The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-11-15
NORMAN J. COLEMAN.

A strictly agricultural people like
those Of North Dakota will be inter-
ested in the following estimate of the
character Of the first federal secre-
tary Of agriculture. as made in an ed
itorial in The Nashville Tennessean:
Through the death Of Norman ].
Coleman. the first American secretary
OF agriculture, attention Is directed to
the fact that 1t was only twenty two
years ago when the United States
government recognized the agricul-
tural interests Of the nation as OF
huf1cient importance to grant them
representation in the cabinet.
Previous to the creation Of the de-
partment of agriculture Mr.. Coleman
held the ONCE of commissioner Of ag-
riculture for four years, and IT was
largely through his efforts that the
government created experiment sta
tions in connection with state agricul-
tural colleges. st. Louis had been MIR.
Coleman's home for many years, and
he was the dean Of the agricultural
editors of America, having published
prominent paper devoted to the
farming interests for over half a CEN
fury.
The removal Of this pioneer in the
field OF scientific farming emphasizes
the rapid growth which agriculture
has had in the world of science within
the last fifty years. Even after Mr..
Coleman had been made secretary of
agriculture, there was doubt in many
sections as to the wisdom OF the step,
and while j. Sterling Morton was hold
ing the agricultural portfolio, he rec
commended that the appropriation for
the department be discontinued, as
even he, while In ONCE, did not see the
possibilities in the work which has
since broadened into one of the most
useful branches Of government activ-
ity.
Any man suggesting today that the
government cease rendering aid to
farmers through the department of ag-
rfculture would be regarded as in
sane. The entire nation is aroused to
the possibilities Of scientific farming
and as the public lands are nearly all
taken up, the great problem Of the day
Is the production OF larger crops or
land under cultivation. that the nation
may have an adequate food supply al
prices within the reach of the masses
Mr.. Coleman was "a years old. but
actively engaged in his capacity as ag-
ricultural editor until the very hour OF
his death. He was stricken on a
train while going from st. Louis to a
small Missouri city to inspect some
blooded horses, with q view or buying
them for the model farm he maintain
ed in one OF the st. Louis suburbs.
He was a native Of New York, but
passed his early manhood in Kentucky,
and was graduated from the Louis
Vile Law School in 1881. A year lat
err he moved to st. Louis, where he
resided continuously, with the ex-
ception Of four years, when he served
the government in Washington. Many
honors were visited upon him by the
state OF Missouri. He was lieutenant
governor for one term, and was a
member Of the state board OF agri-
culture for twenty years. The state
university honored him with the de-
gree Of doctor of laws. He was also
honored by many other American and
foreign schools which recognized the
great value OF the pioneering he did In
his chosen field.
In addition to being a distinguished
editor, Mr.. Coleman was a philoso-
pher OF note. For years he had been
an advocate Of the simple life. and
had lectured and written on the sub
Ject Through constant exercise in
the open air, and prudent diet, Mr..
Coleman had prolonged his activities.
Only short time before HIS death he
said Most OF us dig our graves with
our teeth. 1t Is far better to leave the
table hungry than TO wear our stom-
achs out prematurely by eating too
much"