The Russellville Democrat., 1883-08-23
pnpE I,nIrNTY.

class of people assassins, thieyes, gamblers, drunkards, etc, but hap pily, that opinion has been rapidly corrected. The opening of the eoun- try, and intercourse with all parts of the land by means of the lines of railroad that extend across our do- main has been the means of disabus ing the minds of the people in the old states that Arkansas was beyond the confines of civilization.
 In no part of the Union is there q state that is attracting more atten- tion on account of the general intel ligence of the people, the growth of the educational system, the high moral and religious status of every community, the encouragement of industrial and commercial interests, and the wonderful agricultural and mineral resources than is Arkansas. No state has made more rapid strides in the past decade, in the march of progress, than has our own common wealth. And this fact is patent to the most casual observer, when he compares the Arkansas of to-day, with her hundreds of miles of rail- road, her maEufactories, her colleg- es, high schools and churches, her farms and shops, her large commer- cial interests, with the Arkansas of twenty years ago. The change has been a magical one.
 In the midst of this era of prog ress and growth every county of the state has participated, and none of the seventy five has been more ben efitted. than has our own county, LPopE, and it is to her that we desire to particularly direct the attention of the immigrant who is seeking a home in the great and growing Southwest. An agricultural popu- lation is what is just now .particu- larly desired in this section. as there are, within the borders of this coun- ty, thousands of acres of the finest lands to be found anywhere, that only need to be cleared, plowed and planted to yield the most abundant harvests. The land is diversified, consisting of both upland and bot tom; the latter lying principally on the bank of the Arkansas river which forms the southern boundary of the county. The uplands consist of the fertile valleys lying between the spars of the mountains, and much can be said in favor of the productiyeness of both. With prop CT cultivation, the finest of cotton
 and large crops of corn, oats ant potatoes can be raised. Wheat doe,
 we'll, though it IS not sure crol annually. Many Of the mountain spurs are perfectly level on top, and on such the energetic fruit-growel | can make fortune. In no part O the land can soil be found that i:
 better adapted to the culture of frui than is to be found in this county
 Apples, peaches, and the small fruits grow in prolific profusion, and is O
 the best quality. Crow mountain
 northeast of Russellville, is specially noted as q first class fruit region
 and is attracting attention as such In the matter of stock raising, w
 have no hesitancy in stating tha'
 Pope county offers superior natural
 but as yet undeyeloped advantages
 Constant running streams fed by
 mountain springs abound, while
 natural grasses grow luxuriantly
 affording the best of pasturage at nc
 cost. The soil is adapted to th'
 growth of the standard grasses, clo
 yer especially, specimens of whicl
 we have seen three feet high. Ger
 man millet grows as well here as il
 any part of the land. With 2 smal
 capital, the stock raiser can make
 the business profitable in this coun
 ty, and find ready market for thu
 product of his herds.
 Education receives the hearty en
 couragment of the people, and tho
 public schools are in fourishing con
 dition. Not only is there state tax
 of two mills levied for school pur
 poses, but the voters of each schoo
 district are authorized by law tC
 vote an additionals'ievy, not exceed
 ing five mills, for the same purpose
 and they avail themselves of tho privilege. Many of tine districts throughout the county are provided with neat schoolhouses, and tho whole people are awake and alive tc iba oraat couSa nf a1unatfop pon.