The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-24

1t Is true that there is much misery in
the state, but there is not the universal
| prlVation which has been declared. Crop
! failure was unknown until 1890. when the
farmers lost much of their labor, but at
mat time, and IN 1898. when a partial loss
was experienced, the eastern half of the
| state was able to take care of the western
half where the failure was pronounced.
| This year has been SO complete a fail
ure as TO reduce many TO extreme poverty,
out l do not think that there are more
than 20 per cent. al present in need. Great
irrigation enterprises that are now being
inaugurated will, no doubt. eliminate the
cause of failure in large districts of the
western part of the state. The grain that
Is produced and stock that is raised
in this state put in the front
rank of the great agricultural
commemorative. / have no doubt
that IN year or two her barns will be
Overlooking. l see nothing in the present
situation nor in the history of the state as
have observed it for Is years that ought /
to discourage those who contemplate |
coming here to make homes. In the west !
ern part of the state, a vast amount of |
unwise speculation has caused great |
losses, but that part of the country cannot |
DC eXcelled for grazing, and irrigation
VIII, no doubt, render it safe and profita-
ne Tor agriculture. In the greater part
OF the state, the people are suffering no
more than large percentage of the agri-
cultural districts of other states. 1t has
been brought about as much by the
general national depression as by local
causes"
1t is probable that few years will see
the farms in she great Platte River valley
watered by irrigation, but districts that
nave not afiluence of water will depend
upon windmllls. The wells in the state
never fail during drought. They furnish
an abundance of cool and good water.
Some farmers plan TO build little storage
reservoirs upon the hillocks of the prairie.
They are made b. simply throwing up
banks of earth, and then allowing cattle
10 trample the interiors until n hard and
"ater-tight bottom is formed. In this
manner farmer Will be in degree indie
pendent of the most terrible droughts.
Taking the years in groups of five the |
-alniall was ut its lowest from 1855 to 1890,
yhen the general average was 22.3i inches.
Tue general average for 1891, 1892 and
sl3 was % s. inches. But 1894 now en-
ers the contest with a record of but Is. 10
inches. People are now shouting that
Nebraska Is to become arid. In past ;
ears when rainfalls were enormous they !
houtcd that Nebraska was TO become a
reat pond.
The final quality of these farmers who '
ave remained IN this portion of the state
5 their ialth IN the ultimate victory of the
and and their industry. They have a de-
erminatlon to wait until nature, with her :
mystic processes, restores TO them the
rosperity and bounty of former years. '"
IL man stays right by this country,
ell come out all right in the end" .
Almost any man in tho district will u
ease speaking of his woes to recitc the
eauties OF the times when the great roll
lg pra'res are green and golden with
ne splendor of young corn, the streams II
re silver IN the light of the sun, and c.
hen from the wide roads and the little q
there arises the soundless es- fl
ence OF a hymn from the happy and pros Il
erous people.
But then there now is looming the event. \
al catastrophe that would surely demon :
late rhe country. These besieged farm | \
rs are battling with their condition with | ~
n eye to the rest and success of next ii
ugust. But IT they can procure no | .,
loney with which to buy seed when \,
BRING comes around, the calamity that | \,
lsues is an eternal one, as far as they q
nj their farms here are concerned. They A
ave no resort then but to load their fam o.
les IN wagons behind their hungry
Drses and set out TO conquer these great
stances, which like walls shut them
ON the charitable care of other and n.
ore fortunate communities. -
In tho meantime, they depend upon ~
cir endurance, their capacity to help ~
Ich other, and their steadfast and un-
Gliding courage. STEPHEN CRANE. trI