319] The Condition of the Western Farmer. 41 



hand and sold out to move farther west, where free govern- 

 ment land was to be had; the sixth and last started with a 

 comparatively large capital, say $4000, and in six years had 

 gotten rid of it all. 



We note, then, that the settlers leaving in this general con- 

 dition of impoverishment in the early years did so mainly 

 because their continual loss of crops had thoroughly dis- 

 couraged them with the prospects of the country, if, indeed, 

 it had not made their further attempts at farming absolutely 

 impossible; that there then follow several who had to give 

 up because of unwise attempts to bring under cultivation 

 railroad or other land with too small capital; and that lastly 

 we have a class of men, mainly later purchasers, who fail and 

 lose their farms owing to economic conditions, the cause of 

 which is not apparent on the surface. 



Column II. This column includes all speculators, as the 

 term is described on page 26, note. We see that about half of 

 the men whose prime purpose in farm residence was specula- 

 tive, and who have since sold, had sold within the first five 

 years. Of those who entered government land with this 

 object in early years, most sold their land quickly; two or 

 three have only recently sold, while a few still own. The 

 remainder of those listed as selling in recent years belong 

 to the class of comparatively late purchasers, as previously 

 described. 



Column III. Those who did little or nothing on their 

 land. These men came with the intention of farming, but 

 owing to lack of capital, or attracted by opportunities to 

 make good wages at other trades or occupations, they left 

 after short residences. It is seen that all such cases occurred 

 in the early years of settlement. 



Column IV. Those who left owing to complications 

 other than those arising from their attempts at farming. 

 Among such troubles may be mentioned becoming entan- 

 gled in civil lawsuits; becoming surety for and having to 

 pay the debts of another; speculating in cattle; committing 

 crimes or misdemeanors, etc. Such cases occurred with 



