November 5, 1857, Ironton Register
NEW STATES IN PROSPECT
At the next session, it is expected that three new States will be admitted into the confederacy increasing the number to thirty-four, Minnesota has already adopted her constitution, by a nearly unanimous vote of the people.
In Oregon, at the last advices, the constitutional convention had not completed its labors, but will undoubtedly do so and the constitution is voted on by the people, before the opening of Congress. The question of prohibiting or legalizing slavery is the only one that will probably create much division, and there can hardly be a doubt that, despite the zealous efforts of sham Democratic intriguers, freedom will prevail.
What will happen in Kansas is more doubtful. It is the plan of Gov. Walker, as heretofore avowed, to have the popular voting on the constitution delayed for three or six months if submitted to the people. But whether the people, in any event, are going to submit to the action of so palpably fraudulent a convention, remains to be seen.
The Topeka constitution may be urged upon Congress by Mr. Parrot and accepted. In any other event, there may be serious difficulty and delay in securing admission to Kansas. We think, however, that each of the three territories named will have risen to the rank of State, before the close of the next session of Congress. – Cin. Gaz.
May 26, 1870, Ironton Register
GONE WEST – Dr. Sloan and Ed. J. Sloan of Bartramsville, in this county, passed through here on the Fleetwood last Tuesday night, on their way to Kansas, where they intend to procure some land, settle and work out their fortunes.
They are both high-minded, intelligent young men and deserve success. We are sorry to lose them from this county. They take with them two horses and a wagon, and at St. Louis, they will abandon railroads and rivers, and go it alone in their wagon.
June 9, 1870 Ironton Register
Alf. Royer, formerly of Ironton, Ohio, has gone to Garnett, Kansas, where he will hold forth in the Hardware business.
September 8, 1870, Ironton Register
GONE WEST – The following citizens of Symmes township left here, last Monday, on a tour of inspections to Missouri: John T. Irwin, J. C. Stewart, John Dowler, Thos. Cooper, with their ladies, and Geo. W. Irwin and Jeremiah Cooper. While we wish them a pleasant trip, we hope the attractions out West will not be so strong as to induce them to leave the hills and dales of old Lawrence. They will be absent for about three weeks.
September 15, 1870, Ironton Register
FROM QUAKER BOTTOM
September 12, 1870
Editor Register – Nothing very new. – Five young men, J. McDaniel, E.T. Johnson, Frank Johnson, W. Harrison Massie, and David L. Massie, started last Tuesday to locate their soldiers’ claims in Kansas. They want to go where they each can get 160 acres of land that they can call their own, and make a home for their families (when they have one). May success go with them.
Daniel Wilgus and Lewis Darling started last Friday for Arkansas, and perhaps to South Western Kansas, where they intend to locate and work in timber. There are more in this part of the county preparing to go West for a home.
We are very dry here – no rain. The thermometer stood at one time during the past Summer, here, at 102 deg., and frequently at 98 deg. in the shade.
November 17, 1870, Ironton Register
Capt. John Earles, formerly Sheriff of this county, is now here on a visit. His appearance indicates good keeping. His home is in South-Eastern Kansas.
March 2, 1871 Ironton Register
EMIGRATION. – We see that our old friend, Hugh Livingstone, who has lived at Mt. Vernon Furnace for fourteen years past, has joined the Union Emigration Society, and will start West next Monday, the time when that association moves. – Other parties in that region will also go at the same time. We learn that the number going from this county is considerable.
March 16, 1871
FROM KANSAS
Crawford Co. Kansas, Mar. 6
Editor Register – The first thing to do in this letter is to correct a mistake in my last, viz: I said Mr. Earles had nearly 200 bush potatoes when he had nearly 400 measured bushels, from one acre.
Our Winter has been extremely hard for this locality. On New Year’s day, the ground was covered two inches with snow; then we had twelve days of high winds from the south. About 10 o’clock, Jan. 12, the wind changed from the south to the northwest in a moment of time, from very warm to very cold – commenced snowing and kept it up for three days and nights – the hardest storm I ever saw.
