River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-10-11
From North Dakota.
Valley city, N. D., Oct. 8, 1900.

Dear friends at h03ae:-Who writes let
tiers on their birthdays? ], so it seems,
as it was just year ago tonight that ]
last wrote to the JOURNAL. 1t does
not seem SO long, for "Time flies as
we grow old" and / am constrained
to pause at this birthday and looking
backward ask: What have all the
years amounted top / think it is
question that we all ask ourselves as
we pass the mile stones upon the road
called Life. But we will have to wait
until we reach our journeys end be-
fore our questions are answered.
In some respects this has been a
good year to US, but in others 'there
amt nothin' to brag on" People in
general in this neighborhood seem to
stand the shortage of crops very
brayely. There are no long faces
they all say: This is the first year we
have ever had failure OF crops and
we can't grumble." But am not as
joyous as the birds of spring, for we
are trying to thrash. Our grain was
all cut with header and the stacks
have all kept remarkably we'll, but on
account of rain we have been three
days thrashing three hundred bushels
of grain; and it don't rain water, Ell
ther, just a little miserable drizzle
and fog, enough dampness so the belts
won't work on the machine. But we
have had wet rains in abundance.
There has been a rainfall of nine in
ches-not counting the drizzles.
Our city feels very proud, for it is
quite sure of furnishing the next
governor of North Dakota. Major
Frank White is the man that we are
proud to honor in this way. Lieuten-
ant Getchell is chairman of the Re-
publican Central Committee, and is
said to make a very efficient one.
Flowing is pretty well done. The
late hay crop would have been very
good if it had not been made hay tea.
The flax is light and much Of what
there is will not be thrashed unless
the weather changes soon. On this
farm it vent from three to five BUSH
els per acre. The whole crop is from
seventeen to twenty-five per cent OF
the average year.
Coal is way up and many fear lack
of fuel before spring. We think we
will use North Dakota coal as much
as possible. Some of it is very good,
indeed it is not as dirty as pine wood.
There is quite a good deal of sick
ness in and about Valley City. Our
little neighborhood was saddened by
two deaths last week and now there
is one infant whose death is hourly
expected. We have a very pretty
church, which was dedicated in July,
also cemetery in which there is one
little grave.
George Huddlestone is with US, but
he will soon go to his claim near Mi
not.
The Indians say that we are to
have hard winter. Loads Of them
pass daily on their way back to the
Fort Totten Reservation. They
have been spending several months
visiting friends on the Sisseton Res
ervation. Some of them ride in
covered carriages that boast of lamps.
Fred will put on the ''dignitude"
of schoolmaster a week from Monday,
we expect. The Normal School in
Valley City has larger attendance
than ever before in the fall term.
They think that the foot ball team
will be minus quantity this year be-
cause the boys OF the school are of
such light weight.
What a year of "wars and rumors
Of wars such terrible disasters, and
stormsl And for many people in this
state the winter must look like a
great gulf" that they see no posi-
bility OF crossing. In view of all this
we do not feel like complaining, for
we all have good health; some of US
are blest with appetites that are very
large. This country has been good to
me any way and am not going to find
fault with such a good friend. But
that does not hinder great and con-
slant longing for the dear hills and
valleys that | have always known and
loved. The new friends here are
good and kind, how much so / could
into words,-but Oh, for
glimpse of the dear familiar faces and
to feel the hearty hand clasps l
close my eyes and see you in your
homes, and in my heart am with
you. Mr.. Getchell, too, dreams Of the
time when we go home.
had nearly forgotten to tell you
that our neighborhood boasts of a
telephone line. 1t is connected with
the central in Valley City and from
there we can talk all over the United
States where there are telephone con.
speak to River Falls
for one dollar for three minutes. We
find the 'phone" very convenient as
we'll as great deal of company, and
some fun. One neighhor called an
other up early in the morning and
after the usual "helloW said: "Say.
you must have eaten onions for sup
per for your breath smells simply ter
riblel''
The clock ticks on, the fire is low,
The wind bowls and / must bid you
Iii fond good night.
SARAH WADswoRTH GETCHELL.
Teachers Association Meeting.