Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1907 — A GREAT CHANGE WROUGHT. [ARTICLE]

A GREAT CHANGE WROUGHT.

James B. Irwin Surprised at Conditions in the Gifford District Mr. James F. Irwin of Rensselaer receetly took a trip upthrough the “Gifford District” in this county and was so much surprised with the change which a few years has wrought that he wrote Mr. Gifford the following letter, which we are requested to publish: Mr. B. J. Gifford. Kankakee, 111. Dear Sir: I had occasion to drive over the country in the vicinity of Newland, a few days ago, seeing a large portion of the Haddock marsh and to say that I was surprised is putting it mild; it is wonderful to see the improvement you have made m that country since that day about sixteen years ago when we drove around this marsh and could see nothing but cat-tail flags and tall grass; when I told you that the land in this marsh had no value except to trade to parties who had it. I thought that I was telling tbe truth, but now you need not be afraid to take your customers on the land and let them see for themselves. There is nothing better in Northern Indiana, and I think that it would be bard to find its equal anywhere, you have the soil, with its fertility; the outlets for drainage are provided, and all that is lacking to make this a garden which will supply the Chicago markets with vegetables is to tile the land and complete your railroad to Chicago. When you have direct railway to the city all of this land will be worth stoo per acre for general farming and much more tor trucking. The thousands of bushels of corn which I saw roundabout Newland will make an average of sixty bushels to the acre. You have reason to be encouraged and I congratulate you on your success in making this large marsh a fertile soil susceptible of cultivation. If myself or family had money to invest we would not hesitate to buy this land at the price you are holding it at. Hoping that your health will permit you to carry this vast enterprise to completion, I am yours truly

JAMES F. IRWIN.