The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-17
Freak Of the Earthquake of 1s1e-Pen and
Ink Sketches Of n Losvlnnd Paradise.

KENNETH, Mo. Dec. 1O.-The Sunk Lands,
in southeastern Missouri and northeastern
Arkansas. are sort OF terra incoVnitn. The
average newspaper reader knows more OF
either Central Africa or Central Asia. The
country was formerly as beautiful and fer
tile a plot of land IA any on tho globe.
Rolling prairios were shaded by heavy forests
and traversed by two beautiful streams. the
Little and st. Francois Rivers. The rivers still
exist. but the general face OF the country was
marvellously changed by the great earthquake
OF 1sll-12. These streams. instead of mean
dering through rolling prairies and primeval
forests. now keep their tortuous courses By a
chain OF lakes and swamps Of cypress and
tupelo gum. draped artisticaly with elk vine
and gray moss. 1t Is paradise of lowland
scenery. from which millions OF Photographic
views might be taken. leaving millions more OF
equal beauty untouched.
The Sunk Lands proper are 100 mllesrlon
and average 60 miles wide They are diver
sifpd with beautiful lakes. rolling prai-
ries. and dense forests. The lakes contain
much open water, and vary in depth from Ave
IT, thirty feet. Some are covered with forests
Of cypress and tupelo gum. festooned with moss
and vines. While canoeing your way over these
weird timber grown lakes long vistas meath
and In tho dim distance seemingly miles away.
50 marvellous il the perspective, the waters OF
sse arr WIFI ar
hoSnsands Of d"ars worth Of furs V otters,
aso ought here You can take the black and
tho sun perch. and the silver. side perch the
last the prettiest and gamcst fish l ever saw;
nonss nsa bcs Ssss tnS
Ken i've to seven pounds Catfish have 0, been
The hand is unusually fertile. Large farms
under cultivation yield immense crops Of corn.
aud other Vegetables; We, to a stranger the
country seems like an unbrokcn forest. The
timber includes the most valuable timber
known TO commerce. black walnut. ash. white
C"k 81 hn n"sf Shitphn!iding gnalty post oak
caraipa. and sassntras. There is another spe-
clrs used l9r local building PURPOSES, which. if
1t is susceptible %, a higher polish than blncX
walnut; II VII not split, and. when prorcTly
redwood of California In all requirements save
cr"ls-tics Adrven nail viii not draw from Ills
wood. " hen process is discovered which win
ii will b. al invaluable wood
The agricultural possibilities Of these Sunk
impractlca6ie 10 grow cotton So far north. Now
the average yield is about 500 pounds seed
ott1 T ~ tbe 10 scr Tr,s conntV rai4e and
ot cotton. although ly'ng i'll lat 'udc 30 north.
Hay is also "A great product. Evcvythiu. grows
!uNurinnty The peculiar formation ~ the
land renders ii dry, and vet perfectly inyn'ner-
able to the ravages Of the most continued
drought. During the dries season ~ the year
it is not more than from siY to eight feet down
TO the level Of the surroundin. lakes The land
Is "A rich sandy loan. highly porous Tho
moisture rises to the surface Every morning
the ground is moist and fresh. notwithstan ling
that on tho day previous il may have b"nn
parchcd seemingly almost to n cinder by the
burning sun AMI dry winds.
Watarmelons are the crop OF crops. Aricher.
redder. juicicr product does not exist than "a
watermelon grown in the Sunk Lands From
what has been said about the nearness of the
water to the top of the ground. YOU might be
led to think that this country would OCCASION
ally overflow, such Is not the case. IL never
PETE MILESTONE.