The Saint Paul globe., 1898-08-22

'OoKsToN. Mimi. Aug. 21.-Charlie
lson. popularity known throughout the
River valley as the Bonanza Boy
fer." expects to clear nearly 5000 on
roducts Of his farm this year.
: story of the Johanson children-Char-
Crank and Lena-is one of more than
ary interest. 1t is a striking example.
an object lesson Of what can be done
hree determined children practically
with only roof to cover them.
elve years ago John Johanson left his
in Norway and came to the United
$ He left wife and two boys-Char-
eyed 5. and Frank, aged 2-intending to
ter them as soon as he had located aad
shed a home for them in America
early years Of the Norwegian emf
in America were a time OF struggle,
finally he reached the Northwest, es-
shed himself on claim near Crookston.
in 1892 was able to send money to
: his family over from the old country.
re tie letter containing the money to
the passage of his wife and children
Norway to Crookston reached his good
she was no more. She had contracted
Id, which brought on quick consump-
and she died just a few days before
letter arrived at the little Norwegian
j. The children were just about to be
ed out to their friends and neighbors
the letter arrived.
tsr the receipt of TIE t.dings from Amer
the United States consul at one of the
sr towns was consulted with, and he Sc
d Passage for the children on one of
transatlantic steamers. aid the young
elers were soon on their way to their
home.
ne of the children. could speak word
English. but the United States consul
Charlie letters addressed to the super-
adents of police at New York, Chicago
St Paul. and instructed Charlie to
them TO any person that spoke to him
his arrival in New York. The letters
aimed who they were. and requested the
;e to look out for them. 1t is needless
say that they arrived in Crookston ali
I. without having suffered any hard
and without incident.
the fall of 1896. after five years contin-
residence on his claim, in only one Of
n JOhanSon's crop failed. he took out his
nd papers. became a full-fedged citizen
he United States. and secured q patent
l the government for the land. Shortly
this, VIII lie driving to town with
Of grain, the father was thrown from his
on and fatally hurt. He lived in an
ost helpless condition for six months
his injury, during which time all OF the
IS and responsibilities of the household
farm fell on the shoulders of little Char
who was but 10 years old:
iring the winter Of 1S96-f John Johan-
died, leaving his estate to his children
appointing his old employer, Jorgenson,
heir guardian.
iarlie persuaded their guardian not to
the farm. but to let himself and brother
sister try to run t. The old farmer
" that Charlie had been g great help to
father about the farm. and that it would
lire hard work to produce enough for the
dren to live On, so he decided to let them
ahead, keeping an eye on them in the
nwhile to see that they did not want for
thing.
larlie hired man on shares to help him
! the heavy work. while Frank and Lena
ed after the poultry. the vegetable gar
and their two cows, while all three
hed in ard did the housework The first
, was success, and brought a handsome
@.
4rly this spring there was great activity
the Johanson homestead. and more than
as large an acreage of wheat was put
nd ten acres was put in fax as an expert
I. And now comes the harvest. All
iety is past. The crSp is assured. It is
henomenal one. 1t is estimated at twen-
light bushels to the acre. Harvesting has
In and the crop will soon be marketed
profit on the wheat alone, il is estimated,
reach 5000, while the fax will bring
more and the chickens have already
led $50 more than their keep, with the
days coming on. when the young chick
will be killed and marketed.