Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-23

Ne
 Mrs. James M. Lewis of Kinsley. Kan, believes that farm life in Kansas could be made more attractive by the establishment of country clubs, says a Topeka dispatch to the Kansas City Star She believes that the farmers are as well prepared for club life as the residents Of the cities and that this system would prevent the restlessness among the young people which causes them to leave the farms and go to the city. On this subject she said at meeting of the board of agriculture:
 Tt seems to me that the country club, with it's meeting place, the coun- try schoolhouse, is possible in every community. 1t offers plan of com munai social exchange that will bring
 much to our Kansas farmers. There is something lacking in the country life in that 1t fails to satisfy the young peo- ple, and there is a continuous stream from the farms to the cities. It cannot be altogether the desire to make money sthat draws the young people, because their chances are better on the farms. It is the desire for amusement, for re- creation, for participation in the worlds Ehought and progress things they have not had on the farm. A live, wide awake club will keep them in touch with the world. We need clubs i'll the country. ! lived six years on western 1 Kansas cattle ranch, and I know the people in the country are as ready to respond to all that club life means as fkhe people in the towns.
 A constant stream of strong, healthy young men go from the farms into the channels of industry. The country fur n4shes as good as there is in commerce hand business, but against that is pitt INl stream of boys and girls who go frcm the farms and are swallowed by the other side of life. Many of them go hecause country life has heretofore eheen wanting in the things that make for dignity and the social graces, things kAhat ought to adorn every life. The I.rural delivery route, the telephone and Ehhe trolley car have changed this to certain extent, but know Kansas sfarmers with good bank accounts who f1o not subscribe for magazine, whose library consists of a copy of the Gal weston Flood and Mrs. Logan's Thirty FYears Tn Washington and whose col Election of art is a set of horrors labeled 7family portraits. This kind of people fmre those who need the clubs. r
 About twenty years ago in western tKansas Colonel J. M. Lewis organized kke Wayne Township Farmers club in 2Tdwards county. Every farmers fam s,aly was eligible to membership. They bought large tent, for there were no groves for picnics in western Kansas in those days. They met once month an summer. In the morning they had a business session, and the women par ticipated in 1t If they liked. The busi- ness session was followed by cooper ative dinner. Every family provided something. In the afternoon as some what formal programme was given. Sometimes persons from a distance were invited to assist In this.
 4Tater, when railroad came through Khis township, Lewis was founded. The fraternal spirit generated in that or ganixation makes this town today the center of one of the most desirable farming communities in Kansas. The children grew up together in friendly intercourse, and one of the results Is sm cooperative commercial company, handling coal, lumber, grain and live stock. It owns large lumber yard and an elevator. Stock in this company is not for sale. The annual business meet Gngs are participated in by men and women.p