The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-23
in SIXTH DISTRICT
Graham County Homestead
Has Original Sod House.
Farmers Advised to Quit Wheat
for Dairy Business.

Hill City. Kan, July 80. B. Rack
ley, or Hill City, one of the most sue
cessful auctfoneers in this section of
the state, Is having some fine sales
tnls season. So far as the financial
enc OF them are concerned. the William
Sleeo farm of $50 acres, situated in the
DO" creek valley, was put at auction,
together with the personal effects. One
ploder offered $3.50 an acre. when
TIE owner advanced it to $50 and re-
tanned 1t. This farm has a record. 1t
was the second homestead entry in
Graham county. Entry was made in
the early '70s. The original sod house
STANDS and is in use. Under its roof
IL children have been born to the two
Ianlnes who have occupied it. A huge
spike protrudes from the center post,
from which many quarters of venison
ana buffalo meat have been hung up
and cured. The Steed family are go
ing to Louisiana. The sale aggregated
$500, of which $1,000 was cash. Cows
averaged $55.17 a head. steers months
old, $3.50 and hogs sold for 81A to
10 cents pound.
Another big cash sale was that OF
Frank Collins, aggregating $4,000, of
which $1,000 was cash. These sales in
d1cate that Graham county people have
surplus of cash, notwithstanding the
crops have been hit hard this year by
the recordbreaking hot, dry weather.
The last issue of the Republican
was partly devoted to the interests of
the farmers of Graham county as seen
by the editor, who is a pioneer settler
and farmer as well. The papeE devotes
a column and half in one article,
headed Gold Facts" The editor says:
I'VE seriously doubt that wheat ever
made the western third of Kansas a
dollar. The silo, and the milk COW,
kaffir' and milo for grain and ensilage,
cattle and pasture, alfalfa and hogs,
the helpful hen and an irrigated gar
den are the safe and sure combina-
ton that will bring prosperity to this
misjudged but delightful land of sun
shine and happiness"
The article starts out with the facts
that in the year 1911 the crop failure
was almost total, and again in 1912
there was but half a crop, while the
year 1913 has already reached the one
half stage, and the prospects for corn
is trembling in the balance. 1t was
claimed for years that the rainfall in
creaseS with the development of the /
country, but the editor thinks this is
a myth, and that the average rainfall
do not show an increase. He cites
some notable changes in the growth
of wild grasses and weeds which are
due to the protection of the country
from prairie fires and crop cultivation,
besides the buffalo grass has changed
to blue stem, while the weeds and
Russian thistles are more general
Prairie fires are a crime against the
is the opinion of this editor,
and Col. S. S. Reynolds, of Cove coun- /
ty, holds a like view when he says |
that prairie fires are greater Calamity |
to the country than the hot weather. |
The Republican is of the opinion that |
soil culture, and the raising of more |
milo and kaffir, besides engaging more
largely in dairying is worth more to the |
farmers of Graham county than grow |
ing wheat and corn.
Ike S. Crumley, of Thomas county, |
who tried to raise wheat several years |
ago, and failed, has told his friends |
to quit, and he advises them to do as !
the editor of the Republican suggests.
1t is believed many farmers not only
in Graham but in many other coun- I
ties in this part of the state will quit ,
sowing hundreds of acres in wheat /
and try other crops as suggested by |
these people.