The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-01
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT.
Arkansas,

AS seen Dy the heV. A. D' WorCn, of Reading Center, N. Y., and pub lished in the Watkins Express, of the same state. It is comprehensive, fair and truthful statement as seen through unprejudiced eyes. It is evil dent the reverend gentleman was seeking for facts and he found them
 Dear str:-Since returning from my western trip, which included Arkan- sas, have been asked 80 many ques- tions about my opinion of Arkansas I have concluded to write this article, tor my own relief and the benefit of "whom it may concern" Being some- what prejudiced against this state from impressions previously made by the varied reports of others, was the cause of my taking special care to as- certain facts satisfactory to myself. In this was somewhat favored. 1 paid my own bills, went where I pleased, stayed as long as I chose, and talked with whom l liked. Being a clergy man I was invited into their pulpits, introduced to the people and preached to them, and in turn was invited to their homes, enjoyed their hospitality, was taken through the country by buggy, talked with the cotton grower, the fruit grower, the farmer and the negro. 1 talked with ministers who had held pastorates in different places throughout the state from three to five years. talked with the M. D's about sickness and climate, etc. So I think had good opportunity to learn some facts. But Arkansas is a large state and can only speak of the portions visited, which were towns on the Iron Mountain railroad and the Fort Smith & Little Rock railroad.
 The climate during my stay was even and delightful to me. The mer- cury did not go above ninety degrees at any time, while in Watkins 1t went over one hundred degrees. It was claimed in some counties that sum- stroke was never known to occur there. During the warmest part of any day one would not be uncom. fortable in the shade. There was al- ways breeze that seemed refreshing and welcome. The water I found soft and pleasant, but not az cold as our water. It seemed pure and l enjoyed it. One peculiarity I noticed about 1t was, a metallic dish used for drink ing purposes would be covered by rust very much sooner than with us. A bright new tin cup would have scarcely bright speck on it in ten days time.
 As there have been some sharp, fl not severe, contradictory statements published in reference to the health fulness of Arkansas, we endeavored to know the truth of the matter and are satisfied with the result of our in- Quiry. We found people who were there from the north for, their health not only at the noted springs and health resorts, but through the coun- try, who were earnest in the praise oi Arkansas for healthfulness. Physi- clans all told me there was sickness. Pastors told me they frequently wis., ited the sick, etc., but 1 could find no one who claimed Arkansas was an un- healthy country. The opposite was everywhere claimed, and as far as l was able to see these claims were facts A healthier and stronger company oi women never saw together, young and old, than I saw before me in g large congregation in Arkansas. Thil attribute first to the climate, which permits one so many months during the year in the open air. Their houses are not necessarily built sC close as with us. And second, to tho universal custom of horse back riding which is said to be healthful exer. else, especially for the ladies. They have chills and fever there, but i, seems to be pretty we'll confined to tn, "bottom lands," which is not the DOT. tion of Arkansas I am writing about Comparing the statements of a phys. ician in Reading, N. r., and one ir Russellville, Ark, find we have a, much of this difficulty here as there I am surprised from what could learn that any one could call Arkansa
 unhealthy. was strongly impressed with the healthfulness of the country
 The soil is ofa reddish color-a clay
 ish loam with sand mixed. Rains tha fall copiously disappear quickly. Af ter heavy, all-night rain, I was sur
 prised to find the roads comparativel, dry by ten o'clock the next morning Mosquitoes and flies were noticeably absent everywhere I went. I won dered at 1t the moro from the fact tho
 there was 90 much timber land an, rivers and creeks in this country Outside ef Little Rock I Aw very fev dne horess % common with us mos Of thsir horses were the amall TexA