davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
IN A REMINISCENT VEIN
Interesting Paper Prepared by Mr. w. c. Steele and
Delivered at the Recent Quarter Century Cee-
bration Of the irst Presbyterian Church
Of Rocky Ford
Of Rocky Ford

In writing OF the conditions sur
rounding Rocky Ford. IS years ago.
it would probably not look so crude
rect from cast OF the Mississippi Riv-
er. as | had been in at the start OF a
mountain mining town and was still
there when it was the terminus of til,
first railroad to reach that section.
Here at Rocky Ford. were no dance
halls. where any man could take lis
pick of the girls for dance. but after
the dance was supposed to conduct
her to the bar at one end of the hall.
and pay for the drinks. and il he did
not do so would be thrown out bod
lily Neither would you be in any
more danger of being slugged after
night i'll Rocky Ford than in any east
ern city of similar size. But there
were more than the usual number OF
saloons and gambling was conducted
openly. with hindrance.
Sunday was the busiest day in the
week. not only with the saloon man
and gambler. but with all business
men, as the main business of the week
was conducted on that day. Even
those whose religious inclination led
them to attend the Union Sunday
school or an occasional preaching ser
vice, conducted by some travelling
minister OF the gospel. thought moth
ing of buying their weeks supplies
after the service.
The town at that time had fewer
houses than Swink and more saloons
When the cowboy came to town after
several months spent on the range,
sleeping under the canopy OF stars
and taking his turn at night herding
the cattle, he vast inclined to become
hilarious. Having so many saloons
placed in his path and with no re-
straining influence of home, mother
or sweetheart. few drinks after so
long a period of absence, would set
him wild and make him feel equal to
any emergency. 1t was on such oc-
casions that horses were ridden into
saloons, the lights shot out. and when
all peacably inclined citizens kept OFF
the street, for fear of the lasso OF
some expert roper. or that a stray
bullet might reach an unintended
mark. as they rode from the town to
their camp. running their horses
shooting and yelling.
Is it any wonder that when the
Methodist Conference sent stated
supply. the few Methodist brothers in
town sent him back, saying they could
not support him?
lust IS years ago tonight-Jan. ;
ISSS-the Rev. Mr.. Stevenson. sent
here by the Presbyterian Board OF
| Home Missions. organized the First
Presbyterian church. Unfortunately
his health was such that in a few
weeks he was called to his maker.
After short period the Rev. Mr.
Grow was sent, but was not success
| full and left.
Something over a year after the or.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
Gooseberries a Sure Crop
the Rocky Ford Canning Co.--Some Good
Advice to Prospective Fruit Growers

In response to numerous requests
from farmers in this vicinity who are
desirous of planting small tracts of
land to varieties of fruit which are
most profitable and sure of market,
we are pleased to make the following
statement, which is based upon the
writer's experience of a number OF
years in the canning business in this
valley, and our experience in market
ing the canned product, in eastern
markets, which must of necessity be
considered when the product manu-
factured exceeds the home demand.
In the small fruit line we find be-
yond the question of doubt. that
gooseberries are the surest crop OF
any fruit that can be raised here, and
we might safely add that if anything
will grow here it is the gooseberry,
and with a yield more prolific than
that of almost any other state. From
the writer's experience it is found,
that on a basis of four cents per
pound, the grower OF gooseberries has
been able to realize from four to six
hundred dollars per acre, depending
on the age of the bushes.
As to the variety most profitable to
the grower and best adapted to this
climate. we would recommend the
Oregon Champion. We do not rec
ommend the Oregon Champion be-
cause it is best from a Gamers stand
point, for it being smaller berry
than some of the varieties grown in
the east has been occasion of some
complaint, when the canned product
is sold in the east. But the Oregon
Champion is very firm and tart bcr
ry. and the size is only 4 matter of
appearance, and we realize that to be
successful in the canning business il
is necessary that the grower OF the
crop furnished US, receive as much
for that crop as he could expect to
receive from any other from the same
ground. In other words we cannot
expect to secure in any quantity, any
crop that is not profitable to the
grower. Our interests are common
to that extent.
Understand however that we do not
wish to convey the impression that
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
AdRICULTURISTS GATHER
And Organize A. b. s. Co. Farm
Superintendents Club

