AUG. 6 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
Utistrllaittons. 
THE NORTHWEST. 
Facts About Clay and O’Brien Counties, Iowa. 
MK88R8. HOLMES AND 8WEKTLAND. 
[8peciallG orrespondenta of the Rdrad New-Yobkeb,] 
In writing of Clay and O’Brien Counties we will 
endeavor to state tersely the truths which can be 
substantiated by any one Interested, and it should 
be remembered that the Rural caunot, knowing¬ 
ly, be subsidized in behalf of any error. * 
These couutles are the second and third east of 
Dakota, m the second tier south of Minnesota, 
each being at miles square, and eacb containing 16 
Congressional townships (six mites square) and an 
area of 369,040 acres, of which between one-fourth 
and one-tlfth Is under cultivation, by a population 
officially given by the last censua at 4,800 for Clay 
and 4,165 for O’Brien, now safely estimated at 
11,000 for the two, so rapidly are they advancing. 
Their entire topography is gently undulating 
prairie, more marked In Ua elevations and depres¬ 
sions in the southeast part of O'Brien, and more 
level north and south through the center of Clay, 
In the northeast quarter of which Is a cluster of 
four lakes, Lost Island, Trumbull, Swan, and an¬ 
other. The Ocheyden and the Little Sioux Rivera 
flowing south, form a confluence at Spencer, in 
this county are also live creeks and several stream¬ 
lets, and a number in O’Brien, which secure 
ample water for stock and good surface drainage. 
The soil In the southwest corner of Clay, and to 
the most of O’Brien, la a sUIcIouh marl, or a spe¬ 
cies of bluff deposit, but In the remainder of the 
area it is alluvial, noth being very rich and pro¬ 
ductive and varying In depth from zo to 
36 inches, overlying clay und aub-strata of 
graveL Though there Is some low land, it 
is not waste land, and ’tls very desirable for 
grazing and pasturage. In both counties 
there are numerous artificial groves of timber 
as their culture secures, by state law, a rebate 
from taxation; besides, there la natural timber 
along the atreams and In small bodies In different 
localities. Lands range in price from $4 to $io, 
and farms from U to $16 per acre. Of the latter 
but few are lor sale, only where some man, by 
misfortune or mismanagement, Is obliged to “ go 
West.” The sale of lauds in these counties tbla 
year la estimated at over ae.ouo acres, fully one- 
fourth of which la already under the plow. 
Flax Culture on uew breaking has given fresh 
Impetus to this Interest and to the improvement 
of the lands, whleU It helps to subdue while yield¬ 
ing a liberal profit. About three peeks of seed to 
the acre, whloh may oo sown from the middle of 
May to the loth of June upon the sod, will yield 
an average of seven or eight bushels. Flax is also 
largely raised here upon older ground, yielding 12 
to ic bushels per acre. A careful estimate places 
the number of acres of breaking sown to itax this 
Spring at T.ooo, and tne quantity of seed sown In 
both counties, on old and new ground, at 12,000 
bushels. The Northwest la taking the lead in the 
practical exclusion of Imports of Calcutta linseed. 
The receipts of flax-seed in Chicago for issu were 
3,033,491 bushels, which will donbless be increased 
about so per cent. In 1881, and Northwestern Iowa 
will be the most prominent factor In this exhibit. 
Barker & Dean, of storm Lake, lowu, are helping 
immigration practically. Having purchased a 
large quantity of land, they pay $2 caah per acre 
for breaking, furnish flax-seed to sow the sod. pay 
half the expense of thrashing, and give half the 
crop of flax, and when the land Is under cultlva 
tlon sell It to the same parties, If they desire to pur¬ 
chase, on easy terms. Mr. B. F. Felt, Jr., Bartley 
P. O., Is their superintendent. AH crops are now 
looking well; wheat, oats, corn, flux, domestic 
grasses. In fact everything gives promise of nearly 
an average yield. More attention should he given 
to fruit, and In the infancy of a farm there should 
be planted a good orchard. 
