The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-12-20
SPRINGFIELD, NO.
Her Enterprise and Prosperity as Seen
by =. Marsh, Formerly High.
land County Boy.
spRrxarrELp, Mo-, Dec, 1888.

burg, Ohio, bound for Springfield, Mo.
1 knew nothing of the place save what
I ascertained through the columns Of
the Daily Republican, which l received
regularly. Making all allowance for
wild stories which are usually afloat con-
cerning booming western towns, de-
cided that Springfield was the place for
me, and so far have no reason to regret
my coming to this city.
Springfield is situated on the line Of
the st. Louis and San Francisco II. r.,
23S miles from st. Louis and on the Kan
sas City, Springfield and Memphis II. r.,
40 miles from Kansas City. Each Of
these railroads has branches running out
Of the city, which furnish good commu-
nication with the outside world. They
also have their general headquarters
here with extensive car-shop plants,
which furnish employment for hund.
reds of men. Situated as we are in the
highest part Of the Ozark Mountains,
the salubrious climate attracts scores of
persons seeking health as well as pros
perity. According to the city directory,
which was revised in June, we have a
population Of 10000, and the great tide
Of immigration which continues to
pour in from the frozen north and bliz-
zard. d.stricken east will soon swell this
number until st. Joseph will be invited
to take back seat, and Springfield will
take her place as the third city in the
State, which she will surely do.
Following are some Of the metropoli-
tan features of our city: We have a
street railway system connecting all parts
of the city by running cars every few
minutes, a system of water-works with a
sufficient supply Of power spring water
to supply city of 100000 inhabitants
our streets are beautifully illuminated
by electric lights, making night to rival
day in brilliancy; complete system OF
incandescent lights for business houses
and residences; we have three iron foun.
dries which manufacture gas and water
pipes, boilers and engines, water.works
supplies and do all the casting for the
railways. Other manufactures are the
Springfield Wagon Works, barbed-wire
factory, furniture factory, cooperage fac
tory, four tobacco and eight cigar facto.
ries, six large Touring mills, with capac.
tiles of from one to five hundred barrels
per day, coffee and spice mills, vinegar
works, and many others too numerous
to mention. There are iobbing houses
in all lines of trade which do thriving
business, as st. Louis or Kansas City can
furnish little or no competition.
Springfield has never had an unnat.
ural boom, but has enjoyed and is still
enjoying substantial and rapid growth.
Scores OF massive and imposing business
blocks have been erected during the past
year, and others are in process OF erec-
ton at present. Among other buildings
an opera house has been erected which
'or beauty and convenience is not ex-
,elled in the West. Work will soon be |
begun on the new post-office which
Uncle Sam told us we might have and
$3.50, 900 to build it for us.
We are also to have a new Jail and court |
house soon.
There are many relics Of the late war
o be seen here. The the most interest
ng are the old fort or earth.works which,
thrown up by Union soldiers, forced
to evacuate the city and join |
his friends further south; the battle
ground OF Wilson Creek, where Gen.
Lyons fell mortally wounded and Frantz
Sigel conducted mastery (?) retreat;
The National cemetery, where sleep many |
Of the brave men who fell victims to the |
deadly struggle in and near this city |
and the old house in which Gen. Lyons
his headquarters when he
victoriously into the city. The
National cemetery lies about four miles
southeast of the city, and is reached by
a drive over a grand boulevard which
has been provided by the Government
for the convenience OF visitors. 1t seems
that Nature and the hand Of man have
combined to make this last resting place
OF brave men most beautiful and pleas.
ing one to the sight, and only glance
at the beautiful lawns, trees, rows Of low
grave-stones, with monument in the
center surmounted by the American flag,
the statue OF Gen. Lyons, and here and
there an old cannon or heap of balls
convinces the observer OF how we'll they
have succeeded.
Besides the good qualities before men.
toned, we enjoy the distinction Of living
in solidly Republican district, county
and city. They never 60 any other way.
And Grand old Missouri, which gave
a considerable majority for
Governor, this year elects David R. Fran.
els by very considerable minority and
q small plurality. We have hopes Of
swinging into line with Ohio in the near
future.