At meeting Of the A.B.S.Co. agrioul-
turists IN this city last Friday a permanent
organization was perfected which will be
known as the American Beet Sugar
Company's Farm Superintendents Club.
The first officers Of the club are: Presi-
dent, Fred Noble; Secretary. E. H.
Gerecke.
1t is the purpose Of the new club to hold
regular meetings. at which sugar beet
culture will be the chief topic for discus
sion. Other subjects for investigation and
discussion will be irrigation. rotation. soil
labor. cultivation. ETC., and it is expected
that the knowledge gained and through
those meetings impaired to each other will
result in bringing the 10000 acres Of
con pany land in the Arkansas Valley to
the ighest state of perfection.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
Killed Self With Dynamite

Marshal M. E. Croop on Sunday re-
eeived shocking details of his fathers
death, an account of which was given in
last weeks Enterprise as taken from the
Swink Advocate. A telegram reported
that his death was caused by a dynamite
explosion while blowing stumps on his
farm near Toledo. Wash. A letter from
Mr.. Croop's brother gives the sad news
that his father committed suicide in a
most terrible manner. The aged man had
previously received treatment for his
weakening mind. 1t is believed by mem :
bers of the family that the blasting had
aggravated the old trouble, for he feared
he would lose his mind entirely.
To end his life he placed stick OF
dynamite in the band of his trousers and
then applied a match to the fuse. The
explosion resulted in his instant death.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
SUGAR BEETs INCREASE CROPS
Rotation is Effective in Giving Pros
perity to the Farmers.

The wonderful effect OF sugar beet
culture in increasing the yield OF 9th
er crops when grown in rotation with
that vegetable. as explained by Tru-
man G.. Palmer. secretarv OF the Uni
ted States Beet Sugar association, be
fore the house ways and means com
mittce during the recent tariff hear
ings, was illustrated by his quotations
from European government crop re
ports.
The expansion OF the beet sugar in
dustry, Mr. Palmer contcndcd, would
enable the American farmer to raise
two bushels of cereals where before
he could raise but one. He cited sta
tistics to prove that notwithstandin
the fact that we have the newest and
richest soils. the best agricultural eli
mate, the most modern implements
and the most wcll-to-do and intelli-
gent farmers in the world, as well as
the most extensive and thoroughly
efficient agricultural department in
the world. we have the doubtful dis
tinctio OF having the smallest yield
per acre OF any great nation except
Russia.
"In Germany" said Mr.. Palmer
the average yield OF wheat is &C
thNHNiH p1i 'Nies ~ ~ i'''''''' -
Denmark and 10 in Belgium. while il
is but IS bushels in the United States
The average yield of oats in Austria
is AZ bushels. ~ in Denmark, s. ii
Holland. 50 in Germany, Is in Bel
GUM and go in the United States!
"a century ago the fields OF Eu'
rope yielded an average of but I.
bushels of cereals per acre. Thirty
years ago the collective average yielt
of wheat. rye, barley and oats wa
20 bushels in the United States ant
FL in Germany.
To-day the figures for this coun
try are practically unchanged, Will,
those for Germany have jumped to g
bushels. In the past 80 years Ger
many has increased her collective av'
erage acreage yield OF cereal crops
So per cent while we have increased
in this regard but 90 per cent
Mr.. Palmer declared that it wa'
conceded by all European agricultur
al economists that this wonderful in
crease in yield in Europe was due tc
the fact that the farmers had adopted
the system OF rotating their ccrea
crops one year in four with suga
bects. He declared the same result
were being obtained in this countr'
where an intelligent application o
this system had been used.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
JAPS IN MIx-UP
Old Deal In Cantaloupes Cause for
FatnI Shooting.

