Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-10-11
LAFAYETTE COUNTY.

IDl4oh NIELLAu .-A<ittlC uoCo
the immi grant, seeking a home in the
west, know of a rich belt OF land that he
passes over on his journey westward.
Little does he think of a comparison OF
soil, climate, &c, &c, after reading as
he has done, the glowing pictures Of a
rich land in the ssfar west" where ad-
vertisement has been the rule of citizen
ship. Why should he not stop. consid-
er, and be his own Judge as to climate,
fertility of soil, fruit growing. sc? Why
should he not carry with him his spade.
and probe the depths of the soil, that
his eyes may not deceive him that
he may know, in these days of economy.
that what land he has is of the best
quality? Is it not cheaper to have one
acre of number one land than three OF
second rate There is a rich belt OF
land on the south bank of the Missouri
river, comprising the counties of Lafay-
cite, Jackson and Saline. These were
the great hemp growing counties OF
Missouri, prior to the late War, when
hemp was one OF the valuable products
of the state. (None but the very best
quality of soil will grow hemp.) This
soil surpasses any known west, and will
equal if not surpass any soil on this con-
tinent. Should the immi grant examine
he will find the strata of soil to be from
three to SIX feet in depth, of the richest
and best pulverized soil he ever knew.
When he would examine the abundant
harvests of grain and fruit, he would be
surprised to know that he was passing
owe so rich 4 country in search of fer
tile lands. He would be surprised to
know that in this belt of country enough
corn can be raised Tor home consump-
ton, without even one drop of rain alter
the seed has been placed in the earth.
No country or soil was aver known to
stand as much drought or as much wet
weather. In the counties of Lafayette
and Jackson, during the aflliction of the
%grasshopper pest, in the year 1875, when
the entire crop of all kinds, including
grass and all other vegetation, was de-
stroyed. The farmers, after the grass
hoppers had disappeared, leaving waste
and desolatlon. plowed and planted corn
July 15th. and reaped a bountiful sup
ply. showing what a remarkably rich
and fertile land we had.
Prior TO the war of 1861 Lafayette was
considered by many the best of the three
counties, her soil being of a rich. black
loan and her wealth being more equally
distributed throughout her borders; but
the war w ought many changes in La
fayette county. Our people were from
home, and Indebtedness grew on those
who had contracted debts and, at the
close of the war, an enormous bonded
debt was fastened upon our people.
We were advertised to the world as a
bankrupt county; our taxes were run
up to an enormous sum, IN some in
stances being over five per cent. A
large floating debt was created. A pref
udice had grown against US, and mmi-
grants turned from our borders. But
there has been a change OF affairs in
Lafayette county that has reduced the
bonded debt OF the county, by a COM
promise with her creditors, to 4 reason
able amOunt-an amount that does not
interfere with her finances. The floating
debt has all been paid, and our county
now does a cash business. Our taxes
are now, Tor 1879, so cents on the SlUO
valuation for county purposes. We
have 1913 600 acres of land, thrce-tOurths
of which is prairie, iour-liiths of the en-.
tire area of the county being in c%ultiva.
ton. The assessed valuation of the
county is eight and One-half million dol
lars. We have fifty miles of river front,
age. and eighty miles of railroad. as
shipping facllities-2Si miles Mo. p.
81 miles G. & A. and IA miles X. G. &
E. Our farms are large, from the fact
of the wealth and extensive hemp grow,
ing interest prior to the late war. Our
farmers and land owners now propose
to sell in quantities to suit those wishing
to purchase. We invite those searching
for rich soil, healthy climate. school
and church facilities, to come ant exam.
| inc our county. Come, and be Jour own
5 Judges as to what we represent, remem
bering (our word for it) that we have
the best and most fertile lands you have
seen that you will be Is welcome here
as any place you have ever been thai
you will find as hospitable and kind peo'
pie in Lafayette county rs yoa can de
t sire; that you will be pleased with ou1
climate and iacI!itIes for shipping, an,
that you will find school privilege:
abundant that you will find a religion:
and church-going people. and plenty o
churches; that you will find an intclli
. gent, l~aw-and-orler community tina
you will find good roads and bridges
and a low rate OF taxes, and Il citizen.
ship that abhors dishonesty, and APP
,plauds and commends good and worthy
citizens; that you will find here Il pros
porous and contented people, who ex
tend n hearty welcome to all who ma,
! seek homes with us. ". b.. $.