Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-05
Wealth That Requires Killing
Labor Not Enjoyed by the
POssessOr
SOME EXAMPLES ON THE FARM
Wilson Tells of Few Notable In
stances Where tho Possessore of Fine
Farms and Fine Buildings Are Still
Failures in Life-News From All
Over Iowa.
Special to Times- Republican.

Thornton, March 5.-,As he drives
thru rural neighborhood and passes
farm on which Is built an elegant
residence, rivaling in size, expense or
construction and In convenience, the
best that Is to be found in any town
in the vicinity IN question, huge we'll
lngs, the whole surrounded by beau
tiful grove, which during the heated
portion of the year affords cool. re-
freshing shade, and when the winter
season prevails checks the progress Of
the cold winds, where every appearance
of comfort and plenty is presented the
ordinary man is imbued with the idea
that here is the home of an individual
who is fortunate indeed so far as
ity for enjoying life are concerned, and
comparison with conditions noticed on
some adjoining place where, instead Of
stately mansion and commodious
barn, there Is only humble three
room dwelling and little stable, seems
to justify the conclusion that the other
man has much the best of 1t, as in one
respect he certainly has. But fortunes
are not made In day on the farm,
and investigation often reveals the fact
that the owners of these valuable es-
tates have paid a price that they them
selves would hesitate to pay another
time were their lives to be lived over
again.
A man of whom 1 was once making
some inquiries pointing to a veritable
country palace said: You had better
there; he is great reader; in fact, for
ten years he has not done much else.
He has literally been on his back all
that time. and is not always rational,
but he nevertheless reads a great deal.
The physician who attends him says
the man worked too hard one summer
and it wrecked him both in body and
mind He didn't need to work hard,
either, for he was rich enough al
ready"
In another part of the state there
stands beautiful mansion surround
ed by great evergreens planted many
years ago by the old man who still lives
there One unacquainted with the
present situation there would say after
a glance at the place: Here dwells a
man whose lot is to be envied.', But
when l entered the place found a
gray-haired old man sitting by hard
coal burner. He was just recovering
from a severe illness that had left him
very weak One week before l was
there his faithful. hard working old
wife had been laid away in the nearby
cemetery and the sick man was longing
to get out of the room in which he was
a prisoner. His life had been spent IN
constant work and he wanted TO get out
and continue the old habits.
In vet another community lives
man who entered it good many years
ago with very limited means ana an
nounced his intention of one day build
ing the finest house and barn IN tne
county in which he was located. On thal
farm. now one of three adjoining quar-
ter sections of land are the bulidlngs
which in his youthful days he dreamed
of erecting. In addition to these 1T is
said he has had constructed $4,000
family tomb on his lot in graveyard.
In the accomplishment of his purpose
his acuuaintances say that he over
worked his wife, abused his son in the
effort to profit by the boys work un-
III the lad left home at an early age,
refusing to return, educated daughter
that he might receive the wages she
could earn by teaching and illtreated
her until she too went away. Last
week I was informed at the place that
the owner was not at home, also that
he would not be at all Interested In
daily paper were he present at ne was
affected with nervous prostration caus-
ed by worry and could not bear either
to read or listen to the contents of
newspapers. Treatment at Battle
Greek, a trip to California and visits to
other health resorts had all failed to
do anything toward restoring his
health. which was lost. no doubt, be-
cause of the manner of life he has led
for so many years.
Beautiful and expensive homes and
highly improved farms indicate SUI
perior class of residents and the own
ership of such places is often possible
without any such methods as those de-
scribed being employed, but as rule
the farmer, who by his own efforts
succeeds in such an accomplishment,
is surely entitled to all the pleasure
and satisfaction he derives from Its
nossession. c. E. WILSON.