Becoming incensed at the sight Of
former friend whom he said had robbed
him more than two years ago, Y. Nishi-
Okla shot and probably fatally wounded
T. Tahrta early Saturday evening IN a
Japanese rooming house in Pueblo.
Hardly had the shots been fired before
T. Koyama, roomer. jumped at Nishioka
and wrestling the gun from his hand. beat
him over the head until he dropped to the
floor insensiole. Both Nishioka and
Tahrta were rushed to St Mary's hospi-
tai, where their wounds were dressed and
later Nishoka was taken to the police
station to await the outcome OF tse shoot
ing.
Nishioka was drunk when he entered
the boarding house, according to the
witnesses. He saw Tahrta and i'm
medlately thought Of deal about two
years ago in Rocky Ford when he thought
the last named Jap had cheated him out
Of number Of cantaloupes. Both men
we're residing here at that time, raising
tho melons. Without warning Nishioka
drew gun and fired three shots into
Tahrta's breast. only stopping when koy-
anna wrested the gun from his hand and
gave him the knockout blow.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
CONFERENCE OF sTOcKMEN
Sheep Feeders, Cattiemen and Rail-
road Men Hold Conference.

Nearly $50 sheep feeders and cattle
men Of the Arkansas Valley came to La
Junta Thursday for the purpose Of con-
ferring with operating officials Of the
Santa Fe and discussing plans for hand
ling the very large shipments Of sheep
and cattle that will be made out Of this
valley for the Kansas City and Chicago
markets from February 5th toApril 5th,
The meeting was held IN the assembly
room of the Santa Fe Reading Room.
1t is estimated that there will be at least
100000 sheep and 100000 cattle ship
ped out Of the Arkansas Valley during
the next eighty days. and this means an
average Of 10000 per day, or a train
load every day for the next two and one
half months. The Santa Fe will guaran-
tee that there will be no shortage of cars,
but wishes to have things so arranged
that the shipments will not come all at
once. 1t is also the intention to make the
shipments by fast freight straight through
to Kansas City, without stopping to feed
on the way If possible. Every problem
of the shipping season was discussed, and
it is thought the meeting will result in
greatly expeditlng shipments which will
soon be made.
Stock trains will be run from LaJunta
on Mondays and Fridays of each week.
and on some of these days there will be
several sections Of them. as it will require
an average of train a day to handle the
,.,,n
also be provided for the stockmen who
accompany the shipments. the Santa Fe
having agreed to attach coach to the
special stock train SO the stookmen can
travel with some comfort. 1t is expected
that the first of the special stock trains
will leave about the middle Of February,
|-LaJunta Tribune.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07

ganization, the Rev. MIR. Barber came
to us. This was his first charge and
he was full OF enthusiasm. He took
particularly with the young and soon
had organized a Christian Endeav-
or. He quickly discovered thai,
what little religious sentiment there
was i'll the town was being injured by
the Presbytcrians having started a
sunday school of their own. \ num-
Der OF years before the town of
Rocky Ford was plated, Mr.. J. w
EASTWOOD, devout and sincere
Christian, had organized a Sunday
school to meet each Sunday. after
loon. 1t made no difference how
bad the weather, he was always there
III time. although he lived four miles
way. and although the attendance
vas sometimes .discouraging. Mr..
Barber Immediately announced that
he Presbyterian Sunday school would
&c merged in the union school, and
hat he hoped they would all come to
MS preaching service. That they
we're all Christians together, although
hey might disagree on some sub
ccts, and he would promise them
that he would not preach anything
loctrinal, from which any one could
axe offense.
About this time, some OF the at
'cndants at the Sunday school, con-
cluded that there ought to be change
n superintendents. Others thought
hat the place belonged to Mr.. East
wood SO long as he lived in the COM
munity. AT the height of the contro-
rersy, when some very bitter things
were being said. Mr.. Clendenin. the
Gentleman who opened the first bank
3t Rocky Ford and acted as his cash
Ter for the first year. arose and in a
very sweet tenor voice began to sing
"Blest Be the Tie That Binds. our
hearts in Christian love, the fellow
hip OF kindred minds, is like to that
abovc.' Deep silence fell over the
room and he was allowed to sing the
first verse alone. At the start OF the
second verse. others joined in. and
before the hymn was finished. all
sang who could do so. After the
hymn. Mr.. Clendenin asked Brother
Eastwood to lead in prayer. After
the prayer, Mr.. Clendenin offered a
resolution. THAT. as Mr.. Eastwood
had started the school and had shown
his devotion when others either could
not or would not. it be the sense oi
the meeting. that Brother Eastwood
be the superintendent so long as there
was a union Sunday school in Rocky
Ford As the resolution was pre-
5ented by consistent Presbyterian
It was unanimously adopted.
MIR. Barber had difficulty in finding
a room for his services. At one time
he preached in room where his pull
pit faced through the door. an oper
saloon across the street. Apparently
he did not notice the drinking and
gambling until he had announced hi
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
OUR GIRLS LOSE
In Basket Ball Game at Trinidad
Boys Ditto at Las Animas.

