Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-09-30
The RxcursiOnlsts HOmeWard Bound.
IIrrLr Rock. September 8. 1916.

lists had ever been 70 cort omltn oeiVre
this trip. Many Of them regarded i as
the outpost Of civilizItion-the dividing
line between the white aud red races
with two.story white houses on n side
and wigwams on the other. The venture
some drummer who had penetrated these
regions was looked on as a travelled man.
We are all travelled men now, and have
made good use of our time. After going
through the prison yester day morning at
Fort Smith and standing on the immense
scaaold where the eight men were hung
at one time, nine weeks ago, we passed
out at the southwest conner of the fort
through a massive stone building and
looked at a stone six feet high, which
marks the line and the direction OF
the Indian reservation An ar
row cut on the fat top OF
the stone, which resembles a cheap
tombstone, indicates the direction Of the
line fronting northward across the river.
There is no inscription except the words
" Choctaw" on one side" Cherokee p"
and Arkansas" on the two others.
How long it has been here is not record
ed. A little to the west Polo river runs
into the Arkansas river. 1t comes from
mountains some fifty miles away in full
view, but not high above the slightly IN
dulating country that stretches away
south.
After that we called at the newspaper
o~fices-two of them. The Herald is
published by Mr.. James Il. Sparks, who
once lived in Memphis. BE is an elderly
gentleman, of perhaps sixty, with a dig
ni6ed, stately, yet courteous air, that
would command attention anywhere in
the world. The Independent is issued
by John F. and John c. Wheeler.
The elder is the oldest printer
aud editor, l suppose, in the State.
At both offices we we're all most cordially
received. There is another paper here,
but we did not have time TO call. There
are many points Of interest here which
we did not have time to examine. Rev.
Mr.. Sample, formerly Of the Chelsea
Presbyterian Church, is here, and says
this is the country for the invalid-the
healthiest he has ever found. Fort
Smith shipped $4,000 bushels of wheat
last year and expects to ship 10000
this year. This is Sebastian county. The
average yield per acre is given at: cot
ton, 800 pounds cotton seed; corn, 81
bushels; wheat, II; oats, 20; rye, Il:
Irish potatoes, 100; sweet potatoes, $50
Last year this place shipped 1909 bales
Of cotton. find that the cotton croI
all along up this valley will not make
two-thirds Of q crop. Some reports
made early in the season, we're over
sauguine.
Before leaving Fort Smith a portion
Of the committee on resolutions got to
gether and got of the following, which
were adopted by a rising vote:
} In accordance with the action Of {
meeting Of the Memphis excursions ts
en- route to Fort Smith, held at Clarss
t vile, Arkansas, September 26, 1876, tn,
undersigned, appointed q committee OIL
I. resolutions, have the honor to report a
| follows:
. Whereas, a large party Of Memphil
merchants, business men and other citi
zens, svailed themselves of arrange
ments and invitations provided by rail
! road authorities, to visit Fort Smith
Arkansas, aud intermediate points, WI
e left Memphis in a body on the 26th inst.
and have had an opportunity to Yisi
the beautiful and growing capital Of thI
= State, to see much of o new and sttrac
o tive country, to behold evidences Of vas
~resources and enterprises, to visit Goa
: mines, to mingls with the people OF thi
f nobleCommonBealth, meeting old friend
and making new ones, forming pleasan
J. social aud commercial relations With th
energetic citizens Of o rich, prosperou
aud magnificent region Of oouniry, the
henceforth with direct railroad oommu
d nication must be considered at the yer
! door Of Memphis; and, whereas, we hav
seen, With great satisfaction, the vitality
n the agricultural capacity, the minera
:, wealth, and something Of the grand n
" turc that awaits this section Of GoEntr
e so highly favored by nature, so admire
!; bly, adapted to meet the wants Of
thrifty, progressive and intelligent pei
Of pie;
" Resolved, That we congratulate tn
) c~itizsns Of Arkansas upon the compl
d ton Of the Little Rock aud Fort Smit
ID railroad, afording Q Direct outlet tc
. home productions, access to the gre;
commercial centers Of the country, an
It's presenting a most inviting field for ia
,o migration, capital and skilled labor.
Resolved, That it is TO the interest
at Memphis merchants to cultivate th
Il desirable trade Of the Arkansas riv,
valley, and that we endeavor 10 nal
our future commereiGl relations NUT
ally pleasant and profitable.
n, Resolved, That we have enjoyed a d
ng lighttul trip aug shall return with q big
he appreciation Of the attractiyeness of ID
Ie- section; and that we tender our speci
be thanks to Mr.. NJ. S. Jay, Of the Mamph
a and Little Rock railroad, who has &
On companied us from Memphis, and
he Major r L. Cobb, of the Little Ro,
mt and Fort Smith railroad, who toe
Mt charge Of the excursion Of Lit
he Rock, for special attentions 81
IRE eoartesies, and 70 the conductors al
J, other employees along the entire lin
in We also tender our thanks to tbe gener
ed management Of both roads for the faoi
Ter ties and comforts afforded on the mi