FORMER HORSE-BREEDING ESTABLISHMENT OF DR. J. C. 



CURRYER & SONS, 3).; MILES SOUTHEAST OF 



LAICE CRYSTAL, MINN. 



This beautiful location was selected many years ago by the author 

 and his devoted wife, as a fitting place for the enjoyment of farm life, 

 the proper environments for bringing up a family of boys, and devoting 

 our future years to stock raising. Groves were planted, many wells 

 for stock-water sunk, buildings erected, paddocks and pastures arranged, 

 and the growth and development of the trees and stock were greatly 

 enjoyed up to the financial panic of 1893, when the horse business came 

 to a "stand still" — the very "bottom" of the enterprise "fell out," a dis- 

 astrous business-house fire, and other embarrassments, put a sudden 

 check to many of our cherished ambitions. But while the depreciation 



MINNESOTA'S (PAST) HOME OP THE WILKES, 



in values were great, the losses heavy, the disappointment a severe blow, 

 fondest hopes almost faded, nothing apparently "coming our way" for a 

 long time, yet at last a "bright star" of hope is now seen farther north- 

 ward, and we have secured what will serve our purpose better, where the 

 grasses grow more luxuriantly, running water and plenty of it, timber 

 for buildings and fencing on the place, and located just half way be- 

 tween the two great cities of the northwest, with the advantage of two 

 railroads. 



The illustration gives the reader a good idea of the cherished old 

 farm, its groves, fields, buildings, wind-mills and stock, where we so 

 often greeted our friends and greatly enjoyed life. But it is still our sin- 

 cere desire and cherished hope that we may in the future as in the past, 

 welcome our friends to our new location (near Hinckley, ]\Iinn.), our 

 fir^^'de and farm table. 



