Year: 1879

TREMPEALEAN, Wis, April 49, 1879.
To the Editor of the Standard:


In my last (Jan. 17,) left off by giving
some idea of our winters in Western
Wisconsin. Up to that time there had
not been much severe cold, but the two
months following we had some very Sc
we're freezing. Sleighing was not of long
duration-but good while lasted The
ice on the Mississippi river was about 80
inches on an average.


The river was constantly lined with
teams and sleighs on their way to mark
et In fact the whole country was alive
and active during the good sleighing, as
that is the time farmers dispose Of their
produce 1t reminded me of the -four
ishing and prosperous time of Jackson
county when all the furnaces were in full
operation. But owing to the failure of
the wheat crop last year in quality and
quantity, many farmers in limited Cir
cumstances have lost great deal of their
personal property by being sold under
chattel mortgages. All the numbering
companies did an active and extensive
business. thus greatly relieving the coun-
try from the financial crisis caused by
the wheat failure.


But the snow has gone and the ice dis
appeared, and everything seems to be
gradually on the rise towards better
times Farmers are actively engaged in
sowing their wheat (but little winter
wheat sown here) and preparing for their
other crops. There will be about the
average crop sowed here, but further
west minnesota and Dakota) there will
be more than the average crop. Thou
sands of acres in Dakota and Western
Minnesota were broken last year which
will be under cultivation this season.
The emigration from this and other parts
of Wisconsin was never so great as this
spring. Thousands are availing them
selves of the favorable opportunities Of
fered to secure good and cheap farms.
Trains loaded with emigrants from the
Eastern States pass daily en- route to the
Western States and territories.


Now the time to hold to Greeley's ad-
vice, "Go west, young man, and grow up
with the country"


But one must not expect to find it all
sunshine in a pioneer life. 1t takes those
who are willing to "ruffit" as they term
it, to be successful in a new country
And unless one has the qualities of de-
termination, perseverance and a will to
do something for himself, he had better
remain with his father and mother on the
old farm.


The North. h.west Dakota and Minneso-
ta) has all the natural facilities to become
one of the most prosperous sections of our
Union. The soil is very productive for
all kinds of small grain and sufficient
water power to manufacture all the -four
within the State limits.


Flourishing and prosperous cities are
rising up throughout the whole country.
st. Paul and Minneapolis the two great
rival cities of the North west are surpass-
4 Al. a.
for their age. The largest Touring mills
in the United States are located at the
latter place. The mills that met such a
sad misfortune last summer are being
rebuilt on a larger and improved plan
than the former. Besides the Touring
there are several saw and numbering
mills which make the city rate with
some of the eastern cities in manufactur-
ing and commercial business.


The Railroads are being pushed on to-
wards the Rocky Mountains as fast or
faster than emigration moves. A few
more years and the whole country from
the lakes to the mountains will be one
continual farm. Should the grass-hop-
pers cease to be pest to the country
there is not more desirable and healthy
place to live in the United States than
the Northwest. The only objection is
that the witers are most too severe for
those who are accustomed to a more mild
climate But apparently people do not
suffer more than when the winters are
less severe and subjected to SO frequent
changes.


The west is settled with active, indus
trious and energetic people who have
their residence to better their
And those who go west ex-
pecting to find an easy time without
work either mental or physical make
sad change in their domicil. More anon.


D W GILLILAND.