The Press., 1893-08-17
LETTER FROM NORTH. DAKOTA.

Cooperstown, North Dakota, Aug. z, 1893.
 It was just past the middle of June when we left northern Illinois for this state in its central and southern parts, and had some idea of its vastness and richness. Unquestionably Illinois has a richness of soil which will become more and more evident as the years go by. There are thousands of acres which are veritable garden, even now. Where a former generation broke up the sod in the midst of great privations and serious per plexities, there is now the comfort and re- finement of wealth which has come out of the soil and continues to come in an en- larged yearly volume. Central and north eFn. Illinois is especially rich in farms and in manufa ctories. Coal is abundant, and the fuel question disturbes no one now, as in the days of the first settlements, Water is abundant, and for the most part it is good. Methods of farming vary. Where formerly wheat was grown largely, none is raised now, not even for family con- sumption. Corn fields and grass fields have been substituted for the wheat fields. The dairying business is extensive. But ter and cheese are staple articles of pro- duction. One thing we have been i'm pressed with as we have visited different sections of the state, and that is the grow ing independence of the farmer. Hun dreds of farmers of an early day have | come, through much trial and many loss- es, to a condition of comfort and plenty. They may be found in all the cities and towns in good, we'll furnished houses of their own, with moneyed investments, and rented farms from which they draw large ly their support. while their sons and daughters, in various schools, prepare themselves to lead forth in every walk of l industrial, educational and domestic life. | Geneseo is & pleasant town of several thousand, with special educational ad- vantages. In last May not house, old or new, could be rented there. All were occupied, or to be as soon as completed. Scores had been taken already during the year. The town was filling up withswell- l to-do farmers for their children's sake. l do not think this is an exceptional case;and I mention 1t to give emphasis to what be- l fore was said regarding the improved con- dition of the farmer. It is true the farmer does have hard lot, and especially if he is in a new country where markets arefar away and bad roads lead to them. It re- quires repeated and expensive investments to open and get in shape prairie farm. It requires much experimentation. Often new methods have to be slowly, expen- sively and painfully acquired, and a man will be aging while he is in this severe school. If one, however, holds on and keeps improving his place he will come out at length where he can sit in comfort and survey his little domain with the greatest satisfaction. What wish to say is that all through the older west are many families who are spending their closing days in solid comfort. Their bank account may not be very large, but they are beyond want, and survey possessions growing in constant value.
 Southern Illinois used to be Egypt, ," not in good but bad sense. Its class
 of people were less enterprising, more re-
 stricted in information, and of a lower
 moral gl ade than in the other parts of the state; but of late years it has been grad
 ually changing. Schools and churches
 are getting in there with their good work
 and one hears less of Egypt" now than
 formerly. A glance at the map shows
 the state extending far down towards the
 southland.
 Mound City, just above Cairo, on the Ohio and Father of Waters" Is pretty
 place, with mixed population of several
 hundred. It is neither southern nor a
 northern city, but partakes somewhat of
 the characteristics of both. It is claimed to be healthy city, and even in very high
 water it is very dry and clean place, as
 we know from personal inspection. There
 is considerable business done here, both on the river and by railroad. Here is lo-
 cated one of the national cemeteries,
 where thousands of the wars victims, | brave boys, sleep in the profound stiffness of a most beautiful spot.
 We began this letter intending to draw |, few contrasts between this section and northern Illinois, but have wandered off and now will have to leave 1t until we take up the pen again. The contrasts however, are very marked, but only iu } certain directions, and these we will point out in future number.
 0. P. CHAMPLIN.