The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-03-14
VETERANS HOMES.
What Southwest Missouri Can Do for the Boy,

HuAb oOHJINtSt misSUuTA LAn 10 Tor the BOYS.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: wrote
short account of Pea Ridge and vicinity, in
which there was a slight error that 1 wish to
correct. l was not mt the battle of Pea Ridge,
but have visited the battle-ground several times
in the last few years. Living within eight
miles of it, l have received several letters from
comrades inYarious parts Of the country inquir-
ing about this country.
| live at what was called Keetsville since
called Washburn. The Texas Division Of the
st. Louis & San Francisco Railroad runs
through the place, making an excellent market
for all products raised in this part of Missouri
being only II hours to st. Louis or Texas. The
country generally is very gravelly and hilly, it
being In the Ozark range of mountains. There
are many fine farms in the valleys, and the very
poorest and toughest land we have produces
excellent clover or other grasses. We are in
the great southwestern fruit belt of the United
States. Fruits of all kinds do remarkably well
with but little care or trouble. There are thou
sands of acres of Government land to be taken
either by homestead or presumption, or both.
The vacant land is covered with timber, though
great deal has been cut off and shipped Back
from the railroad a few miles the timber is vet
good, though there is enough timber on any
piece of land to properly improve it. Every
alternate section of land is held by a COM
pany known as the Missouri Land and
Livestock Co. This company is fencing large
tracts and seeding it down to tame grass, and
this will, in few years, be the greatest stock
country in the southwest. For farming can
not recommend it as whole, but for fruit and
stock-raising, good water and good health, the
world cannot beat Barry County. OF course it
takes work to bring all this about. The people
here are good, kind and hospitable and their
latchstring hangs outside. This County is
about evenly divided in politics, about one-half
on each ticket being elected. thereby getting
good men to fill the offices. This Congressional
District elected Col. w. II. Wade to Congress
last Fall by an overwhelming majority. He
being Republican, it shows to the world that
this country is not behind in the progress of
some of our sister States. AS to Washburn, it
is situated on small prairie 1t has a railroad,
four passenger trains daily, GA r. Post, and
the finest public school building in southwest
Missouri, and a number of good teachers.
We have telegraph institute and business col
lege where the young men can fit themselves
for any profession they desire. This part of
Barry County is rapidly coming to the front as
a mining country. Immense beds of siIicate or
zinc have recently been opened, and eoal-oil
has been discovered near here, and we have the
finest building stone anywhere found. Itseems
as if nature had been more partial in bestow-
ing her gifts at this point than in any other
section. might enumerate thousands of good
business chances now open, but my letter is
getting lengthy. Comrade G.. W. Sheeks, the
Commander of the Post here viii be pleased to
answer any letters the comrades write in re-
gard to this country, and l. too, as far as my
duties will allow.-M. F. CRITTENDEN Co. ],
4th Iowa Cav, Washburn Mo.