KELLY LIKES FARM LIFE
Former Sedan Section Boss Will Enjoy Life this Winter While Some One Else Walks the 
Tracks.

            The Lance is in receipt of the following letter from Thos. Kelly, who for several
years was section boss on the railroad here.  About a year ago he resined his position,
going to Missouri to take charge of a farm which he has purchased with the savings from
his years of labor on the railroad.  His many friends in Sedan will be glad to to know he
has prospered by the change. The letter follows:
            Houston, Mo., Oct. 22, 1906,
Editor Lance:
            Being requested by yourself and others, on leaving Sedan, to write, and not having
the time to write all whom I know would like to hear from me, with your knd
indulgence I will write to all through your paper.
            I have now been here one year and have taken the first degree in farming.  I like
this country.  In fact the longer i am here the better I like it.  On account of the hills, rocks
and tember this is a hard looking country to the new comer at first sight.  But, after a year's
trial I have come to the conclusion that this is the best country I know of for the small
farmer with small means.
            We have a mikd, healthy climate, the country abounds in pure, clear running sping
water the year around, all knds of crops do well, all kinds of fruit does well, and this
country just can't be beat for garden vegetables.  In the cool clay soil vegetables grow just
as crisp and sweet in July and August as in the sping.
            This is splendid country for stock raising on a small scale.  We have all tame
gass pasture, and pasture is good to fair from March to Christmas.  The after-grass and
clover in my meadow now is from six to twelv inches high and green yet.  Alfalfa has not
been tested here ye to any extent.
            We have good market at home for all kinds of stock.  Buyers come along and take
the stock from the farms at the same price they pay at the railroad towns.
            This country is just beginning to improve.  People are coming in every day and
buting farms.  The new come makes a rustle with improved methods and machinery, and
then the old timer throws away his double-shovel and follows suit.  The price of land is
advancing steadily and the country if filling up with up-to-date farmers, mostly from
Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and North Missouri.
            I am glad that I located here and am well pleased with my farm.  I have 120 acres
all improved.  I have a fine pond fed by a good spring which keeps the water pure.  It is
stocked with crappie, perch and bass.  Last winter I put up ice, having all I could use this
summer besides selling several tons.  This is duck season and I often go to the pond
before breakfast and get duck for dinner.
            Any of my Sedan friends who happe to stray off down this way are invited to visit
me.  I will be pleased to entertain you to the best of my ability and will insure you a good
time.
            I will conclude by saying that I raised plenty of evertting this year, and this
winter when the bleak winds blow and the snow beats around the house I will sit by the
fire and let the other fellow walk the track and mend the broken rails.            Respectfully,

                                                                                       Thos. Kelly