Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-12-22
FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS.
Surrounding COuntry--LandS Climate
Productions, &c.


place, by the Post Master, Editors of
the Herald, and by many of theeitizens
of the place, making inquiries respect
ing Fort Smith, the climate, produe-
tiOns and a thousand other matters,
which would require small volume
to answer. In order to meet these
enquiries, made by persons living
at q distance, and all other persons
who are desirOus of coming to Arkan-
sas, to settle-espeeially to the north
west, we will attempt to give a brief
outline.
In regard to Fort Smith, we will
say, that it is situate directly on the
western line of the State, adjoining
the Indian countryside ChOetaws
occupying the country Immediately
west, and the Cherokees on the OppO-
site side of the river, north-west-fine
countries belonging to both nations.
The population is somewhere between
5000 and 5000 souls, and has a large
trade with the citizens Of the State,
and the Indian cOuntry-in cotton,
wheat, corn, oats, beef hides, poultry,
&c. The cotton trade is a late thing,
as very little was raised here previous
to 1868, but it is now becoming the
leading commodity. Fort Smith pre-
sents one of the best openings in the
western country for manufacturing
town, rs large coal fields, of the very
best quality of coal, are in the imme-
diate vicinity of the place, and there
is no doubt of the existence Of iron
ore in abundance close to the coal
mines. The coal is inexhaustible,
and is easily obtained. The coal lies
near the river, and q good company
of capitalists could here invest capital
that would pay a very large per cent.
The inhabitants of Fort Smith use
coal almost exclusively for fuel, but
owing to the farmers of the country
being engaged this year exclusively
in the raising of cotton, coal is exceed
ingly scarce, and commands a high
price-as high as 40 cents per bushel,
of so pounds. The ruling price here
tofore has been 20 to % cents, brought
in wagons by farmers. The cotton
trade is running the coal trade with
the farmers.
A good iron foundry is much need
ed-such an one as will manufacture
all kinds OF agricultural implements.
One also, that can repair steamboat
machinery, hOrse-pOwers, thrashers,
mowers, saw mills, &c. There is
no better opening in Arkansas for a
foundry.
Hides are abundant here, and a
large tannery could make money fast
in this place. The hide trade is large,
and men come here from a distance
to purchase for northern markets.
A cotton factory could also do a
heavy business in furnishing cotton
yarns.
A planning mill, and machinery for
tOnguing and grOOving-sash and door
mandatory is very much needed.
All manufactured articles are brought
from abroad. As our town is improv-
ing fast, there is a great demand for
all articles mentioned above.
The situation of Fort Smith, is ae-
knOwledged by all who see it, to be
beautiful, being high and free from
miasmatic influence. The land upon
which it is built, is slightly undula-
ting, laid off into u lots in each square
of so feet front-making each square
800 feet each way. Streets 80 feet
wide-except Garrison Avenue which
is 120 feet wide.
Three railroads are now pointing
directly to this place. The first that
will be finished is from Little Rock,
and there is now over 1000 hands at
work on it, and 1000 more are wanted
by the contractors. Eighty miles of
this road is already under contract,
with 20 miles more yet to let. It is
expected to be finished within Is
months. There isanOtherroad coming
from st. Louis, and is finished to Leb-
anon, which is about $50 miles distant.
GOOds-light-aTe hauled from that
point to this place. There is 4 mail
daily over this road, and through by
stage to Fort Smith, which brings st.
Louis dates in three and four days,
and five days from New York. The
other road is coming down from Kan
sas City and Fort Scott, and will be
at the southern line of Kansas by
next spring-lO0 miles distant.
SURROUNDING COUNTRY.
On the west we have the Indian |
cOuntry-eXtending go miles due /
west-the finest and richest country /
in good lands, |
rich in minerals, and salubrious eli |
mate. These lands are not open to /
settlement at present, but, from the 4
signs of the times, we are of the Opin-
ion, that these nations of Indians will 4
beserected into States-in fact the late /
treaties with these Indian tribes,
make provision, prOspectively, for
such an event-by having provisions
in these treaties for surveying the
lands into sections, and giving to the
indians, individually, their proper
tion of lands. This much for the In
dian country.
IN THE STATE
We have an abundance of vacant
and lying idle, waiting for farmers to
open and cultivate. The lands vary
in quality-the river and creek bot
.oms being as rich as any in the world,
md of course higher prieed-but, the
Iplands are good, and in good seasons
produce the finest and heaviest of
,rops of wheat, corn, oats, rye, pota-
Oes, sweet and iTish-besideS, cotton
;rows and produces nearly : bale to
he acre, of good clean ginned cotton,
worth here 20 cents per pOund-450 lbs.
o a bale. Cotton is ready sale for !
ash. The lands are easily cultivated,
nd pays the industrious farmer rich I
y. All kinds of grain grow; As to '
ruit, there is no country in the Unit ]
d States, that can excel it-and we
elieve it cannot be equaled. Apples, {
ears, peaches, plums cherries and
rapes grow luxuriantly.
The prices of land varies. Near i
Tort Smith the lands command high i
rice, but after getting away a few J
niles the lands are very lOw-ranging
rom S1.50 toS5.00 per acre. The prai- j
les are generally small, and not i
much cultivated, yet in some Of them J
he lands are good, and are now at
raeting attention. About 20 miles
Outh of Fort Smith, the mountains v
re covered with the finest of pine tim t
er, and in these mountains, extend L
1g so or go miles south, are located L
aw and grist mills. Lumber is haul Z
q from these mills to Fort Smith no
lule and OK wagons.
STOCK RAISING b
Can be followed here advantageous C
=, as the range-summer-is good, II