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"The Box Butte Plains," Written by Leonard S. Herron and
The Nebraska Farmer of June 30, '09,
Published in
Almost in the northwestern corner of
Nebraska at an altitude of 4,000 feet is a
level stretch of country known as the Box
Butte plains. These plains are pi tic
tlcally identical with Box Uutto county
since the level land forming tho plains
is about1 equal in area to the county
and does not extend much If nuy be
yond the county line in any direction.
On the east and south the plain is bor
dered with sand hills. As ono stands
on tho level lauds nnd looks toward
these hills he might well imagine that
he is in tho center of some great pie
and that the rim of sand hills Is the
ilaring crust whose border has been
plain nnd is plainly visible for many
miles in every direction. The level
ncss of the country together with tho
clearness of the atmosphere, due to
the altitude, makes long vision possi
ble and one must not lie too sure about
distance until ho has conferred with
some one who Is used to tho country.
Tho main attraction which took us
to northwestern Nebraska was the
meeting of the Northwest Nebraska
Llvo Stoek Growers' Association, but
it was with a great deal of pleasure
that wo accepted the invitation of
Lloyd Thomas, secretary of the Alli
ance Commercial Chili to take an tutu-
jPP" ' ' '.---.' - "" 'jm
COMIN THROUGH THE RYE.
crimped into waves by the Angers of
tho good housewife. On the north of
the liox Butte plains is tho Niobrara
Hirer with all its breaks and rugged
bluffs, while away to the westward we
were told the plain ends in low hills.
AUiuneo is the principal town in this
region. It is a thrivlug little city sit
uated in the south east corner of Uox
Butte county only about seven or eight
miles from the sand hills on the east
and a similar distance from those to
the southward. It is a division point
on the Burlington railroad from Kuu
sas City to Bllliugs. Here al&o is
where the line to Denver branches olt"
and runs southward. At Bridgeport
on the Denver line the ruad branches
af?ain and one stem ruus up the North
Tlatto valley to Guernsey, Wyo Tnis
line also has its headquarters ut Alli
ance, hence tho latter is a thriving
railroad center. The m tin Hue of Uiu
Uurllnglon comes into Alliance from
the east but within the town it turns
toward the nortlnvest aud follows a
diagonal course across the county.
Traveling from the east on the main
line of the Burliugtou oue hus to pass
through nearly -'U(J miles of tho heart
of the Nebraska sand hl-l-i before com
ing out onto the Box Butte plains. It
Is certainly a pleasant relief from this
monotony to suddenly leave all the
sand duties behind and roll ulong over
a level prarie covered vltli a oarptt of
beautiful green. Likewise hi ap
proaching Alliance from the south on
the Denver line a ridge of chalk hills
along the North Platte river, aud u
belt of sand hills north of this must be
passed over before the passenger is re
warded with a view of the broad ex
panse of level country. From the
northwest the main line of the railroad
from the Block Hills and Billings after
much winding aud climbing ascends
from the valley of the White river,
crosses the headwaters of t le Niobrara
and ascendlug slightly come out onto
the plains of Box Butte county.
The land within the county for the
r
mobile ride through the country sur
rounding the city. Early in the morn
inff we set out from town in a direction
bearing to the nortlnvest. The coun
try is becoming well sottlud near towu
and tho price of land situated close in
is rapidly increasing. Wo were told
that only recently oue farm near Alli
ance had sold for $15 per acre.
All along the way there were llelds
of potatoes and small grain. Tho
crops were at various .tnges of ad
vancement in tho different fle'tls. In
some eases the potatoes were up sev
eral inches ami were Wii.g cultivated
wVllu in other llelds they hud only re
cently been planted. The same was
trne of the sm ill r;rain. Beside fields
lu which the gruii was waving in the
breeze there was grain just getting
nicely hluitcd. The (Hff. ivnuc was
one of I '.ruu'S U'Kl not of soil r tther Jenuntiy lying1 to the euit,
f-i
last year's breaking' Was especially
good.
Tho soil arounrt Alliance is a brown
sandy loam, containing just enough
sand to mako it work easily. It can
not be called a sandy soil, however,
and when wet It adheres quite tena
ciously to anything that comes in con
tact witti it. The surface soil varies
somewhat in depth. There arc places
where It is not mure than six inches
deep, although these are comparative
ly rare. In other places It is six feet
or more in depth. Tho underlying
m tterlal is n sort of magnesia clay,
which is porous nnd does not appar
ently Interfere with the growth of al
filfa. Wo were informed that tho soil
conditions in tho county aro quite uni
form. After traveling some eight miles
from Alliance wo turned about and re
turned to the town by a differeut road.
