Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-02-25
Continued from first page)

ed the farmers, and went out. One
day Professor Holden, Iowa corn eX-
pert of fame, stepped from the train
at Detroit. He came at the bidding
of the banker. He studied the stu
alton. He told Mr.. Anundsen that
Becker county could raise corn. The
banker was delighted. He knew the
profits therein and he wished to do
what he could for the community.
To spread the glad tidings Mr..
Anundsen rented the largest audi
forum in Detroit and sent forth the
word that Professor Holden would
tell Becker county how to raise
corn.
Bitter disappointment, almost in
gratitude. There were just five peo-
pie in the audience. The banker
almost gave up that night. But not
quite.
The next spring saw him posses
sor of field across the railroad
tracks from the bank. He planted
corn. The corn grew. Farmers said
the season was too short for it to
mature. They were wrong. The
banker harvested a splendid crop.
Gets Seed From Iowa.
The next spring he bought seed
from Iowa. Some of it is going back
now, but that is for the end of the
story. Some of this seed he sold to
Becker county farmers at cost. To
those who refused to buy he gave
it away. That year Professor Hol-
den lectured again. He had 10
times the audience. But no more.
AS an added encouragement the ban
ker established Market Day." On
the first market day he awarded SIS
in prizes, mostly for the best corn,
and it was splendid corn which was
exhibited. That Market Day" is
permanent feature in Becker county.
S. Y. Weiser, now president of the
First National, succeeded Mr.. Anund-
sen as president of the association
in charge.
But the corn-yes it grew and it
matured. Perhaps the best way to-
tell the rest of the story without
the immense corn crop
of Becker county in 1913 is to just
something about c. c. Will
liams.
Mr. Williams has farm six miles
from Detroit. On this farm he raises
nothing but seed corn.
He is growing rich. The seed corn
Of the country which couldn't raise
corn travels half way around the
globe.
He Knew He Was Right.
Mr.. Anundsen lived just long
enough to know that he was right
md, more important still to a man
Of his type, that he had done some
hing for his community.
One day in October, 1910, the
banker for the moment put from his
mind the exhilaration of the bounte-
)us Becker county corn yield of 49,
10, Just harvested, and hurried down
20 the depot at the head OF dele
CATION of citizens.
Mr.. Anundsen was the firm friend
md supporter of Adolph Eberhart,
and that day the COVER
Tor was to visit Detroit. AS Mr..
Gberhart's friend Mr.. Anundsen ma
urally was one of the chiefs Of the
reception committee
The train came puffiingly to a
lalt. The governor descended. A
lozen hands reached out ia grip that
If the states chief executive. All
he time Mr.. Eberhart's eye searched
about for Mr.. Anundsen. He asked
about him.
HE was here a moment ago"
said one.
Attention was called to a little
group at the rear of the crowd. Some
one separated himself from the
group and fastened to the governor.
Mr.. Anundsen, he said, had been Ia
ken suddenly ill. For year prevl-
Gus Mr.. Anundsen's physician had
been advising less attention to bust
ness and more recreation with death
the penalty for failure to heed. His
busy mind had refused to heed. A
few days later he was dead
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