Y et, with the flattering statements already made 
there Is no branch of Industry which Is as well 
adapted to this country, or, pays as large and 
sure a profit as stock-raising. The natural grasses 
are abundant and nutritious; water la In ample 
supply and pure, tho climate healthy and Invigora¬ 
ting, both counties provided with a nerd law, and 
with these advantages great Interest la taken Hi 
buying blooded stock, so that herds of good grades 
of short-horn strains are large, numerous and In¬ 
creasing. From one of the leading stockmen we 
learned that stock pays an average of 30 per cent 
per annum net profit, which Is certainly better 
than clipping a per cent, coupons. Closely allied 
to this Is tho dairy product: the condlt Ions named 
above Insure good butter ; and the reputation of 
Iowa Creamery !u our Eastern cities, renders com¬ 
ment needless The farmers, too, can realize 
more for their cream by patronizing the creamer¬ 
ies than In any other way. To emphasize the ex. 
tent of this interest, we heard that Penfleld, 
Allen & Co. were starting a creamery at Spenour 
with a capacity for making 2,000 pounds of butter 
per day. They will make, the present season, coo 
to 800 pounds dally; they practice the cream- 
gatbeilng plan, and will use horse-power this sea¬ 
son. but will probably require steam next year. 
The educational Interests or these counties are 
well sustained, and exhibit the characteristics of 
an Intelligent, cultivated and enterprising popu¬ 
lace. 
The Iowa and Dakota Division of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee, and st. Paul Railway supplies them 
with the benefits of the two great Western mar¬ 
kets—Milwaukee and Chicago; and the road con¬ 
nects in the same depot at Chicago with the Pltta- 
hurg, pt. Wajno and Chicago Railway, and this 
In turn conneets at Pittsburg with the Pennsyl¬ 
vania Railroad, making the best, and most direct 
route from the Hast to these counties. The R. R. 
Co. have stimulated settlement and Improvement 
by selling a large quantity of their lands here and 
allowing rebates upon tho price, where breaking 
is done the season of purchase. Their agents are 
J. L. Hewitt at Spencer, and Barker and Green at 
Sanborn. The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and 
Omaha R. R. passes through O’Brien Co., making 
connection with tho lumber districts of the north 
and ail prominent markets In the county, other 
roads are anticipated in the early future. The 
valuations of property are: 
Real Estate, Clay Co.$ 1 , 152,849 
Personal, " . 220 481 
Railroad ** 97,210 
Real Estate, O’Brien Co. 1 , 028.000 
Personal .. ir, 2.000 
Railroad “ 119,000 
These are tho assessed values, being about one- 
thlTd of the actual figures ; and, considering the 
difference In estimated worth, the taxes here 
compare favorably with those of older and wealth¬ 
ier Eastern localities. Homesteads and land 
grants, exempt from taxatton, have also tended to 
make their taxes higher than they will be from 
this time onward. 
We have spoken of cattle—a word more of other 
stock; many flocks of sheep grading Into pure 
Ootswolds are noticeable. Berkshire and Poiand- 
Chloahogs have supplanted the “ prairie rooters” 
by thousands, and many are turning their atten¬ 
tion to a liner stock of horses, both draft and 
roadsters. Among these are Geo. W. Sherwood 
with a 640-aore farm two miles south of Sheldon, 
320 under cultivation. Beside his stock of cattle 
and hogs, he has about 25 good mares, and sev¬ 
eral blood stall to us. Mr. Sherwood, and W. T. 
Williams (Shelden) are doing much to raise the 
grade ot stock m this section. 
