The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-02
Letter from Dent County, Missouri.
SALEM. Mo-. Feb. Sth, 1872.

| SALEM, Mo-, Feb. Sth, 1872.
Mr.. EDIToR:-In my last two letters
gave a partial description of Dent county
will try and finish this time.
Frun.-This is the one of the finest fruit
growing countries in the world. Peache
can be successfully cultivated on the hills
the higher the better; they do well ant
seldom fail yielding good crops.
RealM.-We have only to refer to the
census returns to prove that ours is one o
the most healthy sections of the United
States. People have sickness and die here
as they do elsewhere; but many person.
have emigrated to this country invaIls
who, in a short time, become robust and
stout. Our pure, healthy, and bracine
atmosph ere appears to be peculiarly favor,
able to those affected with chest diseases.
Salem, the county seat of Dent county,
possesses peculiar advantages. 1t is in the
centre of the county, and on the most
healthful and beautiful sites for town i Il
the county, at the proposed junction of the
St. James and Little Rock, and the Fort
Scott, Lacledc and st. Geneviene Railroads.
which makes it one of the most important
points in South Missouri. The new Court
House has been completed at cost OF
$25, 900; is one of the finest outside of st.
Louis.
Mineral Resources exists in great
er or less bodies, almost all over the
county. The Simmons Mountains, lately
purchased by Crawford, of Pennsylvania,
is about one mile southeast of Salem
The Orchard Hill, lately purchased by the
Carondelet Company, is adjoining the
town. Various other iron banks in differ
ent parts of the county, have been pur-
chased by iron companies, during the past
twelve months. Many of these deposits
will yield IS per cent. Pure iron, lead,
copper, tin, and other metals have been
mined in different parts of our county.
.Society.-Thc society of Dent county is
made up of people from all, or nearly all,
the States in tho Union. They may be
called a strictly law-abiding people, and
the majority are in favor Of enforcing the
law with n vim. Our society partakes
largely Of the western character; and the
"latch string" hangs out to all new COM
ers and goers at almost every farm house.
If you have money to pay your way it is
generally accepted, but if you happen to
be " strapped you are none the less hos
pitably entertained. If you mediate set
Ting among us, do not insult our citizens
by offering them money for nights lodg-
ing. The Churches arc generally pretty
we'll represented. Educational facilities
are not all we could desire, but are gener-
ally equal to those of any adjoining county.
InGucements.-Dentc county offers many
inducements to the emigrants, possessed
by no other coun ty in the State. 1t is the
most healthy, the best for agriculture and
horticulture. Land is cheaper now than
it will be after while, OF ever will be
again, in the future, as | know to my own
knowledge, that it has doubled in value in
the past year and those wishing to procure
homes in county of this description should
come at once. If you can make it con
venient to stop with us from one to twelve
months, you can probably select locations
more satisfactory to yourself, and you will
like the country better upon becoming
thoroughly acquainted.
We find that our space will not permit
us to do justice to many subjects. We
have passed lightly over fruits without
mentioning the varieties best adapted to
our county, for the reason that we know
of no variety grown in this climate that
may not be successfully cultivated here
1t is believed that our up-lands are espe-
cially adapted to grape culture. Before
closing we wish to especially call the atten-
ton to the advice given under head Of soil
and climate. JOHN READY.