Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-08-11
RED RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
Correspondence Texarkana Democrat.
FULTON, Ark, Aug. 10th.

great Improvements have been made
in lower Red river in the past few
months, but such is fact. 1t will be
remembered that at the last session OF
Congress one hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars was appropriated for the
improvement of this river, and large
amount of money was also donated by
those generally interested for like
purpose. Work has been pushed with
energy under the general supervision
of United States Civil Engineer j. II.
Willard, and the people on the lower
river have been greatly benefited
thereby. The river has been relieved
of many dangerous snags, sunken
hulls, with their machinery, have been
removed, the channel made deeper in
many places, dangerous bars looked
after, the river widened in cases
necessary, and other improvements of
a substantial character, beneficial to
the planter, sustained that is highly
commended by steamboatmen and
planters who were yearly annoyed by
the many obstacles connected with
this treacherous stream, and now,
your correspondent is reliably inform
ed, the crops on the lower river are
the best for years, and the people feel
that they are comparatively safe
against dangerous encroachments by
the river and that they have already
been benefited to the extent of thou
sands Of dollars.
A fact also unknown to your read
ers is the building Of light draught
boat, at this point, now nearly COM
pleted, and which will be launched at
an early day next week, when corps
of experienced United States civil en-
gineers will board the craft and move
down the river. The object is to sur
vey the river from here to its mouth,
a distance of five hundred and seven
teen miles. Your correspondent is in
formed by Mr.. H. M. Marshall of
Vicksburg, now III this city, who has
charge OF the Red river survey, that
the boat now under construction here
will survey the river to a point below
Shreveport, or midway between here
and the mouth of Red river, and an
other party will then proceed on the
same errand until they reach the Mis-
sissippi river. 1t is a fact well known
that these improvements have long
been needed, but the appropriation
was wholly inadequate to meet the
demands at such distance as 10 relieve
those who are so unfortunate as to be
in possession of. valuable lands on the
upper part of this stream. AS
the good work has been start
ed below, however, and its bene-
ticial results fully realized, it might
not be anything out of the ordinary
to call the attention of Senators j X.
Jones and Uncle Dave Culberson, as
well as that Of Congressman Il. C.
Mc&ae to the fact that much of as
valuable land along upper Red river
needs attention and similar ben
efits as did the lands of our nelghbors
below. And as the government is
generally literally inclined when called
upon for donations that are notorious
ly worthy, a little pressure brought
to bear by these gentlemen would un-
doubtedly induce Uncle Sam at the
next regular session of Congress to
reach down in his plethoric pocketbook
and yield up sum for improvements
from Fulton to Arthur City that
would gladden. the hearts Of many
who haye suffered from the overflows
Of 1912, and make them and many
more realize that their valuable homes
will not much longer be subjected TO
such disasters.
The suggestion, as above, might
not prove successful, but do not think
the people will be impartially dealt
with in this matter by the govern.
ment if their grievances are put be-
fore Congress by the representative
gentlemen alluded to and all energetic
effort for relief made by them.
ltIs a matter of interest to the
whole state as well as to Texas, Loui-
siana and the Indian Territory that
Red river should be made navigable
the year round; and with an appro-
priation Of $15O,0O0 or 100000
depth Of five feet Of water, which will
be amply sufficient for light draught
boats,-cm easily be secured.
Let those particularly interested in
low freight rates and security to their
lands take hold of the matter and
consult their representatives in Con-
gress concerning so important sub
ioCt aud IT can hardly be possible that