Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1881-07-29
REMARKABLE RESOURCES.
A Candid Oplnisn Of Missouri Advan-
tages from . Non-Partisan
Standpoint.
(New York Econon,ist.)

We have often tried to decide the
great question, which Of the great states
Of the union is the fittest and richest
dwelling place for mans 1t is easy to
come to conclusion On the subject,
but difficult to adhere to. Often while
thinking of the various charms
and advantages Of our own state, we
have been quite certain that New York
is the fairest and the noblest province
on the earth. In this opinion we re-
NAMED fixed until we find ourselves
surveying the outward beauties and
contemplating the hidden wealth of
Pennsylvania. Then we threw New
York over and assign to its great neigh.
Dor the palm Of superiority. But an
on we are lost in wonder at the unknown
but inexhaustable resources of Virginia
and we give Pennsylvania the go-by
and yield our allegiance to Virginia.
In the same way we have found our un.
stable affections straying off to the no.
BILE Ohio, beautiful Iowa, bountiful
Illinois, various Minnesota-each Of
which, when the other dear charmers
are forgotten, seems the unique and un-
approachable lovely. At the present
hour great Missouri has our profound
esthomage. There is nothing that
man needs, and there are but few things
which it is rational for HIM to desire
that this imperial state does not furnish
in richness and abundance. There is
grain for his sustenance, tobacco for
his solace, gold for his decoration, iron
for his use, wine for his cheer, cotton
and wool for his garments, and the
best of hemp for his morals.
The state of Missouri IS one of most
remarkable pieces Of the earth's sur
face. Surface, indeed! Missouri goes
far enough under the earth's surface to
furnish one hundred million tons Of
coal for thirteen hundred years. Think
of 25,SS7 square miles of coal beds
half the state-and some Of
these coal beds nearly fifteen feet..thick.
With regard to iron, it is not necessary
to.penetrate the earth's surface for that.
They have good iron in Missouri by the
mountain. Pilot Knob, 28I feet high
and containing 900 acres is mass of
iron; and Iron mountain, about s
miles from, it is osS feet high, covers
500 acres, and is estimated in the last
surveys to contain 100000, 900 tons Of
ore, without counting the inexhaustable
supply which may reasonably be sup
posed to exist below the level. There
is enough iron lying about loose in
Missouri to make a track of railroad
across the continent.
The lead districts of Missouri in
clude more than 600 square miles, and
at least 500 points where it can be pro-
titably mined. In fifteen counties there
is copper in rich abundance. There
are large deposits of zinc in the state
There is gold also which does not at.
tract much attention, because of the
stores further west; IN short,
within one hundred miles of St. Louis
the following metals are found in guam
titles that will pay working gold, iron,
lead, tin, copper, zinc, silver, platina,
nickel, and metallic paints, and besides
these, coal limestone, granite, emory,
fire clay, and salt. The state contains
5000, 900 acres of land. OF these
acres, 5000 900 posses the rich soil
that is peculiarly suited to the raising
ofhemp. There S 100000 of acres
that are among the best in the world
for the grape, and 100000 acres
are good farming lands, adapted to the
ordinary crops Of the ordinary farmer.
The mining lands embrace 1000, 900
acres. Unlike most of the prairie states
Missouri has rich timber land and is not
deficient in this source ofwealth