The Van Buren press., 1871-08-01
NO. 9
From Carnall & wheeiers Real Estate Bulletin.
Indian Country-West Of Arkansas.

region of country, is our apology FOR
giving a short account Of its extent, soil,
climate, resources, etc. The fact, that
Congress has before it now, two bills for
organizing this vast extent Of country
into territorial government, has awaken.
ed desire of great many Of the people
of the United States, to settle in it, as it
bears the name Of being the ELDoRApo
OF the vest.
! Without further remarks, about the
reasons why we write this article, We
will say. that the Indian country adjoins
| the State of Arkansas the whole length
OF her western border, about two hundred
aud seventy-five miles, and runs along
the south west corner OF the State OF
Missouri, about forty miles to the south
ern line of Kansas. The country varies
in width west to the northern boundary
of Texas, a distance of about two hun
drcd miles, and duo west to New Mexico
about four hundred miles--coniaining
an area Of over 100000 square miles.
| The soll is varied, and the climate mild,
the country being high and dry. About
| 30 miles due west of Fort Smith, the
country is mostly prairie, and q great
deal of is rich The bottom lands along
the Arkansas, Red River, Canadian, and
all the other streams running through 1t.
are very rich--unsurpassed in the world.
! The northern portion Of the Cherokee
Nation north of the Arkansas river.
abounds in the finest springs to lie found
west Of the Mississippi river, and all Of
The streams formed from these springs,
run with water, that transparent, en-
abling the beholder to see objects dis
tinctly to the depth of ten feet North
of Boston mountain, and the range Of
/ hills that run west Of that mountain,
which are composed Of flint, quartz and
! limestone, the lands are adapted to tho
raising of corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley,
| potatoes Irish and sweet, and as to fruit
| it is unsurpassed On the hills. border
| ing Grand river, Illinois, Spavineau, Sal
! isaw, and other streams, pine grows, and
post oak, and on the uplands and bottom
lands, oak Of all kinds, besides hickory,
pecan, ash and cottonwood. The up.
lands are rich. South of the Arkansas,
the greater portion of the Indian terrific
~ is situate, and upon all the streams
that flow into the Arkansas. from the
! Neosho in the north to The Kiamish in
the south, which empties into the Red
river, the country Is unsurpassed for eli
mate and soil. Great bodies ofrich land
are to be found, with plenty Of timber
and water. Pine abounds on the hills
in the Choctaw country, north Of Red
river, and extends to within twenty-five
Iaa <<f ABA ho hy,
Chickasaws Greeks, and Selninoles, in
habit the country south Of the Arkansas
river These Indians are measurably
civiized-but few follow the chase, and
most Of them cultivate the earth Tor a liy.
ing, and raise cattle. horses, and hogs in
abundance, rs the range for stock in the
Indian country is unequaled in any part
of the world. All Of these tribes are fast
becoming civilized, snd are adopting tho
manners and customs Of their white
neighbors. They are not, in any respect,
like the nomadic tribes Of the prairies.
They have schools, churches, and regu-
lar governments, adapted to their pres
ent condition They have governors, or
chiefs, with cabinets, legislatures. courts
with officers like tho whites, and crimes
are punished, civil suits determined in tho
same way as it is done in the States. The
Seminoles, who fought the United States
for twenty years, in the everglades OF
Florida, after their removal and settle
ment west, have proved themselves to be
the most peaceable Indians on the from
tier.
This country, must at no distant day,
become one of the most populous and
wealthy countries ip the United States.
THg MINERAL WEALTH
OF the country is unknown, but sufficient
is known to assure us, that copper, lead.
silver and gold have been found, but is
kept secret Lead is known to abound
in the Cherokee Nation, and copper is
also, lying around loose, while silver and
gold are hidden, and kept secret by tho
Indians, TO keep the whites out OF their
country, because Of their great value.
SALT SPRINGS
abound, and salt water OF the best quail.
ity can be had in sufficient quantities to
supply the demands Of the whole west.
and we had nearly said--the Uni,ed
States These salines are found mostly
in the Cherokee Nation, and are scatter
ed over the whole nation. There are sa-
lines in the Creek and Choctaw countries,
but as to the real extent of them, and
their capacity for turning out salt we do
not know, though salt has been made to
some extent among the Choctaws and
Chickasaws.
PETROLEUM
has been found, and we believe will be
found in very large quantities, - soon
as examinations can be had.
COAL FIELDS
exist in unlimited extent, and coal in iu.
exhaustable quantities, and
IRON ORE
may bc found throughout the country.
TWO RAILROADS
have already entered the Indian country,
and for the first time since the world be-
gan have these "l latter day" improve
ments become the forerunners ofciviliza-
ton, and are preceding the footsteps OF
the white man among the Indians No.
thing can now hinder or impede the set.
tlement Of this rich and beautiful coun-
try. which abounds in resources, that can
make it self sustaining and independent,
and which must become power IN the