The National tribune., 1889-07-11
NEW MISSOURI.
VIVA. the Loyal People Suffered During the War

What the Loyal People Suffered During the War.
EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: Having been
n constant reader of the soldiers friend, The
NATIONAL TRIBUNE for many years, and hav-
ing read letters of much interest from COM
Tades all over the country, 1 trust that lew
words from this section will not be rejected.
When i first came TO southwest Missouri i
was under a grave msapprehenson as to the
feeling Of the people regarding the eX.soldier
class. Knowing that this portion OF the State
during the war, md for some time after Its
close was the rendezvous and chosen ground
of perhaps the worst set of guerrilla cut
Threats that ever went unhung, was naturally
suspicious that many of them and their friends
might still be living hereabouts, changed only
in outward semblauce from their old time call
ing 10 that of assumed law abiding citizens.
Being an old soldier and a Grand Army man
myself, was most agreeably surprised TO find
that my suspicious were wholly unioundcd,
aud that instead of frOvUs and smotheTed
cursings, | met with friends and comrades
everywhere. This was, in fact, the loyal part
Of the State during the late unpleasantness,
and furnished many soldiers to the Federal
army.
From about the time Of the battle of Pea
Ridge, on throughout the war period, partially
successful efforts were made 10 hold this section
for the Union. Some OF the larger towns were
gaTrlsoned by State militia, which, being
fighting guerrilla bands but the country gen
orally was abandoned TO the reckless sway of
thieves, robbers aud murderers. Little of the
suffering and bitter sacrifices OF the loyal peo-
pie of Missouri during the civil strife has ever
been written nor is il likely now the story of
those sad years will ever be correctly told
Many Union men were murdered III cold blood
only for the reason that they were suspected oil
| loyalty 10 the Union cause; others were un-
! ma nj nod
disclosures of supposed hidden money, aud all
/ who tried 10 remain peacefully ut home were
forced TO fee, their homes and property being
summarily confiseated TO replenish the wants
of these outlaws. Many are the rocky canyons
and deep, wooded rayines among the hills OF
southwest Missouri that could tell of crimes as
/ black as hell itself committed by those heart
less villains; spots where the last prayer for
mercy was jeeriHgly denied, and where at the
| midnight rendezvous of these banditti were
! enacted scenes too painful for the memory TO
/ dwell upon. These were hard times for the
I LOYAL people of Missouri-there is no question
about that. The country was reduced to ex-
/ treme want; distress of every kind was abroad
/ in the land, and untold suffering even among
/ the tender in sex aud age, was the price paid
! for their devotion TO the Union.
The scene to-day, however. has wonderfully
changed. Returning peace brought back TO
Il their ruined homes the veterans OF the war.
/ Others came in from different States, aud all
went 10 work with a will 10 build up their
/ broken fortunes.
Southwest Missouri especially this portion
/ Of the State lying south of the Frisco Railroad
and southwest of the Gulf Road, has been over
| looked and passed by in former years by the
/ tide Of emigration in its wild rush for the
Over-b doomed lands further west. This part of
I the State is uudulating aud wooded and we'll
adapted to all kinds of farming; especially for
| the interest Of fruit. growing of every descrip-
/ iion, there is no finer country on the face oil
the globe.
/ find here a great many Tennesseeans,
mostly old soldiers; Kentucky, Also is well
| represented, and from other States in about
/ equal proportion. There are too, good many
! people Of foreign birth, ali attracted here on
account of cheap lands, fine climate, sure
! crops and splendid water. To any Of the old
comrades wishing homes ! would invite them
/ TO stop and see for themselves what there is
/ here while on their way 10 Oklahoma or the
! further Western States aud Territories.
In this connection, also, ] would mention
| the fact that this is the center Of the great
/ mining region OF Missouri. The fact is we'll
understood here that the mining interest for
/ lead and zinc is only in It's infancy. The whole
country OF southwest Missouri seems 10 be uu-
derlaid with these rich ores, aud new mines
are being found aud developed every year. A
man by purchasing farm here anywhere al
most is running great risk Of getting rich in
a way least expected. Politically this County
1 Barry is evenly divided tie 18th Congress
sional District. however, is largely Republi-
can-Tound 1900 last November. There are
! Eve or six GAR Posts III the County aud sey-
eral Camps Of sons 81 Veterans. The old sol
diers aud their friends all over the State are
waking up anew TO their interests aud the
feeling Is widespread that in another four years
they will be able 10 capture the whole State.
| Poor old Missouri is coming 10 the frODt.-H.
| L. AMBROSE, Co. +. Sd KY. Cav, Purdy, No.