Willmar tribune., 1903-08-05
A Trip Through the County x
BY THE EDITOR.

the woodsman. Here our artist made
himself busy. Beyond the outlet
view of Green Lake was secured. Also
one of the Indian mounds and the Irv-
Ing prairie. On the latter view fully
hundred head of cattle will be seen
grazing in the foreground. Proceed
Ing east across the level Crow River
bottom we entered Dist. No. 53 P.J.
Williamson is clerk of this old we'll
known district, and we we're kindly re-
ceived. Mr.. Nelson left US with the
records, to take view of the new
schoolhouse and secure view of Lake
Calhoun from this side. We spent an
Interesting evening at the Williamson
home. Early Wednesday morning
found Us at "Buttertown, " on Sec. 13,
to take a view of that burg and the
creamery while the busy time was on.
We made visit at the we'll appointed
creamery, and Buttermaker Hammar.
berg made our brief call an interesting
one. Three men besides the butter
maker were busy at work. During the
month OF June the cash receipts
amounted to very nearly $1,000 90.
This enterprise has been great boon
to the farmers Of Irving and Union
Grove township in inducing the grad
ual abandonment of the exclusive
grain growing, and it will occupy a
prominent place in the history of Irv-
ing, as it deserves. Again we retraced
our way south. We entered Dist. No.
2. First we drove over the Meeker
county line to the beautiful home of
Mr.. l. j. Anderson. Mr.. Anderson is
secretary and a leading member of the
"Nordlahd" Norwegian church, and
to him we went to secure the facts re-
gardlng that congregation, which was
organized away back in 1868 Accept
ing our intrusion with hearty well
come, Mr.. Anderson and wife made
our stay in their home delightful. Be-
fore three volumes of Norwegian re-
cords had been gone through it was
suppertime. Mr.. Anderson enjoys the
confidence Of the community. Until
very recently he was president of the
Irving creamery. He took the ques.
tion Of chinchbug depredations very
phflosophically. II have lived here
twenty-five years." he said, "and we
have had chinch bugs in our fields off
and on, but never failed to raise q
fair crop. Conditions favor them
now, but next year we may not be
troubled at all" Mr.. Anderson has
curiosity on his place in the shape
OF Cottonwood tree, measuring over
ten feet in circumference near the
ground, and the tree was planted by
himself when he first came to the place.
After supper we bid adieu to this
worthy couple and proceeded on our
way. We reached the home of Mr..
Dwight Cole, who is the clerk for the
Dist. No. 2. The first district organ
lied in the town, originally compris.
| ing the whole SO sections, it has been
mutilated by the organization of new
districts until now but four sections
remain along the Meeker county line.
The first to organize, it was the last
to build schoolhouse OF it's own. In
a recent term but pupils were en-
rolled. Attempts may soon be made
to secure portions of neighboring over.
crowded districts. Mr.. Cole is the
son of A. N. Cole, one of the origi-
nal old settlers, and resides with his
young wife, formerly Miss Viola Hos
ford, upon the old homestead. After
a pleasant stay at the Cole home we
made an early start Thursday for the
north part of the town. Crossing
through Buttertown we had brief in.
terview with Christopher Anderson,
leader in the East Free Mission con.
gregatioD. The cemetery Is held by
an organization with three trustees
under the name "Free Christian AS.
sociation." We also made a brie1
visit at the largest store at Butter.
town, owned and managed by Ander'
son Bros & Co., formerly owned BY
John Olson. A. K. and Emil Ander
son are sons of I. J. Anderson, and M