Nor did the rest of us until lately, when it was leased for oil
and gas. . . Kansas can, and has been cruel. In my early boyhood
a few of those I knew went to Kansas to make their way in the
world. Some came back footsore and broken-hearted. The droughts,
hot winds and grasshoppers took them, as witness the Entryman and
his wife who homesteaded this identical land in 1893 . . .
. . .Two years ago I received a telephone call from a man in
Lakin. . . He had about 50 head of starving cattle; was out of
feed, with none available; he was desperate and could he turn-in
his cattle on my land for not more than a month? . . . I have
been short on feed a few times, but never out. I told him I would
most certainly help in any way I could under those circumstances.
Two months later I arrived on the land. Then came the big
disillusionment. The cattle were not those of the man who called
me. They were owned by one of the wealthiest men in the County.
The telephone caller only worked for him.
At the time, I came in contact with three prospective tenants who
wanted to farm the land. . . Mr. W-- was most highly recommended.
We talked terms. . .I told him I would think the matter over
carefully going home, and if I decided I wanted to lease the
land, would prepare a contract.
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