The Republican journal., 1896-01-02
Ten Mouths in Arkansas.


reached my destination in the northwest
ern county of the State, in the city OF
Sloan Springs, which bolders on the In
dian Territory. The ground, however,
was bare, for in this latitude very little
snow ever falls usually not more than
two or three storms during the season.
In the middle OF December the ground is
in excellent condition for ploughing, or
even for the planting of fruit trees Three
weeks ago we had a snow storm, but the
next day most of the snow disappeared.
AS write the dust is being stirred quite
freely by warm brisk breeze from the
South
The fruit crop in this portion of the
State has been immense, YET but little in
comparison to what it is destined to he
when the land is clear, d, ploughed deep,
and fertilized according to its need. Some
OF the crops have been injured in locali
ties, apparently by the heat OF the sun
after showers, causing partial decay. The
small fruits and vegetables have not suf-
fered in the same way. AL ' an Buren,
sixty miles south Ct here, the crops Of
strawberries and early potatoes were i'm
mense, and plans ale laid foI the cutiva-
ton of these crops to an even larger eN
tent At Bentonvile and Rogers, thirty
miles east, the crops have been most pro
life: in fact, all through this region OF
II, e Lon
the trees being loaded with fruit, giving
rise to the expire ssion OF Nebraska Vsi
tor that the apples We're holding up the
trees 50 omp'etely We're the trees hid
den by the fruit.
Returning to he subject of the weather.
While the heat of the sun is very consid-
cradle during the clear days OF summer,
the thermometer seldom goes far up into
the pineties. We have not experienced,
and never has such thing been known
here, as the hot winds which prevail i'll
Kansas, Nebraska and few other States,
and which i'll few hours play such havoc
with all forms OF vegetab life. Hot,
moreover, as it sometimes is during the
day and in the sun, it is generally cool in
the shade and comfortable at night.
The new railroad running through
Sloan Springs. directly South TO the Gulf,
is being pushed forward with great yigor.
In a few days we shall have direct com
munication with Fort Smith and trains
will be run directly from Kansas City,
and before many months possibly Tex
arkana will be reached by direct route
from Kansas City
The population of Kansas and Nebraska
has been pouling into Missouri and Ar
kansas 10y LUndleds, and probably by
Thousands. Missouri is destined to be
one Of the erandest States in the Union.
Many OF the people who come from these
States, howevel, come poor, having lost
everything by Tie successive failure of
crops i'll the drought regions. These
changes III population are destined to af-
iect fely seriously in the near future the
political educational and religious inter
ests ot Tire States The school laws win.
in time hc changed in Arkansas and
better educational facilities VIII be plo-
vded. The changes in political complex
ion Will soon he Marked and Arkansas
may pass into the list of doubtful States.
A friend # mine affirmed the other DAY
that there was a majority of Republicans
in this city, even to-day.
In morals, too, the State of Arkansas is
not TO be lett behind We have here no
licensed saloons. ana at times the liquor
seller is brought to trial and sent to the
penitentiary, it being very serious Of
fence to sell liquor to the Indians. The
attention of the whole country WAS few
months since directed first to Texas hen
to Arkansas. All OF you, ] presume, have
read the story OF how completely law and
order trumphed over the lawIess, backed
by the greed of grain and tho pursuit of
brutal pleasures. Great credit is due
Texas and Arkansas for the battle which
was so ably fought and won on the side of
public decency, law and order. Governor
Clarke deserves much credit for the noble
acity with which he maintained his grip
on the disorderly forces in the presence
OF so little law on his side. Sometimes,
however, here as in other parts of the
country, disorders, lawessness and crimes
prevail Some people take that which is
not their own, take advantage of others
needs, carry revolvers, sell whisky and
take human life and sometimes officers
of the law appear to connive at these Of
fences; but the march of truth and right
eousness, law and order is onward. Sloan
Springs is making material advancement.
A new flour mill has recently been erect
ed by gentlemen from Pennsylvania; a
canning factory has been located; new
buildings are in process of erection; a new
Methodist Episcopal church is enclosed,
and a new Congregational church will
soon be built; and people marry and are
''given in marriage here, just as they
used to be when we were in the East.
Ten months in Arkansas would be hard
ly complete, especially in letter to The