Sawyer Sparks from Sawyer, Kansas • 8

successful in both, but after. aom experience, concluding that a man could have too many irone in the fire, hs retired from trade and since then he has devoted bis time and attention to agriculture and stock raising, two branches of in ii rmmi Jess Hoi.dMr: -His first shot plunked tho Wills eye. Last fall hi inn: titnVi, Joss Holder, linn it. a farm of itiO, ft niile south of town for ttis wheat drop this year, after deducting a third to pay for seed will pay Off nil indebtedness. E.J.

Justice 'Justice is mine saith the Lord': I will repay." Ami Ho has surely kept prom i 1 i iii- i-iiii 1 Urn, U. A. Zump.ro: One of the solid citizens of Pnxton township is native of Tennessee, who came to Pratt county in 1888 and Hied a pre-emption on government claim, became dissatisfied with the country after four years trial and returned to Tennessee. But you know how it is, when a man has Once been in Kansas, hecan'tntay away, so eight years later we find Mr. Zumbro back on his where he now lives in the midst of dustry that dovetail together with profit in each.

Mr. Webber now owns one of the tine farmsVf the county. Well stacked with cattle He is a man of sterling wort Ii, a good citizen, obliging neighbor, and it is good to know that with wise foresight he has provided for the days when tho heaviness of years shall oppress him and he must, rest from his labors. May his days be long in the hind. J.

W.Wilmot: Who on a 40 acre farm adjoining town Mid nv.is an eif-ntv lai he; out, COdlftJ of a righting family, his grandfather end father being veterans in the service and it was natural for him to follow the flag when the struggle between the sections devastated the land. His lighting qualities however did not avail against the hog cholera and the decline of broom corn in Nebraska where he was routed, "horse, foot anil dragoons in 1898, mules and horses and has man nun of his nationality, lives well ai has plentv laid bv for a rainv day. J. W. I nholl: Beached his piesent location northwest from Sawyer, by coming from Kentue ky to where he pre-empted a government claim of 160 acres sold i the next year 1884 for $1,400, and migrated to Meado county.

Made home Kteadaud timber claim entries, and turned the first sod in the township where he located. Four years later he doubled back to Barbor county, and made his home near Isabel. About two years ago ho again weighed anchor, came to Sawyer, and purchased the farm of 160, where he now lives, for $875. Since that time his land has doubled, he has head of cattle, 10 head of horses, and will In the prime of life, robust in health, resolute in spirit and rained to net with del Iteration, his continued success Is as sure as he sunrise, M. B.

FAtRCHILDB! The "house of the seven gables," is a handsome structure in tho eastern suburbs of Sawyer and is the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Fairchilds.

Mr. Fain iiilds, is a native of Illinois, came to MoPhenon county 20 years ago, and moved to Sawyer last spring. He is a practical farmer and one of the wealthiest in the county, the owner of 080 acres of land, 450 wf which was in wheat this season, a hundred head of cattle and we suspeat a bank account to draw on. This property he has accumulated with in the last 20 years, as up to the time he was 28 years old, likenth- of $8,000 in money. Here he slip-a cog, was too confiding, loaned his money on in fufficient security and lost it He was sheriff of this county one term but instead of making what he could out of it, he saved it to tho tax payers.

As a natural consequence the office was a detriment to him. he is a stayer and his year his wheat yield of 2,700 bushels will put him out of debt and with a good farm of 480 acres, a nice bunch of short horn cows, 80 acres of spring crops he would seem to be well out of the woods with plain sailing ahead S. P. Roots: If Sam Root's three winsome and accomplished daughters who sing in the church choir could be classed as personal property he would be worth a million dollars above all liabilities. As it is $7,000 will approximately ise with E.

j. Justice, who after aged his affairs as to be aid to years of toil and self denial is now "dig up" a faw dollars in coin in in position to laugh At misfortune us he sits at a hoard of plenty and cases ot emergoncy. Together with his sons, he has this year dispenses hospitality with a lav bar ested close to 600 acres of plentv and in a condition to take a day off whenever he feel inclined. J. C.

