Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-01-11
Rambies in IIlinois-An Indian Leg
end,

6nds
PRAIRIE GROVE FARM, Jan. 1st. 1895.
DEAR SIR: | have not written lately
but thought 1 would give you a
Christmas greeting. My continued res
idence here has given me deeper in
sight into Western prairie life than ever
had before.
Nature is generous in the returns
which she makes to the intelligent labor
of the farmer in this section. AS a re-
suit of that abundant fertility of the soil,
the people that have grown to maturity
here in the last few years, and those in
their teens, have no idea of the advan-
tage of economy.
have been surprised at the growth of
young animals under the influence Of
generous care, for have seen so much
of the improbable, scrubby growth of
the half fed stock, in the South espec
tally.
l have spoken before of how much the
rural population depend upon the little
portable engines, but l will sum up the
uses that have come under my observa-
tion within the past year. OF course corn
shelling and threshing are the most
abundant uses for them, but this year
farmers are using more than usual ma
chine that husks the corn while it cuts
the stalks into pieces which IL conveys
into the barn or pen prepared for the
chopped feed. Last fall was favorable
for the clover seed, so the clover huller
was in general use this time of year
they find more occupation at the wood
pile and in the woods of Minnesota, lots
of the tamarac poles are split up into
fencing. | know one man that has used
his engine to plow with, but, l think,
not to any great extent. Sometimes they
are used in heavy hauling along the roads
but some little bridges are not strong
enough for them. l heard of one man,
who pulled up row of hedge he wanted
to get rid of. We have coal mines near
us on the banks of creek and sometimes
when they get flooded the engine is run
in to pump the water from the mine.
1 spent week at Davenport. Iowa,
and will give you sketch of my trip.
Christmas Eve l spent with the 400
of the orphans home. was up there
the 4th of July and saw them enjoy their
outdoor celebration, and now in compar-
ing that time with the present l cannot
say which occasion was the most appre-
ciated by them, OF course, Santa Claus
was the central figure of the latter gath
ering. The old man was represented as
too old and decrepit to make his usual
rounds, so he appointed substitute to
be known as Santa Claus, Jr., and then
a stranger appeared on the scene and
said to the young Santa Claus that, as he
was not accustomed to the use of rein
deer, he offered to drive for him when he
started out with his Load. with the aid
of the stranger the load of toys was safe
ly delivered.
The orphans home was organized in
1868. 1t was for only soldiers orphans
until 1876 at which time the plan W as en-
larged to include all INDECENT children.
Altogether 1000 children have been cared
for. There are 16 cottages
One day explored the Government
Island arsenal where it is said that I'm
Gle Sam could give employment to $1,000
men, who could arm and equip 1900
soldiers in case of war, but at present
only 800 men are employed, and it looks
like good deal of dead capital to see
10 large buildings lying there dormant
and useless. When expressed the
thought to the man in charge of the shop
he said: SIN time of peace, prepare for
war" There are 60 soldiers in charge of
the island and they are very strict about