Sharp County record., 1881-03-31
SHARP COUNTY.
HER CLIMATE, SOIL ADVANTAGES
AND RESOURCES.

is bounded on the north by the Mis-.
souri, line, on the east by Ramdolph h
and Lawrence counties, on the south
by independence county, and on
the west by lizard and Fulton coun-
ties. Its population is little over
nine thousand. The face Of the
country is generally undulating,
though diversified with rich, aIIu-
vial bottoms and fat upIandS. IN
many places the hills are lofty
enough to be called mountains. The
arabic lands are susceptible Of pro-
ducing large yields Of cotton, corn,
wheat, rye, hay, oats, potatoes,
tobacco, aud field crops generally,
while vegetables Of nearly every
kind may be produced to perfection,
and all fruits adapted to the climate
attain the highest degree Of pericc-
ton under proper culture. That
portion OF the land which is thought
10 be unfit for cultivation, on account
Of the stones which lie principally
upon its surface, produces, each
year, a luXuriant crop Of wild grass,
upon which large numbers Of cattle
thrive and iatten during the summer
months, and which, in many places,
could be proftably saved as hay.
On account of the splendid range
the barrens afford, and their adapt
ability to the production Of the tame
grasses, stock raising and sheep
huSbandry could be pursued very
prodtably-especially so on the
lands last mentioned, large portion
of which can be had under the U. S.
Homestead law almost for the ask
ing. While on this subject, we may
add that we are informed by a gen
tlcman who is engaged to some eX-
tent in the wool business that the
wool from our common grade Of
sheep brings almost as good a price
in the market as that produced on
lands costing fifty dollars and up
ward per acre, and where the sheep
must be fed daily. 1t seems, there
fore, that North Arkansas offers
inducements to the wool producer,
superior to any other country.
Sharp county is well timbered,
excepting in the barrens. Surround
ing Evening Shade is large scope
Of country covered by yellow pine,
which is cut by the saw mills in the
vicinity into excellent building lum-
Der.
Health in this portion of the coun-
try is very good indeed. We will
venture to say that no part OF the
country in the entire Southwest
surpasses it for healthfulness--the
malarial and bilious diseases so pre-
valent in large scope of the West
being very rare here, except in a
mild form in the densely wooded
bottoms.
Scarcely a neighborhood in the
entire county is without its church
house, which is generally used by
each denomination, and a great in
terest is manifested in the cause Of
education. More schools are sus-
tanned in the county at present than
ever before, and somo of a high
order. Among these may be men
toned the Evening Shade College,
located at the county seat, and the
Ash Flat Academy, twelve miles
north Of this place.
The county also abounds in min
erals, including IRON, lead, zinc, &c.
A bank of iron almost rivaling the
famous Iron Mountain, it is said,
may be fouad in the northern part
of the county, on Martins creek,
while zinc has been successfully
mined and worked at the smelling
works of the American Zinc Compa-
ny, at Calamne, in the southeastern
portion of the county.
Aside from The mineral interests,
the neverfailing streams of pure
water invite capitalists to their nu-
merous mill and factory sites. The
entire county is well watered by
pure springs, brooks, creeks and
rivers. Among the more prominent
streams may be mentioned Spring
river, Martins creek, Strawberry
river, Piney Fork. Big creek, Mill
creek and Reeds creek.
Ash Flat, situated near the waters
of Big creek, in township IS, range
= west, is pleasant, beautiful vii
lage, and enjoys IA good trade from
the country surrounding it. 1t has
an intelligent and energetic popuIa-
ton, and bids fair to become a sub
stantial little town.
EVENING SHADE,
The county seat, is situated near the
Piney Fork Of Straw berry river, in
a very healthy section OF country,
and is improving perhaps as fast as
any similar town in the state. Has
four general stores, three grocery
and notion stores, one. drug store,