The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-06-07
LETTER FROM NlssouRI.
Description OF the Country-Ite Climate
Agricultural Products, Minerals, &c.
si CAss COUNTY Missouri,
Nay 10Th, 1863 ,

otsiliis section of Missouri, induces me ia
send you this letter, and If succeed in
so interesting them and fail not in laying
before them in 4 succint and satisfactory
manner the genuine merits of this por.
ton o! the Great West, my object will
have Deem attained.
In the first place I would say to them
that it is universally conceded by those
best acquainted, and who havch favora-
bic opportunities of investigating and as
certaining It's true merits. tina. its natural
resources are equal, if not superior to thos'
Of any other State in the so.colled Union
Taking into consideration its almost>in.
exhaustible mineral resources, of which
iron, lead, copper, with favorable indica'
lions Of silver. form the chief parts, to,
gether with its salt springs, coal mines,
&C., and the Unsurpassed richness Of its
soil, being productive Of all kinds Of grain
and fruits peculiar to this immediate iati.
tuIe, and to crown all the salubrity and
congcninli'y Of its climate, renders it su,
periol to any have ever visited, or will
which | am historically acquainted. The
correctness Of this statement is evinced by
the numbcricss immigrants from all por.
tons Of the eastern and northern States,
who arc daily landing among us, seeking
homes, aud it is no less sanctioned by cur
rent opinion.
True, there are probably some locali-
ties possessing some udvuntapc~oycr this,
bu; there are few, fany. favored with all
the essential qualities which ARE indispcn-
SADLY requisite to render any country the
resort Of homc-seckcrs and capitalists, and
which to-day clnracterlzcs Missouri more
than any other State west Of tho Atlantic.
AS far as am Informed the most de-
sirablc portion of Missouri, tho Eldorndo
Of this State, lies in the western and south
western counties. 1t is chiefly a prairie
country, with suffciency of,imbcr for
turning purposes. The soil consists prin-
ripally Of a dark brown, with, very fire.
lucutly portions Of what is termed
'muaito' soil. which is very favorably
adapted to The raising Of the small grains,
particularly wheat, which is produced in
great abundance when soNn. and Of su-
pericr quality; Winter Wheat yields
nbundantly; Spring Wheat also does well, ),
but is not as mcrchantablc. The yield Of
each averages from twenty-five to thirty
bushels per acre. Corn is cultivated ex-
usivcly-thc large fields appropriated for
that purpose re ninding us Of ono Of those
seen in the great corn-producing State,
Illinois. Eu. the grandest sight Of this
kind ! ever witnessed was field Of Win.
Ter Wheat which contained only six hun.
ircd and forty acres, all told. VA
As the heading Of my letter indicates, ]
write from Cass county, and am within
me mile Of the line separating Missouri
rom Kansas. Cass county, Missouri, and
Johnson county, Kansas, arc contiguous
both If which are rivals for su
pcriority in utility of soil and exceeding
beauty Of location.
The surface Of this section consists. Of
gently slipping prairics, rising into beau'i.
full eninenccs each furnishing command
ing view of the surrounding country.
The monotony thus presented is happily
relieved by frequent, luxuriant groves of
timber, which appear at intervals Of few
miles ank through, which course streams
Of crystalline watars. in which sport nun
erous shoals offsh. The beds Of these
streams, unlike those ofour sister State Of
illinois. are composed of gravel Of lime
stone quality.
The western and southwestern portions
Of Missouri arc sparsdy populated, though
the Number Of inhabitants is rapidly in
creasing, and now where three years ago
was wild and desolatc prnirics, are erected
farm houses, and in close proximity vii.
lagos, towns, and even cities have sprung
up as il by magic s,,7..
Lands are rapidly rising in value, MS
Immigration pours in. They rate at from,
ten ,otwenty dollars per acre for ufim.
proved, and from forty to sixty for i'm.
proved. Near Kansas city, twenty-five
miles from here, one hundred dollars per
acre are tn" lowest figures that will buy.
They are being rapidly bought UP, yet
there Is room for more. Thousands Of
acres Of uncultivated prairie lie waiting
the skill and energy of the husbandlnan tc
be converted into fields of waving whea
and luxuriant corn, and the location o.
pleasant and comfortable homes. Tllost
with limited capital eau secure for them
selves and Independent home and compc
tent livelihood. and those will, expansive
purses will find M ample field for spccula
ton. +.
Railroads are being projected through
various portions Of the country. and tb'
wind work Of others is now i'll lively oper
alton. ...a IuH &. a....H
There seems to have been Of late. (,
spirit of energy md enterprise infused
among the people which did not hitherto
exist. Tie rude log cabin of the ruad,
pioneer has given place to the frame worl
Ind architectural skill of the mechanic