Spencer, The county seat of Clay County, la a 
pretty prairie site with wide, clean afreets, good 
side-walks, comfortable residences, and ft supply 
of business houses, elevators, etc.; many trees 
have been plumed, and lawns, shrubbery, flowers 
and other evidences of ie-thetlc taste are receiv¬ 
ing attention, its growth la marvelous, from a 
population of 942 In June, 1880 , it now numbers 
about 1200 , and there are at present over 60 build¬ 
ings in process of completion. There are six reli¬ 
gious organizations with three church edifices, 
and a fourth under contract; a graded school 
of four departments under efficient teachers, and 
a remarkably vigorous local press, including the 
clay County Nows, a seven oolumn quarto, In its 
eleventh volume, by u. M. Whitman; thB Spencer 
Reporter, a nine-column folio in its fourth year, 
by A. T. McCargan. Both flourish upon their mer¬ 
its, comphinvnta. “ The Owl,” a monthly' 
reai-estute Journal Is published by J. B. Edmunds. 
From Us name It should Impart wisdom. Civic 
societies, and social privileges equal those ot East¬ 
ern villages. Surrounded as It Is with a line agricul¬ 
tural district, It ranks high as a shipping point • 
probably a ton of butter Is handled here every day 
and from one to seventeen car-loads of stock are 
(shipped dally In the season, and this year the 
shipment of flax-seed will he Immense. Every 
line of trade Is well represented and prospering. 
By the way, we found here one stock of goods In 
gents’ furnishing ana hoots and shoes, chat in 
quality, display and prices, la really metropolitan, 
and entitled to special notice and commendation. 
Spencer is now well supplied by Lho C. M. & st. p. 
Hallway, but tho people are hoping Tor connection 
with tho Wabash system, via Dos Moines, secur¬ 
ing competition south and East. There is an ex 
eellcnt opening here for a foundry, steam flouring 
mill, flux mills, both oil usd flbei : canning and 
packing establishments, light manufacturing, and 
a good hotel building. We were nicely entertained 
by Frank Daniels ot the Gregory Bouse, but his 
bulldlug does not meet the demands of the public 
or hla own wishes. Griffin and Adams (bankers), 
A. w. Miller (Clay Co. Bonk), J. l». Edmunds 
(hanker), c. 8. Penfleld (loan agent* and cream¬ 
ery), a. liubbard (attorney), J. L. Hewitt (1{, R. 
Agent), aU dealing in real estate, extended us 
valuable assistance, whloh deserves public recog¬ 
nition as representatives of Tun Rusal. Address 
any of them (inclosing return stamp), and you will 
he sure of a courteous answer. We ate also under 
obligations to Evans Bros., liverymen and pro¬ 
prietors of the stage line rrom here to spirit. Lake. 
Sheldon, with a population ot 1,000, is a pretty 
town at the crossing of the c. M. & 8c. P. and 
C. st. P. M. & o. railways on the west side of 
O’Brien County, it has five religious societies 
with three churches; civic societies, too, are well 
represented; there Is also a graded school—four 
rooms, with three teachers; well conducted. We 
compliment the town on having such a thoroughly 
first-class paper as The Sheldon Mall by F T. 
Piper, an eight-column folio completing its first 
decade. A local press Is regarded as & kind of 
mirror, reflecting the general characteristics of 
the miijorlty of the citizens. There is a large 
steam flouring mill, as well as three elevators, 
and a lively business In all departments. 
Sanborn, eleven miles east Of 8heldon, on the 
railroad, with 436 population a year ago, now num¬ 
bers over TOO, and la steadily growing. There are 
three religious orgtnlzatlons, with one church 
building, A.F K. A.M. There la a good school ; folks 
expect to erect a large school building this season. 
The O'Brien Pioneer Is a newsy . paper, an elghi- 
colurnu folio, by Walker and Wlllets-a valuable 
auxiliary to the town and well sustained. San¬ 
born Is a division point tor terminal train service, 
next west or Mason City; it has a round-house 
with six stalls, repair shops, ample side tracks, a 
good well with wind mill power, the best stock 
yards on the line west of the Mississippi River, 
covering live acres, with shoot3 tor loading and 
a large number of men are employed. Over 60 
new buildings have been erected within a year. 
