The Mena star., 1899-06-01
IN THE HILLS OF POLK collN7,,
Colonel Darling Gives fiis or,-,
 Of Our Prospects

The following interesting and , written letter, in praise of Mena Polk county, has just been reca;~s from Mr. c. w. Darling, whom ma. of our readers know as havinc sna- several months here last winter as, spring Investigating the mineral sources of this section of country
 Fargo, N. D., May 26, 1890 Editor Mena Star, Mena Ark. Dear Sir-I have been intendino (. write you few lines ever since [ ro turned North, but up to this timaI have been unable to ind time to th;r, of anything except attending to busi. ness that had gotten behindhand fron my long absence.
 You will remember that while I was in your growing city, was doing all could to convince myself that tha minerals in the hills and mountains in Polk county contain values that would warrant capital taking hold and de. velopiug the same. Two samples of ore brought with me, have had test. ed. by the old fire test, one giving value of $3l. 25 per ton, and the other S43 25. confirming my faith. I said several times. to you and other responsible men in your city, who have the interests of Mena aud Polk county at heart, that the best 1 investment they could make for them. selves. and the growing city of Mena was to get together and provide means to investigate and convince themselves that the hills in Polk county contain minerals that were valuable, and were only waiting the magic touch of cap tai to make it one of the great mining camps of America. You assure capital that the values are there, you need not worry how it can be gotten. Capl tai will find way of getting 1t.
 If by any effort of yours, you can add to the other wonderful resources of Polk county that of minerals in paying quantities, such that capital would be justified in working many of it's fine prospects, you will have done as much, and more for your county as was done by the Great Trunk road the Pittsburg S Gulf.
 I surely believe that minerals are in your beautiful hills, and when your people are reasonably convinced that such is the case and are united with one object in view, the development of the same, it will not be long before your hopes are realized. for it is an ideal mining country, with hills and gorges that would satisfy the Montana and Colorado miner. With streams and waterfalls, having unlimited power for all mining purposes, with timber for all building and mining uses and an ideal climate, located, as you are, but short distance from the City, makes it mining proposition that no mining man would overlook, and it's climate and location would make it desireable place for capital to seek good, paying investment; that, together with your wonderful fruit and agricultural country, with the wonderful mineral springs, which are to be found everywhere in the hills that are medicine for all the ills that flesh is heir to, are inducements that will fill your valleys with immigrants and your mountains with capital and energy to develope what nature has given to you with such lavish hand.
 am asked many questions about your climate, and tell them it is as near perfect as we can expect any where, and the best way for them to find out is for them to go and see Tor themselves. Yours to command,
 c. NJ. DARLING.