The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-03-01
WESTERN LETTER.
CARTHAGE, Jasper Co., Mo-,
February 26, 1878.

EDITORS COLUMBIAN
Dear Srs In my last letter I promised
your readers brief description Of Carthage
and other towns in the Southwest" In this
letter space will only permit me to give de-
scription of the"Queen City of the Southwest"
CARTHAGE. the county seat of Jasper county,
Mo. II was laid out as a town and became the
county scat in ls42. Its location is on Spring
river and ON an emiucncc near the centre OF
the county, commanding splendid view of the
surrounding country for miles. The growth of
the town was slow but sure, both in population
and wealth, until at the beginning Of the rebel
hon, when ii numbered IL population Of 800.
At that time it was devoid of church buildings
Irregular preaching was held at the court house
every Sunday and school houses, save one
small building, believe and it had no stage
line connection with the outside world, except
daily mail carried on horseback from Sarcox-
ie the mother town Of Jasper county, 10 miles
distant
This is the place where the famous battle be-
tween Gen. Franz Sigcl. of the Union forces,
and Gen, Stirling Price, of the Confederate
lOTCcs' WAS lOuEnl' hHuNH hH lu' pdltlc vi
Carthage The town was completely deyas-
tated aud dcpcpuotcd during the war, and
am informed only five dwellings escaped de-
struction Up to the conclusion of the war the
town remained II desolate and silent place the
public square and streets were deserted, save
by the wolf and deer, and wandering bands of
marauders passing through
After the war the town began to settle again
and improved and prospered until it has gained
the reputation of the "Queen City of the South
west Its prosperity now rests upon Il sound
and substantial basis. Spring river. which
flows by the city and northwest is finely adapt
ed for manufacturing purposes and the farm
| ing land surrounding is of the best quality and
very productive and plenty oft The city can
boast of the best Touring mill in the State out
| side of st. Louis, located on the above named
river. The capacity of this mill is over 900
bushels per week, and was built at a cost of
$4,000. Two other excellent Touring mills,
| a wooden mill, two foundries, four wagon shops
| manufacturing as good a wagon as can be found
| anywhere in Pennsylvania, and plow factory,
are in successful operation and constantly kept
busy despite the hard times. A furniture man
| ufactory is successfully and extensively carried
on by Leidy Bros. q Co. The former are Co.
lumbia county men, well known by large
number of your readers. They came here sew
eral years ago, started in the business in con-
nection with Mr.. John Bottenfeld gentleman
in every respect and an experienced business
| ~. r.
established for themselves an extensive busi.
ness and, l am glad to say, they enjoy the con-
iidence of the people. Their factory is large,
as also is their retail and wholesale depart
ment. There are four banks here doing gen
eral banking and exchange business in all its
branches, and all have the confidence of the
people. The public school building is an i'm.
posing structure and was built at cost of $685.
900. There are also Public Library, seven
churches, NJ. E., Baptist Congregational, Epis.
copal, Presbyterian, Christian, and M. L.
Church South; and four weekly newspapers
and two dailes, the Banner, (Rep.) morning
and weekly, Patriot, (Dem.) evening and week
ly, Press Qnd.) weekly, and the Adpance, (neu
trail weekly. All are live and well supported
newspapers and ably edited. The different Sc
cret societies are also well represented
The city contains quite number of commo
dous brick business buildings, together witt
a handsome Opera House just completed, 10
Gated in the public square in the centre of tn,
city; the square is very much like that G
Wikesbarre, Pa. The public buildings, cour
house and Jail, are not as substantial as the.
should be, but the city is young and is excusa
BILE for the present. The residences are fin,
and tidy, and were built it is plainly seen 70
comfort. The city is rapidly filling up will
eastern people and now contains population
of about 5000.
have omitted many things that would b,
interesting to the readers of the COLUMBIAN
but it will take up too much space and | hop,
this will suffice for the present. One word,
advise the mechanic and laborer not to com,
west for the present to seek work. Stay a
home if you have employment, even at smal
wages. As for the farmers-let them come b,
the hundreds, they are wanted here.
Respectfully,