Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-04
The New Madrid Country.

The town of New Madrid, Mo-, is
one Of the most important shipping
points in the West for corn. The
country about it produces immense
quantities of this valuable cereal, and
a large quantity Of it finds a market in
this city, from whence it is distribu-
ted broadcast over the country to the
south and east of us. Full one-hali
OF all the steamers arriving here from
upper river points are partially loaded
with corn, either for merchants here,
or for the New Orleans and other
Southern markets. The country back
OF New Madrid is also a fine timber
region, and affords an inviting field for
dealers in wood. A narrow-gauge
railroad is now in course of construc-
tion from New Madrid through the
rich low lands westward of it. The
road has recently been completed to
the town of Maiden, in Dunklin
county, Mo-, a distance of q miles,
and it has not only largely contributed
to the development of the rich region
through which it extends, but affords
increased facilities for the shipment
of produce therefrom. A number of
merchants here enjoy a liberal share
Of trade from the New Madrid corn
country lying along the river about
l75 miles to the north, and are watch
ing the improvements Of the vicinity
with much interest. A writer at that
point a few days ago ventilated the
following concerning the situation
there through the st. Louis Re
publican; Increased Importance
has attached to this place
as a commercial point by reason
of the opening Of the Little River
Valley and Arkansas railroad-nar-
row-gauge-from this point to the
very productive cotton regions west of
us, including the sections known re-
spectively as West and Grand prairies,
the st. Francis bottoms, and Crowley's
Ridge, in Northeast Arkansas. Your
correspondent, upon visiting Maiden
a few days since, found upon a beauti-
full site-occupied a little more than
twelve months ago as corn and cotton
felds-a wide-awake business town.
built up with substantial and commo-
dious stores and residences, the spirit
of enterprise apparent in every direc-
ton. The road ~traverses, at right
angles, the valley and overflow of
Little river, and a succession of alter
mating lowlands and ridges. The COM
pany which constructed and operates
the road owns large landed franchises
along and in near proximity to its line.
These lands are of a fine arabic quail
ity, and heavily timbered with a
variety of the useful growths. Of
these the white oak and cypress are at
present receiving the greater share of
attention, while timber operators are
at present figuring with the company
for contracts embracing the ash, hick-
DRY and other varieties. Along the
st. Francis river bottoms near the
western terminus Of the road, parties
are engaged in cutting out and saving
for market large bodies of a fine quail
ty of black walnut timber, which will
also be marketed over this road and
hence by river transportation to vari-
GUS points on the Mississippi and Ohio.
The road is operated under the man
agement Of Messrs. 0. Kochtitzky and
George B. Clark, we'll known in the
State in connection with politics dur
ing the past few years. Your CORE
spoudent has not learned of the inten-
lions ofits managers, but presumes the
lines will be extended materially dur
present year, to facilitate its
trade in Northeast Arkansas espe-