News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-02-12
A LETTER FROM THE WEST
Leonard T. Cole Writes Again About North
Dakota

Leonard T. Cole Writes Again About North
Dakota
On this the last day of Jan. 1913 the
sun shines clear and bright OF the plains
of North Dakota, the air is just cool enough
to make exercise agreeable, the ground
is dry and bare, save few spots of snow
that drifted into the coolies Navinfs) at
the time of our only snow storm of he
winter, a few weeks ago. This charming
weather has prevailed long time.
Automobiles and wagons rush about
over the smooth, hard roads; and numer-
GUS farmers bring loads of wheat and
carry away coal. lumber and other sup
plies.
Two railroads, one on each side of the
river, hustle frequent trains along; and
the people present an appearance of thrift
I'd push.
The ferry boats have been dragged up
onto the banks, and teams now cross the
r,ver on the ice.
Ten or twelve river steamers are rest
ing on great platforms in this town, high
up from the water, to save them from the
ice jams that pile against the shores at
the breakup season.
The drawing of n vessel out of the
water is an interesting process. Six or
eight capstans are set to work at the
same time, and, as their cables wind up
in unison. the boat comes sideways onto
creased skids, or rollers, to any desired
distance up the bank.
When we were in North Dakota the
first time, several years ago, we fortu-
nately escaped by few hours prairie
fire that extended over region forty
miles in length and fifteen in width. We
travelled over it's black expanse and saw
several buildings and hay stacks still
smoldering, property that could not be
saved from the driving flames.
A few evenings ago, we beheld prairie
fire in Oliver County, across the river.
From the high bluffs above this town,
the scene looked like an ocean of fire.
great pillows of flame rolling up before
the wind.
Travellers over these praiIies carry
matches that they may counter burn,
and get into the bare spots for protection,
when they see a fire coming; and pru-
dent farmers take care to have strips of
plowed land around their buildings and
stacks.
Some time ago, we visited large farm,
and watched the work of a traction en-
glue that drew several plows and big
harrow. The engine was dong the work
of thirty-two horses. One man did the
steering, second served as fireman and
a third tended the plows and harrow. A
fourth man, with team, hauled water
and coal to supply the engine. But most
of the blowing is done with four horse
teams, when two burrows are turned.
The driver rides. The harrow covers a
strip twenty. five or thirty feet and require
six or more horses to drag it along. The
driver rides. behind the harrow, either on
a road cart or on horseback.
We were invited to partake of the hos
of a family far out in the coun-
try. They first lived in a sod house. Now
thew have a large, new mansion, splendid
barns and something like a thousand
acres of land, numerous horses, about
two hundred cattle and a thousand sheep.
In summer the daughters mount their
ponies, call their five shepherd dogs {
around them and go with the sheep and {
cattle each morning far out onto the
prairies, returning with the stock to the !
big yards in the evening. Several times
the three girls had exciting experience in
the sheep from wolves. AL
though few sheep or lambs were killed, {
some gray pelt rugs in the parlor witness
that the wolves did not have it all their !
own way.
In winter these girls attend the Valley |
Civ Normal School and soon they will a
enter the State Agricultural College along
with their brothers.
In winter hay is drawn into their yards
BY the wagon load or sleigh load and laid !
n racks for the cattle and sheep, only
he horses and dairy cows being kept in
he barns; but long sheds with sod walls {
,fford shelter for the yarded stock. To
visit such family and to see such pros.
,erity is an inspiration. (
The average farmer in this country has
en- or twelve horses but only two or three
lows. In the seeding season" and at