Our Past Is Present November 8, 2017

November 8, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story is a continuation about the economic impact of visitors who came to watch maneuvers at Fort Riley.  Many farmers in Geary County leased their land to the government in 1903 for use during the big military maneuvers.  Landowners were said to be pleased with the way the Army made settlements with them for damages resulting from the troops going over their land.  One farmer said he had just finished planting wheat over 20 acres and when the Army crossed the field in several places they destroyed practically all the planting. 

            When the officers came around to settle for the damage, he was allowed 25 bushels of wheat to the acre and was paid a rate of 60 cents a bushel.  He could not have wished for a better settlement.  The gentleman did not have to cut or thresh the wheat and didn’t even have to worry about the failure of the crop.  Another farmer from the northern part of the county reported that he had sold $105.00 worth of apples and honey at the camp and was getting 15 cents a pound for his chickens.  He said that no one could tell him that the maneuvers were not a good thing for the farmers in our area.  Indeed, the Army WAS a good friend to farmers in 1903.

            Since the Army owns most if not all the land they use for training, it is doubtful that farmers reap these benefits in this way today. 

            Well… that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.