The Mena weekly star., 1913-11-20
To Drill for Oil at Grannis.

. . topic of conversation is oil and oil drilling. Leases already have been obtained on more than 10000 acres of land adjoining that towr and it will be a great disappointment t0 tEe people if a big drill is not run hing night and day within a very few weeks. While of course the people realize that such a proposi- tion is a gamble, yet they have had the advice of experts and believe the chances to win are excellent
 There is a strong Good Roads" spirit at Grannis, too In the person of W. E. Taylor, the overseer, they have hard worked and a good or ganizer in the cause. The result is that the work goes on five days of each week, the usual free labor and regular funds being literally supplemented by many volunteer workers. The overseer is proud of the showing being made and the people are proud of their oVerseCf.
 Wickes Would Be Berry Center. At Wickes the next station, there is a movement on foot to have at least 200 acres planted to strawber- ries during the coming spring. The l Wickes Farm and Orchard Com pany, with L. C. Wilson at the head. has a beautiful l0-acre strawberry patch that will be in full bearing next season. If others near will plant a total of l50 acres, Mr. Will son says he will put out 90 acres, and thus make shipping and mar keting on large scale possible.
 All Wickes people point with jus tifiable pride to their new 5000 brick school house. There are four large and comfortable class rooms. besides the cOmmodious halls. At present the two rooms on the lower floor are in use and a visit to them would persuade anyone of the value of comfortable quarters and good equipment in the work of training the children.
 One of the show places at Wickes is the home of Joseph Brenckle. just east of town. Purchased three years ago. the owner, with aid of two small boys, has converted an untidy woodland into a park. and untidy premises into a comfortable, well-kept home. Among the other accomplishments is the building of more than one thousand feet of fOur-foot stone fence. so closely laid that a ground squirrel could scarce hope to find a crack he could enter. The building of this fence put to use the stone that filtered the woodland. and made a barrier that will last for ages. As a result of this and other work. Mr. Brenckle has been offered three times what he paid for the place, but declines to sell, saying he wants it for his own home.
 HattOn and Its Future.
 One who is acquainted with Hat ton and its surroundings can hardly pass through without having the idea confirmed that it is an ideal spot for a summer and health re- sort. It has a beautiful location, much fine spring water said to have medicinal properties, and if the signs are right it won't be long be- fore the opportunities Nature has provided will be put to use.
 NandervOOrt Is Progressive. There probably has been as much or more done in the way of perma- nent improvement in a building way during the past year or so at Nandervoorl in proportion to the size of the town, as in any Polk county community. The people are Iproud of their substantial store 1 buildings. of their bank and gen eral industry At the present time they are awaiting the starting ol a newspaper as the latest step in | boosting their town. and it is said to | be practically assured. A conner | cial club also has been organized, and the progressive element of the community is in the saddle. It will be well to keep an eye on Wander voort
 Big Cotton Rush at Cove.
 The people of Cove are experience ing the sensation of being in the midst of the biggest cotton year ever experienced al that point, and trade in all lines is big in propor- ton. Already there has been mar keted there considerably more than a hundred bales more than during all of last year. and there's much more in sight There is not a word said about hard times" and there is much evidence of good times.
 Cove is strong for Good Roads, and Henry Scott, the overseer, is said to have the knack of making the roads good and of enlisting the aid and support of the people in the mak- | ing. He is a leader in the work and his people seem to enjoy it.
 Cove also is interested in drilling for oil. A large acreage has been placed under lease, and it is thought work can be begun before many weeks.
 There is a distinct and healthy rivalry between Cove and Hatfield better roads the key to supremacy.
 Peanuts and Roads at Hatfield.