The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-10-19
OZlRKS FOR the SWISS
A Scheme to Colonize Them
In Missouri.

In Missouri.
FARMERS WILL BE FIRST SETTLERS
II Their Verdict Is Favorable, Says
Samuel A. Hughes OF the Frisco
Railroad, Wine and Cheese Makers
Will Come In Large Numbers-Re-
rartied as Good Coionists.
"NeW Switzerland may be the title
Of the Ozark country in Missouri with |
in five years If the Swiss government
keeps it's promises made to Samuel A. |
Hughes, general Immigration agent OF
the Frisco system, who returned re-
Gently from a two months trip through
England, France, Switzerland and It
ally, says the st. Louis POst-Dispatch.
With him came party OF Swiss
farmers, who are to report back to
their government on the adaptability
Of Ozark land for the vine and dairy
industries. If this report is favorable
the bulk of Swiss emigration will be
turned to Missouri, and perhaps 80 per
cent OF tie $4,000 farmers who set out
yearly for the new world will come to
Missouri in North America rather than
to Argentine Republic in South Amer
ica
"Swiss farmers are the most desira-
| BILE immigrants said Mr.. Hughes, pro
| vided they are put in country that
resembles their native land. Some OF
the Alps are cultivated to their very
| tops, the inhabitants going to lower
regions in winter, to move to upland
pastures in the early summer. This
condition can be duplicated in the
Ozarks.s and there we shall try to colo
nize the Swiss.
''Give them a few years and the
American Alps are assured. Travellers
j through the OZarks will then see the
chalet clinging to the top of cliffs,
around through which focks of goats
and cattle will reap the mountain
grass, to turn it into cheese in the
cottage factories.
ION the lower ranges grapes will be
grown, and as the Swiss peasant is
born winemaker Missouri wine from
the Ozarks may one day be sold in
Europe.
Evansville, Howell county, has been
selected for the first settlers, and il
their verdict is favorable numerous
other towns inhabited by thrifty Swiss
will spring up in its neighborhood.
although ayerse to letting their peo-
pie leave the country, the tide of i'm
migration is too strong to be stopped
by government action, and it is pro-
posed to direct the immigration into
suitable fields rather than let the peo-
pie fall into the clutches of land sharks.
l have the promise of Immigration
Commissioner Dryfus of the Swiss
government that he will direct colonies
to the Ozark country if those already
here give favorable verdict.
president Ruchet of the Swiss re-
public is deeply interested, and when
I saw him in Bern recently he said
that if the Ozark country and Missouri
in general was up to my description of
it he would personally see that desira-
BILE emigrants were directed to it. Not
only farmers, but manufacturers,
cheesemakers and buttermakers and
winemakers will be included in the
Swiss settlers.
Zone man in Zurich has 100000
francs ready to put into creamery as
, soon as the first settlers make their re
port.
"As to the Italians, they, too, will Go
, well in southern Missouri and northern
Arkansas, but they must have a lead
, err Their colony at Tontitown, under
. the leadership of Father Bandine, has
/ turned timber land worth SIS an acre
; into fruit and berry farms worth S1OG
| an acre in seven years. Baron DIES
: Plances, who visited the colony year
: ago. assured me that he had never seen
t a happier or more prosperous corNmu
nifty.
| "The southwest has turned the flood
: of immigration from the north ant
: Canada. and the country Immediately
tributary to St. Louis Is destined tt
: grow with as great strides as did Okla
homa in the boom days. 1t will be 9
lasting growth if peopled with desira
: BILE farm settlers, as is now the PLAN"
| IT.