Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-04
FARMS IN EASTERN PoWEsHlEk
COUNTY ARE NOT ON THE
MARKET.
sEvENTY-FlvE PER CENT
OCCUPIED BY OWNERS
A Community of Splendid Farm Homes
Ono Instance Where Young Man
With Only Brains and Muscle Be-
came Possessor of Fine Farm c.
E. Wilson'S Observations.
Special to Times-Republican.


picture of the farms of this commun-
ity could be made the result would |
show somewhat rolling area of land |
conveniently provided with a desirable
building spot on which an attractive
residence and commodious barn would
be conspicuously displayed. Substantial
fences and neat and orderly yards
would be noticed, and everything OBJ
servable would Indicate what in reality
is true; namely, that in eastern Powe-
shiek county are some of the very
finest farms in this state of fine farms,
and the further fact that
about Is per cent of the number of
farms in this immediate locality are
occupied by their owners explains to
some extent the excellent appearance
that they present. Not many places are
changing ownership here because they
are not for sale. Those that are sold
cost their purchasers $3.50 or more per
acre, and everybody expects to see
them go $50 higher within short time.
Named farms are especially numerous
IN this section, and one can read all
kinds of appellations lettered on the
gables of the big red barns. Sunny
crest is the name of a place built by
Brooklyn resident, a little way out
Of town and named perhaps by one
OF the family. "Edgewood" was given
to place near the border of a stretch
Of woods. A quartet of big elns stands
in the yard of John Whealen's fine
home, so he calls it -Four Elm Farm"
| A few weeks ago a young farmer in
this county who had been living on a
large farm as a tenant for term of
years held public sale of his property
and bought a twenty-five acre farm
near here, paying little more than
$500 per acre for the place. OF course
many of those who heard of the deal
commented on the transaction in way
that did not at all compliment the
judgment of the purchaser. They said
the land was nothing but a hillside
covered with brush, trees and stumps.
That altho the house was a god one,
that wouldn't make the owner liv-
ing, etc. Travelling thru that locality
one day last week the driver pointed
out the place. The land is quite roll
4
of trees are abundant. The little farm
lies on the north side of the princlpa.
east and west road in that neighbour
hood and about a mile from town. On
a splendid building site partly sur
rounded by a little grove of tall oak
trees stands house, which with fine
little barn and other outbuildings is
worth perhaps S., 1000. In some respects
4
be obtained in a town or city at any
price. Deducting the value of the i'm
|prcvements the cost of the place was
something more than 500 per acre.
Not an exorbitant price for land in
these days. OF course the house and
oak trees don't afford the owner a fl
nancial revenue but there is comfort
and satisfaction in the possession OF
this kind of home that have a very
real value to those who are capable of
approaching such things and it is not
at all likely that the purchaser Of the
place will ever experience any regf Il
for having paid "a big price .or s. a
Undiscovered hill with new house
that he didn't need"
In a news item that appeared re-
Gently in correspondence from town
in this county it was stated that a
certain man had bought certain
eighty-acre farm at O. price of s140 pc,
acre. 1t did not tell, however, that the
big first payment" on the farm was
made in the short period of three
years by a young man who began with
only small farming outfit for which
he was partially in debt. He rented
a quarter section farm for grain rent
Raised big crops and invested his
profits in livestock. Held a public
sale the other day and sold nearl.
81, 900 worth of stuff. He has given al
answer to the question "Can MAJ
beginning with only his brains ant
muscle ever hope to pay for farm o
his own from the profits made by farm
ing another mans land?"
M&*
Noticing the fact that there are
! number of great, big mule teams il
this locality I asked the owner of on
of them where they We're obtained
! He answered that in Missouri it is tn
business Of some men to buy up youn
mules and feed and develop them 70
= the market as is done with cattle. L
some cases these mule feeders" oW
! large ranches in the southwest wher
= the young colts are shipped an
. grassed for couple Of years, then re
r turned and finished. when they An
ready purchasers from Iowa and othe
: adjoining states at remarkably hig
prices. The owners Of these teams i.
sist that they require much less fee
than horses that thew are harder an
!. Ilonger lived, less liable to injury an
; superior in other respects.
: c. e. WILSON.