The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-13
TIM SUNNY sourH.
The Minerals Of Arkansas--Iitt1e Rock
and the Former Residents Of
Rock Island Met There.

and the Former Residenta or
Rock Island Met There.
.o5ss LITTLE Rock. Ark, March 9, 1870
To the Editors of THE Rock ISLAND ARaus:
In my last I promised to write you of
the minerals Of this state, and also OF those
former residents of Rock Island whom
[ met there. M -
1t cannot be questioned that Arkansas
contains more rich and valuable minerals
than any state east OF the twenty fifth de.
gree OF longitude west Of Washington, and
presume less is known of her minerals
than OF any other state in the Union.
First. she has coal basin occupying the
centre of the western part of the state
comprising some eight or ten counties.
The Arkansas river flows about through
the middle of the field, and the Little Rock
u Fort Smith railroad also passes its whole
length, thus giving cheap transportation
all the year. At present only compare
the day is not far distant when Little Rock
or some other point will utilize it in large
amounts in reducing the metallic minerals
with which the state is SO wonderfully
blessed; while manufactures Of glass and
pottery, with other useful arts now un-
known in the state, will be successfully
established. This coal is what is known
as sub-conglomerate-that is, it lies geo.
logically below the true coal measure of
the carboniferous formation, to which
measure our coal of Illinois belongs. This
Arkansas coal resembles, both in appear
ance and by analysis, the Cumberland coal
of Maryland, aud is by all odds much SUI
perior for all purposes for which coal is
used with the exception Of asking gas,
to any found west of the Allegheny noun
tains. The vein of coal-for [ believe
there is but one that is workable-is from
two to six feet thick, and the land contain
ing it can now be had from nothing to five
dollars per acre--well timbered at that.
Iron ore has been found in abundance,
and within reasonable distance OF the
coal. I have specimens of limonite that
gives by analysis forty eight per cent. OF
metallic iron. | have also fine specimens
of massive magnetic ore. Lime for fiux is
not wanting, and can be procured cheapiy
have examined large and valuable veins
of anthony, seen argentiterous galena in
true assure veins, not small, but measured
| by feet, and that gave over one hundred
ounces of silver to the ton. l met with
manganese in what you might call noun
tains, for was unable to learn The extent
of the deposit. Zinc, both the sllicate and
blende. are found in large deposits. Gyp.
sum, in every respect as good as that OF
Grand Rapids, Mich, or Nova Scotia, ex-
| lists in abundance and OF easy access.
Steatite, or soapstone, abounds within a
few miles of Little Rock, and can be work
ed as easily and made into the same beau
aful and useful articles as that found at
the east. was shown graphite that, nc
doubt, could be used as e lubricator it not
sufficiently pure for the arts.
| Kolin, or China clay, is found in large
quantities near Little Rock. and will here
say have tested this clay for the manu-
sfacture of white granite, or Nv. II. ware
and there is nothing superior to it in this
country. Superior slick, or quartz, for the
manufacture of glass, is also found all over
the hills west of this city.
/ I have not called attention to all the
minerals saw or thought valuable, but
have named sufficient to give your readers
some IDEA of what Arkansas has, and what
untold wealth enterprise might evolve
| from her waiting resources.
/ Little Rock is said to contain $4,000 Il
10000 inhabitants, is most beautiful,
situated on high plateau gently rising t.
the south and west, and is in every respec
very desirable as residence. Entering
the city at o'clock A. NJ. on Jan. 18th, i
looked. under the bright moonlight, lik
the work of enchantment-the broa'
foliage Of the magnolia, the shining holly
with many other evergreen shrubs ant
plants, gave everything the freshness of
midsummer nights dream to eyes which
had SO lately looked on the wan, and frozel
scenery of the north. With regard t
/ manufactures, [ am sorry to say she ha
comparatively none--not as many IN mum
Der or variety as would be found in almos
any northern town Of as many hundre,
: inba hitants. There is hardly branch Q
the industrial arts which would not find
!, good and profitable opening in this city. A
the people express it everything but nis
gers and Gotten is brought on from til
north" If Little Rock has any desire I
r be what every element has combined
make her-the first city in the southwes
, her citizens must wake up to the impor
: ance of self-dependence, and not as nov
i send every pound of cotton out of th
: state to be manufactured, and the whes
e to St. Louis to be ground
Hon. W. w. Wiltshire, formerly of POI
y Byron, is a resident of this city. Til
g Judge is, however, now in Washington a
;, tending 70 his duties as member of col
n gress. His family is here, and he has
law Office in company with Samuel /
> Allen, also formerly of Port Byron. M
'r Allen says he is very much pleased wit
e his southern home. and would not go mort
:. again to live. Wiltshire & Allen seem
have a lucrative practice in the
l. profession. Alvin Everts, of Whitaker
r. Everts. Of ante bellum days, resides on
It most beautiful farm about four miles soul
r of this city. Mr.. Everts went to Arkans
for his health. and liking the country
we'll concluded to make it his future hom
:. and his lot has fallen in pleasant plae
( His residence is surrounded with apple
,e pears, peaches. figs, apriots, grapes. &c
&C., besides the smaller fruits and fowe
of every variety. Mrs. Everts said to q
st there had not been q day this winter Wit
d she could not pick beautiful bouquet
s her garden. The writer of this is und
a many obligations to Capt. Eperts and b
accomplished lady for kind attentions, al
e most generous hospitality.
/ 1t would be an omission not to mentit
the large and extensive drug establis
ment of j. G. Lincoln & Co.. who, son
= twenty years ago, kept small drug sto
% in your city nearly opposite the Harp
y House, which was then the Island Ci
s, Hotel.
20 Whiteside county has her represent
20 tives here Also John NJ. Price, editor al
= proprietor of the late Little Rock Repub
Is can, resides here in af1uence, the most
IN his carpet bag confreres having departs