Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-01-14


robes"
Clinton county is located just east of
what is known as the "Platte Purchase"
and is the same kind of country. 1t is the
centre of the half-circle described by the
great bend of the Missouri River, which
begins at st. Joseph and ends at Licking
ton, being about the same distance from
the river on the west as on the south, about
thirty miles,
Its altitute is about 1000 feet above the
level of the sea, and contains about four
hundred and twenty square miles. By the
census of 1880, it has 16, 600 inhabitants.
The land away from the water courses is
undulating prairie, possessing diversity
Of landscape seldom found in so small a
space, and soil that cannot be surpassed.
Along the streams we find the land more
broken and covered with young, thrifty
timber. Black walnut, white, red, anu
black oaks, hickory, elm, cotton wood, and
crab-apple are found here.
The first settlements were made along
these streams, although the soil is not fer
tile; but the people came from Kentucky,
Virginia, and other States where timber is
abundant, and they could not endure the
idea of founding homes far away from liv-
ing water and forest trees.
No wonder that one who tried home life on
a bleak prairie, returned to his native State
in disgust and gave his views Of the coun-
try in the following rhyme:
"Oh lonesome windy, grassy place,
Where buffalo and snakes prevail;
The first with dreadful looking face
The last with dreadful sounding tail!
I'd rather live on camel rump,
And be Yankee Doodle beggar,
Than where 1 never see stump.
And shake TO death with fever m ager."
The timbered sections of the country are
SO distributed over the whole that nearly
all the farmers own tract of woodland
within easy reach and use for fuel. AS an
| evidence of abundance of wood, it sells
here at $500 per cord.
The streams, and there are quite num-
Der of them in the county, have enough
'falr' to keep their waters pure and to
drain the country, so that there are very
few marshes-none but what can be
drained.
AS to the climate, will quote from an
article by DR.. VIM. J. Heddin, Professor,
&C., of St. Joseph. Referring to this part
OF the State, he says 49, ~------"
"As to climate End to all climatic, tellu.
rio, and other influences; in regard to pure
and cold water, free from mineral and other
poisons; drainage, wholesome vegetable,
and animal products, cereals and fruits, nc
country can boast of superiority in all that
pertains to mans health, strength, and
longevity.
do not think the temperature differs
materially from that of Augusta county
We may have a little more cold in winter
and not so much bad weather in summer,
but the difference is not perceptible.
The farmers are largely engaged in rails
ing thoroughbred stock, and 'have estab
lished a reputation abroad that brings buy
ers from other States. They do not raist
much wheat, not because it cannot b.
grown, but because they find grass ant
corn more profitable.
/ know farmer who plowed the GROUND
and planted forty acres Of corn! this year
and raised over 5000 bushels. He did al
the work, except in planting and gathering
tiuoo xr,ha,, I,a hoJ Ia1,
Corn is worth twenty -five cents per bush
Ell, but the most of it is fed by those whc
raise it, Your readers can calculate wheth
er it pays better to farm there OF here.
The farm upon which this corn wal
grown has on it a good dwelling an(
stable; has a good well and is vel
fenced. 1t is worth about $50 per acre
Some farms near this place are valued a
So per acre. All the land is very produc
tive. The best of land, without improve
ments, can be bought from $50 to $40 pc,
acre.
l have given you brief account of thil
country with its advantages, and can SEE
no reason why it will not be one of the
most prosperous and wealthy counties il
the West. Yet I know that there are
things that you would not like, and I fine
that nature has about evenly divided the
advantages and disadvantages over ON
whole country. J. A. J. F.
TE-u,r IT,