The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1890-11-29
Letter From Arkansas.
OZARK, FRANKLIN Co., ARK,

OZARK, FRANKLIN Co., ARK,
Nov. 18th, 1899.
Dear ROundabout:-If you will al
low me the space I will verify my
promise made you some time ago,
and at the same time answer many
questions of inquiry that have been
propounded to me recently by sever
al private correspondents. We are
in the southern terminus of the Ozark
mountains, Immediately upon the
Arkansas river. The river, hills,
mountains, valleys and level tracts of
local prairie are so inter-associatcd
that at an elevation a few hundred
feet above this town, and from the
top of one of our local mountains, an
observer can get view that beggars
description in point of beautiful seem
cry. This country is full of honest,
social and Industrious people; cotton
is the staple product, and it is re-
joicing to the eye and ear to hear and
see the farmers, some picking cotton,
some ginning and some astride of the
large bale, and with the old time
Kentucky OK whip in hand, driving
great loads of cotton each day into
town, with the native Arkansas oxen.
An average of about fifty bales per
day have been coming into town,
some to be ginned and all to be sold
and shipped. Corn does well here;
it is now selling at 65cts. per busheland
often 75cts. at private sale. This coun-
try is thickly wooded with post oak,
some pine and other timber.
Schools are abundant, and all we'll
patronized. Every school district
has number one school house, pro-
vided with maps, charts, globes,
chalk, blackboards, bells and una
bridged dictionary. Teachers well
paid by the month. Besides the
public schools, most every village
has an elegant private school, or
seminary or college. Here in Ozark
we have the Franklin Female Semi
nary. This is fine school, has full
corps of teachers for all the depart
ments; Mrs. Lea has charge of the
departments Of music and German.
The whole people here look at the
Seminary as the pride Of this country.
Your humble servant will begin
teaching in the public school the first
Of December. We have been living
in this State but five weeks, yet we
have come in contact with SO much
hospitality that l seem native. l
cannot close this letter without
mentioning the fact that this State is
proudly blessed with Josiah H.
Shinn as State Superintendent OF Pub
lie Instruction. A better and more
energetic man never directed the helm
Of education for Arkansas. Unjust not
forget to mention my boy, who is now
fourteen months OLD, and is able to
scamper about everywhere. He is
strong and healthy SO far, and we
thank God for having giving us such
a little boy. The fora Indigenous to
Arkansas is now sweetly scenting
most every yard and lawn with an
aurOma that haunts the passerby and
fills his souls with natural interoga-
tions. We are now enjoying fresh
new potatoes OF the second crop for
dinner, and of course seasoned them
with regular butter produced by
cotton seed through the COW. 1t has
rained great deal here the past
autumn, but we have now delightful
warm and sunny weather. l am glad
to notice the improvements in Frank
fort and in Central Kentucky. | am
always glad to welcome the ROUND
ABOUT incur home. Will cheertully
notice any private letter from relatives
OF friends with an eye always upon
the happiness and prosperity OF my
former home and associates.
/ am yours very truly,
j. b. LEA.