The Daily Texarkanian., 1896-11-06
HRNA LETTER.


population-has arisen like a dream
in the heart of these mountains,
1t is hard indeed, torealize Mena as
being only three months old.
There are substantial business
houses, wholesale firms, several liv-
cry stables, good sidewalks, plenty
of public wells, two parks, one OF
which is in splendid order, with
pretty, well laid walks and plenty
of shade, large lake and a mag
nifcent spring of water.
Mena has two very readable week
ly papers and a good daily.
The finishing touches are being
put to a school house that would do
credit to a town ter years old.
The Catholics have church in
course of erection and the NJ. E.
church will soon be under way, The
organization at present have a com
modious tabernacle, where they
hold services and have a foursishing
Sunday school, Before the rail
road was built to Mena, the ever
watchful Pastor, J. Y. Christmas,
gathered the christian people of
different denominations under the
forest shade, and there in Gods
first temple organized a Sunday
school and held divine services.
Throughout the town, in all its
appointments, there is that spirit
of humanitarianism, that care and
consideration for both man and
beast, which prove so pleasingly,
the kindly nature of the manage
ment having the townsite in owner
ship.
There are substantial conven-
fences and comforts for the way
faring stranger. He finds a spirit
of hospitality and welcome which
makes one know at once that he is
not lost-not a veritable stranger
in a strange land"
There is a comfortable hospital
here.
The oil and gas near Mena will be
a valuable adjunct to its enter.
| prise.
The mining interests, adjacent to
this community, are being rapidly
developed. They have already at
tracted the interest of capitalists,
Mena has a good strong board OF
trade, and is destined to be a good,
reliable business point that will i'm,
prove as the years advance.
The work on the railroad is being
pushed rapidly south, from this
place. 1t will reach Hatton about
the first of January. Hatton Gap
has long been a good trading point,
but it is now hOurishing town OF
| diversified industries. 1t is in a
beautiful broken country, surround
ed by good farming lands, fine tim.
Der and is the best watered locality
ever seen. The mines near Hatton
are valuable, and are attracting
widespread attention. Five miles
southwest from Hatton are the
wonderful Black Bog Springs-the
great health resort. Hundreds of
invalids find renewed vigor at this
novel watering place. The springs
are varied in proportions, and al
most without number Most of
them are in the valley between the
mountains, but some are high up
on the mountain side. These
springs, now being made more ac-
cessible by the construction of the
railroad, are destined to be the
mountain resort of both north and
south. The picturesque surround
iugs, the curative waters, the invig-
Grating atmosphere, bountiful game
in the forests, are combined forces
to draw from all sections.
At Mena, Hatton and Bog Springs
are to be found people from Texar-
kama, as well as from many other
sections
Your former townspeople, S, M,
Latimer, is doing a good business
here in boarding house, and ]. W.
Gallagher is being recognized as a
competitor in commercial circles
worthy of consideration,
Il. r. Gather and wife are at
Bog Springs, where Mr., G. seems
to be slowly improving
Business is thriving up this way,
More anon, Your friend,
INTHE WOODS.
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