davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01
THE TENDERFOOT'S IDEA

Editor The Ranch
copy of your publication recently came am to to
for paper, I thought l would write you
and see what you thought of proposition
While 1 was still in the East my dreEm
acres and 'i start small ranch, raising rru1t
vegetables and chickens. l talked with
and the advantages held forth in the pam
phlets which are to be had for the ASKING,
to venture on account of the deception prac-
ticed by many land sharks of the day.
In fact, some of the issues are SO worded that
an Fastener might gain the idea that all he
had to do was to jump on the Sot train, and
much land he wants. on all the time
he wants. and pay for the same from the
1 have been here but few months and
have found where I am at in this connec-
those who are still to come. and some who
are here am writing you Utt this s+ro t,e
country with little else than a good consti-
last t' until found job About the first thing
I did was to look around for piece Of land
which I had read, and though I was disap
pointed in many respects at last found
a hundred miles from Seattle which am
going to locate and improve as fast as I am
with experience in the farm line, but thor
oughly believe in what can be taught by the
and write from that standpoint My idea in
writing you was to ascertain if you would
late my on experience and ask for advice from
your readers The answers to be published in
your column as matter of information to
just the class of people to which I have re-
ferred. And in this connection I think that
we might be able to bring out many points
that some of the older heads might be glad
to know.
Please understand that should this propo-
sition meet with favor you are not to expect
a college discourse from me, but 1 will write
in my way of things as they seem to me. In
fact I believe / would be more likely to make
myself understood in that way than to spend
my time looking up dictionary words" to make
it sound big. THE TENDERFOOT
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01
THE "LITTOOY IDEA"

Editor The Ranch
you would insert in the proper place that the
"Snohomish County Idea" originated with j.
F. Littooy, and that county did not take 1t up
till L was exhausted in exploiting the idea.
It was from my observation of how the farm
ers were handicapped in clearing land to make
a living when it is no easy problem to MAKE
it without the effort involved to clear it. that
caused to take up the matter.
My own experience of fourteen years past
while at Sumner clearing my own farm OF
huge stumps to make the living, put me In b
position to sympathize with the fellow who
had to do likewise.
My experience as county horticultural IN
spector for nearly six years In Snohomish
county convinced me that capital should and
could do it cheaper and that, best of all,
the government reclamation service should
do it, as it is just important as reclaim
ing the arid and semi-arid and swamp lands.
The finale Of my paper at the State Horticul-
tural meeting was to eliminate to the import
ance of government aid to clear the land.
Reclamation service to water and drain and
81 add to clear" and also to irrigate the land
in the "dank' Northwest. The population
there requires intensive farming to supply
their needs. Hence it is worth more than
present prices and will be rapidly occupied
When you wrote the comment on 1t in The
Ranch you were unaware of how 1t originated,
and selishness did not inform you. No one
claims it for they dare not. But 1t had to
originate somewhere, and now you have the
fact and put it where 1t belongs. Your
comment on the "Littooy Idea" you would
mean, was certainly o. X. Sincerely,
LITTOOY Wenatchee, Wash
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01

and making it fit for the settlers to till without en-
countering such tremendous obstacles in the way
of clearing their lands before they can be sue
cessfully cultivated. In this problem, then, is IN
volved the future of a dominion extensive as
half dozen of our New England states and many
times more productive than any of the great agr
cultural states of the Middle West
At the present time there are thousands OF set
tiers in Washington and Oregon who are strug
Cling with the problem of clearing these lands so
that they will yield them sustenance and make
fit place for their abode in the years to come.
Many of these people are in the dark as to the
most practicable and economical method OF clear
ing this land. Many of the others are financially
unable to avail themselves of these modern and
improved methods even when they do know OF
them. The great problem is to devise a method OF
clearing these lands on wholesale scale; to first
teach the farmers the modern methods OF accom-
plishing the work, and then to show them the
way to accomplish it in cooperative manner and
in way that will be cheaper and more rapid for
each and every one OF them.
For this purpose, it is the intention of The
Ranch to establish department devoted to
"Logged-Off Lands" We realize that probably
half Of readers are vitality interested in this
subject, much so as perhaps the other half are
interested in the subject of irrigation We have
had much to say of irrigation. We expect to
have more to say and to develop our irrigation de-
partment in much ADLER and more ample manner
than have in the past. But for our readers
on this side of the mountains, who are facing the
problem of clearing away the Wilderness we pur
pose to start this new department on loggedotf
lands so that our west-ofthe-mountain readers
may also have instruction and advice on the sub
ject of BODYBUILDING.
We trust that each and every one of our read
ers read the story of "The SnOhomish County
Idea," which appeared in our Snohomlsh county
edition, issued on November 10Th. We know tnaC
many of our readers did, for we have had letters
from every section of the Northwest and even from
the East, commenting on the subject and asking
further questions. The number of these letters
and the great number of questions which we were
asked did as much anything else to demonstrate
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01
-H HIS is the Handwriting on the WALL"

