Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-11-14
THE BRANCH"

city. Mo.-DEAR SIR-Throngh you
desire to present the claims OF
sLone Jack" for the location OF the
branch penitentiary, and ask your kind
indulgence while attempt. briefly, TO
enumerate a few of the many adVaht-
ages which that place offers.
1st. 1t is historic ground-the scene
of one Of the most sanguinary conflicts
fought during the late civil war--and
that bloody Aeld, although the war has
been over more than score OF years,
has lain neglected, to the extent at
least, that there never has been an or
ganized effort at systematic cXpiora-
ton. The location of the branch penl-
Tertiary at that place could be made the
means for the accomplishment OF this
most desirable end, and by the employ
ment of deserving and pious trustees,
MANY valuable relics of that famous
battle could be brought to the surface,
and thus materially enrich our "waf
cabinet" This of itself is consldera-
ton not TO be ignored or slighted by
the state government, and for this rea-
son am solicitous that this state instl.
tuition should be located at the aforesaid
place, where SO many brave men ieii
and where the writer might have fallen
had it not been for all immense oak
s.That afforded him hiding place
Some twenty wears ago..
End. The sum appropriated for the
pul pose is sufficient to purchase al
| least four or five hundred acres OF the
most productive lands on this conti-
uent-a landscape so marveloasly beau
titul that the sun pauses here long AFTER
he sets at ordinary places, that he may
shed his parting glory and final bene-
diction upon this favored spot. No
sOil will give more bountiful returns
for labor expended. Matchless i'll fer'
tility, the husbandman has but to break
the surface. plant, and the earth yields
abundant cereals and blushing fruits
Many convicts could be employed II
agricultural pursuits. if desired, thus
assuring the perfect health OF theli
bodies and the absorption OF pure
morals that seem to spring eternal IRON
the rich loan of this region. Besides
many could be employed III rearing
breed of cattle of such rich strains tina
they would be entirely free from aai.
attacks of pleurO pneumonia, ina
dreaded disease that recently brought Il
our state officials nights OF anXiou
solictiude and sleeplessness. This con
s,der a most cogent reason why th'
| ssbranch' should be located at tina
place.
, Sd. There is an abundance Of abso
ltt ,fI a N
t Grating water in the nelghborhooc
There would be no necessity for depehC
ence upon any swindiing and con
. scienceless water company Tor neede
4 supplies, for water pune as the eterh'
!; SHOWS leaps from each rock an
d sparkles in each cave. A magnlflcel
g spring hard by would afford mo
it desirable location for a first class dist
e lery and surrounded by corn produt
ing country, this could be WISE
IS utilized in manufacturing the va
It quantity of pure spirits necessary Il
II the use of the state government, Il
d pious TRUSTEES, and the committee
'e prohibitory amendments to the const
y tuition. This deem not the least CO
n sideration that should influence u
10 board in the selection OF sultab
oi place.
id 4th. The very best quality of bri
can be made with the superior eli
t. that is found in astonishing quantitl
e, in that locality, and the manufactur
IS brick are 80 hard and entirely unbrea
T. able that il is understood that the ol
est inhabitant has never seen an orr
re nary "brlck bat" but thousands
ne these brick burned in the spring OF ls
D. remain to this day intact, with the II
ck rosy tinge for which they are remark
al BILE. as fresh and uutarnished
lie when first they came from the lap
at the fiery tongue. They will beyo
er csvil ultimately supercede iron as dl
or alb e and ornamental building materi
v Someof these same brick were used W
OF terrific effect in the great battle
nd Cockrell's men for the want OF bet
IL but scarcely more effective ammunitit
They were thrown from sings rud'
made with gunny sacks, and many
gallant Union soldier that laid do
his life on that memorable field
Knew not that the death wound came fir
W. Struck hard at his head with one of th
me- brick.
ed 5th. No country on earth can sup
to as much and so valuable timber
I'd, abounds in that vicinity. Immel
Ike trees that afforded shelter from fede
.r- bullets tor as many as fifty of Jackma
for men are still standing in all their
lid meval grandeur and magnitude, q
ss. their shadows are at times SO de
that the sun in vain attempts to brt
led the lines, and falls back in utter
adj abashed confusion. These imme
'ds forests could be made potent factor
nee solving the question of theself sustain
er- resources of the "branch," should
the board wisely determine to locate the
rry 9th. The immense deposits of trs
lucent and pellucid marble abound
mt, and cropping out here and there, ST
it to invite labor that may not be cont
aul with the wealth producing surface,
lis "strav lower where the pleasant TO
III tains lie," and where the massive m
GU BILE deposits streaked with gol
'ust wealth need only the touch OF
Ire. artists chisel to transform into tg'
pom and graces of resplendent beauty
and is therefore altogether probable
he many of the convicts, sentenced to
the prisonment for long period, wo
OF with proper instruction and the CT
nes,.. full develO ,ment of the natural ge
een many are found to possess, bee
the famous as sculptors, and go forth f
'rks behind the dungeons bars again
ara take an active part in the ''wol
ood broad field field OF battie,' do hont
Dw, the ':branch" and possibly to bless
the declining years of aged and respe
oVe parents
way Thus briefly l have attempted
con- enumerate some of the advant'
for which "Lone Jack" extends to
that state, and am fully convinced aft
dol careful weighing of all the quest
rid. Involved in this important matter
hut true wisdom as well as a strict re:
S15, for the interests of the state point
luor her as the place for the .branch p
the Tertiary" Icannot close this, may
dom rather interesting paper however
} to out briefly alluding to the fact that
one present state administration, has
own emimently successful, and L revere
icles suggest that the selection of that |
luch for this new interest of the state w
mis- be the crowning act i'll a career air
In protuse with laurels. AS the COVE
the has expressed himself strongly in
late, of proper protection of "square lal
the | beg to state that | have written
the on s'the square, and hope it will
with "square" consideration.
With ardent attachment, | am
ATE dear sir, as always, truly yours,
}. ID. Conn