Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-12-09
For tho Yorkrille Enquirer.

lea with tears of gratitude.
,.a..
.-.. . For tho Yorkvlle Enquirer. ,'., 10,
~ ..-- ARKANSAS. 80 ~
Mr.. Editor In my last gave you first i'm
pressions of this country as seen from the Missis-
sippi River to Monticello. From the latter place
we resumed our journey westward, pia Warren,
Brady Co., (where our gifted friend, 8. W. C.
hangs out his "shipgle, ") Hampden, Calhoun Co.;
Camden, washita Co., to Washington, Hampstead
Co.-our location for the present Much Of this
way was travelled by night and consequently, but
an indistnct view of the lands wers obtained. One
thing, however, was evident in the hundred and
forty miles passed over though much poor land was
visible, we did not see any that was not arabic
that is, susceptible Of cultivation. The poor lands
MI lie we'll and much that is here considered per.
fectly worthless, ,uld in York District be regard
ed clever farming land. We passed Warren and
Hampdeu in the night, but from all We could see
and hear, they are aourishipg villages. There are
some very fine lands in Bradley County, and many
Carolinians have made the discovery. Washita
County is generally poor lands-at least all that
can be cultivated at present Nearly all the bot
tom land overaows, and will do so till the necessi-
ties of the country and the demand for land con-
fines the Washita within its banks by means Of
leyees. This in fact is already begun. Camden,
the county y-seat, is, beyond doubt or cavii, the
most fourishing city Of this now aourishing State.
Il is situated on the west bank Of the Washita
River on bluff Of considerable elevation, with
BACKGROUND of rolling hills, covered principally
with a growth Of pine. It's site at the head Of
navigation Of one Of the prettiest and safest
streams of Arkansas, makes it the cotton market
of nearly all the south-central and Southwestern
portions of the State. Its popustiouis about four
thousand, but 1t has the clergy and vitality Of
place Eve times as large. A considerable part o.
the business portion Of the city was recently burnt
down, but on the ruins Of wooden houses, elegant
brick buildings are rising as ifby magic. Th'
ring of the hammer and the busy hum Of active
life reminded me of yirgil's graphic description Of
the building of Carthage: Instant ardente' 7yr"'
&c.-in which he describes the Tyrians as swarm
ing out like bees amid the flowers on Summers
day. The life and energy of the place is in agree
able contrast to many western towns, which, Tor
want of the stimulus of trade and railroads, appear
To lanpuish and stand still. Its, however, mat
fer Of speculntion among the "wise men" OF the
West whether Camden will retain its present ad-
vontaqes or net. When railroads, as soon they
must shall span like great arteries of commerce
the beautiful and fertile plains OF South Arkansas
the "golden fleece" which now enriches Camden
will gather to some point on the Father Of Waters,
Or float on the sullen tide Of Red River to New
Orleans. At present, however, Camden is the
nlacsfor active, thorough business men to make
fortunes in short time 1t is reputed sckly.
Washington is in many respects the antithesis
of Camden. 1t is situated on high sandy ridge
ut the centre Of one OF the most fertile counties in
the State. The town has quite On antique appear
ance-more so than any town remember In ).
Carolina-and this fact is the more noticeable
from the contrast of fresh uncultivated country
which engirdles it, Another peculiarly Is that
the houses are built exclusively Of wood. They
are generally low, and many Of them have the
appearance Of having sunk fifteen or twenty feet
into the sand which in the streets is generally six
inches deep-rsther bad walking for low -quartered
shoes.
The stores-some Of them belonging to mer-
chant Princes-have dark, dingy appearance.-
The houses are mean and rickety, but the stock
of goods large and costly. Why should it not be,
when from one to FIVE hundred per cent is realized
on every article sold, and which costs not exceed
ing fifteen to twenty per cent for transportation
from New York or Orleans2 The Hotels have
q more ancient appearance than either HARRIS or
GooREs old stand before its rejuvenation In fact,
the general appearance Of the town is antique
str;kipely so-and were it not that new buildings
are extending in every direction, the place would
seem to be retrograding. The population must be
equal or superior to that of Yorkvile. The town
supports two schools (msle and female) and four
churches.
The Mercantile portion Of your community
may wonder how the community bears up patient
iy and prosperously under the heavy incubus OF
extortiug merchants. But q full view Of the facts
will explain the matter. Yesterday there was
plantation sold in this vicinity for $40 per acre.
which I am creduly informed was worked last
year by thirty. seven hands, and produced four
hundred bags Of cotton and nine thousand ousheis
Of corn. This will strike you as heavy yield
when YOU take into consideration the fact that no
farmer here works so hard or CLEANS so closely as
in the Eastern States mention this not because
it is extra cropping for this country, for ii is not
but to give you an illustration Of the actual re-
sources Of the State. This quality Of land can be
bought for FIVE dollars per acre unimproved, and
from ten to forty, improved. One years crop will
fully pay for it even at the maximum price aud
it is always better, if possible, to purchase the
best improved and more costly places. ....
On last Sabbath / attended the Presbyterian
Church under the pastorship of Dr.. Williamson
q native of York District and the well-known e1-
President of Davidson College. BE has flourish
ing church at his place, and I have never seen, In
Carolina or slsewhere, more respectable or intel
lissat looking cQpgrssaiona Tae Icy portion