The Rambler visits the old Belinda neighborhood

This is the second of several reports published in The Chariton Herald during late 1894 and early 1895 that were written by a gentleman identified only as "the Rambler" who gathered his information while selling subscriptions for that newspaper. His report from the Derby and Last Chance neighborhood is here.

Reporting during November of 1894, the Rambler began this leg of his enterprise at the H.M. Spiker farm two and a quarter miles due north of the spot (marked by a star) where Williamson would appear 20 years later. From there, he traveled east across the English-Pleasant township line to the pioneer village of Belinda, then north to the Marion County line, then back south through Belinda and into English Township again near what now is Williamson Pond, where my great-grand-parents, the Joseph Cyrus Millers, lived. After visiting my great-great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Miller, he turned south and entered Lincoln Township en route back to Chariton near the home of one of my uncles, some generations removed, Richard Miller Sr.

The maps are taken from the 1894 land ownership atlas of Lucas County and of course the names of people who rented rather than owned land do not in most cases appear. The report was published in The Herald of Nov. 29, 1894, and just begins there without any sort of introduction.

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H.M. Spiker occupies the home place on the Spiker ranch and makes a real business like landlord. His stock embraces a large bunch of cattle, hogs and sheep which he is getting ready for the spring market. It takes a good deal of nerve to feed cattle this year, but H.M. intends staying it out. He has a large fodder cutter run by a three-horse power, which he uses in preparing the fodder for the stock. At the time the writer called, the landlord was chief cook, kitchen biddy and fire maid, his better half being at the Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Wm. Carney, the efficient clerk of English township, makes a specialty of keeping his stock and premises looking fine. For two years past he has been farming on Spiker street, but is making preparations to move out on Education avenue one mile west.

Ed. Spiker has charge of another one of the fine Spiker farms near the home place. He carries out the principal of "push" characteristic of the family name. The entire family makes a specialty of fine horses, having that as part of their business. J.F. Spiker & Son being the style of the firm, with headquarters in Chariton.

Perry Brightwell now occupies the old David Ballard place, probably the oldest farm in the county. Twas here the first cabin fire illumined the plain and sent its curling smoke to mingle with the clouds. Last spring, Perry found the ideal of his affections and now he is lord over a happy home. One going onto his premises will find his farm implements all drawn up and cared for like he intends using them another year.

S.H. Brightwell came to this county 23 years ago and set to work to provide a home where he might spend a quiet age. His 120-acre farm does not show up as big as some of the neighbors, but it is taken from the cream of the land. Year after year brought on her treasures; the old straw sheds gave way to a large barn, and the old log house was pushed back where it stands in humble reverence to a costly frame. Where once he poured the slop to the old hazel splitters, a fine bunch of registered Poland Chinas now flourish. Mr. Brightwell had his fodder threshed and put into the barn for winter feeding. He pronounces the corn saved from the machine excellent sheep feed, but regrets that democratic free wool makes sheep-feeding very discouraging.

Erick Anderson was found on his old farm again after a few years' absence at Russell. They raised but one child, a daughter, who married and went to Colorado some time ago, leaving her aged parents to enjoy the sweets of home where cupid brought them by pointing out in each other: "The good, the beautiful and the true."

John Pierschbacher makes no boasts of landed wealth but his farm at Prairie Hill school house furnishes a plenteous support for his family. It failed in potatoes this year, but he was able to draw from other resources and get a load of potatoes from Marion county.

S.M. Pierschbacher is a time-honored resident of English township where he has been a citizen for more than a quarter of a century. As a result of his labors he has a large farm well improved and stocked.

Frank Edwards, a son-in-law of S.M. Pierschbacher, is located close by and is carrying on agricutural pursuits characteristic of a thrifty farmer. He is making his way in the world by his enterprise.

Swan P. Youngren has been on the farm about the usual length of time of his fellow countrymen. About 20 years covers the period it takes to pay for their farms. Mr. Youngren has complied with the above in bringing 120 acres under his "eminent domain." He has done a great deal of service on public works and is now ready to rest at his ease.

