The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-18
SPRINGFIELD. MISSOURI.

THE ROAD FROM SPRINGFIELD TO ROLLA.
From the Chicago Post, August 1871
Aformer citizen Of Chicago, but recently resi-
dent Of Southwestern Missouri furnishes US with the fol-
lowing description of Springfield, Mo-
Springfield is probably the most beautifully situated in
land city Of Missouri II s built upon mountain prairie
upon the highest point Of the Ozark rangethe dividing
teen hundred feet above the Missouri river at St. Louis
Adjoining and to the southwest lies Green prairie which
is the name given to that portion of Grand prairie in its
immediate vicinity The country round about Is beau
fully rolling, diversified with ravines valleys, springs
and GEOGRAPHICALLY prairie Of the most productive
character. The city itself contains about 5000 inhab
ants and is the centre of very large trade throughout
Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas 1t substan
TALLY built of brick and truly boasts Of good schools good
hotels fine churches. and wealthy and intelligent people
The Northern element has had marked influence upon its
prosperity. It's splendid bank, hotel and court house
now ia process of constructon) would do credit to any
city Of Eastern civilization, and many of its private
residences are costly and magnificent.
Among its most noted citizens are the Hon. John s.
Phelps Colonel of the Home Guards who has faithfully
represented Southwest Missouri in Congress since he
of age or twenty years and moe) who refused to
join the Golden Circle Of rebels in the last election and
rumphanty carried the majority Of his district for the
Hon. stephen A Douglas and who now is doing so much
in the organization of troops &C. for the support Of
constitution, country and flag the Hon. Sample
Orr, late Be-Everett nominee for Governor Caib
Fox Jackson the Hon. Mordnca Oliver late member Of
Congress from Northern Missouri and present Secretary
Of State the prov isiona government Judge Medebey
Hendricks, and others-all good Union and true
also residents Of Springfield.
Springfield has her Knights of the Golden Circle
Among WHO'LL, aHu pTODaDy at tIe uedu ID 1OnOTaDie
William Price, late United States Sub Treasurer who is
more Familiarity known 80 Wild Bill" He 90 joined
teams with General Rains, of IArcoxie TO beat the
Hon. John s. Phelps for Congress in tho last election and
tried to do by physical arguments which he undertook
TO apply at Mount Vernon in Jasper county but the Hon.
Mr. Phelps quietly and gently knocked him down, and
Wild Bill withdrew from the canvass
Springfield is Also of the principal depots of the late
Bueried Co.'s overland California United States mail
stages tho Pacific. The road run by this company
from Upton the main branch of the Pacific road pass
ing directly through that city to Fort Smith, Arkansas,
thence on 70 Ell Paso aid c Pacific 1t is also the dverg
ing point to the SouthwestSana se Abequerke, South
Kansas and the Indian Naioh AZ astrategc point
for the central Of Southern Missouri Arkansas the Indian
Nation. and Texas, it is OF vast Importance
to the government. For years 1t has been the site
of the Unked States Land Office that frontier district
1t is within day Journey of the splendid lead mines Of
CRANKY in fact, 1t is the business centre OF what Is
termed by Professor Swallow State Geoogst of Missouri
the most productive mineral country dead and znc) in
the world II is probably this knowledge that has
80 large an army of rebels from louisiana Tennessee
Texas Missouri and Arkansas TO this Dor
der country and probably il this which induced
General Lyon with that remarkable oresightedness for
which he noted to take possession of this city and
defend IT with his life From Springfield to Rola
the country is more rough and in places through which
the road passes the head waters Of the Gasconadc
the scenery is grand and terrific. II Siege is lucky
enough occupy Of these mount ain forts all hell with
its rebels let loose can't touch him in his mastery
treat, which in history will vie with that of Zenophan
and that OF ten thousand Greeks. '-se&s1ss -