Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-06-07
AUGUSTA MAN IN THE WEST.
Interesting Description Of the Soil and
Crops in Indiana.
MACE, IND May Goth, 1901.

Crops in Indiana.
MACE, IND May Goth, 1901.
Editor of THE SPECTATOR:
will endeavor to give you a fe'
items for the SPECTATOR, and perhap
letter from this place will be of inter
est to my Augusta friends.
l was formerly Of Churchville an,
left Staunto on No. l over the C.& O
route the latter part of February, ant
arrived at Mace (my destination.) a
about one O'Clock next day. Changed
cars to the big Four" at Cincinnati
and again at indianapolis. l Away
have had great fancy for taking ;
trip on the "blackhorse" especially o
some consequence to the west, and thi
Was very pleasant and interesting
one for me. There was In the same
Car In which | was. couple of jolly
young gents on their return to the
s'Hoosier" state from way down
East"
They were quite intelligent and wit.
ty, jesting and making all the fun they
could for those in that end of the hand
some parlor- car.
l enjoyed their fun immensely and l
think every one else did. save d few
sleepy heads
| am in perfect harmony with the
country here in Montgomery county.
This is not prairie nor billy country,
but is gradually rolling, and the earth
varies from very rich dark loan to a
grayish clay. There are no mountains
nor stones here.
have not seen a negro in the rural
district since / have been out here.
The public highways never get very
bad here, even in winter, for they are
given a high elevation and then are
heavily graveled making it almost i'm
possible for the roads to get muddy
and impossible. In summer they have
she all appearance of city park roads,
with the many phone lines overstretch-
ing, and the beautiful green grass
loot high on either side. The other
lay as l was driving upon the high
way observed fine large humble bee
.esting on a beautiful head Of clover I
iidn't stop to make any inquiries. per-
laps it was extracting some of the
weets from that clover head.
Stock of no kind are allowed to run
It large On the public highways.
This has been q very backward |
pring here, the seasons are about two |
weeks later than old Augusta. I have
ust learned of snow storm up in |
Michigan yesterday, and the conse-
uences are cold rains here yesterday |
nd today which are very oppressive
nd disagreeable causing the masses
f the people to wear wraps and over
oats, which, of course, renders them
title more comfortable. you know.
Corn planting is about completed.
While some few farmers are not done
lowing, and man told me today that
e had whole field to break yet.
In one month have plowed and put
n order for cultivation and planted
wenty- five acres of corn, and cultivat-
d it once, finished yesterday, and
id it all with one team myself and did
OF work hard either.
There ism t much wheat in this cOun-
y, nor for the past five years there
asn t been on account of the Hessian
y.
What wheat l have seen looks well,
nd is encouraging to the wheat grow
rs.
The farmers have been sowing rye
nd spring oats instead for agriculture
ecuniary pleasure.
We will have some fruit if we don't
ave a freeze yet, fruit is not grown
ear so extensively as in Virginia.
ancy fruit would be paying crop in
his country, if the farmers would give
little attention, and give little in
crest to horticulture.
l must not fail to a relate little
astant that has come under my OBJ
ervation.
l considered girls,-that is pretty
irls-very scarce out here.
One day was out in the field plow
lg-plowing along In reminiscent
ray, and having great fancy and de-
ire to see some of the soubrettes, hap
ened to glance up and saw a rig pass
nth lady therein, and with much
and interpretation. l just
lid aloud to myself. Hump! ondit,
vorder who dat am" And when had
often to the end nearest the road,
another buggy with lady in it had !
lone went and gone ''shoot right by"
fore | could have time to look up to
zee who she was or what sort of kind |
# girl she wanted to be-" And o.
What hOrrid sensation OvershadOw- !
ID me at that time, and not to be out |
lone, hurriedly ordered half dozen
,retty girls from Virginia to be sent |
% me by United States Express at |
Mace and have heretofore been looking
or them in vain, but heard nothing
rom them, so have casted all lots now
/ I'D am no more in suspense or pro-
| attended Sunday School at Union |
{ rresbyterlau church this a. m, thence
we drove to Mace, where we attended
". K. Memorial services.
Notwithstanding the fact, there were
As many pretty girls to mar my OBJ
at Mace today as ever 1 wit
messed heretofore in ldVirginia, tell
you they were way up In "G.' The
programme was a most ap-
\ L. r.