The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1915-03-25
A Letter From Idaho

Shoshone, Idaho March II, 1915
Editor Republican, Forsyth, Mo,
Dear Sir:--I am very much in
terested is the news from old Taney
as portrayed weekly in your valuable
paper. Because former citizens Of the
county, like myself, so seldom send
send in the news from remote sections
Of our vast domain I doubly appreciate
a communication from one when it is
seen in the columns of the Republi'
can. Thinking that perhaps some OF
many friends Of the Truman boys still
living in the Ozarks, or others who
have moved away might like TO hear
of their success since moving from the
sunny slopes Of the geological uplitt, I
will volunteer few items for their in
formation. Rex the youngest, is teach
ing in the high school OF Shelly, Idaho,
as assistant principal and instructor
in agriculture and music. He is a
normal graduate Of Nebraska and holds
State certificate from that state as
we'll as this, and lacks only one year
OF graduating in agriculture from the
State University Of Nebraska. Virgil
is superintendent OF schools at Weep
ing water, Nebraska, and has recently
been engaged for another year at
higher salary. He is a graduate OF the
Teachers College Of the State Univers,
ity Of Nebraska. and holds state GER
tifcate; with every change Of location
he succeeds in landing a better posi-
tion than he had before. Zell, the
oldest, is a manager and a part owner
Truman Dairy Ranch, located two
miles out Of, and in plain sight Of
Shoshone. He was obliged to leave
the printing Office because OF lead
poisoning. Weighs 1870 pounds on
the ranch and is as stout as an OK,
We own two forties and lease three
more and have lis acres in crops, or
ready for crops, this season. 1t re-
quires twenty dairy cows to supply
milk and cream for the town trade,
delivered daily in sealed bottles and
cans. Pure jersey milk brings forty
cents a gallon, mixed jersey and hol'
stein brings thirty cents, while mixed
milk by the wholesale sells for twenty
five cents gallon. Whipping cream
brings two dollars gallon in bottles.
Sales are running from thirty to forty
gallons day but we are often obliged
TO buy extra supplies from ranchers.
To be explicit we are short Of cows
and as they cost US hundred dollars
or more each we are compelled TO buy
milk to fill our daily orders till more
cows are purchased. When I was
running a paper in Nebraska during
the drouthy seasons l saw how alfalfa
would look green and fiourishing when
every other crop was dead. So l
made it a rule to never let the paper
go TO press without a good word for
alfalfa because OF its drouth resisting
qualities. But here alfalfa does The
best with lot OF irrigating water ap-
piled at intervals during tide growing
season. It will soak in five feet OF
water on the level for three cuttings
making about six tons to the acre.
Idaho has treated US very literally
since coming here but she has worked
me to the limit. For over three years
was editor Of the Shoshone Journal,
Carey Act Commissioner for Shoshone
and Dietrich, and Probation officer lor
Lincoln county before it was cut up
into three counties. Now am pu;
ting in ten or twelvcs hours day on
the ranch. Am planning rest in the
Ozarks and nothing would suit me
better than engaging in Sunday School
work over Taney county.
With many kind remembiances for
my host Of friends in Taney county, I
will close till time is not so pressing.
Truly yours.
GA. TRUMAN