The greater part of the time the eye could not reach a distance of thirty feet. The result was 18 inches of snow in the level, with a drift 10 feet deep. This snow lay for about 20 days, and before it was entirely gone we got eight inches more, making 28 inches, up to date. We have now had about ten days of warm, growing weather, and you ought to see our wheat fields. Today the ground is covered with a mass of green wheat. The Winter has been very favorable for wheat, and if nothing happens, hereafter we must have a large yield.
The stock has not done well this Winter. Insufficient protection from storms, short rations, and a bad start in the Fall is the principal cause. – Some herds have lost one-third. – Most of our stock is brought from Texas and the Indian Nation, after the 1st of Dec., poor at best, and made worse by being driven so far over bad roads without feed, makes it nearly worthless and rather an expensive operation to the purchaser.
When we get to breeding our own stock this evil will be obviated. Hogs are our best hold here if we had suitable fences. – They take the smallest amount of capital, the shortest time to operate in, the least amount of feed, and the largest returns – four of the main points in stock raising. And when it is remembered that we are dependent on markets at a distance for our corn, the intelligent farmer will see the advantage at once and improve it.
Our Legislature has given us the privilege of voting for or against a Herd Law. This measure is certain to carry. It will be a great blessing to the settler.
Fencing is out of the question except by hedging. Hundreds are too poor even for that, and if they were not, a hedge is no protection under four years, and a man must raise a crop every year out here or starve.
Last year there were hundreds of acres destroyed, and many a man is suffering today for the want of it. With proper culture, our lands will produce enormous crops, and with a good Herd Law, there is nothing to prevent us from being independent in a few years, only laziness. – Our land question still remains unsettled, and I suppose always will be, as long as there is a lawyer to make a fee or a politician to keep the people excited.
Business is very dull hereabouts, and money very scarce. No emigration and very little to sell to bring money into the country makes times hard and will be apt to remain so until our wheat goes to market. We have a fine mill here that will be ready to operate by harvest.
Wheat is worth $1.10 @ $1.15; Flour, $4.50 per cwt.; Corn, 65c.; Beans, $2; Potatoes, 50c.; Oats, 40c.; Butter, 40c.; Eggs, 20c.; Bacon, 25c.; Lard, 25c.
Col. Hawley is doing a good business; Geo. H. Richey, the same; Charley Earles shakes occasionally with the ague. Capt. J. W. Earles just returned with his new wife. The Gillett boys are doing well. I hear that it is reported among a portion of your readers that I am going to move back to Lawrence county. I don’t see it –
Yours, G. W. Byard.
April 13, 1871, Ironton Register
FROM KANSAS
Dear Register – Your paper comes as regularly as meal times and is as eagerly awaited. It is gratifying to scan its columns and note the rapid strides in improvements in Lawrence County, Ohio, and your city. – After the completion of the Water Works, and a connection of the Ironton Railroad to some of the railroads of the country, will be all “O.K.” – Does Ironton, Ohio, propose to remain out in the cold; as regards railroads? – Will she connect with the Ch. & O. R. R. or extend her road and make a connection with the M. & C. R. R.? She certainly has energy and means enough to make the connection with one of the above roads. We hope to see something in the columns of the Register in that direction.
I wish to direct a few remarks to the young men of Ironton, Ohio – those that loaf on the corners, at billiard saloons and lager beer houses, waiting for something to turn up, and are out of employment more than half their time – want to urge them to come West.
I extend this remark not to Irontonians alone, but to all the young men of Lawrence County, Ohio. We want Young America’s name here. They all know that “Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all an arm,” and he will do it. – There are thousands of acres of as nice land as ever layout of doors in this country, that Uncle Sam is giving away, and it is a shame that the young men of the East have no energy enough about them to come and take this rich land.
There is land here that can be homesteaded or pre-empted; it is being taken by persons from almost every quarter of the globe. The Germans, Irish, and Swedes are going for it lively, while Young America stands back and will not take rich chances for homes. Four hundred Swedes have taken claims a few miles west of us, 500 German families northeast of us, and more are coming. The American people should have a preference for this land, but thousands that have no homes of their own remain in the East.
The late war in Europe will send a strong tide of immigration to this country, and this land will be taken like hotcakes. The Germans go for it at first sight. While hundreds of young men in the East are spending their time and money in loafing around ten-pin alleys, billiard saloons, and the village doggery. Boys come out of that; you can find better business out West. There’s plenty of employment, and if you exert your nerves you will get well paid for it.
