The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1895-04-19
A FINE COUNTRY.

...re contained the following:
Tv.Congressman Champ Clark has ar
- fresh from tour through Arkan-
as where he has been lecturing on
..Tbe Picturesque Men of the Fifty
'i How did you like the country and
.,a neople down there?" asked a Re
srblic reporter. "Tip-top," replied the
CONGRESSMAN. 1.-THE Arkansans are
souble-cousins to the Missourians-
Ash of our flesh and bone of our bone.
was never treated better any,
where in my life. The people are
warm-hearted, hospitable and gener-
ous. While was looking the land
scape DER at Little Rock, the legisla-
,ure sent a committee to invite me to
deliver an address-which | did. The
first thing that attracted my attention
when arose to speak was the youth
fitness of the lawmakers-hardly a
gray.beard among them. On investi-
cation, found that, with the excep-
4 ton of two or three judges on the SUI
preme bench, nearly all the men who
are to the front are comparatively
vounp men. My namesake, Gov. Clarke.
is only about 40. but his hair is so white
-prematurely so-that his enthusiasts
tic admirers call him Old Cotton Top"
my prediction is that Arkansas will
develop more in the next twenty-five
wears than any state in the Union un-
less it is Missouri. No two states in
the Union have ever been so much lied
about but the truth about them is be-
ginning to come out at last-and the
truth is that they are the best places
for homes on the face of the earth.
THAT wonderful stream of immigra-
ton which is pouring into Missouri
from the arid plains of western Kansas
and Nebraska and from the frozen
prairies of Dakota is beginning to
make itself felt in Arkansas. On every
road | saw the canvas-covered movers
Representatives half a dozen in a
string. The soil of Arkansas is rich,
her climate delightful, her mineral re-
sources inexhaustible and ee-fourths
Of her entire area a virgin forest. The
state is well watered. Arkansas river
is not only navigable by act of con-
gress but as matter of fact. far
above Little Rock and the White river
to Buffalo City. There are also several
other navigable streams. Springs are
abundant and the cistern and we'll wa
ter is wholesome and palatab le Her
winters are short and mild; conse-
quently not so much money is spent
for food, houses, fuel and clothes for
man, and in provender and shelter for
beast. 1t doesn't cost half as much to
: live down there as up near the Ca
madam line. When these facts are
known people will go there. Germans
are settling in great numbers in some
parts OF the state, and they'll conquer
the rich wilderness about them and
make 1t blossom and yield up its rich
treasures.
Arkansas has an everlasting for
tune in her timber. Why, l saw
enough oak in my nine days trip to
furnish ties for railroad round the
globe. Pine is abundant everywhere,
marble, granite and building stones
are found in great quantities and of
the finest quality. On account of the
oak mast and free range Arkansas
ought to be the finest hog country in
creation, One thing that struck me
was the absence of.barbed wire fences.
ihey still adhere to the old Virginia
worm fence. | asked the explanation
Oh that and was told it was owing en-
tirely to the cheapness of timber.
southwest Missouri and northwest
arkansas are the great apple countries
Oh the future. Fruits of all kinds do
wen down there, but apples particular
y Well. Arkansas took nearly all the
premiums at the great apple show in
Tue east, and many at the Worlds fair.
signs OF Improvement are visible on
every hand. New farms are being
opened up, new railroads projected,
ana new mills built. Great attention
% oeing given to education. In all the
towns and cities splendid new school
houses greet the eve.
Having practiced criminal law a
great deal, | naturally inquired as to
NO" justice is meted out in our sister
commonwealth. | believe honestly
"ae the criminal law is more vigor-
ousiy enforced in Arkansas than in
auy other state in the Union They
~ scores of people to the peniten-
aaiy where we would give them iail
ssn.ehce was in two towns where
rsoiic executions will take place soon.
- one OF them-Morrilton- double
ing IS to occur in the near future
cue Tor murder. the other for GRIM
va assault. Though some other
states make criminal assault a hanging
=, In the discretion of the jury.
.. arkansas is the only state, so far
10 know. where the death penalty
h.; oeen legally inflicted for the
ons crime. OF course those who
assault wo,nor, - -: