Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-28
DOWa ARD AOaOssg Z atvEa,
A Trip from Arkansaw City 10
Forrest City.

river for a few days returned via
Helena and Forrest City. The trip
up the river to Helena confirmed the
views and statements made in the
article which appeared yesterday as a
communication. 1t is possible, though,
that a slight injustice was done to
Arkansaw City or that its possibilities
in the near future were not stated in
a sufficiently strong light. The money
already invested there and to get
there shows that somebody has faith
in the growth and permanency of the
place. Other railroads are reaching
out to get there. The management of
the Chicago, st. Louis & New
Orleans railroad has just let
out a contract for the building
of a branch from Jackson via Yazoo
City to Arkansaw City, a distance Of
about 100 miles. The Georgia Pacific
road, General Gordon's road, via
Birmingham, Columbus & Grenade
will cross the river at Arkansaw City.
and any new road built down the val.
ley is bound to make a connection
with this place. Sc much for the EN-.
bryo city.
Coming up to Helena ~theEscribe, in
search Of facts, walked ashore and
was met by Captain WIN. H. Clark,
formerly Of Memphis, then for several
years past a~successful merchant at
the live little town of Mariana, Ark,
and now General Freight and Passen-
ger Agent Of theH elena & Iron Noun.
tain railroad. The history of this
road is very interesting, and if written
up would make a big work. II
was projected by Colonel Gross
before the war. After that period he
revived the enterprise and Colonel J..
@. Maccabe, now Of Memphis, was for
several years the active Secretary
Finally the road was finished in De
cember, 1881, to Forrest City, a dis
lance Of Do miles, and is owned mainly
by a Mr.. Bailey, of st. Louis. The
Superintendent is Mr.. D. Stillinger,
and Mr.. +. NJ. Green is Assistant
General Manager. The road broke on
account of the foods on the 18th Of
February, 1882, just below Helena.
This break continued until the 22d oil
of July, although a train ran out two
and a half miles daily to connect with
the Midland narrow gauge road.
Trains now leave daily for Forrest
City at 3 o'clock pm, reaching the
latter place in ample time for supper
and then to take a train either to
Memphis or Little Rock.
Captain Clark accompanied the
LEDGER's representative to Forrest
City, and kindly furnished many facts
Of interest with regard to the road
aud the country. The road runs a
little west of Crowley's Ridge, which
is in sight all the way, and through
the counties Of Phillips, St. Francis
and Lee. The country is one of uuus.
ual fertility, and Notwithstanding the
foods, none Of the effects are to be
seen except in the vicinity of Helena.
A few miles out the road enters the
second bottom, or uplands. and a
finer country cannot be found in the
world. The crops are magnificent.
The labor system must be we'll nigh
perfect. The people, white and col
ored, are evidently attending to their
own business with the utmost vigi
lance.
This region is certainly the garden
spot Of Arkansaw and but confirms
an opinion heretofore expressed as to
the coming State ofthe South. Peace.
plenty and contentment certainly resi-
on these people and greet the traveller
on every hand. The corn and cotton
crops have been cultivated like a gar
den and give promise of an enormous
yield. The fruit crop is almost phcn
omenal. Peaches, apples and pears
are of enormous size and the trees
bend with the unusual weight, There
is no use sending to California for fine
fruit when such as this grows at the
door Of Memphis.
The railroad opens up this region tC
the markets of the world. 1t is al.
ready doing a COED business and pay
ing expenses. 1t is projected to be
extended to Kansas City, but in a few
days will be connected with the Iror
Mountain railroad by the Knobe.
branch, SO miles in length and nov
virtually completed to Forrest City
This branch leaves the main line o
tie Iron Mountain road proper neal
the Missouri line, and is to be extend
cd to Alexandria, La, and thence
to New I Orleans. Trains will
however, begin to run through
to run to Helena via Forrest
City about the 18th Of August. THUS
Memphis is again lanked, but as Jay
Gould owns the Memphis & Littl,
Rock railroad, it is quite likely tina
good rates will be made between St
Louis and Memphis and that this enc