Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-11-17
COMMERCE. IN ARK ANSAS.

COMMERCE IN ARK KANSAS.
1t has been frequently asserted that there is
more business done in either Van Buren or Fort
Smith than any other town in Arkansas, but
statistical evidence has never been produced 10
support of the assertion. Below we give statistic
taken from the AUDITORS Reports. shewlng the
amount of trade in several of the most important
Counties in the State.
By this it will be seen that Crawford County
contains two towns within its limits, either of
which paws more tax upon merchandise than any
other town in the State. By this statement it will
also be seen that the capital engaged in trade,
in Crawford County, has exceeded that of any
County in the State, from 1874 to the present
year; and that, in 1919, the increase has been
greater than in former years. aud exceeding that
Of any other County. 1t having increased from
SO 1913, in 1914, to 1891 ,497, in lS49. By the
poIiteness of the Sheriff, we have been furnished
with the assessment list of the towns of Fort
Smith and Van Buren,, separately. for this year,
which is as follows: In Fort Smith, $l9S, ,522 /;
Van Buren 1872 1853. Not having separate list
for last year, cannol speak with certainty, but
believe that facts will bear us out in saying
that the unusual increase in trade in Crawford,
is caused by the almost unparalleled improvement
Of Fort Smith, which has had unprecedented pros
perty this year, produced by the overland emf
grafton to California. If this emigration con-
tnues, and we see no reason why It should dim.
nsh. as this has been proven to be the best route,
our sister town will continue to prosper.
The increase in Van Buren has not been caused
so much by the California emigration, the steady
improvement Of the back country. The Counties
lying back Of this city have been gradually i'm
proving, and will continue TO improve for years /;
abounding as they do in unoccupied fertile lands,
mill seats, &c. And therefore 1t may be expected
that our city Is destined to a gradual and ever
progressive improvement.
By the Auditors table, it will be seen that
the value Of merchandise, taxed in Arkansas, in
1913, was, 100, 1875; and that of it S2O7, ,497 was
in Crawford County. A small amount less than
one third of the trade of the whole State. Phillips
the third County in the State, exhibits rapid in
crease of capital. In lS44, its capital was ST
SOO-in 1913. it amounted to Sl2O,3SI. Johnson,
having CIarksvie, for its trading point shows a
gradual and permanent increase. Hampstead is
the fourth County in commerce, trading on a
capital of sos. .O3O. Jefferson and Union are
rapidly increasing. Batesville, in Independence,
has increased from lO,OOO in 1914, to $4,000,
in '46. and S2s O7O. in '4S. Washington County,
has decreased from $50 S06, in 1914, to S23,3 379,
in 1913. Notwithstanding this decrease in the
capital engaged in this County, it has exercised
the average Improvement. The citizens of Wash
ington find it convenient to trade at Van Buren,,
where they ship their produce, and which place is
more indebted to Washington County, for its pros
peri,y, than to Crawford. Here follows the table:
Value of Merchandise taeed the seperaI Counties and