The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-04
HER MINERAL RESOURCES.

Here, in truth, lies the great source of wealth which, taken in connection with her many other advantages is destined to make Arkansas famous. Minerals of every character and every description abound in every portion of the state, cropping out in great abundance from the hillsides, and even from the plains along the course of the great stream which flows through the state from west to east. Not mineral known to the world to-day but can be found in Arkansas and though as yet comparatively un- developed, the minerals of Arkansas even now are receiving no small amount of attention. Manganese, coal, iron, zinc and lead are found in abun- dance; salt, gypsum and even gold and silver are everywhere, though the latter two have as yet been found in comparatively small quantities. Va rious quarries have yielded already the finest specimens of building stone, and whetstones, honestones, soap stones, marble and granites crop out from the very force of the earth, while copper, mineral fertilizers, kaolin and paint and nitre earths are abundant.
 RAILROADS.
 At the close of the war there were only forty eight miles of railroad in the state. In 1874 there were only about 700 miles. Now, there are near 2,000 miles, and as many more miles projected on the different lines, which will be built ere long, some of which are in course of construction. Soon our state will be checkered by these pioneers and indispensable adjuncts of civilization.
 There are millions of acres of as fine agricultural lands as the world affords offered to the public at nominal prices, a great proportion of which belongs to the l.. R. & Ft. s. and the St. L., l. M. x s. railways, which, in addi- tion to their wonderful cheapness, are sold to settlers upon their own terms of payment. AS much as ten years is given them, when desired, for pay ment, so that the same can be gotten from the timber and the soil as fast as the payments are required. This is truly the poor mans country.
 THE CAPITAL.
 The following taken from Horpe,'s Weekly, and is an authoritative source, says: "Nature has evidently marked Little Rock as the site for perma- nent city.
 "Little Rock is now city of over 30,0O0 inhabitants. Her public build- ings cost over $2.5O0.OOO. There are more than $3,000,00O invested in vari- ous kinds of manufactures. There are street railways, gas, electric light, tel ephones and all other convenienees found in other cities of it's size. There are twenty seven churches. The pub lie schools have enrolled over 5000 pupils. The commercial transactions of the city for the past year were $16,- 900, 900, and an increase of twenty fl we per cent has been shown this year over the same period last year. The population of the city has doubled in the past seven years. The public debt is small. The total taxation-state, county, city and municipal-amounts on the present year to less than twenty three mills on the one dollar of valua- tion. Arrangements are being made to pave with granite a large portion of the streets of the city during the present year. A feature of especial interest to manufacturers is the new waterworks just completed. These are the largest waterworks in the southwest. Two large reservoirs, 66O feet long by 200 feet wide, and 20 feet deep, are situated on an elevation 230 feet above the main business por- tion of the city. The capacity is 2O,- OOO, ,0OO gallons; an abundant supply | for city of LOG, ,000 inhabitants. Two large iron railroad bridges span the Arkansas river, with draw span of $50 feet. At no period heretofore has the development of the city and state been so rapid. The past six months have done more to develop the min eral resources of the state than had been done in all time before.
 "It appears from the report of the United States medical department that the rate of mortality at the Little Rock military post is less than at any other military post in the union where soldiers are quartered, and it is suggested that the fine average tenn. perature which prevails is largely the cause of the heathfalness of Little Rock"
 FRUIT.
 Dr. c. M. Taylor, the United States commissioner of the New Orleans ex- position for Arkansas, stated in his report "In no part of the world do apples grow to greater perfection than in Arkansas, and it is the mag nihcent specimens there originated and grown, notably the Shannon, that have given to Arkansas her high