The Van Buren press., 1893-03-04


and at the present time 3O5 mills
are operating, as compared with
go at the close of August, 1890,
and PSI at the expiration of the
same month in 1891. Lack of
available space forbids the setting
forth in detail of the figures rela-
tive to progress made along other
lines of industrial enterprises.
A very important undertaking
to which it Will be proper to refer
in this place is that of the Van
Buren, Water Company of Van Blu
rem, Crawford County, Ark. This
is . corporation recently organized
under the laws of Arkansas with
a cash capital of $4,000, the OBJ
ject of which is to provide plenti-
full supply of water for manufactur-
ing, domestic and other purposes.
Identified with the undertaking
are some of the most prominent
and wealthy gentlemen of the dis
trict. Mr.. Thomas Connor, Presi-
dent of the Miners Bank, Joplin
No., is President; Mr.. w. H.
Phelps, a prominent attorney aud
capitalist, of Carthage, No., Vice.
President, and Mr.. Robt. s. Hynes
Sec. and Treasurer. Mr.. Hynes is
also cashier of the Crawford Coun-
ty Bank, of Van Buren,, an organi-
zation having q capital stock of
100000 and surplus of SIC, 900.
The Van Buren, Water Co. is
putting in a reservoir capable of
holding about 2,OOO,O 600 gallons of
water. the excavation Of which is
now almost completed. The wa
ter supply is from beautiful noun
tain stream two and a half miles
west of Van Buren,, named Lees
Greek. This creek is fed by the
far.famed springs of the Ozark
Mountains. The water is the best
in the world for machinery. The
company expects to have the
works In operation some time in
April. 1t "goes without saying"
that such an undertaking as this
will ensure to the very great bene-
fit of the entire community, and
will render to the town of Van Bu-
rem more than ever conspicuous as
an excellent place in which to in
vest money.
A word or two as to Arkansas
may not be out of place. AS an
eloquent writer whose name We
have forgotten has pointed ont.
Arkansas has more navigable
streams than any other State in
the Union. The rich alluvlal soil
of her valleys rivals any lands on
the continent for the production
of cotton. Prior to the war slave
labor was found better adapted
to its culture than to other agri-
cultural or industrial pursuits.
The extreme poverty of the peO-
pie, caused by the ravages of war
and the unsettled condition of pub
lie affairs for years afterwards.
prevented the development ofnew
resources. Consequently, until the
past few years, public attention
was directed wholly to the pro-
ductiOn of cotton. The numerous
waterways served for transporta-
ton, aud naturally the develop
ment of the country was confined
mainly to the valleys Of the river.
Other portions of the State, en-
bracing the uplands. hills and
mountains, remained practically
undeveloped. Prior to 1872 there
was but one short line of railroad
in operation in the State. Gener-
al development is of recent date,
but has been very rapid. Pure
air. pure water, aud variety and
fertility of soil, coupled with an
equable. salubrious climate. make
the State one of great agricultural
possibilities, capable of sustaining
a dense population. The agricul-
tural production of Ohio. Indiana,
Illinois and Kansas are produced
equally well in Arkansas. In ad-
dition TO these. more cotton is
grown per acre and per hand, on
an average, than in any other
Southern State, and Arkansas has
earned, besides, a reputation not
exeelled as fruit growing coun-
Try. having taken the premium
over all competitors, except as TO
tropical fruits. az the Exposition at
New Orleans. Its ANIMAL rainfall
is much greater than in any of the
States named: consequently crops
are less liable TO be injured by
drouth. Its eiaa5le climate aud
agricultural resources make il a
good stock growing country. Coal.
iron. manganese. copper. ziac aud