Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-04-28
Letter From Roy Warner.
Grandview, Wash. Apr, IS,

Granuview, Wash. Apr, IS, 1911.
Editor LEADER: AS the LEADER
brings us all the news from Canton
and surrounding country it is no more
than fair that you should know some
thing about Canton'S little colony in
Washington. Although we are now
the newest arrivals to this family we
are not the last who shall find their
way over the Rockies to this land Of
the big red apples.
Some three weeks ago as we left
Seattle for North Yakima on our
way to Grandview, and by accident
came across Hon. G. b. Kennedy
and sons Nern and Ben who were
about to board the same train on
their way home in Canton. This was
truly great surprise to us for we did
not know they were in the west. Our
visit was brought to a close when we
got off the train at North Yakima
where we met our second surprise to
find the town right in the midst OF a
grand celebration and special trains
were run to carry the vast crowds
who came from all over the great
Yakima valley. We had not gone over
three blocks when we came across Mr..
and Mrs. G. r. Moulton and daughter
Clara who like the rest were celebrat-
ing, and it is needless to say that we
were warmly welcomed. The next
friends we met were Lutte Martin and
family who, we really believe looked
several years younger than when they
left Canton seven years ago. We were
very royalty entertained In their home
that night and spent the evening
talking over old tines. Next on the
program was the fine auto ride over
the city which was given us by John
and Charles Winner both old Canton
tiles who have lived in the Yakima
Valley for over seven teen years. They
were among the first pioneers of North
Yakima and have lived to see the
city grow from it's very beginning
with only handful Of houses and a
store, to fine city which would com.
pare favoraby with Sioux Falls or
A berdeen. The surrounding country
which was then only one endless sea
of sage brush has been irrigated and
now contains the finest orchards to
be found in the whole state of Wash
ington and many acres Of this fruit
land cannot be purchased today for
100000 per acre.
North Yakima is an exceptionally
clean town well kept and growing
rapidly every year. They have fine
new school building which is worthy
Of special mention and of which they
are justly proud. 1t was there that
we met Ray Baysore who had just
arrived from Canton and like ourselves
was ready to cast his lot with the
friends in Washington.
The next day we went to Grand
view where we met more Canton folks.
Mr.. Arthur Hawn and wife, Fred
Hawn, D. II. Hawn, who had just
arrived with his car of goods and
Frank Norton formerly of Lincoln |
county were among the number we
met, while Ed Stilwell and wife who |
live few miles away and have not |
yet been able to meet them. The day |
following Rev. Loveall happened in to
spend the Sabbath with Mr.. and Mrs. |
G. r. Moulton and we had the privi- |
lege of hearing him preach again Sum
day morning. These and many other |
things have helped to make this trip
one of the pleaSanteSt of all our lives.
Grandview is a new town which |
has very bright future before it, |
situated as it is in the finest part Of
the Yakima valley hundreds of acres |
of which are already set out to fruit
trees and small fruit. Alfalfa is one |
of the principal crops raised here and
with proper irrigation can be cut
three and four times in season. The |
population here is mainly from the
middle states and are fine class of |
people. 1 stood under an apple tree
last week loaded with pink blossoms
and ate apples which had lain under
some leaves all winter just as they |
had fallen from the tree last fall and |
they were in a good state of preser-
vation. Wagon loads of fruit not sal |
able for one reason or other spoilS |
every year.
Come out and see US and we will |
try to do as we'll by you as they did
by US when we came.
Yours truly, Roy WARNER.