Iron County register., 1897-09-09

RIFLE RANGE, ARCADIA, MO-,
August 20, 1891
It would be hard to find IA spot IN
Missouri where nature has been more
lavish in her decorative work than
here Not only did she make one OF
the most picturesque and beauelIuI
valleys in the Ozarks, but at the same
time she formed so admirable site
for a rifle range that the officers OF the
squadron located here declare that
they could not have done better had
they made it themselves, which, COM
Ing from an army officer, is quite a
compliment to nature. Its beauties
are difficult of description Imagine
a valley a half mile wide from east to
west and three miles from north to
south, bounded by high hills. called
mountains, set IN the form OF a horse
shoe; the valley covered with green
carpet of grass, which extends up to
the foothills. where the woods take on
a deeper hue of green ard carry their
darker colOring to the mountain tops,
which form the circumscribed horizon.
Through the valley runs clear stream
of spring water. The mountains are
not snow-topped. neither are their
heights inaccessible, but do not at
tempt to reach their SUBMITS unless
you start early in the morning and eN-
pect to spend the entire day in the
task.
In this lovely vale of Arcadia the
camp is located. First come the head
quarters at the top of a gentle rise;
then the officers row to the left, and
between it and the stream are the
conical tents of the troopers. Beyond
the stream to the southwest Is the
present rifle range. The range proper
rises gently until it reaches the edge
of the mountain, against which the
targets are displayed, and which forms
the s.butt" for the bullets from the car
hines. Standing on the trench en-
baukment in front of the targets the
view from the arch of the horseshoe.
Directly below you, across the green
stretch of the range and over the
stream, is the camp, and the country
road passes along behind it. Over to
the northwest can be seen Pilot Knob,
where Gen. Ewing with his scanty
force was surrounded by Gen. Price,
and yet was able to get away with
comparatively small loss. deep scar
mars the beauty of old Pilot Knobs
summit. 1t Is where the earth has
caved, as a result Of much mining be-
low, and the ragged edges Of earth
have not yet donned a garb OF green.
The next peak to the left is Shepherds 5
Mountain, and its top looks as smooth
and regular as though it wore a colos-
sal gap of green velvet.
Just outside the horseshoe is larger
stream of clear. cold water, where the
horses are watered. The stream is,
indeed. picturesque. 1t flows over a
bed of solid granite, and bubbles and
gurgles as it meets waterfall, where
it jumps from one lege of granite to
another. Half mile down stream Is
| the s.Shut-ln, -. a wide basin, with pre-
| cipitous walls of granite, where the
| troopers congregate each night for a
bath and swim. The water reaches
the Shut-In by a tortuous way, run
| ming over, under and between blocks
of granite as large as small cottage.
! At present the troops are using only
| about one-third of the beautiful horse
shoe Valley, or about 400 acres, which
has been leased by the government for
the purpose. The plans of army Of
! ficers contemplate the requirement by
the government of l, 100 acres, includ-
ing all of the pretty valley, and mar
row strip leading to the mountain
stream just outside. The irregular
stream of spring water cutting through
the valley from northeast to southwest
carries an excellent grade of water
but not of sufficient volume. Hence
the desire to have access to the larger
stream outside the valley. 1t is esti
mated that the proposed range could
be acquired for $17, 900. When it /:
purchased the camp of the troops viii
be moved over against the base of tht
mountains, where the trees and under
brush can be cut away and leave {
natural grove for the camp, The tar
gets will also be moved further ives
and south, and a sweep of rolling
ground will give a range of not les
than 2,400 yards. The range pro
posed will be of sufficient size to &C
commodate several thousand troopers
instead of the single squadron which
now visits it. Not only that, but i
would furnish facilities for artiller,
practice, as a battery could be planted
at the foot of the mountains and have
a sweep of mountains to fire against a
| a range of from one to two miles.
The assertion has been made tina
the range is uuhealty, but nearly al
of the officers now stationed at Jeffer
son Barracks are Of the opinion tina
this assertion was based on ignoranc
of true conditions. They say tha
there was much sickness among til
soldiers last year after they returne
from the range, but attribute it to tn
change of water and the fact that tn
troopers were not prevented fror
drinking at any stream they passed
This year much care has been exeI
cised, aud the troops were not allowe
to drink from any stream along th
march until after the commanding o
! fcer had ordered a careful examinf
ton of its properties. As a const
quence. few men have responded
sick call. The same precautions ar
exercised on the range, and water
taken only at certain points. Tn
water supply has been greatly in
proved since last year by widening tn
stream, and instead of taking wate
, from a barrel sunk into it, a wid
board tank has been provided. d.
Ewing, who will have to report on th
sanitary condition of the camp at ii
! IL,