PREFACE. 

There is no lack of literature concerning the West. 
Let any one make an inquiry of some railroad or land 
company, real estate firm or immigration bureau, for 
information about the West, and he will be supplied 
with letters, circulars and pamphlets till he is sur- 
feited. And after reading these, each one asks the 
questions : 
‘What could J do there? Could J succeed as 
these documents say others have done? ” 
And then, after asking these and similar questions, 
these seekers after truth say : 
“Tf [ could only sit down for an hour or two and 
have a plain, neighborly talk with somebody who has 
lived there for a few years, who would tell me truly 
all about his successes and failures, his ups and downs, 
and of whom [ could ask questions as he told his 
story, I could learn more that I earnestly desire to 
know in two hours from such a talk than [ could in 
a year from reading these circulars and pamphlets.” 
(ili ) 
