Philip weekly review. [volume] (Philip, Stanley County, S.D.) 1907-1912, 1909-01-05
Interesting Letter from Illinois
Clinton, Illinois, Jan. End, 1909.
Editor Philip Weekly Review,
Dlil;n = n

Stanley county homesteader now on
short visit to Illinois might prove
interesting to your readers, take
the opportunity now afforded me to
let my neighbors and friends In and
around Marietta know that arriv-
ed at my destination, Clinton, ILL.,,
alright, although somewhat fatigued
after the long trip of over 800 miles.
left Philip on Sunday night, Dec.
9th, over the North Western and at
s:2O the next morning l was landed
safely in Huron, almost 300 miles
east of Philip. AS the trip was made
mostly during the night time 1t was,
of course, impossible for me to gaze
at the picturesque sights along Bad
river and the billowy sea Of prairie
land that lays on both sides OF the
railroad right of way between Pierre
and Huron. After a two hours lay
over at Huron, again boarded a
North Western flyer for Webster
City, Iowa, where | was to change
cars. The daylight ride through
South Dakota from Huron to Alces-
ter was certainly revelation; the
fine farm houses and the big red
barns along the railway indicated
the prosperous condition of the tillers
Of the soil, and the country Is certain
ly the finest that can be found any
where on this mundane sphere; all
this, too, in a region that a decade
ago was proclaimed TO the world as
being worthless same story that
is being repeated by the cynics rela-
tive to good old Stanley county.
My trip from Philip to Webster
City was over the Chicago g. North
Western all the way, and word Of
commendation Is due the company
for the painstaking and gentlemenly
employ ees that operate the trains.
At Webster City transferred from
the North Western to a railway line
that blazed the way through Iowa
for the pioneer settlers years ago
Just as the North Western Is doing
| today N the land of the COYOTE and
prairie dog-a railroad whose ramiti-
cations extend almost everywhere In
big state, and which is kn.wn by
the natives as the "Illinoisy Central. "
1t was one of the many fast trains
operated by the company that | took
passage on at Webster City and at
$50 on the morning OF the 18th
alighted at Freeport, Illinois, within
1i2 miles OF my destination. | was
fort at Freeport In that only
had to walt there about two houfs
for train to Clinton, and at 3:05 on
the afternoon of the 10Th l reached
the end of my journey. A real
genuine Illinois rainstorm was raging
when l reached Clinton, and which
continued with unabatsd vigo, until
the morning Of the 3Oth. The rail-
was welcomed by everyone, as th'
protracted and persistent droutf
which has prevailed in Illinois for ;
long period had caused the wells u
become dry and even the cisterns has
become dry and dusty. Crops OF al
kinds throughout the state wer
very poor last year as a result OF be
ing drowned out in the early part O
the crop year and burned up by tn
drouth in the later part.
Since my arrival here have bee
asked innumerable questions by tn
, natives in regard to South Dakots
and i find that everyone is coming a
last to a realization OF the fact tha
| co,tl, n,Lrt, iC favf Ioruipu 1 n \,
front. The people here are acquain'
r ed with the fact that | am q Sout
Dakota "soddie" and they are all IL
terested in hearing something abol
life on homestead. Quite nambt
1 Of Clinton people are holding dow
D claims In the vicinity OF Hayes, an
they write home glowing reports |
their friends here about pioneer lii
p Well, Mr.. Editor, being apprehel
sive that my letter may prove wear
: some to you and your readers, an
= that may be monopoizing tt
much of your valuable space, ther
fore | will close.
+ Laura M. Gambrel.
y Residence at Head of Council Be;
Creek, SW! Of 3-a-l9.
X Fever Sores
S Fever sores and old chronic sor'
should not be healed entirely, b,
n should he kent in healthy condit if