,-S HIS is the Handwriting on the wall
We are about to witness the genesis OF a
movement which, in its importance TO tne
industrial DEVELOPMENT of the West, to the hVes
and Fortunes of a multitude of American citizens,
to the advancement of the already great natural
wealth of the nation, is to become second IN I'M
nortance only to the great irrigation movement on
The part of the Reclamation Service of the united
States Government.
II is not a new discovery. People have Deeh
thinking about it, talking about it. concelv1ng IT,
bit by bit, for many years, but nave never re-
solved it into definite entirety, which is all that
has been needed to get it under way. 1t has now
gathered such volume, has become of such vast
mnortance to the happiness and welfare of peo-
ple and the development of an empire, that it can
no longer be avoided but it is an inevitable problem
which must be confronted and solved.
In the States of Washington Oregon ana loano,
there are at the present time over loo'ooO SQUARE
miles of timber lands, which are rapidly pelne
1ogged-off and left by the logger and the. lumDer-
men dormant and unproductive. The proporuon
of this vast empire which has already been denuu-
ed of it's timber is astonishing. The rapldlty Win
which the remainder is being cleared IS slsnin
cant of the fact that at time not many decaues
in the future if this vast territory is TO conIue
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01
THE sNOHOMIsH COUNTY IDEA
Editor The Ranch:

Editor The Ranch
Some friend of mine who lives in Western
Washington was kind enough to send 10 me
your farm paper, issue OF November To- w.
and liked it so we'll 1 herewith enclose
money order for so cents for one years sub
scription.
AS l own land in Snohomish county am
much interested in the Snohomish idea
am in the same condition as that which is
mentioned in that article If my land was
cleared l would be out there on it now, but
being salaried man, l have to wait, work
and save, until can get enough ahead to get
some cleared. I like Western Washington
much better than any other country that l
have seen, and there is a large number OF
Iowa people who will investigate Western
Washington during 1908.
was thinking while reading "The Sno-
homish Idea" why Snohomish county did not
put county gang of men and donkey engine
in to clearing off the land and allowing the
owners to pay so much per acre for having
the land cleared, and being allowed to pay
the county by additional taxes, covering
period of years. l believe this would be
fine idea, and would help SO many. Let the
county put the cost down to the actual cost
Not moneymaking scheme.
What SnOhOmiSh county needs more than
any other one thing is permanent settlers
and this would allow the farmers to begin
actual production Immediately, which would
bring large returns quickly
If you should think this idea worth dis
cussing would like to see it brought forth
and allowed free and open discussion, even
by the secretary of the Chamber of Com
merce of Everett, and by the farming class.
hope I may receive your paper regularly
during the year 1908. Wishing you happy
and prosperous New Year, and large in
crease of subscribers, I remain, Very
respectfully,
]. c. RATHBONE, Shenandoah, Iowa.
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01
GENESIS OF A GREAT

The Beginning of an Attempt to Aid in the solu
ton of Problem Which Involves the
Future of Vast Empire and the
Welfare of Half of Our Readers.
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01

method, the blasting method and new method
which has been invented by Mason A. Fry.
In order to make this department successful,
however, We must have the cooperation of our
readers. We want every person who is interested
in the subject to write in expressing his views.
We want those who are confronted by problems
they do not understand to write in and we will
have them explained by people who do understand
them We want those who have had experience
along these lines to write about it and give us
a chance to give others the benefit of this ex-
perience. In this way we can all do each other
some good, and do much to aid in the solving
of a problem which is one of the greatest and
most important in the Northwest.
The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-02-01