Carlisle: Who resides a few miles north on the "old trail road" is of Indiana extra-tion. And is of the right sort of ish hand. J. Smith: Who having lived a life of usefulness is now at the age of 74, peacefully enjoying whoat and has eut 150 acres of com. Speaking of corn, he has surprised us with the statement that he had met with but one failure in fourteen years, having had corn to sell every year but that one.

(It appears now thai, he will stock like most people whe onii grate from Indiana to Kansas lied into Kansas. After remain I He was an arl sttlr and has been through the mill that grinds "exceediliff line." However he have to make it two). As this is not put down as a corn country, has stood the test and having at his experience would seem to in tained a competency can now work dicate that there is something in or play as inclination moves him. He has an elegant home and deserves all the good things that his well earned reward at his delightful home east of Sawyer, where lie possesses a landed estate of 820 acres which he leases to renters, living on the income that provides for all his wants. John Is a man who 'ought to satisfied by, the way prosperity has fronted him.

Moving here from Missouri two years age, he bought a half section- of land for $1,000, and can find a purchaser any day for $8,500 cash in hand. But "'Jack" knows a good thing when he gets it and has no desire for a change. the methods as well as soil and climate that contributes to suc cesses or failure. As a man and a citizen Mr. Webber is highly esteemed and respected.

The have come to him as a reward of labor. W.I.Barber: Came to Mc- Pherson county in 1877, moved to Pratt two years ago and purchased 160 acres of ra land in the vicin ity of SnWyer for Since then he bus placed improvements upon utmost confidence is placed in hi sound judgment upon all matters with which he is in any way conversant. Much against his will and when in a political sense the odds were greatly against him, he was twice elected to the office of township trustee, and was Sawyer's first postmaster. a very attractive dome half a mil south of town, and so far as we can see Its ought to lis end is, a happy and contented man M. J.

Crum: The lubjecf of this sketch, came to Kansas from northern Indiana in 1885 and purchased a farm a few miles out of Sawyer, for $1,200, assuming the traditional Kansas mortgage. A Charles Keller: Is another young num wlioican duplicate Mr-Comb's record. By the exercise of good judgment. laborious application and the practice of wise economy, he has within pix yeais se mrod for himself a farm for which he refused $8,000 has it well stocked and is out of debt. What more could a man in reason ask for.

Thorxtox Brothers: Are young men who are fanning successfully 6-40 acres of their own land and control 820 acres additional belonging to non-residents. They are of steady business habits and employ no time in looking after other people's affairs. They are unmarried mid We beg permission to remind them of the scriptural in junction "It is not good for man to be alone." E. H. WyKKOOP! Came to Kansas when 14 years of age with 'his parents 17 years ago.

A year ho bought a farm of 100 acres for $800. This year he harvested a wheat crop of (500 or 800 bushels lias forty head of native cattle and it mid could now easily find ft buyer for double the. anioun it has cost him, Mr. Barber, is a "pay as you go" man, not believing in being found in a situation to bo pinched by creditors when hard times "come a knocking at the door." A rule which if generally followed would nave saved the loss of many a hard earned dollar. E.

L. Prrzua: Lives about four miles out of Sawyer is another man who has demonstrated that intelligent farming pays. Mr. Pitzer owns a farm of 500 acres and has one of the finest homes in Kansas. Although he is a graduate of the Lawrence University and keeps step with the progress of things, he is by no manner of means a "kid glove" farmer and while he may have theories of farming learned from books, or conceived in his own brain, they are nothing to him unless they work out right ill practical application.

Elza Combs: Is there yet an opportunity for a young man to get on in life and prosper it. his calling? Elza Combs will answer ill the affirmative if asked ti question. He is a young man who came to Pratt county from Missouri not to be shown, but to show what he could do. Six years ago, he was practically without means. Today he owns a productive fnrm is well satisfied with the prospects; year later, and just as ho was.

gaining a foot hold, the typhoid fever made its sppsarance in hi home, he himself was stricken Unable to procure help, and fe ir-ful that if lie once succumbed, his family would suffer he re-reusod to give up and cared for them himself until kis owu and their recovery. That he survived is nothing less than a miracle, Those were indeed dark lays. Hi farm work suffered from neglect; bills for medical attendance accumulated and altogether he was in a hard rowof stumps. Still he kept a stiff upper lip. Then times began to mend.