The location la pretty; the surroundings healthy; 
the business men energetic. There arc also a 
hank, stores, a hotel (the Jenkins House by A. W. 
Cieed), shops, etc. There Is a demand for a hom¬ 
eopathic physician, harness maser ana a good 
stock of general merchandise. 
Wo record our thanks as press representatives, 
for valuable information and assistance to Warren 
Walker, of the Pioneer, and attorney; Barker and 
Green, bankers : and Broadstreet and Day, attor¬ 
neys, all of tbem dealing In real estate in O'Brien 
and adjoining counties. Any letters addressed to 
either regarding the town or county will receive a 
prompt response. 
Prinohak Is the county seat, located near the 
geographical center, with an Intelligent, thrifty 
population or nearly 400; a frame Bohool building 
valued at $3,ooo-graded bcIiooT of two depart¬ 
ments, lodge of A. F. & A. M. The M. E. Society 
have a church building and the Episcopal will 
Roon erect another. The Prlngliar Tribune la an 
eight-column folio, of neat typographical appear¬ 
ance and well edited by C. G. Bundy. Though 
deprived of railway advantages the town exhibits 
the elements of progress and Improvement, and as 
it is now expected that the Chicago Northwest¬ 
ern Ratlway will build through here this Beaaon, 
the town and this portion of the county will re¬ 
ceive a new Impetus In growth, a prospect that 
makes the present a desirable time for locating 
here. The place needs a steam flouring mill, a flax 
and a tow mill, and, in fact, any Industry adapted 
to the products of the country would do wen here, 
c. E. Achorn, of the law and real estate Arm of 
Schee & Achorn (representing T5,ooo acres of land); 
J R. Pumpbrey, baoker, real estate and merchan¬ 
dizing, here and at Hartley, and Warren Walker 
(also of Sanborn) took eacb an active Interest In 
aiding your correspondents, for which we return 
thanks. They also consented to answer any letters 
of inquliy addressed to them hy parties Interested. 
Haktlkv Is a prairie town or about 150 popula¬ 
tion. on the railroad between Sanborn and Spen¬ 
cer, In O’Brleu County; It Is laid out with wide 
streets and presents a fair opportunity for growth; 
town lots range from $20 to $r,o. iis growtn nas 
all been within two years and mainly since Sep¬ 
tember last. The M. E. society wilt soon build a 
church edifice. There are a substantial frame 
school building and a creditable district school. 
There Is an opening here for almost any business 
or industry, but a harness maker and wagon 
shop are specially desired. J. s. Flnster. alive to 
the Interests of the town, has Just erected a frame 
building which he will use for a store below and a 
hall above, affording a place for public gatherings. 
Several other structures arc In process of con¬ 
struction and the town bids fair to prosper. 
iunani BlisuUanp. 
SOUND ADVICE. 
“ You wish to be a lawyer, John—well, I’d not say a 
word 
Unless I felt iiulte certain that your longings are ab¬ 
surd ; 
I don't wish to discourage you, but then 1 can’t con¬ 
sent 
To board yon, as I Liev to do, and pay your office rent 
“ You’ve got a lusty set of limbs, and ordinary head. 
And you were meant by common toil to earn your 
dally bread; 
But thriving farm and pleasant home where man and 
wife agree. 
Beat any uue-horso lawyer’s luck as far as yon can see. 
” If you’d been born with talent, John, you’d long ago. 
hev shown 
That you hail gifts, by stealing off to study books 
alone. 
Now, If you've read a book, I r'ally don’t know when. 
Though, come to think, 1 b’lieve you sling a somewhat 
legal pen. 
” Be wise, my boy, the legal ranks are more than 
crowded now, 
And half of them who starve therein were out out for 
tho plow, 
But they mistook pure laziness for talent, understand. 