Chas. Wasberg was not at home when ye scribe called, but we took a general survey of things and concluded he knew more about farming than the visitor. We learned this fact, when one is well up with his work it is not difficult to take off a visiting day.

Adam  Pierschbacher, the old bachelor, had better get himself a wife. He has the farm, the cottage and the larder all complete, but in the language of the Good Book: One thing he lacketh to make life comfortable and desirable.

The village of Belinda is graphically described by the language of the poet when he said, "Neither miseries, nor crimes, nor the wrongs of ancient times ever came within its walls to degrade or to enthrall."

It consists of a general store and post office owned and managed by N.N. Byers, a blacksmith shop owned and operated by Isaac Paulins, and a steam feed mill the property of F.H. Boggess. Each of the above mentioned villagers are farmers from which occupation they get the most of their support.

James Garrett, though comparatively young, has a farm improved above the average. Mr. G. Was brought up right around where he now lives and was always looking to a home for his old age. He dotes on a bunch of thoroughbread Poland China hogs of which he has reason to be proud. There is much opposition in this day and age of the world to the doctrine preached by the so-called Holiness people. The objections are founded upon the ignorant constructions put upon the doctrine by "Popgun" preachers and not upon what is taught by that sect. Mr. Garrett and his family are living witnesses to the commonly accepted christian doctrine free from the fanaticisms and hobbies which rest in the minds of visionary sections, and nowhere to be found but in the vagaries of inflated

imaginations.

J.M. Rooker came to this county 28 years ago and embarked in farming on the place he now occupies. He married a daughter of Joshua Wilson, Esq., and has maintained the diligence to keep steadily adding to their possessions. He makes a specialty of supplying his own demand from his fields.

G.B. Woods has been farming Col. Dungan's place for the past 14 years and if nothing happens will continue in the same old way. The farm embraces a half section which requires considerable property to be able to  run it. Mr. Woods probably has done better renting than if he had bought a place as the rent is not high and the price of land is "out of sight."

J.B. Wyland has a 195-acre farm lying just east of Brush College. He has presided over that place for the past 15 years and made it real homelike. A great portion of the farm is pasture land which he keeps stocked with cattle.

T.J. Raper and his better half are well matched and their buoyancy of spirits is well calculated to cheer the broken hearted and add new impetus to a weary soul. Their manner is cheerful and  right from the heart. It has frequently been demonstrated that the prosperous man is cheerful while the man who is playing a losing game is always a pessimist. Mr. R's farm bears the marks of attention and his library will compare with any in the county. A great deal of skill was displayed in the variety of apples in his  orchard.

Nathan Kenney has for the past 35 years lived on his present farm. Though at one time the cares of the farm could be shifted to his children, they had to be taken up again as the children married  off and left them.

W.F. Deveny settled near the north side of the county and for the past 35 years has been laboring to make his wilderness of brush a fertile field. His aim is now accomplished and he is ready to sit down in ease and comfort. He has a pleasant home though never cheered by the prattling "Olive Plants" that grace so many firesides. Mr. D. was born in Ohio and brought up near Bethany College where Alexander Campbell attracted his first body of  followers, which has in later times developed into a large church sect. He served in the army as one of Virginia's first volunteers.

Perry Bell has lately started out in the world for himself, but has erected a house that would be an honor to anyone. His farm embraces as fine a tract of land as can be seen anywhere.

Chas. Kenney has purchased the sixty acre farm east of Belinda post office. His family will have the  pleasure of living in town while he attends to rural pursuits, for which he is well equipped.

Belinda has the requirements necessary to make a town --- a store, a blacksmith shop, a mill, and a church.

The merchant, N.N. Byers, has had his hands more than full of late as he  is trying to run his business and also fix up his farm and premises for occupancy after several years' absence.

The miller, F.H. Boggess, if not at the mill can be found on his farm north of the mill.

I.N. Carson, living south of Belinda, has gone through many vicissitudes and at last settled down on his present farm to toil on amid the adversities of life, looking forward to the time when Equal Justice will have uninterrupted dominion, affording mankind a foretaste of Eden of glory.