The prairies are looking green; the wildflowers are blooming; the trees look green; the lark sings sweetly, and the blue bottle fly goes buzzing around.
THAD.
Butler Co. Kansas, March 27, ’71.
January 11, 1877, Ironton Register
CHARLES EARLS, of Girard, Kansas, called upon us, yesterday. He bears a prosperous appearance and is delighted with Kansas. His brother, John, is at West Joplin, Mo., engaged in mining for lead and zinc on some lots belonging to Charles.
He is getting glimpses of the metal, but it doesn’t turn out in paying quantities yet. John’s health is not good now. Colonel Hawley is still Postmaster at Girard and gives the office all his attention. George Richey is at Pittsburg, 20 miles below Girard, in the drug and coal business, and is making money. Wm. Gillett is three miles from Girard and is farming. Charles himself is farming at Girard. He leaves for home, next Monday.
March 15, 1877 Ironton Register
– C. A. Radford, who has been among his folks at Quaker Bottom, since last fall, left for his home in Nodaway Co., Mo., last week.
– Died – At Chicago, Illinois, on the 7th inst., after a long and painful illness, Mrs. Helen Underwood, aged 40. Mrs. U. was born near South Point, in this county; was the youngest sister of John Combs, late Editor of the Ironton Democrat, and niece of Mrs. James Davidson, of Burlington, Ohio.
– In the case of Wayne Ferguson vs Wm. Lambert, which has been pending in the U. S. District Court for about two years, a motion to abate the suit was made and argued by Gen. Enochs a couple of months ago. Last Friday, a decision was made sustaining the motion. The damages claimed amounted to $20,000.
– The venerable Charles Neal died near Waterloo, this county, last October, and they have just preached his funeral sermon out in Missouri. We copy from the Maryville Republican, Nodaway County, Missouri, of Feby. 15th.
– The quarterly meeting of the Hopkins Circuit, St. Joseph District, M. E. Church, South, will be held at the Bloomfield school house on March 3rd and 4th. The services will be conducted by Presiding Elder W. M.
July 12, 1883, Ironton Register
Pilgrim Letter
Correspondences of the Register
When I left you we were in Wabaunsee County, on the Kansas river, but I am now at home, in old Lawrence County, Ohio. I promised to give you a short history of my journey, but as I have been giving you sketches all along, you must not expect much. Some have complained that my letters were too short, but you know my friends what the Register man will do for our communications if they are the least bit long and prosy.
We had a long, but rather pleasant drive from Wabaunsee County to Morris County, being in four different counties during the day. Again, it was pleasant to take lunch on the banks of Mill creek, Kansas, with our old friend D. W. Hall, with whom we used to lunch at Ebenezer schoolhouse, twenty years ago.
It is not so pleasant to be lost on the open prairie, but rather romantic to have seen all four of us, out of the carriage hunting for a path on the almost trackless earth. One who has never seen an uninhabited prairie has no idea of the grandeur.
A beautiful scene met our gaze one afternoon as we were riding toward White City, (which is set on a hill.) White fleecy clouds bordered the northern horizon and the rays of the setting sun shone upon them, giving the appearance of great white rocks in the far distance, and now and then a cloud would obscure the sun, throwing a dark shade on the green sward, resembling the background of a picture, only more beautiful than any picture.
I am pleased to tell you that the temperance cause is rampant in Kansas. I had the pleasure of attending a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Convention. Just such a convention as the men have, I suppose. It was composed of forty or fifty intelligent-looking ladies from different parts of the county. They had a President, Secretary, and all necessary officers – spent the afternoon in business, and the noon hour was spent in partaking of the best grove dinner I believe I ever sat down to, served with warm coffee and tea.
In the afternoon the lady state lecturer took the platform, and entertained us for a half or three-quarters of an hour, with an offhand speech as glibly as any man could have done; and all this without a man on the ground – the only entertainment I ever was at where man dared not molest or make afraid. I can only add in the words of Horace Greely, “young man go west,” and young lady, go with him.
C. E. A.
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