The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-03-19
THE CITY OF AlNsWoRTH.
Response Of John M. Cotton Of the
Ainsworth Star-JournaI

AlUSWOTtn
At the session of the state CONNER.
clal clubs Tuesday afternoon, the fol.
lowing response was made by John NJ.
Cotton, editor of the Ainsworth star
Journal to the call of "Ainsworth;
Mr. President and Gentlemen # the
Conventions This morning, after be.
ing introduced to a gentleman in this
city, he asked where | lived. On be-
ing told that | was from Ainsworth
he said: "Ainsworth! oh, Ainsworth;
that's away out west in the sand hills
| see. ! see.
The trouble with him was that he
didn't see
| beg your indulgence while | pre-
sent a few facts to correct this enron
eous impression.
In the first place we are east of the
center of the state and cannot fairly
be classed as away out west"
Second: While there are sand hills
in Brown county, Ainsworth Is not in
the sand hills, but in the midst of as
fine and fertile an agricultural region
as can be found anywhere in the west.
1t may seem increditable to you, but
| tell you now, and can demonstrate
derstands his business can get an
average of 500 an acre each year from
his farm lands in the vicinity of Aims
worth by raising potatoes. We are
in the potato belt and the potatoes of
this section are the finest in the world.
Our "spuds" have acquired a national
reputation.
AS to our sand hills: They grow the
/ nj of
upon which thousands of cattle feed,
| and abound in numerous lakes, in the
placid waters of which swim the fin
est and gamiest of black bass, and on
their waters in season, swim millions
of ducks and geese-a veritable
sportsman's paradise.
AS an evidence of our prosperity
will mention that in 1908 we shipped
out from Ainsworth 124 cars of cattle,
139 cars of hogs. ia cars of potatoes,
227 cars of grain and fifteen cars of
horses. There were raised in Brown
county last year about 140 900 bushels
of as fine potatoes as ever grow, and
these were sold at an average price
of about as cents per bushel. This
year we promise to double that crop
One man in the vicinity of Long Pine
about ten miles east of Ainsworth, is
arranging to plant 300 acres in pota
toes this year.
Our commercial club was organized
three years ago. While it does not
make much noise it has acquired the
habit of getting there just the same
There is not a crouch among our bust
ness men. They all work together
act together, pull ogether-harmony
| nrnUDilS These
ments in town building.
Last year we put down as mucE
good cement sidewalks as any town Of
exceed the work of last year 80 pei
cent. The coming year promises muct
in the building line. A spirit of har
mony and good fellowship prevades
the entire town and is the moving
power in all the activities of our com
mercial club
had not thought to mention oul
aspirations for a state normal school
not deeming this the proper place tC
bring up that subject. But, inasmucf
as our good friends from Alliance ant
Chadron have told you of their de
sires and asked your support, | vii
! add that Ainsworth is. after a state
J normal school. Our bill has passed
the house and is now on the way to {
successful passage through the senate
We would appreciate any help you cal
, give it in pushing it along
We are over 300 miles from an!
state normal school. Our people pa!
their share of the taxes and believe
that we should have something tt
show for our loyalty to the state.