And helped to till a big supply where there was no de¬ 
mand. 
“ Aro they not educated? Yes. but here let me explain* 
That seed that's sown in shaky soil brings forth but 
little grain; 
And this higher education to an ordinary mind, 
Is like a pair of big gold specs upon a man that's 
blind. 
*' There is no prouder place than ’twixt the handles of 
a plow; 
(Though stumpy land has humbled me at times I'll 
allow,) 
And as for human greatness, I should think I had my 
share. 
If I could take the prize for hogs at our next county 
fair. 
“ Just emulate your Bire, my son, and just as sure as 
fate. 
You’ll be respected, though, perhaps, you won’t be 
great; 
But enter law, and five short years will clean you out 
so bad. 
You’ll have no recollection of the last square meal you 
had." - 
-» ♦ ♦ - 
THE MANOR HOUSE. 
Continued from page 606. 
It seemed to me If my room bad been Invaded by 
a host of armed men -men literally In armor, or 
carrying- a whole arsenal ot weapons, lor the 
noise was mainly that ot clattering steel tend Iron. 
The noise must have gone on for some seconds be¬ 
fore I was perfectly awake ; after that It prevaded 
the room for a time, then abated, but never ao far 
ceased that I was free from the Impression that 
1 was in the company ot a crowd. The room was 
quite dark all this time (how long exactly I never 
knew), and 1 felt extremely uncomfortable. I may 
go further and confess without shame that I was 
seized with a paidc of terror—a fear so paralyzing 
that for the moment I could do nothing. My lights 
were there at my elbow, but 1 dUl not dare move 
a hand to reach them. AU 1 could do, as sc many 
or us have done in childhood, and Indeed 
long afterwards, was to pull up the bed¬ 
clothes and try to bury myself among them. 
By degrees, as there was no more noise I 
was beginning to oe reassured, when all 
524 
at once the clamor recommenced, this time, as It 
seemed, at the very foot of my bed. There was 
the same hurrying to and fro of heavy feet, the 
same clattering and banging ot steel. Then tbla 
was followed by a sudden aeemtngly simultane¬ 
ous rush towards the windows. I heard the rattle 
or one Of the casements, a tierce struggle, then a 
piercing shriek, something heavy had been 
thrust out, and had dropped Into the moat. I dis¬ 
tinctly heard the splash in the water, like a great 
boulder rolling off a high cliff into the sea. There 
was another sound of feet mailing hack towards 
the door, thence out Into the corridor: and for 
some time I still heard them, but growing more 
faint, till they presently faded altogether away. 
I lay quiet for some time, quite unable to sleep, 
but becoming gradually more and more composed. 
By and by I mustered up courage to strike a light. 
The room was as snug and habitable as ever. I 
looked at. my watch—It was past three. Daylight 
was due In an hour. ( fancied that there was do 
fear of a recurrence of my visitation, so I got up 
and examined tho door; It remained locked and 
bolted as I had left It on retiring to rest. The 
windows, which I had so distinctly heard opened, 
were also securely fastened and closed. 
I once more retired to bed, and very Bhortly went 
off soundly to sleep. When I awoke the sun was 
shining brightly Into my room. I had been awak¬ 
ened by the old gardener, who was knocking loud¬ 
ly at my door. He was very anxious to know what 
sort of a night I had passed. 
Should I tell him—cross-question him—endeavor 
to And out whether the same thing happened to 
all occupants of the state chamber? No l I felt it 
would be a premature confession of weakness. I 
preferred r.o go farther into thte mysterious busi¬ 
ness before I ’admitted that I had been scared. 
All that day T Bpent In wandering about the 
place, doing no work, but fixing upon the best 
points of view, I constantly met the old gardener. 
