The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-09
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT.
A TRUE AND FAIR STATEMENT
 OF ARKANSAS.
Rev. T. c. Barrett, of the Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, Tells of 1ts Healthfulness, Climate, Products, and People.
St. Louis Presbyterian.

So far as the writer knows Arkan- sas has never been much written up in the religious papers. Perhaps it has been consigned to the class of un- explored regions, as by common con- sent. It has been traversed by thou- sands in eager quest of fields in Texas, and it cheerless woodlands and dismal swamps lying along the roads have dispelled the thought of pausing to investigate its needs or explore it's re- cesses.
 To the traveller by rail it presents few attractions. Vast pineries and unbroken forests stretch along it's lines of railroad. Indifferent farming lands and inferior farm improvements are all that here and there appear to show the development of its agricul- tural resources. The towns are, for the most part, small and of modest appearance. The people, at glance, do not exhibit an over r-plus of thrift and energy. Primitive costumes are largely in vogue, and the ante- beIl,tna modes of transportation still prevail to considerable extent in the rural re- gions.
 Hence, the inference is commonly drawn that the state is without natu- ral resources of value and void of att fractions to the settler; that the peo- pie are generally ignorant and rude; that the country is sickly and unpro- ductive; that the opportunities for business, and religious and social ad- vantages are extremely meagre. This is precisely the impression made on the writer in flying exploration of the state. Since living two years within it's bounds his opinion has been very much altered. That Arkansas is in the rear of the more northern and eastern states in some respects, we make no effort to deny. That 1t has vast natural resources we make bold to affirm. Its heavily timbered lands have not offered the attraction to set- tiers which the open prairies of the west and northwest possess, while the variety of it's soil and products is greater. Industry and patience are requisite here in degree that is not necessary in the wide expanse of open country in the northwest in the effort to open farm. But there are other advantages quite as desirable.
 1. As to healthfulness and climate. The state has suffered @ bad reputa- tion in respect to health. In certain localities sickness of malarial type prevails at certain seasons. In the rich alluvial lands along the rivers this is the case, but this is not extra ordinary. In what section of the Mississippi valley Is this not the case? The sickness is of no more malignant type than is to be found elsewhere in rich agricultural regions. We are persuaded that much of the sickness which befalls the people is due to the careless modes of living, ill-adapted clothing, exposure and the open houses with which they content them selves. Better provision for comfort in winter and damp weather, and more caution against exposure to the sum- mer sun would greatly mitigate this evil.
 The climate is a medium one. It has none of the rigor of the northern states, which is trying to many con- stitutions and which produces pulmo- nary diseases, nor has it the intense heat of more southern states. "The happy location of the state between extreme heat and cold avoids the vi- cissitudes of the weather with which so many sections are afflicted. The mean average temperature is sixty de- grees Fahrenheit, and the mean aver age rainfall is forty mine inches"
 ?. Products. It grows the various grains and grasses with fair yield. Stock raising is successful. The an- nual yield of cotton is from 6OO,O0O to 100000 bales. The state has already taken the front rank in the growth of fruit. Water is abundant, furnishing facilities for navigation and manu- featuring. It has numerous mineral springs, and the most famous remedial waters, perhaps, on the continent. It has also variety of minerals. The lands are as cheap as dirt can very we'll be. No man ought to be too poor to own farm when he can buy un- improved land at $1 to S1O per acre, and improved at $5 to $20.
 8. The people. There is an erro- neous impression afioat respecting them. The writer has been in the towns and country settlements enough to discover that his own preconceived notions were incorrect. A popula- tion is not to be estimated by it's worst class of citizens. Barring this class, which is not the dominant one, the people are . fair average in point ot intelligence and culture, while many arc second to nons in either re- spect. Good educational facilities are afforded in every county, and churches are to be found in almost every com- munity. Poverty and ignorance, wealth and refinement, go side by aide
 there as everywhere.
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