The Van Buren press., 1902-11-22
IN EVEN|FUL occasion.
Completion of Lock and Dam Num-
Der I on the Beautiful White
River.
NOTED BIG GATHERING OF BUSINESS MEN.
ResuIt Obtainsd Partially Dus to tho In
fu-nce of tho Weekly Prsss-A Work
OF Insstimable Commercial Value to
the Rich Mineral Belt of Arkansas

White River is known locally as the
Hudson River of the West, owing to
its clear waters and the picturesque
scenery on its banks, particularly in
the upper regions. This beautiful
stream is 800 miles in length, with
well defined banks from headwaters
almost down to its mouth. Through
much Of it's course the banks are ele-
vated merging into towering hills
and mountains. At points Of its pass
age between the crests of the Ozark
range and the Boston mountains it
winds through narrow gorges where
the hills are high and precipitous;
through broad valleys bordered in
places with majestic elevations, cliffs
OF granite, lime and marble and mines
of zinc, lead and copper - indeed, the
rock formations and minerals includ-
ed in the territory drained by this
beautiful river and its branches EN-
brace almost every variety known TO
the mineral kingdom. Here are at
fractions for the miner and the specu-
ator, and here too are attractions for
the farmer, fruit grower and gardner,
for on these enchanting elevations
are found orchards which yield the
big red apples and the Arkansas blacks
which have made the State famous as
fruit producing country. For gen
60 ,i,n a1cp much nf thig
fitness, while the valleys have long
land territory has demonstrated its
been celebrated for their fertility.
Moreover, these upper regions abound
in ideal resorts for tourists, pleasure
seekers, sportsmen and health seek
ers. The wealth Of springs for which
this region Is famed, the abundance Of
game and fish, the picturesque scenery,
the pure air, laden with the perfume
of pines and mountain flowers - all
these render it the most delightful
and romantic section of country found
between the Adirondacks and the
Rocky mountain parks. The lower
part Of White River where 1t ap-
proaches the Arkansas mas its attrac.
tions too in a vista Of dreamy land
scape. 1t widsns and deepens as 1t
meanders through stately forests of
pine and cypress, broad fields of cot
ton and corn to its junction with the
Arkansas.
1t is less than four years since the
prediction was made in the auxiliary
print of the A. N Kellogg Newspaper
Company that White River. when
equipped with locks and dams would
ing from State into National i'm.
portance." The prediction is now hon.
ored as prophetic utterance. The
progress of reform movements and
enterprises Of great Importance is
usually attended by succession Of
failures and train Of impediments,
but not so with the effort started by
Kellogg Newspaper sheets, After the
appearance of the first article on river
improvement, in September, 1898, the
scheme had no struggle against ad.
verse fates Right here parallel
HlBul Dt vi avn b'lMNNi kiN ihhh'hNS
OF the daily and the weekly journal in
directing public thought and shaping
events, but the purpose OF this article
Is to prevent resume OF the improve.
ments Of White River and detail few
facts regarding the origin Of the
scheme and the material effects Of the
enterprise on the tributary territory,
State and Nation. 1t Is az opportune
occasion, however, to state that the
thinking class who read the weekly
paper and discuss It's contents and
deliberate well over plans suggested
for internal improvement, readily
grasped the facts set forth in the
articles on slackwater navigation, for
interest in river Improvement at once
spread like a contagion and within q
few weeks the efforts OF the entire con.
gressional delegation OF the State were
enlisted in behalf Of the enterprise,
and the result was much more speedy
and decisive than Its projectors ever
dreamed Of. The completion OF Lock
and Dam No. at Batesville has
brought White River into National
prominence The Nation Joins with
the people OF Arkansas in celebrating
the completion OF the first step in one
OF the greatest enterprises that ever
engaged the attention OF the progress.
sivo clements Of the State, The work
Of river improvement Ia begun and II
will not cease until every mile OF tho
beautiful White River susceptible OF
improvement will be placed In a con.
diton for alltheyear boating. Mean.
time ventures In waterway develop
ment will develop, which will eventu.
ate In the establishment Of deep wa.
terway between Chicago and st, Louis,
and on down to tho mouth Of the Mis-
slssippl. Then boats and barges
loaded with rock and other heavy
freight on White River will discharge
their cargocs at the wharves In Chi.
cago, Cincinnati and other Northern
ports II Is a military requirement rs
well as commercial necessity that gun.
boats and war vessels may pass from
the Gulf OF Mexico to Chicago, White
River Improvement Ia, therefore, not
only OF vast importance to the State
but also a link In tho chain OF water.
way events which Affects the Nation
and onlargcs and increases tho inter
dependence OF States and serves TO
strengthen the bonds OF unien, Tho
completion OF all the locks and dams
embraced In tho White River i'm
provcment scheme will result In tho
establishment OF permanent shipping
points along the stream, for boating
will then be d regular business tho
year round In low water stages ns well