The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-04

portion Of the poorest and most barren coun-
try we ever travelled. Only here and there,
like the GASES in the desert, could we see a
spot Of land that looked capable Of feeding
hungry goose. Our sojourn here would
have been lonely, indeed, had we not
CHANGED to meet with that wholesouled gen.
| tleman and scholar, B. F. Russell, editor
and publisher of the Crawford Mirror, from
whom we got many facts in relation to Mis-.
souri,. Among others, he told us that the
State was woefully Democratic. NE told
ham to build more schooI-Aouses, that being
the best remedy for Democracy known to
our country. Soon we reached Lebanon,
pretty village on the wayside Next in
course was Marshfeld. These are towns of
some note, to which the people of Southern
Missouri and Arkansas bring their CO. ton to
market. This railroad runs upon plateau
dividing the waters of the Usage and White
rivers, "a barren ridge.) We do not pre-
tend to say that Missouri has no good
lands, but surely it is not along this road.
At the western end of this plateau, north
OF the Ozark mountain, we arrived at
Springfield lying upon plain. After few
hours rambling, we procured conveyance
and journeyed on in south eastern direc-
ton for s or 10 miles. On the way we met
lantern awed young man on superan-
uated pony, shotgun on his shoulder and
poor dog at his heels accompanied by
swarthy old man, woman and some chill
dren riding upon a rackety old wagon, all
wrapped in rags and dust. 'sFrom whittier
bound ?" we asked the travellers, "Ar-kin-
saw!'' was the response. We travelled on in
the direction from whence they came for
few miles, when we suddenly came to the
edge of this rich table-land and ran against
a barren ridge, ''How far until we reach a
better country" we asked of native. ''Not
on this side of the matioas'' he rejoined,
(meaning the Indian Territory We conclud-
ed that we were on the wrong road and
turned back to Springfield where we are
now so pleasantly situated. This is not one
Of the many towns that have sprung up in
the last few years, fifty years ago it was
village.
1t was here that the contending armies
during the late war so often fought for SUI
premacy, and was alternately held by the
Confederates and Federals. 1t was upon
this place that our newspapers told us. in
days of war, that the Union forces came like
a vulture, not sparing helpless women and |
innocent children, but these people say there
was not word of truth in it. The first rail
road struck this place in 1870, since which |
time it has grown rapidly. 1t has two news
papers, one the advocate of the greenback
party, of which there are not few in this
locality; wagon factory which turns out
sixty wagons per week, employing sixty |
Lands; cotton factory, employing one hun
ired hands; iron works employing fifty
hands; railroad shops, employing four hum
dred hands, ard Touring mill, which ships
its flour to Texas for consumption. This
thriving city has very picturesque locality,
beautifully adorned with ornamental shade
trees of original growth, and like your own
city, is all alive to business. We are just now
on the public square. and such medley
cotton, corn, wood, ponies, mules, good
horses, cattle, hogs, &C., all on the market
q general place for horse jockies and trade
d d IL kinds. A ,Aiae.inoutbed yankee auc-
tioning his jewelry at the top OF his voice.
One cannot sit here long without knowing
that the southwest is progressing, or if any
doubt it, let them stop two hours upon the
public square of Springfield. The population
of the city is 5000, the inhabitants hospiIable
and kind long may they live to enjoy their
lovely city. VIAToR.