I was born January 16, 1912, on the farm in Eagle Township where I now
     live and have farmed for 45 years.
        Schools attended were Dry Creek and Elwood; weakness of eyes allowed
     only two years high school. I helped Dad (H.U. Magnison) farm the place
     bought from E.T. Lonker. Coyote dogs and trail hounds afforded enjoyment
     and meager spending money.
        The Great Depression, Dirty Thirties, and WPA under Rooseveld implemented
     the necessity to work with four horses on construction of Highway 160. The
     $5 a day enabled us to buy feed for livestock and put out the crop. No joy
     riding, no shows, for fear your job would be given to someone. WPA thought
     needed it for food - no pleasures. I also patrolled the township road when
     necessary.
        In 1933, Carrie Fay Woods, from Fairview, Oklahoma, contracted to teach
     Blue Ribbon School - 8 months, $36 a month. She paid Jack Warwicks $10 a
     month for bard and room, walked to school and did her janitor work.
        We had grand times getting up box suppers at her school, and others;
     taking my sisters back to school in Medicine Lodge on Sunday; and attending
     an occasional revival meeting at Lasswell.
        Faye was born December 11, 1914, Caddo County, Oklahoma, daughter of
     Ireland and Nancy Draper Woods; granddaughter of W.H. Draper of Lake City.
        In 1934, I rented land from Alice Angell and my Grandmother, moved into
     house where I was born and started batching. February 15, 1936, Faye and I 
     were married at Anthony, Kansas - I hoped secretly, until her school was
     out. A blizzard developed, and our news was out. They let her finish the
     term - maybe because Dad and an uncle were on the school board.
        She now made $50 a month, giving $12.50 for living. We milked cows, sold
     cream, kept a few hogs, a few hens, and my dogs.
        Paying $150 freight on a $1,495, twelve foot Gleanor combine, contracting
     an F-#0 Farmal for $1,450, and hiring a driver for $3 a day, I was set up
     for custom cutting neighbors' wheat for $1.50 an acre; 6-8 bushel yield was
     considered good. Fertilizer wasn't to be had as yet.
        We dealt for 35 cows at $28 per head, to pay with calf crops and any cow
     that missed calving. The first sters brought 6 cents a pound, the heifers 5 
     cents, and dry cows $56 a head. I drove them to Forest City and shipped them
     to St. Joseph, Missouri, with a carload made up by Dad, Jack Warwick, and 
     Lloyd Weidner.
        The 3 sons and 2 daughtes born to us were J-Paul Homer (December, 1936);
     Emma Joan Rucker (March, 1938); John Rockford (November 1939-March 1940);
     Jerry Maxton (June, 1941); Janet Faye Roland (August, 1945). The four
     children are married, live in a radius of fifty miles and have given us
     fourteen grandchildren - twelve of whom are living.
        The 1950 drought necessitated a change in our lifestyle. J-Paul, now
     married, lived on the farm, and we in town. Faye attended Pratt Juco,
     acquired a certificate and returned to teaching in 1958.
        In 1962, cummuting to the farm ended; we came back home. Faye continued
     teaching; attended summer classes at Northwestern State College, Alva,
     earned a B.A. Degree, and will retire in 1980.
        I now rent 3,120 acres, own 680; run some 200 cows; and own several
     large, labor-saving pieces of machinery. We have sold wheat for 25 cents
     to $5 a bushel; bought good bulls from $100 to $1,000; paid $1,500 to
     $33,000 for a tractor; given from $30 to $650 a month for hired help; $1.98
     to $19.98 for a pair of overalls; seen Faye's wages increase to over $900
     a month - all of which we did together. I washed many dishes, swept floors,
     hung clothes, made beds and dusted; Faye drove trucks and tractors; went
     for repairs, helped sort cattle, fed men in the fields, and any job she
     was man enough to handle. I have had seven major surgeries, and my health
     is not too good at present. By faith in God, good doctors, and Faye by my
     side, I'll see it through.
 
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 313 
     Submitted by: John Baier Magnison