The following table showing the average yields
per acre of the cereal crops of the United States
(other than rice) covers period of forty years.
divided into eight parts of five years each. The
fve-year figures are the means of the yearly av-
erage yields for the several ive-year periods
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17

Republican congressional campaign
committee, and he gave the people he
called upon very clearly to under
stand that the Republican majority in
the house is in danger.
Wall street has steeled itself
against the opportunities OF political
canvassers for funds. but Mr.. Dawes
visit was unquestionably impressive.
The people who saw and heard him
were convinced that he really meant
what he said when he announced that
unless means were taken to arrest the
current and change the situation the
Democrats would swing into control
Of the popular branch OF congress and
probably elect a president. Mr., Dawes
did not conhne his visit alone to
bankers and hnanciers He devoted a
good share OF his attention TO leading
representatives OF the manufacturing
interests. He CARRIED away some
money, but not nearly as much as he
had hoped for"
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17

hot and, finally, Governor Odell was
compelled to take a train for Saratoga
in order to prevent Sheldon's name
from appearing on the ticket Cover
nor Odell went direct to Senator
Platt'S home In Saratoga and, after a
conference which lasted until 2
o'clock In the morning. Platt yielded
and Sheldon's name was withdrawn
and +. W. Higgins was nominated for
the ONCE sought by George h. Shell
don.
When II was announced that Shell
don would not be on the ticket three
hundred delegates in front OF Platts
house cheered the glad tidings.
Lieut. Gov Woodruff, when asked at
that tigle why he objected so strongly
TO Sheldon, said:
"a have no personal anImoslty to-
ward Mr.. Sheldon. I believe that the
objections that have been raised to
him are Of the graVest sort and that
they Jeopardize the state ticket"
Gov. odell had this to say a day be-
fore sheldon's name was taken on the
slate:
~ fought against George r. Sheldon
because his business connections I'm.
perlled the whole Ticket"
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
COULDN'T STAND SHELDON.
Even Lt..eoW Woodruff. a Trust
Character, Said the Present Trsa.
surer Of the National Commit.
tee, Would Jeopardlze the
state Ticket.

I. George r. Sheldon, treasurer OF the
Republican National committee, whose
trust interests are well known. was
compelled, under fire, TO withdraw
from the New York state ticket In the
! fall OF 1902 when he was eager TO
accept the office OF Lieutenant Cover
NOR. His connections with the trusts
and especially those owned and domi-
mated by ]. Pierpont Morgan and other
favored trusts. became such an issue
at that time that Governor B. B. odell
fought against his name being placed
on the ticket. Odell even went so
far as to wire Timothy Woodruff that
he would not run on the same state
ticket with Sheldon. United States
Senator Thomas c. Plat was deter
mined to have Sheldon on the ticket
and informed the Republican leaders
ct the state convention at Saratoga
that Sheldon's name would remain on
the slate. The wires between the con.
Ysntien city and Albany ..wers kept
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
The A B c. of Advertising

p on pe ed dor letter las ~ dropped r cad rhlHfno
Sd ymnmngwm gva
e from hpgsfn oumg dhep
Coupon
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17

showing a Standard Oil can taking
the place OF the dome in picture Of
the Capitol at Washington. Good! 1t
is another evidence that the people do
not rule at Washington, but that the
trusts rule through the agency Of the
Republican party, AS to legislation,
Mr., Sherman. candidate for vice-presi-
dent, said The Republican party is
willing aud ready'to accept full re-
sponsibility." Exactly, And the Stand
ard oil aud other trusts rule through
that party. The only way to prevent
sach rule is to elect Bryan.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
SHAKING DOWN THE TRUSTS.
chas. G. Dawes Visits Wall Street and
Promises Republican Party VIII
Be Good.

Under New York date line OF Sept.
10 the daily papers OF the country
publish a dispatch from which the fol
lowing is taken:
THE visit OF Charles G.. Dawes. Of
Chicago (tormerly Comptroller Of the
Currency, had more influence than
anything else in arousing Wall street
uneasiness. Mr. Dawes came TO New
York primarily To raise money for this
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
Always Loatinu.

