The Journal Leon, Iowa May 22, 1883 As we bear considerable inquiry why Van Wert correspondence is so scarce and meagre we thought in our humble way and limited ability we would try and do our widow's mite. Hoping you and the readers of The Journal will in our junior case call to mind the sad piece we used to speak, "Tall oaks from little acorns grow, great aches from little toe corns grow," &c, and hold your breath and wish for our elevated future as a correspondent, for our chronicness in this specialty is junior, indeed. Weather for the past three weeks has brought the corn planter into requisition again, for nearly every farmer has to replant his corn and the recent heavy rains have so packed the ground that the work will be much more laborious on the teams than at first. However we do not as yet despair and still hope for better times. The potatoes planted are doing very nicely. There should be a good crop raised, there being nearly 25 per cent increase in acreage planted than last year. Acreage of oats this season exceed that of last year by considerable, and the oats now bid fair for a large yield, which we hope will be the case as our farmers, while they are termed the independent class, have passed through two years heavy loss and disappointment -- say nothing of the labor they lost. Gardens generally look well, and we hope soon to have a treat of fresh vegetables generally. Fruit looks favorable in this locality. Our city in some respects seems to improve. Mr. STILES, of Garden Grove, has just received a complete stock of furniture. E.W. STILES has just completed a bran (sic) new blacksmith shop, where you can get good work done D.E. TUTTLE has a shop in the northwest part of the city. Hotels de Corbett and Van Wert House are doing good business, which the energy and labor of the gentlemanly landlords have richly earned. Our city is soon to have a new church, we understand; also a new large, and commodious store with a hall over head which is badly needed. W.E. STONE & Co. enlarge their store by a new front 25x40 feet. The new mill north of the H.&S., is nearly completed. HALL's Mill runs as usual, but the short corn crop of late years has shortened the work of millers to about three days in the week. Two Sunday schools and churches well attended, where we would advise Clipper to worship instead of getting off her box with the boys and making so much noise at night. Our miniature railroad on its way to Leon with its gentlemanly agent, R.O. JAMES, seems to be doing a good business. We don't know which seems to be the objective point, Leon or the $35,000. We'll gamble on the latter. However, we are pleased with our agent and his cultured family. The H.&S. Is being represented here by Mr. MCALISTER, of Leroy, during Mr. CAMPBELL's illness. Our doctors are enjoying a starvation repose, the general health being good. W.T. WELLINGTON, we understand, has bought a saw mill from GEO. JENKINS, the mill being at Little River, near the C.B. & Q. Railroad bridge. He is an experienced saw mill man. Mrs. 'VIRA GOULD is teaching one of the most successful terms of school in this district for some time. The most important branch in which she drills the pupils is obedience and order, and should she succeed in this most important branch the directors should promote her and allow the adults to attend. Compulsory education would fit Van Wert in many cases. The Narrow Gauge officials took a flying trip over the road in a special car Sunday, 20th inst. -- All Round town. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert December 30, 2009 [email protected]