The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-02-08
CARTHAGE, Jasper Co., Mo. I
Jan. 18th, 1873.
Editors COLUMBIAN.

southwest Missouri. If you will grant me
a little space in the COLUMBIAN will an
swer the questions of all in as few words as
is necessary to make sense or meaning.
JASPER COUNTY,
the third county in the State, and the veal
thest in that part populary known as
South. west Missouri, was organized hy an act
of the General Assembly, in lS4l, aud has a
superficial area OF CAS- square miles, with fit
teen municipal townships, aud population,
according to the census report of 1870, OF
14,96s (since then the population has in
creased rapidly and is not now definitely
known.) The assessments make the interest
accruing on the total value Of its taxable
property at 22,325.S0 Tue interest accru-
ing n.lsuds sold is Sl6,72jj0, and the in
terest accruing on lands the title of which
is still in ID, county st $500.
About three l}ur,hs OF lie county is prai.
rie, of a rolling nr uniula'ing nature, which
affords many advantageous sites for resi-
dences and farm buildinEs the remainder
is timber land. The county is divided into
nearly two equal parts and we'll draiued by
Spring river The valleys along the river
are Of a rich alluvial black soil, while the
soil Of the prsilies and nplsnds is of a
brownish-red black loan aud Limestone !;
the whole being durable and productive.
There is very little waste land in the county.
am toll, and believe. that the soil is well
adapted to the production of every staple
raised in the Northern States ~ we'll as
those raist d in the Southern States. lis ad-
aptation as q good ifult-growiug country
cannot be denied, as il has been practically
demonstrated, aud ifaii.srJNing is being
made a special and extensive business by
the farmers. The raising OF grain OF all
kinds from corn to fiXsetd, has been found
to be profitable business. Corn is the
most important agricultural product ]
have examined the grain (corn, wheat and
oats) grown in the county and find it to be
of superior quality. Even tobacco and
cotton are raised in various portions of the
county very extensively. 1t is Il fact worthy
of mention that Jasper county is the best
and most favorably adapted county in the
South west, and I might say in the State, for
stock raising, which is indeed profitable
business, mary farmers having become rich
at it in few years. Stock can be fed very
cheap and pastured on the prairies nearly
the whole year round, so that the outlay for
feed is nothing, besides the benefit the pra-
ries derive from the grazing of stock.
Blooded stock is being extensively introduc-
ed into the county this season. Thousands
of head of hogs aud cattle have been shipped
from the numerous stock yards in the coun-
ty to the east
The southwestern part of the county is
underaid with mineral, lead and zinc, of the
best quality, and is considered the richest
lead region in the world. The price of Mis-
souri, lead commands one-quarter of a cent
more than any other known. Hundreds of
shafts have been sunk and the mines are
worked successfully, the miners realizing a
goodly profit and are fast becoming rich and
independent. The mining industry is still
in its infancy and it will be several years be-
fore it is fully developed. l am told that
the mineral resources of the county are in
exhaustible.
There are l09 school districts in the coun.
ty, with an attendance of 9,4l9 children,
The buildings are comfortable and furnished
with all the modern appliances. The system
is first-class and the schools are in flour
ishing condi ion. Better advantages for an
education cannot be had in any county in
managed.
The climate is mild and temperate-no
extremes as in the North-winters short and
comfortable. The evenings and nights in
summer are always cool and delightful. Pare
and good water can be found all over the
county. The delightful climate, excellent
water and pure atmosphere, all combined,
render it healthiul. | can say with truth
souri, is the most healthful country that it
has ever been my pleasure to live in. The
weather so far has been more like that OF
spring than winter, some days necessitating
formed that there has been more rain in this
section during the past three months than
has ever been known for years. 1t is gener-
ally dry, there being sufficient rain for the
good of the crops.
a railroad known as the Missouri & West.
ern traverses the county abont so miles run
| ming northwest into Kansas. 1t connects
with the St. Louis & San Francisco r. r. al
Pierce City in Lawrence county. Those
contemplating removal to this county
should secure tickets to Pierce City.
The prices of unimproyed lands range
from s3 to so per acre, and improved lands
can be bought from SO to s25 per acre. With
these low prices for land Jasper county i.
rapidly filling up with Eastern and Northern
farmers, especially Pennsy lvanians and New
Workers.
Now in conclusion let me state that Jasper
county, Mo, is the county for good Eastern
farmers TO settle in. With lis mild eli
mate, healthful location, its cheap lands
mineral resources, educational advantages
railway facilities, its adaptability for al
kinds of agricultural pursuits, tsck-raising
&c, &C., what more would Pennsylvanif
| farmer want?
| hope this brief description of Jasper
county will be sufficient and satisfactory tC
my farmer friends of old Columbia county
For the benefit of the mechanic, laborer anC
miner | will in another letter say something
respecting Carthage, the county seat anC
other towns in Southwest Missouri.
Respectfully,
Ii. II. RUTrER.