About Ave miles from Alliance on tho
return trip we came to the farm of
Mr. Joseph Barkhurst who has been
tunning in liox mute county for over
twenty years. It is said that his farm
ing has been done along such sane
lines that ho has never suffered a crop
failure. Hero we sawtrecs aud blirub
bery, showing the possibilities for im
provement and development on the
plains. In fact Mr. Barkliurst's home
would compare favorably with many
in the eastern part of Nebraska in the
matter of adornment with trees and
bhrubs. There was a fino little orch
ard, too, and we were informed that It
produced fruit last year beyond tho
needs of the family. This homo was
not in an especially favored location,
hence It can bo considered typical of
the tilings that may bo accomplished
anywhere on the Box Butte plains b3'
men who follow souud culture meth
ods with persistence. When Uox
Butte county becomes filled with this
kind of homes it will have a real "back
east" uppearauce and will send out
products that will attract even more
attention than Box Butte potatoes
now do in the market centers
Returning to Allla.ncfl we passed
through the town and out into the
Thin svfit
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THEY RAISE POTATOES OUT THERE,
plains and tho fnrmers are making
them their principal crop, Last fall
there wcro shipped from Uox Uutto
county over 400 oars of thoso life pro-
servers nsldo from many oars hold
through tho wlutor and scut out this
8Pr-0ff. Small grain, also, Is well suit
ed to the agricultural possibilities of
this region. Corn will probably never
bo extnnslrcly grown hero on account
of. the altitude. Norertheless, It will
undoubtedly be grown In increasing
quantities In future years as strains
nnd breeds aro dorelopeil with especial
reference to their fitness for the con
ditions nt high altitudes. This will
certainly bo tho case If dairying con
tinues to hold the place among farmers
that It appears to bo gaining at the
present tlino.
The settlers nro not now keeping a
great deal of llvo stock and their crops
are of a unturo to exhaust the humus
of their soil. In a few years they will
have the humus problem to fnco. It
docs not seem, however, that tho res
toration of vegetable matter to the soil
hero will be more difllcult than in
other countries. Wo havu already al
luded to tho success of alfalfa and
bromu grass on these plains, and with
rotations luclufllnir thene crops it
should not be dilllcult to maintain the
humus supply.
There has been nn abunduneo of
rain in Uox Uutto county this spring
too much in fact. Crops are not so
forward as they would bo If there had
been less rain and mora sunshine.
However, crop prospects could not
well bo better and tho farmers are
jubilant over tho outlook. Ilenl estate
is changing hands so rapidly that It is
not safe to venture a guess ns to tho
owner of any . given pleco of land.
Perhaps It wns sold only yesterday.
Boosting for Box Butto
From Columbus Telegram:
T. J. O'Keefe and Editor Thomas came
down from Alliance yesterday for a brief
talk with Columbus real estate agents.
Mr. O'Kcefu edited tho Alliance Herald to
his own profit and to tho pleasure of the
people. Last year he sold the paper to
Mr. Thomas, and is now devoting his en
tire attention to winning new citizens to
Uox Butte county, the home of tho big po
tato. That particular section of Nebraska
appears to have been neglected at the
time of tho mad rush for western lands a
few years ago, but now it is reaping the.
most aggressive influx of settlers any sec
tion of the state has known. While the
soil in that part of tho state grows every
thing ihat will grow in any temperato
zone, the big crop is potatoes, there being
man) established record crops of potatoes
yielding from $15 to $35 per acre net to
tho fnrmers. Mr. O'Keefo is loud in
praise of Columbus. He says he knows
of no town in the state which is striking
the Columbus gait, and he fears tho man
ifold attractions here would win him quick
if tils' home was in any other place than.
jijs own bca.u.tifu.1 AlliBQW,
HEniNGFORD HERALD.
HEMINGFORD, UOX BUTTE COUNTY, NED., JULY 8, I909.
conditions affecting plant gro.vtii. In
every instance the early crops were
the best. This illustrated the remark
made to us by Mr. Thomas that the
thing most needed lu Box Butte couu
ty is good farmers. The older stock
men of the country do not take to
farming with a very noticeable avidity,
and it seems that improvement in farm
practices must come largely through
the introduction of uew blood from
eastern sections and through the edu
cation of the rising generation.
There were a number of good alfalfa
fields In the neighborhood of Alliance.
Some of these were even mire than
cnmp-ir.ihle to alfalfa In the eastern
p. rt of the state In every field tho
HOME OF JOSEPH BARKIU'RSr.
most part is very level. Here and
there is a draw, but there are uo steep
hills of any magnitude. Last week
we had the privilege of visiting north
west Nebraska and we made our en
trance to the Box Butte plains from
the northwest corner as we journeyed
from Crawford to Alliance. As soon
as tho train was up out of the valley
of the Niobrara we began to see num
erous homes on the prairie. Every
where stretched away the grass-covered
plain. The abundant rains of
this season have made the grass grow
very thriftily, and we do not remem
ber ever having seen such a wide ex
panse of unbrokeu green. Every
where the settlers ure coming onto
these plains, building their homes and
breaking up the sod to raise crops.
