Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-12-17
Lincoln COuaty-E Egyptian Wheat
and Thomas ThOrsOn.
Rapid City, South Dakota,

RaplO C1Jy, SOuJn DdkOCd,
Dec. 10, 1909.
Editor LEADER: After attending
the G.. A. Il. Encampment at Sioux
Falls last June l passed through a
portion OF Lincoln county coming
back home, and a stop Of a few hours
at the City Of Canton gave me an OPP
%portunity to walk about a bit and
observe things at the county seat of
the finest farming country that the
eye Of man could wish to see rich
land, beautiful houses, bountiful
crops, a healthy and c%ontented people.
l have seer much Of other lands In
various parts Of America and in
Europe, and l was much surprised to
find such conditions existing in a
comparatively new country like South
Dakota. Wonderful! What will it
be in another decade? A great state,
rich beyond the most confident expec-
tatiOns.
AS you know, l am a Celt from the
Emerald Isle, and greatly regret that
more OF my people do not leave the
big crowded cities in the east to come
out here and acquire land for them
selves and their children. The Irish
in their own little country are mostly
all agriculturists, while in America
they seem to prefer city life, but 1t Is
only seemingly, for the heart OF mar
in all ages and climes longingly seek
the land and to own and cultivate 1t
like the ancient CINCINNATI who left
the pillow to be dictator of the then
greatest country on earth. But he
grew tired of the city and went back
to his pillow and fields again.
The greatest wealth of any nation
is its land and the produ of the
land and / would be greatly pleased
to see my countrymen give up the
cities for the country and cultivate
their own land, the source Of all
wealth, comfort and good health,
with that great blessing to man
good schools. l would like to see
them come to this state and partici-
pate In its natural wealth as there Is
enough for all.
What I really started to write to
you about Is q story copied from an
eastern paper. 1t reminded me Of
some Of the soldier stories that l
heard recently. If that writer don't
even beat the soldier In telling a
story, and such an ancient, hoary
tale to boot.
Extract: "Some OF the wheat that
Joseph stored before the sever years
famine In Egypt, has been received
in America in the new state Of
South Dakota. 1t was found by Of
ficers OF the Museum OF Cairo in a
storehouse In Dier-el-B ahri. About
half the grain found was brought to
the Cairo museum and placed on ex-
hibition and the rest vas sold. A
merchant OF New York purchased a
small amount of 1t and sent a small
portion to Mr.. Thomas Thorson Of
Canton, S. D. The wheat was stored
in the Nineteenth Dynasty, 1900 years
before Christ, or more than 3.4OO
years ago. The wheat will no doubt
be distributed to the farmer friends
of MI. Thorson for experimental Gull
tivation, and in time South Dakota
may become famous for its Egyptian
wheat"
Well! What do you think Of that?
l had the pleasure while waiting
for q train in Canton to meet MI.
Thomas Thorson, but l e mag
ined that he was training for United
States senatorship by the free dis
tribution OF Egyptian wheat. and
why not? Well done honest Tom
Thorson, you deserve success for your
original II somewhat ancient wheat
deal. l am sure you would be a good
senator, one that South Dakota would
be proud OF. No need to inquire how
you stand on the important questions
OF the day, for"A mar Is a man for
a. that
PATRICK VINCENT FITZPATRICK.
te