The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-23
FROM THE WEST.
SOUTHWESTERN MIssoURI--SoMETHIN ABOUT
A PROMISING CoUNTRY-EMIGRANT
WHO GO TOO FAR WEST IN
SEARCH OF FARMS.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo-, July l8. 1SS


No State in the Union offers more or better
inducements to the eastern emigrant than
does the State of Missouri, more particular |
ly the southwestern portion oft, through |
which runs diagonally the st. Louis & San
Francisco Railroad, or as it is now known,
"the Frisco line" Along the entire line of
this road and its branches, the farmer, the
mechanic, the artizan and the miner can
find pleasant locations and remunerative
employment. The road some distance from
St. Louis strikes the Ozark range of noun
tains-mountains only in name and fol-
lows along their crest as far as Springfeld,a "a
distance of 24l miles. Until that point is
reached the country is broken, but the great.
er portion is well adapted to agriculture and
grazing. The entire country is well water
cd, the climate genial, and the open wood
land produces native and tame grasses in
luxuriance. No section of the country is
better adapted to sheep raising, an industry
which has been SO far sadly neglected.
After leaving St. Louis, the first place of
Importance is Franklin, or Pacific. Here
the Missouri Pacific and the Frisco" lines
diverge-the Missouri Pacific continuing on
in a westerly direction to. Kansas City and
the "Frisco" southwesterly to Vinta, Indian
Territory. AT Cuba is branch road run
ming south as far as the town ofSalem which
will be continued to Little Rock, Arkansas.
At Rolla, a beautifully situated city, ia
miles from st. Louis, and until the close of
the war the terminus of the road is located
the Siate School of Mines. The next place
of interest is Lebanon, Laolede County,
sprightly town 50 miles from st. Louis
and 81 miles further on we reach Marsh
feld, the County seat. This place was all
most totally destroyed by a cyclone about a
year ago. Nearly the entire place was laid
in ruins, and a large portion of its inhabi-
tants either killed or MANNED. 1t is now
being rebuilt and the people are fast gaining
their former prosperity. Springfield, PAL
miles from St. Louis, is tue "queen city Of
the Ozarks," and is the largest and most
populous on the line of the road. 1t is
beautifully situated on Wilson's Creek, 400
feet above the sea level, and in the near fu-
ture will be one Of the railroad centres of
Missouri. AT present it has population of
10000 and is rapidly increasing. The city
is beautifully laid out, lit by gas aud its
buildings are of solid and substantial struct-
ure. Street railroads are now being built on
its principal streets and the town is fast as
; suming Metropolitan airs.
Springfield is the business centre Of south
west Missouri. Merchants from the sur
rounding country and the northern counties
of Arkansas find here market for their pro-
duee, and replenish their stocks of merchan-
disc. The principle part Of the cotton raised
in northern Arkansas finds here a market,
giving to the place the appearance ofa South
T ern city. With large wholesale and retail
business houses, Springfield has three hotels,
, three banks, an opera house, cotton factory,
machine shops, ioundries, etc. 1t is the
centre Of one of the finest agricultural dis
trcts of Missouri, which is fast settling up
+ with energetic go-ahead northern and east
ern people.
Sprinfgeld, in more than one sense, is a
A., historic city. During the civil war il passed
, through many yiclsstudes, being one day
! occupied by the Confederate and the next by
the Union forces. Within the present lin
. its of the city, Major zagoyni, of General
Fremont's body-guard, made his brilliant
. but reckless charge. A few miles down
: Wilson's Creek, was fought for the num-
!, Der engaged-one of the bloodiest battles o.
the war. Upon this bloody field the gallant
Lyon offered his life as sacrifice upon The
altar of his country and others whose names
are now cherished as heroes on both sides
here received their "baptismal fire." Th,
!, dismantled forts and almost obliterated rifle
= pits still remind the visitor of wars dreaC
seourge, and the National and Confederate
cemeteries near the city mark the last rest
l. ing place of gallant dead.
T. Two hours ride from Springfield brings tn
A traveller to Plymouth. The "Friso." Com
le pany are here building a branch road t
m Fayetteville, Arkansas, ultimately to be con
ar tinued to Dallas, Texas At seligmau, 8
H. miles from Plymouth, we reach the neares
o. point to the celebrated Eureka Springs, 10
a Gated in Carroll County, Arkansas Th
to city of Eureka has sprung into existence .
if by magic. A little more than year ag
there was not a habitation near the preser
Ia site Of the eity-now it has population
an over $4,000. 1t is not eompaetly built, bu
on is scattered for miles up and down the MAJ
is row valley, and upon the mountain side
IL and presents picturesque aud pleasing 81
&c, pearanoe. The city has an organized an
en- well regulated government, and is a qui
ge and peaoeable place. The waters Of Il
Springs undoubtedly contain many curali,