of the farmers of
the county, that the tendency is toward
mixed grain crops and the raising of stock
of all kinds Of a good quality. The stock
ward in grade. Alex Turnburll has made
a big venture in sheep. He has, including
this seasons lambs, 1850 head. He is re-
siding OF the Marston homestead; has a
good range and many cOnveniences and
advantages for a new beginner. Other
farmers are watching this venture, and
In 1889 the farmers of this township
made $500 pounds of butter and received
1928 for eggs and poultry and S 1885 for
beet, killed. They shipped from Menoken
station $4,000 bushels of wheat and $3.50
pounds of wool.
The railroad depot at Menoken is a neat,
convenient and fair-sized building. 1t is
Hastily painted. The elevator has a ca
pacity Of 10000 bushels. They have two
stores. one kept by Elvls Wood, the other
by S. D. ConOver, who is postmaster. This
is quite a mail centre. They have a black
smith and wagon shop and several very
good residences. This town makes a cred
liable showing in school affairs. It is di-
vided into two districts. Two very SUBJ
stantial and well-arranged school houses
have been built, furnished and paid for as
they were built. All school warrants have
been paid on demand. They are both out
of debt. Miss Winnie King, a daughter Of
G. A. King, one of the pioneers and found
ers of the town, teaches the Menoken
school. Miss Lulu Craven, a daughter of
another pioneer farmer, teaches at the
northern district school. The attendance
at the Menoken school averages about
fourteen; at the northern school, about
eight. The members of the town board
are B. A. Schwab, president; Fl. S. Ball and
r. L. Wood. Alex TurnbuIl is the asses
sor. They met at Menoken' Saturday and
closed up the assessment roll.
Mr.. B. A. Schwab is a hard worker.
In addition to much other work he has
put in 200 acres OF the one time celebrated
Clarke farm. The buildings on this farm
are in good shape yet, and with the en-
couragement that the abundant rain Of
this season has given, the LOO acres here
tofore cultivated, may all be seeded
next season.
Chester A. Kings house and other i'm
prOvements loom up in fine style. I did
not have time to call, but intend to as I go
back. The first settler to open a farm in
this township was William Nelson, of
whom l make mention. He has been sue
ooccfr,1 t..s 30. -.a-- arE- E.Fs..Ga .| #H d.,