Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1884 — They Went West. [ARTICLE]

They Went West.

We sometimes receive inquiries from young men and boys concerning opportunities for business in tne West, and the best course to be followed in order to insure success there. A brief account of two lads who, to mend their fortunes, went West from the city of New York, will give a general answer that is applicable to all cases. Frank Waldon and James Carr were employed in a retail store on Fourteenth street, New York City. They had each saved over five hundred dollars with which to go "West, and both of them left the the same time, Frank declared that he “ might go to the backwoods, but he would always be a gentleman, and would travel and live like one.” He spent his money freely for what he thought a proper outfit. He bought a first-class ticket to Denver, and indulged himself in various ways on his way there. Before he reached Colorado more than a third of his money was gone. After reachiug there he bought land, and took up a claim at once. Knowing nothing whatever of farming, he was cheated on every hand, for the West is full of sharpers, ready to prey on the ignorance of strangers. He deserved credit fdr the industry he exhibited at this time, for he worked hard, but for the lack of knowledge and economy, one failure after another was made. His crops failed. The oxen he bought turned out unfit to use. Other hindrances and discouragements followed, until finally, in despair, gentleman Frank sold his farm for a third of what it had cost, and after idling aAvay a few months, turned to gambling to make money enough to go home. He° never did go home. His fellow-clerk, in order to save the cost of his fare* Jound work as a porter in a Pullman car on the Northern Pacific Railway. He not only paid nothing for his passage to California, but earned money besides. Making his way to Southern California, he put his savings at interest, and ‘found work on a sheep ranch at forty dollars a month. There he remained for three years, until he had thoroughly mastered the business. He then purchased land and stocky taking each step cautiously, and after close examination. He is now regarded as one of the most successful small ranchmen in Southern California.— Youth’s Companion.