George Kennedy has a farm of 185 acres in which he takes great delight. His farm embraces a part of that beautiful prairie lying south of Belinda, which is an uninterrupted expanse of rich loam. Mr. Kennedy has been a resident of this farm for 13 years past and has spared neither time nor money in fixing it up to suit his taste. His stock are from among the "high grades" which present a pleasing appearance to the eyes of the visitor.

W.F. Carson has been drawing in from the treasures of the earth and making them to add to his  comfort, remembering the old adage that "labor is the sauce that gives zest to the poor man's bread." Mr. Carson has accumulated as much wealth as anyone in his part of the country and is now well enough fixed that he can rest at ease while nature is still filling his garners with the fat of the land.

Alex Peterson was found confined to his room with a lame back when the Rambler called, but the work on his large farm was still going on through the efforts of his family. Alex has probably worked too hard for his physical good, but he has plenty ahead now so that he can take the world easier.

Elmer Carson found the ideal of his life last spring, and has now settled down to farming on one of his father's farms. Time has not given him an opportunity to prove his success as a farmer. In the united efforts of the family there is strength, and if directed after the pattern of his father, we can safely predict for him a prosperous undertaking.

J.C. (Joseph Cyrus) Miller has extended his limits until now his farm embraces an area of 240 acres, which is well stocked with cattle, sheep, horses and hogs. Farming has its ups and downs, but the old latin motto, "labor omnia vinci" --- labor conquers all --- is the sign board on the road to success. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have raised a large family and are giving them a liberal education.

Frank Carson, living a mile north from the Carson school house, has erected a new house on his farm, which adds much to the appearance of that hill.

John Carson has been a resident of English township for nearly 30 years. During his stay here the country has made a wonderful change from that of unbroken prairie to fertile farms studded with costly dwellings. Mr. Carson did not fail to get his share.

Mrs. Jeremiah Miller was left a  widow last spring when her aged husband was taken hence to reap his rewards. Like the above mentioned, they were time honored residents of this township. They raised a family of six boys, all of whom have been close to the parental home until this winter, when Harvey left for the warmer clime of California.

Mrs. James H. Brown and her son, Frank, and daughter, Daisy, enjoy the fat of the land on the old home place where this distinct Brown family was brought up. They have everything that makes life desirable and use it to the highest cultivation of the social graces. It is thought by some that farm life abridges social attainments, but it is not necessarily so. A person's ambitions can run just as high when on the farm as anywhere else. Prof. Drummonds would have us believe that we are wholly governed by environment. On the farm we have the environment of all nature unrestrained.

Richard Miller is making his mark in the world near the south limits of the township of English where his farm is located. He found his helpmeet in the Howard family of Chariton. They together are prospering nicely as farmers. We  noticed they are not forgetful of their reading while engaged in rural pursuits.

Prof. D.T. Osenbaugh is now on the old Johnson place for the winter. He is at present engaged in school teaching, which profession he has followed for 14 years. he is a graduate of Valpariso, Indiana, also one of our county's teachers' institutes. He intends in going in the spring to the valley of the Solomon river, Kansas.

D.F. Baughman took Miss Houston for his loving compansion and settled on his present farm 11 years ago. Coming, as he did, from England's rocky slopes, he knew how to go  to work to convert his place into productive fields. He has the brush and rock all removed from the fields and a great portion of it down in pasture.

John Patterson was left a widower with a large family to care for alone. The least one was a mere babe, but by the careful attention of his daughters they are getting along as well a any of his neighbors. Being comfortable fixed on his farm, with a large house, they have all the advantages that need be asked for. We wondered at the alacrity with which they did their work until we heard them give expression to the sentiment, "cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee." Then we knew their source of strength.

Frank Foster is a son-in-law to Wm. Parry, of near Oakley. He is at present on the Matt Johnston place and will probably live there next year. We predict that his ambition will place him on a farm of his own ere long.

Chas. Wells has a farm on Cedar Creek where he now resides. A great portion of his cornfields are on the north side of the timber which protected it from the hot winds. He can boast of a good crop when others suffered from the drought.