The Osceola times., 1888-05-19
OsCEOIA, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY, 49,

I
we'll ap at the thought Of freedom
from the care and worry attending
the issuance, week after week, and
month after month, year in and year
out, Of even q smsll sheet with q pst.
ent side. Out of some two hundred
newspapers in the state, this, we be-
lieve, is the only paper whose editor
or manager, does all the work and
drudgery, mental and physical, nec-
essary to its issuance, independent
of outside help. But we wander
from our subject. Banishing all
thought of news, locals, exchanges,
pencils, scissors, stick and rule, proof
sheets, paste cup, creditors, delin.
quent subscribers, dunning gro,er,
overdue paper bills, and everything
which goes toward making country
editorial life one continuous and
never-ending prolongation OF de-
lightful experiences, bearing him, aa
it were on Aowery beds Of ease "
which he momentsrily expects to
be demolished by the explosion Of
the paper bombs Of rival cotempora-
ries, we determined on having what
ordinary mortals call "a good time"
As prelude, or in plain Ameri-
can, An-trce, 10 the good things and
the delightful entertainment that
awaited US at our destination, the
courtesiss of the popular officers OF
the steamer Rosa Lee, the sociabili-
ty Of the many passengers, and the
elegant fare spread, made one forget
the trials and struggles, and to feel
that "life w@ worth living" for 4
short time, At least, away from the
alluring and fascina ating occupation
of running country newspaper in
an isolated community with only
three mails q week.
We are sensible Of the fact that
this is a progressive age; that the
events Of the day must be jotted
down and presented to the readers
Of the wide-awake journals as they
transpire, without regard to locality
or facilities; hence, for reasons which
are obvious, we must pass hurriedly
over much that would be interesting
reading, simply for the want of space.
Leaving Memphis Sunday morn.
ing over the NJ. & l.. r. R., at $3.50
a. M, we arrived at Brinkley, the
junction or crossing OF the St. Louis
Arkansas and Texas road, known a.
the Cotton Belt route, at about III
o'clock, where VIC changed cars, and
at IL o'clock, m, we were dumped
out at Roe just in time for dinner.
Here we tarried with DR.. F. M. Pet.
tey and family until the following
Tuesday night. Roe is situated sew.
en- miles south of Clarendon on
White river, and near the northern
boundary of Grand Prairie, . region
as pretty to Look 1t as . picture.
Here we enjoyed several long tramps
and delightful drives over the level
prairies, which at this season, 10 one
vast bed of wild flowers, which rival
the colors of the rainbow.
This section Of the state has here
tofore been overlooked by the home.
seekers, or rather, the home-seekers
have been dissuaded and discourag.
ed BY the few ranchmen who make
an easy living and lead an indolen'
life by letting their herds increase
on the rich and nutritious pastures
by telling them that the land va,
unproductive aud that nothing un'
der the sun would grow on thest
prairies except grass and scrub cat
tie. The wild prairie hay grow
from three to SIX feet high. Thi
n-productive idea, however, is fas
being exploded: Stuttgart, q colon,
ofG German immigrants located twelv'
miles from Roe, right in the hear
of Grand Prairie, which was locatet
about four years ago, is to-day on
of the most thrifty and prosperou
communities on this road. Neat cot
tages and beautiful farms in a higl
state of cultivation dot the prairie II
all direction from the village, a. ia
as the eye can reach. The day vii
soon be here when the moss-bxcl
ranchman of Grand Prairie and hi
scrub-csttle must 60.
Leaving Roe Tuesday night at IL
20 we reached Texarkana at IL q .
May the End. A committee Of re
ception was at the depot who assign
ed the members Of tho Press on thei
arrival on the several roads leadin
into the city, to their temporar
homes. 1t was our good fortune {
be assigned to the home Of Mr.. an
Mrs. J. w. Harris, the latch strin
of whose residenoe, hanging on tn
outside, was long and strong, an
whose gracious manners, warm.heart
ed and generous hospitality at ono
made US feel at home.
The association met in the Unite
States Court room, which was tastil
decorated for the occasion by CON
mittee of ladies and gentlemen. BE
quets, wreaths and garlands Of rar
and fragrant flowers, beautiful plant
intermingled with pictures and ga
banners were visible on every hant
In the rear of the presidents stan