Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-08-30
SOME LITTLE JOURNEYS OUT
Hurried Trips to Rural Sections and
Surrounding Hamlets

] Hurried trips 10 Kural oeCAlOnS duo
Surrounding Hamlets
The editor has countryized somewhat
of late, but in hasty manner, how
ever. When one goes through the
rural districts in the modern mode Of
travel ne misses much of the sociabil-
| ity and opportunity to visit that went
with the old way-either to hoof it, go
| by OK team or after horses. When one
speeds over good roads at a pace of
| twenty or thirty miles an hour he simp-
ly sees country between catching his
breath and holding fast to his head
gear.
On a recent date, in company with
Otto and Ben Brown, eastern Franklin
and western Kickapoo high places were
touched, with jump off into Soldiers
Grove. The entire distance panorama
of inviting scenery, inspiration and
good crops were everywhere in evidence.
The Grove looks much as Of yore. Many
hand-clasps were had with friends, but
one familiar touch of palms with that
prince of geniality and large hearted
'Uncle Alley" was missed, and sadly,
too. 1t was our first visit there since
the laying away of his precious re-
mains. There was d charm in his per-
sonality that one can never forget who
knew him intimately. A run to Reads
town, serene and scattered village,
found the place quiet but hospitable, a
chuckle by her business men and citi-
zens that crops are abundant and pros
poets good. We sped on up the famous
old valley to Manning, then by Harrison
Hollow to Pleasant Ridge, a run of
nine miles in Liberty and Viroqua, the
finest roads in this section of country.
Beautiful elevation overlooking wide
range of country, hanging fruit, wild
and tame, grain stacks; new residences
are to be seen on every hand. A little
Grip quickly made that would electrify
foreigner because of beauty, grand
eur of scenery and hospitality of folk.
Over to De Soto on the famous river
of the world, by way of Liberty Pole,
day ride on one of the most gorgeous of
days. The old town, once noted as the
greatest wheat market between st.
Paul and st. Louis, changes little in
appearance, but the men and women of
other days are few to be found there,
new generation having supplanted
IIG ldluCIS III UOlu CltlLCHSLiD anu JUS
mess The numerous and varied bust
nesses and occupations are well repre-
scented. The bank, the newspaper,
the flowing wells on the main street,
the abrupt mountains and peaks over
looking the village and the placid Miss
issippi makes De Soto little gem in
residential pleasantness and cool retreat.
We found Brother Copper of the Argus
happy in the possession of a new cylin-
der printing press, with power equip
ment, the first complete and modern
newspaper plant of the many De Soto
has maintained in the long past years.
We were a passenger with Edward
Wig in his new Imperial auto, who
drove over to keep an eye on the mer-
camille interests recently acquire d
there, and when the gong sounded it
was necessary to get, hence the brief
ness of stay. On the return trip Red
Mound, with busy Norman store, black
smith shop, and modern creamery,
were inspected. Melvin Steenberg's
crowded mercantile establishment and
wealth producing creamery at Retreat
were objects of observation, and then
on to the Christianson farm at West
Prairie. Here the busy and scientific
SuIBcOll VI lAh CfO5SG Is DtdUlIlR tine
revenues derived from Vernon county
appendicitis patients, and he is convert
ing this wealth into some of the most
substantial farm buildings, half-dozea
iE number, constructed from concrete
and cement blocks They are village
within themselves, the most modern
farm equipment in Vernon county, to
be used exclusively for fine stock
breeding. Ibis plantation will be an
experimental station within itself be-
fore many years. DIR. Christianson has
four distinct strains of leading cattle.
not few of them imported. His al
falfa fields are wealth of instruction
to the community as will be his exam
pie of industrial effort for that section
When the doctor reaFs that palatial res
idence on the we'll groomed farm the
situation will be a JOY to the whole
country as we'll as to the progressive
owner.
West Prairie hamkAt is an interesting
and signti, p,aSc Merchant Allen
Halverson is master of the situation,
commercially, and he has a great
trade. w. II. Stegdill has a busy
place in big blacksmith and repair shop
and feed mill.
What an enchanting view one beholds
from the eminence secured on taking
the ridge at the ''hog's back" till jump
ing off in the west at the old John
Davis farm No finer landscape could
be painted by the cultured and tutored
artist than is here spread out to view
as far as eye can penetrate in any dir
ection. improvements leaping into
prominence on every hand; luxuriant
crops of everything needed to sustain
man. What picture to contrast with
the Drowned plains of the west. What
farmer, what lover of the beautifular j
his common country could want more?