The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-24
ARKANSAS.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE RE-
SOURCES OF THE STATE.
The Substantial Advantages 20 In.
tending SettIers-Its Railroad
development.
To tho Editor, OF tho Arnonl.

To tho Editors Of tho Appeal:
PINE BLUFF, ARK, August 20.-I
have received quite numoer ci let
tiers from various persons living in
different portions OF the country, both
North and South, containing inquiry
concerning this State, its soil, climate,
lands, minerals, manufactures, and in
regard to the developed and undevel
oped resources OF this State generally.
These letters are filed mp with ques-
tons in regard 10 roadway, railway,
government, homestead, presumption
and State donation lands, ard for all
lands for agricultural purposes, raising
stock and growing fruits, and all man
ner OF pursuits requiring large orsmall
capital, and the chaEces for engaging
in industrial pursuits Of oil kinds in a
peaceable and law abiding way and
with a peaceable and GOd-wOrship-
ing people. To answer all these let
tiers to each individual requires too
much time and trouble. For that rea-
son this letter and others Tat we will
write for the purpose of answering the
various questions in full, to the salts
faction, We hops, of all persona, both
North and South, who may desire in
formation upon the subjeci, TO the end
that encouragement may oe given to
the bringing forward OF the undevel
oped resources, as well as the material
advancement and progress OF the
State generally and infnse into her
new energy that will run through
her future enterprises like the elixir Of
life, giving new impetus TO all her
varied industricl, We will in our
future letters give distinct information
under separate heads upon the subject
OF lands, climate, soil, products, health,
etc. Of the State, which will be OF
great advantage to all those who may
desire to find new homes among US,
with view 10 improving their social
condition in life, and will also be the
means OF contributing greatly to the
wealth and population OF this State,
a State that will in the near future in
crease more in population than any
| Southern State; one the most enCour-
aging TO immigrants because present
ing the greatsat advantages Arkansas
has been the Least known and the
best gbus d state in the Union. But
the ignorance OF this State ia not Won
derlul when we take into cor sidera-
tiou that it has been only few yea
since railroads began to tr2vNse the
State; aud tho vast wilderness in the
interior portion Of the Stae was
almost untrodden by the outside
world, and 10 former years seemed to
| furnish safe retreat to those who
were opposed TO Justice being done in
! their behalf. But allow us to Fay that
rogdy'sm has eeCn its day here. Our
communities are composed of people
from all the States, and they are az
moral and law abiding as elsewhere.
Society is good, and az Il rule every
citizen looks after HIS own business,
and peace and harmony reign su-
preme.
We have in this State a region of
vast proportion otrich lauds and pro-
duotive soil, which has in times past
ben of little beneii. to the balance Of
the word, But since the close of the
late civil war, IN 1865, new state OF
things has dawued upon this most
delightful country. We now have
Wilr1adp, ana most wonder iul
change will soon take place; low
rapidly will be settled the hills, val
ley5, bottoms, with an enterpising
and progressive people, and the
inexhausnble mineral and metal
resources will be developed, in
ere slrg greatly the wealth and
prosperity Of the State. II does seem
that under the old regime oil slavery
Arkansas was left behind In the race
OF progress and improvement Toe
Northwestern Safes, with not one-half
the natural resources and advantages,
have filled up with immigrants from oil
the older States and foreign countries,
and il il only within the list few
years that this state OF things has
changed, by sverms OF immigrants,
who, seeking homes in the mos,
pleasant aJ well as delightful climate
and productive soil. This State, dur
ing the late civil war, was greatly
. drained Of her material wealth, as
well as OF thousands Of her people,
Bat upon the re'urn OF peace, the
, Increased and inuessirg spray Of i'm
migration has brought toe State up 10
over l,OOO,t10 of inhabitants, and oil
thrss Thousands are negroes, and in
, view of the condition these people
have been in for many generations
gore, they have conducted themselves
with great proprieiy since they were
, freed, in 1865. Quite q number Gre
q rot only making an honest
{ support for themselves aud families
: but by their industry and trugalty
are acCumula,ing decent competence
n Arkansas was greatly retarded in live
a industrial prog,ess by this war. But |
!. is pleasing to know that the people
, have met the crisis with commendsblt
q courage, aud we have great reason lo
a believing that a change, the beginning
4 OF which is now in view
a will be made in the habits
A OF The people, and prove greatly beno'
q hlia' to this and generations to come
4 Another effect VIII be the subdivision
!. OF the large, overgrown and unwieldl
plantations Of the South into smal
q l6rms, TO euit them to labor that vii
/. not work in gangs, then the South vii
n become q
10 sELF SUSTAINING AND INDEPENDENT PRO
< PLR.
y Then the grand old State OF Arkau
cas- will bs dotted over by thousand
OF happy homes, and her bosom ! tel
ally covered over and Transformed int
le highly cultivated fields. such is tn
n picture that willcsrta.nly be plesente,
5: when tae great resources Of the Stat
N are Developed; when the State will b
y blessed With happiness, prosperity an
ct peace More anon. I. +. SoBREIs,