The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1911-01-19

he escapes the clutches of his creditors with
whole hide. The Independent might give numer-
Gus instances where some farmer in comfortable
circumstances a year ago. today might be consid-
cred worth scarcely a penny. Here is the way 1t
all came about with man, farmer living not
many miles from Minot He owned fine homestead
worth a year ago nearly $4,000, against which there
was a mortgage of $1,000. He had his horses and
machinery practically clear He was "on easy
street" so to speak, for he owed no man penny
. that he could not have paid but his ambition for
more money and power, and more broad acres OF
North Dakota's fertile soil, lead him into trap
that will in all likelihood strip him of that inde-
psndence which he did posses. He cast bis eyes
over the beautiful farm that Joined his own cover
eously He wanted to own It before the Price soer'
ed too high and the only way to do 80 was to tsxs
q mighty plunge. He staked his ali ON bold pdecs
Of business and bought that farm. In order to do 10
he had to place . second mortgage OF $1,000 on his
homestead, making debt OF $4,000 against hS
home. He also mortgaged the farm he bought
making $500 against the two places. You can
ali guess at the result The man didn't raise
enough crop to pay the expenses of farming last
season OF course he can't pay his interest and
there can be but one result. The grand finale Will
no doubt be sad enough There are numerous other
instances very smi.ar this one. We all mako
mistakes. Our great shortcoming is our greed to
posses more of this worlds goods than We have
any good use for If farming we try to
ii too much of the soil to do work we'll. We
skim the surface negectful of the fact that the rea
cream lies deep in the soil. We half do things. We
farm 800 acres when ought to be content with
l60 We are soil robbers. We the greatest OF
gamblers and farming the way it is done by
large per centage of North Dakota farmers, is moth
ing more or less than great big gambling pro-
position. It's than roulette or faro for the
farmer does not even have chance. Under usual
conditions, the farmer does not get square DEAL
He's playing with marked deck and the odds are
against him. He's not square with himself He
simply won't deal himself the right kind OF hand,
because he won't observe the marks. The dawn OF
Better farming is breaking in North Dakota, how
ever. The is of hast year, aluho in many
Instances rather disastrous cannot help but make
better farmers for the future The farmer who de-
sires to deal himself a winning hand next spring
is going to cut the pack about ten inches deep,
and the stakes that he will play for are waving
fields of corn fat punches Of mortgage lifting pork
ers magnificent herds Of mich COWS and money
making fccks of egg producers.
L.. u.
the state during the or three months preced-
ing election In the first place. he edited the Demo-
Graf and boosted Governor Burke About the same
time as he began doing the latter, he received mis-
commission as special game warden and drew
salary OF SIS month for two months hunting for
VIC ators of North Dakotas game laws along the
banks of inland lakes. It is not known no"
many thousand law breakers Mac reported, nor just
how MANY hundred miles he Travelled in his dutiep,
but he certainly must have given value received.
Mac found time to do considerable hunting Of game
himself and during all of this time he was a men-
Der of the City Commission fulfilling the duties OF
street commissioner. Besides he conducted real
estate business and found time to swap yarns win
his friends. Mac is a versatile fellow and never
did believe in idling his time away.
The Independent has received "hunch' that
those attorneys who protested against the appoint
ment of K E. Leighton for Judge, because they be-
Heved that he would not push the work rapidly
enough to suit them will themselves be taught
lesson in the art Of doing things with vim. Dis
,rjct court will convene in Mnot in few days
and rrmor las it hat Judge Leighton VIII be on
hand at eight o'clock promptly each morning ana
rem ain on the job continuously until six O'Clock
in the evening" until he cleans up the ca endar Inc
attorneys are making great preparations Tor
tho coming session, and the wise ones Will nave
the witnesses on hand for the date for which ther'
trial will be set and be unto he who rails 70
he ready when the is called This is Out
r1mor however, but it is quite we'll FOUNDED an'
the attorneys can take it for what 1t is worth Judge
Leighton will treat everyone alike, you may be sure
OF that
IA, Eotas care cor,mis ion is an expensive
rroneqt tim AL hough $4,000 were spent ANNUALLY
,.r t-e asst two years, our English sparroWs'
a..S.,ta1,. and po1e cats must be protected.