Sam Sparks-oh, yo amt de only
seed In de sunhowah. Ders lots oh
uddeh gals dat hab called me Sugah
befo' Air ebeh heahd oh yo
Belinda Sparks Well, man, II dey
called yo' sugah dey sholy must had
meant loaf sugah.--Detrolt Tribune.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
Aft.r A.. cra.h.

Rodrick-Bluewood is going In for
aerial sports these days.
Van Albert-Yes They say he is
wrapped up ia his airship.
Rodrick-I should say he is. The
other day II took ten strong men to
unwrap him.-Chicago News.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
Taking In Coin.

Talking about Inventions" said the
business man, 81 have little ma
chine In my place that would make
me millionaire II could keep 1t
going all the time"
"What IL itY'
"A cash eglster"-Catholic Stand
ard and Times.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
Worklna.

Father-so you want TO attend a
business college?
Hopeful-ies, sir. want to learn
how TO get more money out Of you.--
New York Sun.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17
Too Much Of a Flv.

Il hear your son is something of an
aviator, Mrs. Comeup."
We'll, to tell the truth, he was bit
that way, but he's taken the pledge
Baltimore American.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17

The New York World has cartoonr
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-10-17

They are pleasing and have that
lasting satisfaction that is so diht ult
to obtain unless you have Brunskill
make them. We are speaking Of
Photos, not mere shadows as some
make, but speaking likenesses such
as you would not hesitate to give
your dearest friend, and that you can
get only by having Brunskll make,
large or small.
There's reason, we know how. ]
Amateur work finished in the short
est e-all kinds Of supplies, watch
this space, something new in short
while of course i'll be Brunskill
idea.
Willmar tribune., 1908-01-15
Opportunity for Airship Inventors

ance flight Of two hours at an aver
age speed of 70 per cent. of the trial
requirements, and must maintain it's
equilibrium without change of posi-
tion by the aeronaut.
One of the features of the specifica-
tions that will appeal particularly to
inventors of limited financial means is
that relative to the silk to be used in
the construction of the balloon. This
Is one of the most expensive items in
the machine, and it is stated that tho
material for the gas bag will be fur.
nished by the government. The sig.
nal Office has procured some samples
Of silk of great strength, pliability and
closeness of texture. It weighs 5,842
ounces per square yard and has q
minimum breaking strength of 621z
pounds per inch width. This mate.
rial requires no varnish, but is to be
covered with an aluminium prepare
ton, which will not only make it gas
tight, but will, by rejecting the rays
of the sun, prevent considerable loss
of hydrogen, such as occurs when an
ordinary balloon is suddenly exposed
to the increased temperature of the
sunlight upon emerging from q cloud
Willmar tribune., 1908-01-15
Says Soldiers Want Canteen

state of affairs. Capt. Hagood's re.
port is based upon large number Of
reports secured by him from the diff,
ferent army posts.
The report also undertakes to show
why soldiers will not stay j2 the army.
some Of the answers being based on
demands for restoration Of the can
teen, less frequent change of station
fewer court-martials, building gymna
Sums and increased pay.
It is shown that the only other greas
nation maintaining an army of any
size by voluntary enlistment -Grea,
Britain-pays her soldiers more thar
the United States. although the cost
Of living is much less in the case Of
the British soldier.
The report shows the changes that
have occurred in recent years in the
expense of living at the army posts:
how the value of the allowances ha,
shrunken, how travelling expenses ol
officers with families have increased
through abolition of passes and 70
duced rates Of fare; how more fro
quent changes Of post involve heav,
household expenses, and Capt. Hagoot
points out that unprecedentedly it i.
now very difficult to obtain suitable
material to fill the numerous vacan
cies at West Point.
Willmar tribune., 1908-01-15

