Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1918 — LETTERS FROM OUR READERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Henry Hayes Writes From South Dakota Newell, South Dakota, February 20, 1918. Mr. F. E. Babcock, Rensselaer, Indiana. Friend Babcock;. — As I promised to write once in a while after I got back home I thought now was as good a time as any, and as the weather is bad now 1 have plenty of time. I se© in The Democrat you have had a real .winter there, and part of the time you had your worst weather we had some very nice weather here. That was the fore part df January, for about a week. Then, after that, we got more snow and very cold till about the 28th of January, except two days of chinook wind that took most of the snow off again. Then the snow and cold that followed that wind was very cold as the air had so much moisture. For five mornings it registered from 30 to 37 below, but on the 28th of January it turned warm and thawed every day till February 14. The snow all left but a few drifts. But now we have our largest snow of the winter and, while it has not been colder than 20 below, the air is traveling to beat the band. But, taking everything into consideration, we haven't had a bad winter so far and stock is wintering well. Some stock on the range hasn't been fed any so far and is doing fairly well, but they are much better where fed. It costs money to feed this winter. Alfalfa is worth sls in the stack and some got as high as $23, baled on track, and it costs $3 to get it baled out here. I did not finish my letter night as we had no train Ifor two days. Both trains got stalled before they got to Newell and had the snow plow to help them out, but the road is open now and the weather is calm but cold. I have been appointed administrator of my father’s estate and the appraisers are appointed, but have not got the appraising done yet. It takes some time to get the proceedings through in this state. There is lots of land for rent here this -year. There wasn’t enough farmers here before and the war makes it worse as nearly every young man of draft age had a homestead, and it must be farmed by someone else of lay idle. I will long remember my trip back to Indiana last fall as I saw old friends that I likely will never get to see again, as it may be a long time before we get there again. I spent’ two days in Chicago at the fat stock show and would Say it was well worth my time as I had never saw the show before. I had the pleasure while there of seeing a Butte county, South Dakota, man that was there on sheep judging business, and while I wasn't much acquainted with him I had a good atlk with him as it is always nice to see someone from home. With best regards for all old friends, will close. H. H. HAYES.