Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-20
IMMIGRATION TO ARKANSAW.
The Result of Col, Stacks and Col,
Essex's Visit to Chicago.
A Large Catholic Colony 10 be
Founded i'm Arkansnw-Fify
Thousand Acres OfLand
10 be Bought.
Little Rock Gazette, 1sth.l

Little Rock Gazette, 1sth.l
Colonel Slack, land commissioner o.
the Little Rock and Fort Smith rail
road, Mr.. Hellmich, land agent Of the
same road, Colonel Thomas Essex.
land commissioner of the Iron Noun
tam railroad, and Bishop Fitzgerald
have returned from Chicago, where
they have been for several days attend
ing the session of the Catholic coloni-
cation society.
This is the same society which has
been spoken of in the Gazette, in con-
neetion with the visit of Bishop Spald-
ing to Arkansaw in its interest. He
came to the state, just as he went to
other states and the Indian territory,
to see the best country for starting a
Catholic colony.
The association held a session OF
two days, in which considerable dis
cussion arose as to the feasibility OF
establishing a new colony.
The Chicago Times has the foil W.
ing summary of the proceedings Of the
session:
The Irish Catholic association held
its second days session on yesterday.
The number of bishops was augment
ed by the timely arrival of Bishop
Fitzgerald, who reached the city on
Wednesday night. He entered at
once and readily upon the duties de-
volvine upon him as a director Of tue
association. He is a keen business
man, and the association is certain to
be benefited by his cooperation with
it. He was accompanied to the city
by Colonel Slack, land agent Of the
Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad,
and Colonel Essex, land agent of the
Iron Mountain railroad. The morn
ing session of the association was de-
voted TO propositions from these gen.
tlemen to sell lands andiurnish trans
portation to immigrants to Arkansaw.
The board took their proposals under
consideration and devoted the better
part of the discussion of the day to
them. The propositions we're gener-
ally very i~avorably regarded, and the
matter was finally disposed Of by APP
pointing a committee to visit the lands
considered in the proposals. Ii wa
determined to send Rev. Father
Smith, of Nebraska, to New York to
look after the disposal of the land 10
the Greeley colony, and other gentle
men in other sections OF the country
will be asked personally to look alter
the same object. The rest of the day
was devoted to auditing bills, and the
transaction OF other routine business,
which vas of only individual interest
The board then adjourned subject to
the call of the president. The visit
ing bishops all expect to return to
their respective sees tomorrow.
During the session Bishop Spauld.
ing's references to Arkansaw were OF
such a glowing character as will dc
the state great good, coming.from such
an eminent man. He said that he
had been to our state aud visited the
different colonies. He rode for a long
distance off the railroads in wagons,
and was delighted with the state. He
thought that for colonization pur-
poses it was the best country in the
world. He had spoken with the set.
tiers and found them to be satisfied.
They believed and he believed that
there was a better chance for a poor
man to make a beginning than in any
other state. The climate, the pro-
ductiveness Of the soil are all com
bined to produce favorable condition:
for the poor man who is industrious
BE paid the from Mountain rail
road. and especially the Fort Smith
railroad, high compliments in theil
effort toward colonization. The latter
particularly, which has made a special
~ of the Catholic immigration, re-
ceived a high tribute from him.
The association was on the point oil
passing a resolution not to establish
any moe colonies, as it had expended
such large sums in the work, but the
glowing words Of Bishop Spauldine
awakened an interest in ArkansaW
that could not be put away, and it wa:
decided to found a colony in Arkan.
saw. A committee Of three promi.
nent gentlemen was appointed to visit
the state and select about fifty thou.
sand acres Of land. They were given
full power to act, and the establish.
ment of the colony is assured.
In speaking of the Catholic %colonie.
already in the state, Bishop Spauldinl
said that he was astonished to see thC
people so thriving and happy, and Il
see six thousand families OF Catholics
along the line Of the Fort Smith road
The road had very quietly been al
work, but they had done more tC
encourage immigration, as also hac
the Iron Mountain road, than any
other agencies in the state.
Bishop Fitzgerald corroborated al
that had been said by Bishop Spauld.
ing and Arkansaw and her boon pro.
crosses. The committee will be herr
in about three weeks.
The skeptical no longer indulge