2017 Summer Newsletter

Articles – A look back over the Years Instead of writing something new, I thought it may be interesting to look back over the years and reprint articles appearing in earlier editions of the quarterlies. I will randomly select a quarterly and then pick an article or two for reprint. The first two in this series are from Vol. 8, No. 2, 1993 and Vol. 19, No. 3 2001. Note: The following are brief descriptions of farms and their owners compiled by the editor of The Republican, 1878, of the area around Fontana, KS. JOS. S. WHITAKER—Further east and north of Mound creek, we came to the residence of Jos. Whitaker. He owns a farm of 220 acres. He is a native of Kentucky, came to Miami County in 1859. Has 120 acres of corn, besides small grain. Mr. Whitaker says his corn crops have averaged 40 bushels to the acre—pretty good for a dry country. W.H. MOORE—Near Liberty school house lies Mr. W.H.Moore’s farm. He moved from Union county, Georgia, to Illinois and from there to his .present residence nine years ago. He owns a beautiful quarter section of land, enclosed with a handsome hedge and otherwise well improved; has an orchard of 3 acres and 90 acres of growing corn as fine and uniform in appear ance and growth as can be found in the country. Mr. Moore is a good farmer and is making money. His corn crops for nine years have averaged 40 bushels per acre. MRS. E. J. WILSON—who has resided in Miami 18-yrs, has one of the best apple orchards in the township—trees 17 years old. DAVID WRIGHT—North of Liberty school house a half mile lives one of Osages’s best citizens and most successful fanners, David Wright. He was raised in New Jersey and moved to Miami in 1873. He has a most excellent, well-furnished and fin ished residence. The farm consists of 160 acres of land enclosed with a good hedge. Has 75 acres of fine growing corn. His corn crops have averaged 40 bushel. He is now feeding 17 head of 3-year-old steers and 40 head of hogs. He thinks Kansas is a splendid country and Osage township the garden spot. Mr. Wright is a model farmer and business man and is getting rich. He deserves success. O.P.TENNY—A half mile east of Mr. Wright’s is the residence of Mr. O.F.Tenny, a native of New Jersey, and a citizen of Osage 28 years. He owns a farm of 240 acres, cultivates this year 85 acres in corn. Has an orchard of 350 trees—a large part of them 17 years old; milks 16 head of cows and Mrs. Tenny makes choice cheese and butter. He likes Kansas “better than any country he ever saw.” T.C.ENGLISH—Across the road south from Mr. Tenny’s lives Hon.T.C.English, one of Osage’s substantial and honored citi zens. Mr. English was raised in New Jersey, has lived in Miami 12 years, owns a farm of 280 acres, has an orchard of 500 bearing trees. On his farms are 180 acres of corn. Last winter he fed 80 steers and 140 hogs. Deals largely in stock as a shipper. He thinks Kansas is the “hub of the world” and Miami the best spot in Kansas. JOHN LOWE—One-half mile east and a little north of Mr. Tenny’s, is the residence and farm of John Lowe. He was raised in the land of Wm. Tell. Has been in America 25 years and in Osage 3 years. His farm comprises 160 acres. He has 80 acres in corn, 18 in wheat and 9 in oats, all splendid, and an orchard of 120 trees. Mr. Lowe is one of your good farmers and a most excellent citizen. SAM WALTHALL—East of Mr. Lowe, half a mile on the right of the Fontana road, is the farm of Sam. Walthall, one of Osage’s substantial men, who have made this township “bloom as the rose.” Mr. Walthall was raised in Indiana (can’t remember whether or not he was from Posey county) and lived in Miami 20 years. Owns a farm of 130 acres. He has 50 acres in corn, 5 in oats and 5 in millet, 300 fruit trees and 2,000 cultivated forest trees. Mr. Walthall says “he likes Kansas better than any place on earth.” He treats his farm and neighbors well, and his farm treats him well. Long may he prosper. Rambling in Osage township, Miami County, KS - - Miami Republican, July 19, 1878 J.D.STEVENS—who is just opening out a nice farm of 80 acres.

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