Crops were good and the year 1892 found him with 2,800 bushels of wheat in his granary, worth 93 cents a bushel. Eager to free himself from debt, he wrote the Mortgage Co. to know if they would accept payment of their claim. They replied in the affirmative on condition that the interest should bs paid up to maturity. To this he naturally objected, but as events proved he made a mistake, holding his wheat The market weakened, it dropped and kept dropping until he at last sold at 28 cents with the mortgage still alive.

Then again the crops failed. "Disaster followed fiut and followed faster," but Crum hung to t.ie willows with grim determination and when the loan company offered to compromise on almost any basis, (in many instances they accepted 15 cents on the dollar) he only asked for time and would pay in full and he did. The clouds vanished, Fortune smiled again. Land increased in value. Crops were abundant.

He paid his debt and improved his home and surroundings and life was worth living. His "Sason grit" had carried him through, with a record free from stain. Personally he is a delightful man to meet. Possessed of good com ahead, Ha is a young man of SKind ideas who has learned from observation that the man who lives within his means and hustles can do as well right hero as any place on earth. JohnTroit: Trustee of Elm township, is the owner of half section, perhaps more, of land northwest of Sawyer.

He is one of the men who has buffeted the waves of adversity and now, so to speak, is sailing his yacht on placid waters. Financially he is one of the best fixed men in this section where prosperity is the rule. He has a line farm, an unusually attractive home, money in bank and owes not a dollar. There are no scales on Trout. with all the machinery necessary to carry it on, a nice bunch of cattle fr from incumbrance.

Mors than this he has a wife, a daughter of M. J. Cruni, who is a wise counsellor and helpmeet in all bis undertakings. Elza is all right. L.

D. Humble: Is another Pratt county citizen vho had the This view represents the M. E. Church of Coats, the School building in Sawyer, Bishop Fitzgerald, Presiding Elder Waitt, oflinr.i of tin Church an 1 Auiliiry Suietiei in this Circuit. good sense to leave Tennessee nnd come to Kansas, seventeen years ago, located a government claim, and has had the grit to stay with it.

The result is that he is now turn off this season 2,000 bushels of wheat, rye and barley. So that ill a worldly point of view, J. W. is pretty well fortified to stand a ing in the northern part of the state for some years, he came here where he has recuperated his wasted strength and is again in fighting He is a man of intelli H. Russell: Has his homo three miles east (Ml a farm of 320 acres.

During the five years he has been there it has risen in value from $1,500 to $1,000 and yielded an average annual income of This year he has in independent circuirs ances siege of hard times. But better than all this he has a helpmeet, with his farm well improved and one of the most inviting homes we. have visited. In addition to possessed of nil those traits of' gence, keeps posted on current events, is a rank republican in politics, as a Wilmot would naturally be, and served as a census enumerator lost fall. Robert Smart A complete wn farm he cultivates 490 120 acres of wheat and estimates bis character that makes home happy and four children to inspire his labors Q.

R. Blair: As conservative. acres of leased land and has the general reputation of being fl most methodical and horough manager biography of Robert Smart Sr. that it will thresh out 2000 bush-els. As Mr.

Russell, begun operations without capital other than his four horses and farm implements, this shows what a farmer can do where he gets down to business. of his business. There is a place represent the sum of his wealth. But this is not io bad when we remember that he began life in Kansas when a double barrel 1 shot gun represented his capital, and that later, having accumulated a property of $6,000 in McPherson county he lost it all through the failure of parties whose paper he had endorsed. This was a severe blow, but while he had lost his property his nerve staid with him and be earns to Pratt ceunty to begin over again.

He is now the owner of a well stocked farm of 820 acres, is at home in a residence that cost him $1,800, and in Kansas parlance is well fixed. He has an exceptionally fine family of children, thanks to the care and training of a wise mother, for while we have never met her, we will wager a pine apple against a persimmon that the is a woman of intelligence and sound would fill a book of 500 pages, that would run through many editious. level headed man as we have run up against is G. R. Blair, who came to Pratt in 1884 and pre- empted a quarter section of government land about six miles from Sawyer, northeast, and without more ado set himself at work to make a home.

