Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1920 — LETTERS PROM OUR READERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS PROM OUR READERS

F. W. Fisher Writes of His Trip to Montana. Livingston, Mont., Aug. 28, 1920. 1 Friend Babcock —This to make good my promise of a few lines to you of my journey to the above place. I left Chicago at 9:45 p. m. Monday, Aug. 23, over the C. B. & Q. railroad, and when daylight Unfolded to us a view of our surroundings I saw some of the worst part of Wisconsin. Crops almost an entire failure. A few small fields of tobacco and truck, shacks of houses, but no outbuildings. As we moved along the low and marshy lands bordering the Mississippi river, we thanked God that our lot was not cast in that locality. From these low swampy lands we emerged to higher land where vegetation Was burned to a brown, little

huts clustered among the hills, nothing green except the tops of the hills, cattle so poor that they could hardly walk and were being fed on the wire-grass hay that grew on the low lands between the hills and which the natives were mowing and feeding to their cattle. After leaving this section of country we entered a good farming locality where threshing machines were scattered along the road, and all busy. I counted six machines from the car window at one time, and as far as the eye could see were fields of oats, barley and wheatFarmhouses were of the modern type and large, roomy barns. Then we changed from the Burlington to the Northern Pacific and soon entered the bad lands of North Dakota. From there on to and for some distance in Montana it would seem as the Creator of heaven and earth had left at least one Job unfinished. It took some time after reaching a country that cne would have any desire in which to live to give any credit to surrounding scenery or any desire to make a home or locate here. I stepped off the train at Livingston, Mont., Wednesday at 4:40 p. m., and was soon greeted by a friendly voice and a grip of the hand. ;i *- Livingston is a picturesque city, situated among the mountains, and Is a railroad town of about 9,000 population, full of push and high prices. Tourists from every state in the Union visit this city. The banks and express offices do a wonderful business. Took a walk Thursday evening with my daughter Effie and her husband, Burl Asher, who has been express agent here for some 11 years, to the’ top of a small mountain. This morning we expected to circle Mt. Baldy, which from its base to the peak is some 22 miles. But on taking a morning view of it we observed that It was covered [with snow. Last night it rained ill the valley and in the mountains a light snow fell, which made beautiful scenery when the sun shown forth. Our desire when we saw the covering of snow was for our heavy winter wear. Tomorrow, Sunday, we expect to start on our trip through Yellowstone park, which will take days by automobile, at a cost of $45, which Includes transportation, board, room and guide; automobile privilege $7.50, which lasts through

William Asher Is living with his the season. The first Sunday In September I expect to visit Big Timber, near where Ernest Asher, one of our former Kankakee township boys, is located. brother Burl here In Livingston; has been here for some 13 years. He is an engineer and has a run on the Northern Paclflic railroad. It would seem from outward Indications that Harding will be hard hit In this state this fall. He will want to emigrate and locat. In the bad lands of North Dakota. Never felt better in my life and may take on Jack Dempsey when I get back. May write again if I Survive the trip through the park. Very truly, * , F. W. FISHER. it t