The girls lost the first league game to
Trinidad on Friday. Jan. 81. with score
Of % to IA. The fact that the girls were
on strange floor with hardly any sup
port from the side lines was big factor
in their defeat, for in the last half the To-
cal girls outplayed their opponents, but
could not overcome the lead. The hospit-
ality of the Trinidad girls was greatly
praised and splendid entertainment was
furnished the local girls during their stay.
The lineup:
ROCKY FORD TRINIDAD
S.Gobin-Spencer. Forwards. Rainer-Rose
Savers. Running Center, Chandler
K. Goblin. Center. c. Nelson
Crosier- Harris. Guards. Walker-Sanders
Score:-Roeky Ford Goals, S. Goblin 6;
Fouls. S. Goblin /, Spencer Total IA.
Trinidad Goals. Rainer 10; Fouls. Rainer
5.-Total %.
In a practice game last Saturday night
the Rocky Ford boys were defeated at
Las Animas IL to l6. The locals were
handicapped with the absence of Hill at
guard while the unusually smooth floor
further hindered their winning.
Tonight FRIDAY. Feb. y the first lea
que game for tbs girls on their home floor
will be played. when they meet LaJunta,
and a close score is expected. The Santa
Fe Apprentices will play the local quint-
ct return game. The Santa Fe team
is composed Of ex-college stars and will
be an exceptionally strong team. The
games start at 1880 and the price Of ad-
mission for both games is only 25 cents.
Everyone come out and give US your
support.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
ROCKY FORD COLORADO FRIDAY, FEBRUARY z, 1913.
GET BUSY AT FACTORY
Plans Approved and Work OH I'm
prOvements Under Way

Manager Noble of the American Beet
Sugar Co. has been informed through the
main office of the company that the
plans submitted by him for increasing
the output of the Rocky Ford factory had
been approved and he was authorized to
order work upon the same to begin at
once.
In accordance Herewith work was
commenced on Monday upon some,neoes-
sary repairs and as soon as the material
is received work will begin on the extern
sye alterations and Improvements at the
sugar factory and before the opening of
another campaign nearly quarter of a
million of dollars will be expended by the
American Beet Sugar company in putting
the local factory on par with the most
up-to-date sugar manufacturing plant in
this country.
From one end of the factory to the other
improvements will be made, and new
machinery some of which will be
imported from Germany where the man
ufacture Of sugar from beets is far in
advance of any other country. and with
the combining Of the American and Ger
man ideas the local plant will be made an
IDEAL factory.
The main building will be enlarged and
three new vacuum pans will be enstaled.
and every department enlarged from the
granulators to the sacking room. Besides
the Improvements in the factory. the
dumps and everything about the yard
work will be rebuilt and improved. and
the services Of some 200 men will be
required from now until the opening of
Of the campaign to complete the work.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
EXHIBIT PLACED
in STATE CAPITOL
Occupies Commanding Posi-
ton in Rotunda of Building
OTER0 AGRICULTURAL
CLUB INCORPORATED
Old Officers Reelected, Board Of
Directors Chosen and Plans rlade
for Instruction of Members