A thin trull of smoke ou tho horizon
marked a field where a traction engine
with Its retinue of plows wus turuiug
over the native sod in the first step of
making a farm out of tho prairio
The same level topography prevails
along the railroad from the northwest
corner of the county to the place
where it enters the sandhills at the
southeast corner. Alliance stands out
ou a slightly elevated portion of the
alfalfa has made a good growth, was
of a good color and perfect stand.
The success of ulfalfa on these plains
augurs well for their future in crop
I production for it solves the humus
problem If the farners will only apply
the solution. We saw very little corn,
but the early-sown small grain com
pared favorably with eastern sections
of Nebrasku. One field of full rye on
over lu the direction of the Ratid hills'
region. When wo came close to the
hills we could see that there was a
well' defined line seperating the sand
hills from the "hard lands." Some of
the finest fields of grain we have seen
this year were in th's neighborhood
east of Alliance. About six miles out
we visited the farm of Mr. Geo. Doug
las who has been very successful in
growing alfalfa. We do not think
that we have 6een a better growth of
alfalfa this year than was standing on
Mr Douglas' fields almost rendy for
the mower. It was almost waist-high
and very thick. Certainly It wns u
pleasure to look upon these fields and
then away across the grass-covered
plain toward Alliance, and beyond,
and try to hnaglue what tills country
will be when every quarter section has
an ulfalfa Held such as these. We baw
some flourishing brome grass on tho
trip, too, which indicated the possibil
ities of tame grass culture here.
The country has a somewhat bare
appearance as have all new countries
where trees have not yet been plauted.
Only a suiull percentage of the land
hus as yet been broken up. Conse
quently the plains have very much of
a prairie complectlon. Everywhere
there is u carpet of native green with
here and there a variation in color
that murks the location of a grain
tieul. The black patches streaked
with green nre potato fields where the
crop is just getting under headway
for its seasonal work of filling tho cel
lars with "spuds.'
Potatoes are a crop well udapted to
the soil and climate of the Box Butte
Will Retire from Ranch
Johu Lcith is one of the many pros'
perous ranchmen tiiat The Herald
numbers among its friends. He called
at our office yesterday to set his sub
scription a year ahead, and incidental
ly remarked to the editor that he had
decided ou accouut of advancing age to
retire from his ranch fifteen miles west
of Alliance, and accordingly has listed
the same for sale with the real estate
firm of Dinccn, Rubendall & Young.
His ranch is a money-making place,
has two creeks on it, a ten acre grove,
and other features that make it quite
desirable for stock raising, or stock
raising and farming combined. Wo
believe that whoever gets it will be
fortunate, as we believe it is bound to
become more valuable as the years go
by.
Free Rooms For Girls.
Hemingford Happenings.
Charley Davison is building t large,
barn ou his farm.
E. L. Everett went to Alliance OU
business Tuesday.
C. Klemke and wlfo went to Seattle
to attend tho fair Monday.
M. I'. Solbcrg nnd family nro visiting
at Carl Fostroin's at present.
Mr. nnd Mrs. Burleigh went to Craw,
ford to colcbrato Thursday.
Quito n crowd went to Crawford
Friday and Saturday to eclobrnto.
Mrs. Alox Muirhcad went to Omaha
Saturday to take medical treatment.
Mr. nnd Mrs. Dailcy are tho proud
parents of a baby boy born July 5U1.
- Joe Kulin is layed up with a sore foot
caused by running a nail into it.
l'etc Jensen is building n large, new
house ou his farm southeast of here
Esther Necland returned from Creto
Tuesday to slay awhile ou tho farm.
Mr. McGogy from near Belmont
was hero looking for lumber last week
Mrs. Curry nnd son, Robert, went to
Alliance Thursday to see Dr. Hand
again.
Mtb. Emery Abloy went to Seattle
Thursday to visit relatives and take in
tho fair.
Mtb. Daisy Kohnnan was thrown
from a horse Saturday and bruised up
quite badly.
D. W. Butler went to Alliance to
spend tho 4th with his family, return-
ing Tuesday.
Ray Woods and GladyB Burleigh
went to Alliance for a couple, of dayB'
visit last week.
Mrs. Rolla Johnson rotnrnod from
Alliance Thursday where she bad been
shopping a few days.
Clair Mcwhirler from Alliauco is
taking Mr. Douglas' place as operator
at tho depot during his absence.
Mrs, Anderson, mother of John. Au
dcrson and Mrs. Strong, is hero for a
short visit, coming Thursday last.
Lillian Blanchard was here for an
over night's stay with Mra Kulricr be
fore going to her homo at Chudron.
