Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-17
4 TRfP TO ARKANSAS.
What Gen. r. w. johnson Saw During a
Flying Journey.

Flying Journey.
Gen. R. w. johnson, who has been on a
visit to his friends in southern Arkansas,
was met yesterday by our reporter, and his
opinion was asked in regard to his impress
sion of the country through which he
passed. He stated in substance as fol-
lows:
Arkansas was heavily scourged by the
war, and the people have not yet rallied,
though they are doing all they can to re-
store their lost fortunes. Ladies who never
did a days work in their lives not only do
their own cooking and house work, but
many are compelled to take in sewing in
order to meet the necessities of their fami-
lies. At least so per cent. of the men seen
at work were white men. In passing over
the country in stage from Hope to Mag
nolia 1 passed through large groves of
magnificent pine, many of the trees large
and straight. the first limbs being at least
$50 feet above the ground. Already atten-
ton is directed to this source of
wealth, and soon sawmills will be
introduced and these immense forests will
be converted into lumber, for which there
will be great demand. My visit was
made in order that might see my sister
and certain nieces and nephews, some of
whom l had never seen and some of whom
I had not seen for thirty nine years. had
to take the stage from Hope to Magnolia,
a distance of forty-fve miles, over the;worst
roads had ever seen. The stage driver
asked me where | was from and when in
formed that 1 hailed from Minnesota he
asked sis Minnesota in Michigan" How
ever he is not fair representative of the
intelligence even of his own class. Arkan-
sas needs to be colonized by laborers, yet
the Legislature refuses to make any appro-
priatiOns for emigration agents. This
short sighted policy is condemned by all
of the best men of the state who are anx-
lots to throw open to ev-
cry one who will engage in
honest industry, the rich fields of that de-
lightful country. On my return from
Magnolia to Hope there was fellow pas
senger who was fully equipped with the
meanest Arkansas whisky, and he and the
driver INDUCED freely. As the liquor was
one part alcohol and two of water, it made
them drunk, and more profane and vulgar
conversations l do not remember to have
ever heard. I demonstrated with them,
when the passenger asked me if 1 was a
preacher. I replied that 1 was not, but
was an humble church member and that
profanity and vulgarity was disagreeable
to me. After that they dubbed me pro-
fessor, by which they will probably ever re-
member me. 1 shall rever forget that
days ride. Magnolia Is soon to
have two railroads and then
the beautiful place will become
one of importance. Hope is one of the
thriving places on the Iron Mountain road,
and bids fir to become large town. A
very large quantity of cotton is shipped
from Hope. Northern capital has already
been invested in this place, and more will
soon follow, SO was informed. Capital is
all that is now required to build up the
waste places, and know of no more invit-
ing field than Arkansas. The people are
anxious to have the country occupied by
any persons who will add their capital or
their labor, and unite with them in restor-
ing their state to the position
it once occupied. found
the people law abiding and
friendly and heard less of politics than 1
hear in st. Paul. So far as my observation
went the war is over in Arkansas, and
general welcome will be accorded any
northern man who will cast his lot with
her hospitable people.