Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-10-16


Corn Festival
TIE editor of the Censor had one OF the
very pleasant experiences Of his thirty -four
years OF residence in Vernon county on Sat-
uFdny last when, in company with Sir. John
" Nnzum and as passenger in his com
iortahie Buick siN "A trip was made covering
the main kiekapoO valley from Soldiers Grove
20 La Fargo. And What aood Of thought
hashes over as when recall cur first visit
theIe-a similar trip third Of century ago
with that pioneer citizen, the late John DaW-
son. Then we made tAe Journey and did the
personal and business visiting in two long
days. The late trip covered In six shart
hOurs, counting no less than half the time for
steps at the towns enFoute. That fairly well
represents the changed conditions Of the caun-
try IN general, and the kickapOo valley es-
peeially. in rapid advancement
We found Soldiers Grove in dissppont-
ment concerning their Red Cross Germ festiy..,
which was scheduled for Saturday. but irdeR-
nitely postponed because Of fear Of Spanish
influenza. The active citizens there had per
formed wonderful feat in their complete and
comprehensive plans. The town was one
bower Of corn. business places decorated with
the products of the farm, interviewer with the
national eol0rs, row Of corn shocks in the
center Of the street from railroad station on
the north 70 electric light plant on the Eonth.
Visitors Hefe greeted at ali nneies ef streets
by overhead noti0es made from corn. Three
large tents contained huge corn designs. min
iature buildings constructed Of corr. Hun
dreds OF bushels Of the choicest one could
wish 10 lock upon was sorted and piled ready
for the sale thai Is 10 be held In fact Sol
diera Grove citizens fairly outdid Themselves
for this festive occasion, and they were ma
tegially assisted by people from the surround
ing country. who contributed freely from their
abundance; and the kiCkapo0 section Is GER
iainly abundant in crop harvests this season.
when the day IS finally announced for their
corn iestiyei IL ought 20 be a signal for every
body to visit Soldiers Grove. They will see
something worth looking upon. The huHtlers
over there expect 20 clean up more than
thousand good cellars for good cause.-the
Red Cross.
The new trunk highway between Soldiers
Grove and Readstown Is a marvel of improve
ment, are the roads that traverse the
hekapoo valley Is compared with The old
Tire talk OF Readstown was the change in
Opera house propreiors-J. Willard Hall e.
changing il for northern lands with o. l..
Buchanan. j. w. Galloway was the medium
Of transfer, consideration $4,000.
Old Manning and kickapeo Center stilled
by removal Of stores and postotnccs in the two
decades past bat the churches and school
houses record the progress Of time and .ad-
vance Of genuine christian civilization.
Viola was humming Saturday, and that
is not empty jingle for Viola. the very center
Of Kickapo0 activity, and like their neiRhhor
La Fargo. are towns Of splendid proportions.
modern improvements and equipment, ful OF
pasaing elements, endeavOring to outdo all
rivals.
Sorry we can't stay with you longer Viola
and La Fargo. but We only y passenger
The "honk" ~ our friends Buick Six gives
cross the two kickapOos, sparkling and his
toTic, pull into Ross m time 10 lunch heartily
With the Red Cross boosters Of Brush Hollow
and Ross. and witness the windup of joint
sale Of eern and other farm produce and
wOman's hnery, reaping total Of nearly or
quit four hundred patriotic American dollars
then onward toward Niroqua, winding past
fempied hills and flaming hilisides that were
perfect Eiories Of riotous eol"ring.
What a transformation has come to the
4
cart 10 the steam railroad. From the log hat
20 the Dslatial, modernly equipped home:
From the baek-woods hamlet to the CONNER
eal. populous towns; From the hoop-pole and
tie farmer 10 the broad fertile acres: From
tle eOTdoroy roads 20 modern national and
state trunk highways From log school house
TO state graded and Sigh schools. Prom the
razoT-bnck Wild hog TO the pedigreed breeds.
From the single scrub COW to valuable herds.
From the milk skinner TO the commercial
creamery and cheese factory. And these bat
fairly tell the advance Of civilization IN our
much ridiculed section. They call TO
mind wildly the poetic lines Of that iovable
character and rhymsteT, the talented Reverend
William HauRhton, who do ring the latter
years of his exemplary life wrote;
When Heavens creative hand laid
Upon these gorgeous hiih
In emerald sheen and gold aTrayeds
And cleft by flashing riils.
II traced in beauty mead and dale
With charms forever new,
But left its blessings on the vale
Where flows the kiekapeo.
A favored land! no foot has trod
Through fairer paths than thine.
where hills nplift their heads 10 God
And speak His power divine
Where valleys breathe Of peace and rest,
Fresh as the morning dew,
And VerhOn her warm breast
Impearls the kiekapoo.
Above me bend the clustering bouRhs;
The cliffs around me stand
And heavenward their Risnl brSws
In beauty calm and grand
linRer lovingly and long
Beside thrse waters blue
And year, 10 give thy name 10 song.
o peaceful kiekapoo!
But men will come in after days
Thy wondroas charms to see.
And many an able pen will praise
The matehiess scenery
God shield thee By His holy arm
And every srsng subdue.
And keep thy dwellings safe from harm.
o beautiful KiekapO0.