Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-11-29
NO. T..
For the Spectator.

sMsssrs. Editors When took leave OF you
In my last letter it was intimsted that IN my
next I would perhaps say something OF my I'M
pressions of this State. When one remains
while In this country it becomes matter OF
surprise why it is so little is known and said a.
bout Arkansas In the Eastern States by those
who wish to emigrate One great disadvantage
has been it's location relatively to other States.
But few persons, comparatively, ever pass through
this State unless their destination is some point
beyond, and their ideas of the country are
necessarily formed from what they see along
the Military Road, which unfortunately passes.
through the most swampy and sterile portion or
the State. 49, ~. r.5 ys.y us..
West of Arkansas is the Indian Territory,
which presents NO inducements for emigration
lin that direction. Texas snd Louisiana are
more accessible by water than by the overland
route through by Little Rock, and then there Is
an unfortunate prejudice in the minds OF many,
respecting the character of its population. Now
putting allthese things together we can IN
measure, understand, why one of the best por-
tions of the Southwest has remained In meas-
ure unappreciated and unknown.
| 1t seems to me that there is here, blending
as it were of northern and southern climates, IN
consequence of which almost everything grows
here in profnsion. have never seen such corn
and cotton IS grows here in the same field. Iho
best of wheat, rye and oats has been produced
here A planter by judicious management can
raise corr enough to support bis bands, meet all
expenses, and thereby reserve bis crop of cotton
as clear profits. This present year by so doing
La planter can realize $3.50 clear of all expenses,
on each hand, male and female, from twelve
years old and upwards.
Lands upon which this can be done, may be
bad from $40 to $25 per acre, at present, butit
will not be long before these lands will be rated
o great deal higher. At this time an immense
emigration from Tennessee and North Carolina,
is pouring in, which is destined to occupy much
of the cheap land. Two Rail Roads are now
under contract, and the other though not under
contract, but regarded as fixed fact, will great
ly enhance their value The first OF the roads,
will run from Memphis TO Little Rock, the other
is to be an extension of the Iron Mountain road
in Missouri, to Helena. A portion OF the frss
named road is already completed and is paying
8 per cent, and this ensures its speedy compile
ton, and when completed will be link of the
Southern Pacific Railroad, which is now oneof
the certainties of the future, as You have already
learned, no doubt, from your western exchanges.
Having said this much in favor OF Arkansas,
it will be well to mention what may be regard
ed as real objections or what will have ten
dency to produce unpleasant impressions. am
disposed to believe that very few West Virgin
ians would be pleased at first sight, because
there is but little grass, rock, and spring-wafer
to remind them OF home. They would not relish
cistern water for some time, and they wond be
afraid to drink well water because it tastes OF
rotten wood, for the wells are mostly curbed
with wood, and some think that has tendency
to make the water unwhclesome. If rock could
be had to wall wells, the water would be ex-
celsnt d..W
Then this State is regarded as place where
one is liable to chills and fevers, and variety
Of nameless evils peculiar to the country and
nowhere else. 1t is my opinion, however, that
la persons health here, will depend very much
upon his habits. All that Arkansas needs to
make it compare fsvorably with other States,
for health, is prudence and temperance. If the
people Of your valley, live in sbanties, wear
cotton clothing winter and summer, wade In
water day after day, fishing and bunting, drink
mean whiskey, and eat half cooked food, as
many of the early and some of the present
settlers now do, think the Valley of Virginia
would be very unhealthy place. can at
present, think of no comfort or luxury peculiar
to West Virginia, but what may be lad here,
by the industrious and the proyident, and in
greater profusion, than is usually enjoyed by
many. But after all, my Dear SPECTATOR there
is more truth than poetry in Goldsmith's we'll
known lines:
Such Is the patriots boast whereer we roam
His first best country ever is at home.
And yet perhaps if countries we compare -
And estimate the blessings which they share r
Though patriots astter still shall wisdom find
An equal portion dealt to ell mankind; - $50
As different goods by art nature given ~
To different nations make their blessings even.
In my next hope to give you some items Of
travel and personal incioeut, gathered up in
wandering through Arkansas. .sagags Ig
" l. ANGUILLE. Z