The general practice of diversified farming lead to a similar increase in the production of live stock, dairying and poultry.

Records show January, 1900, first car of poultry shipped from the county. The above figures do not include local shipments and receipts. At all the stations in the county, Webster alone receives a carload of local shipments every day of the year. Then there is a great deal hauled out by trucks. Then there was a number of stockbuyers in the county who drove the stock out of the county on foot. These figures should give one a very good idea of the production and consumption of the county, by the people.

While our success from an economic standpoint has been extraordinary, we point with pride to the fact that our people have not been practicing race suicide. Day county lays claim to having the largest family within the boundaries of our state. (See Kosciusko and other townships.)

J. K. MORK, LYNN TWP.      CLAIM SHANTIES       WM. EVELETH, YORK TWP.

Early education.—At the very outset the people of the county became anxious to do something in the way of making an official effort for the education of their children. As we have previously stated, E. R. Thompson was appointed as superintendent of schools for the county by the first board of commissioners. He was very soon succeeded by Rev. W. G. Dickenson, who was able to do quite a little toward the organization of school districts. Since this organization was of necessity very slow, there were private schools established. The first of these was started by Mrs. Charles Ecker. School was held in her claim shanty, which was located on the South West quarter of 26, Webster township, just a half mile North of the Yellowstone trail, where a clump of trees now stands. A number of the pupils of this school were: George and Cora Webster, Cora and Carrie Warner, Mabel Lee, May and Bessie Ecker, Martin and Kate Giblin. Martin Giblin is the only one of these still living here.

The first official teacher's examination was given by superintendent Dickerson at the Balzer hotel (Commercial), April, 1883. This examination was taken by the Misses Ada and Rebecca Laird. The first official rural school was established in Knapp's district (now No. 109 Rusk township.) The teacher was Miss Rebecca Laird, (now Mrs. Humphry of Detroit, Michigan.) School opened June 1, 1883, and was held in Doc Richardson's claim shanty located on South East quarter, Section 14. The teacher was paid thirty-five dollars per month. The first public school building in county was erected in Webster 1883. (For further school history, see history of cities, villages and townships.) The first church building erected in county, the Congregational at Webster 1883.

Increase of Population.—The census of 1880 showed white population to be 97; of 1925, 15,175. Total vote cast at first election, November 7, 1882, 331; of November election 1924, 4,000; which is about sixty per cent of the actual voting population. 1902 total assessed valuation of all property was 4,300,000, the same in 1925 was $39,000,000. 1925 bank deposits, $4,000,000.

An eminent medical authority writes that man has succeeded in putting off death ten years. Now if some writer on economics will show us how to treat taxes the same way, we can all die happy.