explantion as to their misunderstanding, they again resumed work. The company are now ready to supply the local demand.
Mr. Foster has bought some 1200 or 1000 acres of land around Collins, for a consideration of $50 per acre, on condition that after a fair test that it is underlaid with coal in paying quantity. Prospecting will commence at once.
The Wolf Creek Coal Company, of Collins, are now in full blast and are supplying the local demand. The coal is of the first quality and proven very satisfactory to all who have had an opportunity of testing it. They are now selling coal at the low figure of $2.50 per ton.—The secretary, Mr. Hampton, was in town Wednesday and says they can furnish all who call.—(Feb. 26; 1886.)
W. W. Carr, of Collins Township, is bringing a farrn of about five hundred acres under a good state of cultivation. He has four miles of tile already laid, with more to follow. He has put up two hundred tons of hay this year, mostly tame, and has some fine horses and cattle to feed it to.—(Aug. 4, 1886.)
Mrs. Susan C. Carr and daughter, Clara, of Collins Township, have a large farm, in most excellent condition in regard to cultivation and improvements. Their herd of thorough-bred Short-Horns is among the best in the county. Mrs. Collins, we are sorry to learn has been quite ill of late.
Collins Township is over the average for good soil and it is improving rapidly. It is supposed by some that William Parker, yet a resident of the township, was not only the first settler of Collins Township, but the first m the county.
Mr. Parker claims to have settled in Story County, April 14, 1849; Daniel W. BALLARD claims that he and his brother, Morman BALLARD, moved their families into rude cabins, built for the purpose, March 8, 1848. This, then, shows the two BALLARDs the first settlers of the county. Their father, Simon BALLARD, came in the fall of 1848, and died about two years after-making his death the first known in the county. (See Col. Scott's history of it on preceding pages.) They settled in the grove, which took its name, " BALLARD's Grove,'' from the fact of their being the first settlers in the grove. It would seem, from this circumstance, that this grove was named prior to any other grove.
I will return to Collins Township. In connection with Mr. Parker will be named, as early settlers, the Shenkles, Dan. Swarm, Zac. Elliott and Ephraim Smith, in the northwest corner of section 6, township 82, range 21.
Mr. Funk, who was far from any neighbor yet was the means of saving the life of a good citizen, (W. S. Vincent), trying to get home came to Mr. Funk's, accidentally, late in the evening, when