Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-03-23


producer, the fact that he would
engage in stock raising is some
thing of mystery, but to those
who know his ambition to elevate
the interests of the oil regions, and
his philanthropy, or knew his
younger life, the project is one that
would be naturally expected OF
him. He was reared on a farm, all
the bright spot of his boyhood life
were incidents of the farm, and
when young man, and the war
broke out, he went to the front,
and found his place as a man OF
business. His energetic and sue
cessful race for position did not
destroy the old instinct. He loves
nature and admires a first class
farmer. He is a lover of animals,
and believes that health and con-
tented mind are to be found in open
air life. It was only natural that
he would turn his attention to such
a plan as this for healthy relaxation
from the worries and cares of bust
ness, and as a recreation. When
the West Hickory property was
first purchased it was tor oil pur-
poses, but Colonel Carter soon made
up his mind that he could afford to
put the proceeds of the oil produc-
ton of the place into improve
ments of the grounds and sur
roundings. With him to think was
to act, and the place has been self
sustaining but not money making
project. The leading object was to
improve the breeds of horses
and cattle in the oil country,
which owing to the interest
taken in the oil and other
industries in this part of the
country had been allowed to in
breed and run down until the live
stock was disgrace to Pennsnlva-
MIA. In conversation with friend
recently, Colonel Carter said:
It may seem egotistical in me,
but I do not mean it that way, but
my principal reasons for starting
the Riverside Stock farm was to irn-
prove the cattle of this county ard
to awaken an interest ard educate
the residents up to farming and
stock breeding which, during the
past 80 years, have been neglected,
to give way to boating on the river,
cutting bark and lumber or produc-
ing oil, until a good farm or fine
specimens of horses or cattle is the
exception rather than the rule.
Since I have started operations at
the Riverside = have distributed a
high grade OF horses, sheep, swine
and cattle among my neighbors and
the interest that is being taken in
improvements more than repays
me in satisfaction, for all my outlay
and trouble. l have sold for 81 and
S. the progeny of sheep whose sire
or dam cost me $500 to import. l
have given the service of cattle
and horse at nominal rates and
have sold grades of cattle to my
friends and neighbors at their own
price, and the effects gives me
abundant pleasure. The project
has been self-sustaining, and be-
sides the personal satisfaction l get
an increase of health and recreation
that is indescribable to any one but
a product of the soil like myself"
A NEIGHBoR's OPINION.
The same expressions are heard
from the residents ofthat neighbour
hood. One prominent resident
was complimented on the presence
of the Stock Farm and the asser-
ton was ventured that it was a
fine thing" Fine thing" he
repeated, YOU'RE right, it is a fine
thing, and it takes us to know it,
too. The outside people have no
idea what Mr.. Carter has done for
us. Until Mr. Carter came here
and stocked the Riverside Farm the
people hereabouts took no interest
in cattle or breeding, but now you
can see 'em every day coming down
to the farm and sizing up the stock
and mark the difference between
the yield of milk from the COWS, its
quality and so on, and then go
home with the impression that
there is money in improving stock
and that a stunted and worn out
cow is dead loss to keep We are
getting the advantage of all his
money and experiments. He gives
us all the information we want and
the farmers are finding out what