At the regular meeting of the
Otero Agricultural Club last Sat-
urday afternoon President Dye
informed the members that he and
w. w. Kerney, the committee
chosen to see to the placing Of the
permanent exhibit in Denver, had
been successful in their efforts,
and that the Otero county agricul-
tural display now occupies room
in the rotnnda of the state capitol
building, to their complete satis-
faction. He also read letter that
had been signed by Governor Am
mons and fifty other prominent
men of the state, indorsing the ex-
hibit as the best that had ever been
seen in the state.
So that the incorporation of the
club might be perfected it was
necessary to report set Of officers
for the ensuing year, and on
motion the old officers were un-
animously reelected, as follows:
President-W R. Dye
Vice rresldent-D L. Joehnck
Seeretary-Chester johnson
Treasurer-Henry Ball
4 Directors-John Edgar. E. S. Wood
side, Henry Ball. J. M. Shaulis and Fred
Mobile.
Iu the discussion of future plans
it was suggested that 1t would not
be amiss for the club members to
study up on ensilage, and to this
end the secretary was instructed
to correspond with silo experts in
surrounding states and endeavor
to get some of them to come and
lecture to the club in the near
future.
A notice was read to the effect
that any of the beet growers who
wished to secure a by-product of
the sugar factory known as sewer
lime" could do 50 should they
wish to experiment with it on their
land.
The subject for the next meeting
will be SIS the opportunity for the
farm as great here as at any time,
or is the price of land too high1"
The subject will be opened by a
paper by Hunter James, who will
be followed by Will Morrison after
which there will be a general dis
cussion.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07

we VIII be i'll position to pay foui
cents per pound for gooseberries al
ways, for the market conditions must
of necessity regulate the price we pay
for the raw product as it does the
price we receive for the canned pro
duct In fact we will be frank anf
state that in our opinion four cents
per pound will be the maximum price
grower could expect to receive from
| cannery However in considering
proposition which requires an in
gestment and the use of the land for
.hree years before producing a paying
crop. the permanency of the marke,
is an important feature. On this SUBJ
iect we will say that gooseberries are
produced in commercial way in
Dnly about three states in this coun-
try, which gives us the United States
or market If we can meet the mar
set conditions. To do that we be.
lieve the minimum price would not be
less than three cents per pound
which would leave the grower very
handsome profit, and on account oi
the. fact that this variety of canned
fruit Is III demand in the largest mar
of an overproduction is practically
eliminated
The inexperienced grower of goose
berries probably dislikes the idea OF
having TO pick the berries from the
thorny bushes. but by use of an extra
long and wide canvas apron, plac ed
on the ground beneath the frui,
branches, and by wearing heavy
gauntlet gloves to protect the hands
the branches can be quickly stripped
without anv discomfort To the nirker
and the cost of picking reduced to a
minimum. The berries can be cleaned
by running them through an ordinary
tanning mill.
We would not recommend that the
entire country be planted in goose
berries but the farmer. who owns a
small tract of land. and wishes to de
velop it 10 the highest efficiency. will
make no mistake. in our opinion. in
planting a portion of his land in
gooscberries. and the Oregon Cham.
pion is certainly very hardy and a
very prolific variety in this climate.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
SAFE Is NOT SAFE
Proprietor of Jap Pool Room Robbed
of 500

The Nishikawa POOL hall on Railroad
avenue was entered last Saturday night
and the safe relieved OF its contents
amounting to Sloo.
On leaving his place of business that
night Nshlaaaa had placed his Sloo roll
in the cash drawer OF the saie. which he
locked. but he failed to turn the comoina-
ton knob after closing the safe door, and
as result the robbers had an easy job
getting into the cash box. There is no
clue to the robbers.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-02-07
CARL MAKES GOOD
Chosen as One OF University o
Colorado Debating Team.

Enterprise readers and the people OF
Rocky Ford generally will be interested
in the news contained in a letter to this
paper that Carl Cline-our high school
graduate who won signal honors last
year-had on Saturday last been selected
as one Of the debaters to represent the
University Of Colorado in contests with
other state universities.
This is the second time in the history Of
the school at Boulder that freshman
has made" the Varsity debating team
and Carrs host of friends as well as him.
self have reason to feel quite "perked up
over the honor.
The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-12-11
Two More Days
of Splendid Saving

Our great Reorganization and Stock Reducing Sale of
Mems and WOmen's Ready-to-Wear Clothes will positively come
to an end at 10 o'clock Saturday, December 18th. Hundreds of
splendid Suits and Coats are still available and you should at
the very least inspect the offering. Here is an opportunity to
purchase the finest of Clothing at or below the price usually paid
for everyday knock-about clothes. Taking a dozen of the Suits
and Coats at random we find that the savings offered average
better than 30 per cent. Remember that there are but two days
of this great sale left-Friday and Saturday.
DON'T MISS 1T!