I tried to draw him into conversation. I ques¬ 
tioned him concerning the Manor House: what 
was its history—was It very old ? had anything 
odd, any deed of violence, occurred In It? when 
did the family last live there? and so on. All be 
would tell me was that It had seen many changes 
and chances. There had been much lighting 
there In times past; it had been a garrison for 
King Charles; It had been beleaguered and be¬ 
sieged, and well nigh lost to the cause through 
a traitor within tne walls, who had betrayed It to 
the enemy, but who had been detected In rime, 
and had paid the penalty of his treachery with 
his life. 
Was this a clue to the strange noises I had heard? 
I determined to give the state chamber the trial of 
another night. But on this second occasion, al¬ 
though [ retired to rest as before, I kept a light 
burning, and, having fortified myself with two 
cups of strong coffee, I had no desire to go to 
sleep. I read steadily on through the night 
watches—my book was a novel or Anthony Trol¬ 
lope’s ; and as two o’clock came without a repeti¬ 
tion of the previous noise, I concluded I was not 
to be disturbed, and was actually on the point of 
extinguishing the light and turning over to sleep, 
wnen 1 heard far off, but distinctly in the corri¬ 
dor and making towards my room, a hurried 
frenzied movement, as of the approach of a num¬ 
ber of armed men. Next moment n y bedroom 
was invaded hotly and hastily by a crowd. The 
noises were exactly' those of the night before. 
My burning candle made no difference whatever; 
the room Wa3 just as full) occupied; my ghostly 
visitants were as busily employed. After tbe 
same delay I heard the window opened, and the 
same heavy fan into the waters of the moat. 
The more I pondered over this strange occur¬ 
rence, the more l was inclined to think that tha 
mystery was connected with the moat, and with 
the old gardener’s story of a deed of violence done 
ages ago. I determined to question him further 
about tbla moat. Had It ever been drained off ? 1 
asked him next day. “ Not that he knew of; why 
should it ?” he replied. I suggested that stagnant 
water was reputed unwholesome, and that the 
health of the occupants of the Manor House might 
some day suffer, it was not likely to have many 
occupants, “except perhaps the likes of yourself.” 
he remarked somewhat contemptuously, as though 
he thought me a tool tor llv tng there at all. Find¬ 
ing I could make nothing of the gardener. I went 
over to Blueburgh und saw Miss Maxted s agents. 
I pointed out that, on sanitary grounds alone, the 
occasional draining ot the jnoat would obviously 
be of great advantage to the house. If Miss M ax¬ 
led would permit. It. to be done, I should be very 
much pleased to superintend the operation. AU 
the answer I received at flrst was a series of ques¬ 
tions. Did 1 complain of the unhealthiness of the 
house? It so, I was the first who had done so, 
and the remedy was in my own hands. Did I pro¬ 
pose to inflict the cost ot drainage upon Miss Max- 
ted ? She could hardly be expected to meet the 
outlay, especially tor a tenant who had In a man¬ 
ner forced himself upon her. Unless 1 had better 
ground tor preferring my request, the answer was 
certain to be In the negative. 
Upon this 1 had recourse once more to ray aunt. 
I begged her to see Miss MsxtBd, and Inform her 
that 1 was not quite satisfied with the Manor 
House, it was not exactly uninhabitable, but it 
was difficult to get a good night’s rest there. 
Miss Maxtod would doubtless be well aware to 
what I referred. I was not particularly alarmed, 
nor had I even been made uncomfortable. I was 
prepared to face even worse than that whloh I bad 
encountered at Maxted; but in the owner’s best 
interests, I wished to purge the house of the annoy 
anee which troubled It, and If 1 was given full 
powers I thought 1 knew how. What I wanted 
was permission to have the moat drained, cleaned 
and thoroughly examined. Would Mtss Maxted 
agree to this ? 
My aunt's answer came at length. It was very 
rambling and rather hysterical. She began by 
imploring me to leave Maxted Manor without a 
moment’s delay. From that she paesed on to a 
catalogue of all that had come under her notice 