He has succeeded for everything and. everything in it's place at Humble's. Mrs. Humble is a very pleasant and affable lady who has done her part in securing the home they oc.upy with its inviting and pleasant surroundings. mon sense and a fund of well digested information he is an entertaining conversationalist on almost any subject.

A brawny Scot, seamed and rugged, wearing his 70 years as jauntily as a young lady a sailor hat. He came to tho state of New York when a lad of 17. Since that time he has lived in Iowa, Wisconsin and Montana. Prospected for er young men, he did not see the necessity of saving his earnings. His record is one well worth study and emulation.

Left an orphan at an earlv age, without means of support, he has at the ago of 48 years reached degree of prosperity that few men in his calling attain to in a life time. He is a man much esteemed by all who know him, not puffed up with prid as self made men ore apt to be, but a plain everyday citizen of sturdy integrity whom no man envies his good fortune. A. P. Asiioraft: We used to know a merchant whose name was Smith, who had in his employ a clerk named Wilson, a most faithful and competent young man.

In conversation with Smith one day we congratulated him upon having so reliable an employe. "Yes," he replied, "Wilson is a good man, but he has one serious fault as a clerk, he's too damned honest." And that seems to be one trouble with A. P. Ashcraft, who is the first man to tell us that after 17 years in Kansas, is no better fixed financially than when he came here, if as well. He is a blacksmith by trade and worked tt the forge KnoxvHle, foe fifteen years.

When came to Pratt county in 1884 he brought And now while we think of it, gold in California and British Ben Roots: Is another citizen who says Kansas is good enough for him and that he could not lie induced to return to Illinois from whence he moved to Pratt county four years ago, and purchased a farm of 160 acres for $1,100. He has a nice home, well improved and could easily dispose of it for much more than that sum. In addition to his own farm he rents half section and has in crop this year 225 acres of wheat and rye, 70 of corn and 20 of kaffir corn. perhaps we should say what has often been in oar mind while writing these- sketches, wherein we have spoken only of men, when Columbia, hunted buffalo on the Kansas plains, drank beer with the Ellinwood Dutch and coursed grey hounds with Dog Kelley over the Cheyenne bottoms in Barton county. Just now he is a quiet farmer of 480 acres of land 820 of we should have-included the wives who have been their solace and support through' days oi toiling.

J. M. Pride: It required just 81 years for Jeremiah Pride to make the trip from West Virginia to Pratt county. The year 1870 found him in Atchison, ballasted with $125 current coin of the land In 1872 he made a forward movement westward aud consumed 21 years of his life in making his way to his present place of abode. He had not been playing by the wayside however and on his arrival here was possessed of the neat little sum of $7,000.

Here he in wonueriuiiy wen. it nas not oeen the work of a day, but the toil of years. It has been laid block upon block as his means permitted, that he has builded and added necessary improvements to his surroundings. Just now he is finishing a new residence at a cost $1,200, a substantial structure with no ginger bread work about it, arranged more for convenience and comfort than show, yet comely and symmetrical. His farm, stock and other property is his own.

Hs has made it all right here on the rolling prairies of Pratt county, and no man's future is more promising than his hardships. The patient, un com which he owns, 170 leased. His homestead is the old Finger place Mr. Roots has the misfortune of O. M.

Wbbbib: Who was. Born in old Kentucky. Where the blue grass grows, And women are as beautiful, And tubing a the rose. Came to Kansas 28 years ago, and settled in Coffey county. Fourteen years later he moved to Pratt county and locating at Saw being in poor health, but with the which he bought some years ago, where one cannot see his dwelling assistance of his wife, who is, to judg from appearance capable of plaining ones who-met their husbands with, smiles when their hearts were sick with sorrow and they looked into tho- fuoure with dark foreboding.

Surely do meed of peaise is beyond their deserv ing and we lift our hat to them in re-veTent respect aniudmixatjr lecause of the trees, the shade of managing a farm all by herself, which envelopes it, something un vested land and is now one of the largest real estate holders and nd hi son, James, he has things usual 111 rratt county. Me is an yer, embarked in the merchandise moving in good shape. 'extensive farmers of this region. I industrious, thrifty man like all with hjm an accumulated capital i business and farming. He was.