The AGE's Man Awheel - Sees a "Dug Out"

(SOURCE: Clinton Morning Age, Sept. 13, 1895)

A German School House-Some-thing About Farms, Gardens, Stock, Etc.                 

            Go up the road from the Two Mile house, west of Lyons, until the cross road three miles north is reached, and turn to the left and you will be on the route taken by the AGE’s wheelman Saturday.

            The first man to be visited was MIKE SCHWARTZ, who has 110 acres, 30 being in corn.  His oats went 20 bushels to the acre.  His hogs number 92 and his cows, 22.

            On getting to the top of the next hill a flag was seen gloating from what looked like a barn, but a nearer view revieled [sic] the fact that it was a dance hall. On inquiry it was learned that a small building there, somewhat resembling  a small country store, was a school house, which the Germans had put up.  Every little while a dance was given in the hall to remind the people of the school and that it was the place for German children.          

            A little to the west was a long shed which would accommodate probably a dozen teams.  Back up the hill was a dwelling, but on coming near it was found that no one, excepting the dog, was at home, and from the tone of his voice one would think that he did not take very kindly to strangers.

            A dwelling house across the road, and a little way back, was visited, but no one, not even a dog, was home.  It began to look as though some people went to town Saturday, but on the next 160 acres HENRY MANNING was interviewed.  He says his corn is good.  His oats, numbering 18 acres, turned out very good.  He has 50 hogs and a few cows.

            Just west of MR. MANNING’s gate is a ditch, extending across the road.  It is 12 feet wide and 13 feet deep.

            PETER JONES, on 140 acres, was the next greeted.  He has 45 acres of corn.  His oats, barley and wheat turned out good.  Thirty-five cows and 118 hogs constitute his stock.

            The home of WM. MOHR was the next place of interest.  Here two small children, with a good dog to keep tramps and peddlers away, were found.  Nothing could be learned from them, but it was found that MR. MOHR’s farm consisted of 80 acres.  Forty shoats were counted in the barn yard.

            HANS HANSEN was the next place, which was reached on schedule time.  MR. HANSEN was helping one of his neighbors thresh, and all the information obtainable here was that the farm consisted of 100 acres, on which were 53 hogs.

            The next place attracting attention was that of HENRY SAUNDER.  MR. SAUNDER was not home but it was learned that he had 10 acres, on which was some nice looking corn.

            TESE MASON was the next man to be sought.  He has 40 acres.  His oats did well, and his corn promises to do likewise, A few hogs and cows are on the place.

            On inquiring at the next place it was found to be the 160 acre farm of BARNEY KIMMAN.  He got 460 bushels of oats from 25 acres.  A field of corn, 40 acres, looks promising.  One hundred and twenty hogs looked longingly at the corn, while 23 cows grazed in the pasture.

            The next far, 260 acres, is the home of CLAUS PETERS. He has 1400 bushels of oats, taken from 40 acres.  He has in 60 acres of corn.  He also has 150 hogs and 55 head of cattle.

            The next man, HENRY KROGMAN, was found on 160 acres, 35 being in corn.  A large orchard in the corner greeted the eye, while across the road and a little farther down, the home of WM. B?OF (Baof?) came in sight.  One hundred acres, out of 260, is in corn and 20 were in oats, which did very well.  The place is stocked with a number of nice cattle and horses.

            Coming back now and JAMES DOLAN, on 180 acres is found, 50 being in corn. His oats went 19 bushels to the acre.

            FRED GELO was the next.  He has 42 hogs and a few cows.  One hundred and sixty acres is the size of his farm, 60 acres being in corn.  His 40 acres of oats went 20 bushel to the acre.

            The next farm, 200 acres, was found to be in possession of GEORGE LANGE.  He has 65 acres of corn.  His oats went only 10 bushels to the acre, on account of being injured by two hail storms.  George has 25 head of cattle and 127 hogs.

            The  240 acres pf JOHN DOLAN, Was next spied.  His oats went 30 bushels to the acre.  His acres of corn number 50, his cattle, 30 head in all, keep the grass short in the pasture, while 110 hogs try, each for himself, to get the filthiest place in the barn yard.        

            J. C. FURBUSH, an old gentleman living alone, was the next to engage in conversation.  He has 15 acres, 10 being in corn and the rest in potatoes and garden truck.  Mr. Furbush has something that is not very often seen around here, and that is a “dug out.”  He used to live where they were more common and says it seems more like home to have it, besides being a place of refuge in case of a severe storm.

            BARNEY MANNING was the next man visited.  Out of 140 acres he has 40 in corn and 22 in oats, not yet threshed.  He has 130 hogs and a few head of cattle.

            WILLIE WASCHO was next seen.  He has 5 acres, mostly in garden truck.

            Across the road farther along, is the home of JOHN MOHR.  His farm consists of 200 acres, 70 acres in corn and 50 were in oats, which he is just threshing.  He has a few cows and 75 hogs.

            HENRY MOHR, his brother, lives farther down the road on a 160 acre piece, 60 of which are in corn.  His oats went 24 bushels to the acre.

            Just north of the Six Mile house is 17 acres on which HENRY TIETJENS resides.  Corn, potatoes and garden truck are the products of his place.

            On the corner are 41 acres belonging to WM. SCOFIELD.  MR. SCOFIELD  has a few cows and 45 hogs.  He has 25 acres in corn, one in potatoes and the rest in pasture.

            The next stop to be made was in the city of Clinton.