The eclobratiou at Henry Wluten'o
on July 5th was attended by a large
crowd and a good time was reported
by all.
Clark Olds and wife and Henry Ely
wero among thoso going to Crawford
Thursday to attend the Odd Fellows'
meeting.
1 Mr. and Mrd. Schumacher canto"
here front Orleans, Nebr., Tuesday for
a visit with their sister, Mrs. Henry
Wintcn,
Mrs. Sourwain came home from
Marsland Thursday where she went a
Couple of weeks ago to undergo a,n
opcrntlotli
Ed Wildy sojourned to Alliance
Thursday where ho was married to
Sylvanla Potmcsil from Kuunlngwatcr.
They wont to the coast on a wedding
tour.
Neighboring Notes
Scottsblufl is planning to secure an al
falfa meal mill.
At tho special election held in Morrill
county last Tuesday to vot6 on tho propo
sition to bond tho county for a sum suffi
cient to erect a good, substantial court
house at Bridgeport, tho proposition car
ried by a majority of five votes in a total
of 559. Oaf about two-thirds ot the
total voto of the county was polled.
County Clerk W. C. Mount of Box Butte
county was in town last Tuesday looking
up tho mortgages recorded to tho credit of
Box Butte county residents and on which
they will now bo required to pay taxes. He
found a goodly number that will add ma
terially to tho rcvenuo ot his county.
Bridgeport News-Blade, July 2,
Mrs. lohn King returned from a trip to
Hot Springs, Alliance, and Denver Mon
day, and went out to visit her parents at
their homo at North Highland. Mr. King
remained inAllianco for a few days. Bay
ard Transcript, July 3.
Ranch for Sale
I will sell my ranch, consisting of
530 acres of deeded land and one
school section. Two sections adjoin
ing can bo secured as homesteads and
included in the ranch. Most of tho
laud is level and can ho tanned. Im
provements consist of six miles of three
wire fence, two windmills and good
wolls, supply tanks, two fair houses,
etc. Will, anil cheap, if taken soon.
2,000 casli; time tpsuit purchaser on
balance, mortgage1 qn deeded land to
ho given as security. Call on me If
you aro interested. Jas. Potmesil.
.Long Lake, Nebr..
2 miles weal of P. 0. 28-3W
Before ordering anything in tho line
of office supplies of traveling salesmen
or mail prder houses call up tho West
ern Office Supply Co., and let them
show you samples. Phono 58 or 340.
Pure Bred Poultry.
Choice R. C Leghorn cockerels for
sale. Eggs 50 cents per setting. Call
or write Mrs, Ai Gregory, ttiarRlandj
Nebr. xS-tViyVv
If you need help of any kind, tell ad
many people as passible. There are
more than 40,000 people who subscribe
for The Omaha Bee. Vott dan tell
them all for one cent per word per day
Write today.
1 j
BUYERS and
We Get Them
Together
MUTTON, Hemingford
KNEE DEEP, AND THEN SOME, IN THE ALFALFA FIELD OF
MK. OFOKGE Don.LAS M Mi ALLIANCE.
"Domestic Art" is a new department
which the National Corn Exposition an
nounces for this year, and a long list of
prizes will be offered for sewing and work
in home decoration. The womans depart
ment this year will be known as the Do
mestic Science and Art Department.
To direct this important and interesting
department, Miss Jessica Oesack has again
been selected by the exposition manage
ment and Miss Hesack has many plans for
the young women. Though she is now
"going to school" herself at Columbia Uni
versity, New York City, Miss Hesack an
nounces that she has made the same ar
rangements as last year to take care of
"her girls." When they come to Omaha
in December to take the short course, and
attend the exposition, they will be provid
ed free of charge with high class dormitory
accomodations where they can live for two
weeks just as they would at the best girl's
boarding school in the country. These
dormitories, under the care of the church
es of Omaha, are so located that young
women take the car at the exposition
grounds and get off at their temporary
Lome without chance. Miss Hesack main
tains an office in Omaha and her assistants
are working out the plans while she is
working in the laboratories and art depart
' meat at Columbia.
Have you a farm to sell or exchange?
It costs only a cent a word per day to
run an advertisement in The Omaha
Bee. It will reach over 40,000 sub
scribers and is almost sure to find a
buyer. Write today.
The Old Reliable
Hardware, Harness and Implement
Firm
I
In order to make room for new goods will make special
prices on
Buggies, Spring and Farm Wagons
Agent for the well known Deering Hay Tools and Harvesters and J. I.
Case Threshing Machines.
In HARNESS My motto: "How Good; Not, How Cheap."
Antoin Uhxigr
I EMINGFORD, NEBR.
N.
Livery
and Feed
in connection
FROHNAPFEL
Hemingford, Nebraska
Funerals
attended
with
Hearse