Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-10-20
Letter from Missouri.

BOLIVAR. No., Oct. .. Is69.
ED. CHRoNICLE:-Havingb been in Missou-
ri about two weeks, I thought perhaps few
lines would be acceptable to your readers
I first came to Cameron, on the Hannibal &
SL Joe Railroad, about thirty-ive miles
from st. Joseph. and fifty from Kansas City.
This is thriving town, surrounded by a
very good country OF rolling prairie land
Two years ago II contained about four hund-
red inhabitants. now 1t contains abour two
thousand, and still growing. 1t is all excited
at present over the prospect Of another rail-
road, one extending from Leavenworth.
KRnsas, to Ottumwa, Iowa. This has tel
iency TO increase the price of real estate
which is already pretty high. The soil is
rich and deep, yielding good crops OF corn,
wheat and oats. Water is scarce, but very
good; can be had by digging deep, but run
ming water for stock is scarce. FirewOod
and rail timber is plenty but has to be haul
ed three to five miles. find here any num-
her Of Ohio people; Trumbull, Geauga and
Portage counties are well represented -
Unimproved land is worth from five to thirty
dollars an acre and improved from fifteen to
| nifty. The town is well filed with merchants
doctors and hotels.
GdIlit 70 llls NONn ABOUT n week since. II
has about one thousand inhabitants and is
! the county seat OF Polk County. Its nearest
Railroad point is Lebanon, on the southwest
/ branch Pacific Railroad, fifty miles east
The town is situated in the timber land, but
/ is surrounded on the east, south and west
1 by fine rolling prairie at a distance OF two
to four miles. The country appears TO
abound with springs Of soft living water,
/ which is a very desirable feature. The soil
| is not quite as productive as in some other
parts of the State, but very good crops OF
wheat and other grains are raised. Apples,
peaches and sweet potatoes are usually very
abundant and of excellent quality. Wheat
yields from fifteen TO thirty-five bushels per
acre. The north part of the county is quite
nilly and stony. but contains inexhaustable
quantities of lime and free stone; some Of
I the finest building stone ever saw is being
I worked up here now. Emigrants are coming
/ in considerably. but probSbly not as fast this
I year as they will next. see almost every
day some returning from southern Kansas,
or southern counties of this State. dIsgusted
with the country where they have been,
and rocking for locations here. There is q
very fair prospect OF a Railroad being here
within the next two years, extending from
Lebanon TO Fort Scott. and at no very distant
day, one from Memphis to Kansas city, MAX
/ ing this place a junction.
/ Land rates from two 10 fifteen dollars for
l prairie nd timber, and eight to thirty dol
lars for improved farms. The price varies
according to the quality Of the land and the
distance from the county seat. There are
some fine chances for securing homes cheap,
within mile or two Of town which within
a few years will be worth double their pres
ent value.
The town and county are in want of a grist
mill; it would be n paying investment. 4
I good hotel keeper is needed here. Also a
bank would do good business, and 50 would
a grocery and provision store. This Is q good
time to settle here, for grain, vegetables, &c
are plenty and can be had at fair prices,
making living cheap till crops can be raised.
Yours, II. J. HYDE