Father wanted to buy 80 acres of land that belonged to the railroad, so he went to a banker in Sedgwick, Kansas, to borrow money.
The banker asked what security my father could offer. Father told him all he had were four children and his two hands. After discussing the request at some length, the banker said he would take a chance.
Father bought the land.
How many bankers would do that nowadays?
John Black
Bentley, Kansas
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from Capper’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.