ern state. In the last congress Eze-
kiel Samuel made a speech in favor Of
bill appropriating q large sum Of
money for the Improvement Of the
Tombtgbee river. Mr.. Gambler came
within an ace Of making the Tombig-
bee as famous, temporarily at least,
as Private John Allen, q fellow Missis.
sippian, made the town Tupelo.
There were prose and song in equal
measure in the Mississippian's plea
for the Tombigbee. He wanted q
huge sum of money, but prose and
song failed of their purpose, notwith-
standing the fact that the house had
light and an agreeable time of it for
several hours while the loyal Missis-
sippian held forth in his pleadings.
Now as for Mr.. Candler's right to
growl at Speaker Cannon. The Re-
publican chieftain wants to keep down
the appropriations this winter. For
some reason or other he has an idea
that the agricultural department is
likely to have some special pleaders
for money before the committee on ag-
riculture. Representative Gambler was
member of this committee in tho
last congress, and he wanted to he
member Of it In this congress. Mr..
Cannon. however, remembered the
slea for the millions for the improve
nent Of the Tomb:gbes river that the
Nississlppian had made last year
yith Z perfect face and . perfect faith,
Willmar tribune., 1908-01-15
LIGHT OATS VS.. HEAVY OATS.
They Practically Have the Same Feed.
ing Value Pound for Pound.

The weight of oats per bushel varies
from 80 pounds to so and even IS
pounds in some of the western irrigat-
ed states. The Office of experiment
stations notes an experiment on three
pair of Percheron horses which were
fed light and heavy cats. !
The practical results of thje; expert
ment seem to indicate that pound for
pound, the light oats have nearly the
same feeding value as the heavy oats.
Although the heavy oats contain 4
higher percentage of protein, and car
bohydrates and less percentage Of
fiber than the light oats, it seems prob.
able that the relative proportions Of
these constituents are such that they
are more easily and thoroughly d.
gested.
It should be remembered that al
though the two grades are practically;
equal, pound for pound, they are not
equal, quart for quart, and that in feed
ing by measure, as is usual, allowance
should be made for heavy oats and q
less portion given.
Since oats are bought and sold by
weight instead of measure, there
seems to be no gain made in buying
the heavy oats at an advanced price,
over the light oats.
Willmar tribune., 1908-01-15
"For About q Minute There Was
Steady Rain Of Grizzly"

to be saying to himself. But when
they run against nitro-glycerin and the
Intelligence Of Pike county bears, an
explosion is the only funeral sermon
coming to them
"Tom Wilson was considerably wor.
rfed when his pet hunter didn't return
home that night. The next day ho
started out to find him. He followed
the grizzly's trail to where the explo-
sion had occurred. Then he couldn't
understand what had happened.
I've heard of explosive tempers'
he said, puzzled-like, and my pet Ger.
tafnly had one. But this is the first
time ever heard of one tearing a hole
in the ground
II explained what had happened.
Tom could hardly restrain his grief 1t
the thought Of his grizz;y's fate.
"'His life was one long career Of
victory, said Tom with tears in his
eyes, but even a grizzly can't stand 4
diet of nitro-glycerin and hard knocks.
/ would inter him with honors If 1
could. But would have to celebrate
his obsequies over the bigger part Of
this county And I'm not willing To
conduct continuous performance fl,
nerals, even for the sake Of my char@
lsaed pet
Willmar tribune., 1908-01-15
THE IMPORTED
GRIZZLY
A Veraciou.
Nature Story
By
Edwin J. Webster
Copyright. BY w. G. Chapman.)

"Tom Wilson's imported grizzly Gre
ated lamentable havoc among Pike
county animals during his short yet
strenuous career" said Deacon Tod
gers pensively. "But in the end he
fell victim to the intelligence and
scientific knowledge of the dean of the
local black bears. And when Tom Will
son came to look for the remains Of
his pet he found that nothing but a
patient search over this and the sur.
rounding counties could collect enough
for decent burial.
"Tom captured the grizzly out west
when it was a cub and had trained it
to hunt for him. When the bear was
nearly full grown he brought him east
and turned him loose on the innocent
bears and wildcats of this county. The
grizzly had been trained so that he
wouldn't eat anything but cooked
meat. While active, he wasn't an
especially intelligent bear, and, not
being able to cook his own food, he
would turn the proceeds of his hunt.
ing expeditions in to Tom Wilson.
Tom would deduct liberal share for