The log cabin Democrat., 1907-10-24
NATURES LAVISH RESOURCES
Undeveloped A dvantages of
 Northwest Arkansas.
Writer Tells of Beautiful Scenery and Un- disturbed Riches of this Section
 of the Sate.
,ditor Log Cabin Democrat:

l Cept1On Ot the bOundleSS undeVel- oped resources and wonderful pos abilities of this great state. There is perhaps no section of country on earth that possesses a wider range of natural advantages than the state of Arkansas. A greater va riety of soil cannot be found in the same area anywhere in the United States. In agricultural products she is equal to any state in the Union i'll quantity and superior to many in variety and quality. In horticulture Arkansas takes first rank. Her fruits have been award
 ed first premiums at all the great worlds expositions. A very large area of the state is still covered with primeval forests and beneath the surface lie undeveloped mines of mineral wealth. With all her vast natural resources, Arkansas has never taken advantage of her su- perlative opportunities, and she IS to-day in an entirely undeveloped condition. It has been fully demon strated that lead, zinc, iron, coal, granite, marble, gold, silver and even the glittering diamond of the purest water are awaiting the hand of industry to bring them forth and utilize them for the comfort and happiness of the human family.
 In this respect Northwest Arkan
 sas IS perhaps the most highly ia vored and the most woefully neg
 lected section of the state. About thirty miles north of the Arkansas river we strike the foothills of the Boston mountains. From there on to the Missouri line on the north and the Indian territory on the west, the elevation increases rap idly until the altitude Is some two thousand feet above the sea level. The area of this semi mountain re- zion embraces Van Buren, Gle burne, Independence, Stone, Izard Searcy, Marion, Carroll, Baxter, Boone, Madison, Newton, Benton and Washington counties. Until within the past few years this sec ton was comparatively unknown and unsought, save by the sturdy pioneer who wished to escape the glare and glamour of the busy marts and enjoy the peace and quietude of natural" lite in the midst of Gods first and purest temples. The topography of this section is not what the term mountainous would indicate. True, the surface is broken, but there are few locali- ties where good wagon roads can not be made at small expense. But the beauty and grandeur must be seen to be appreciated. The writer is the fortunate possessor of quar- ter section of land on top of an ele- vation overlooking Choctaw Valley in Van Buren county. On this quarter section there are 75 or So acres of fine tillable land and 20 or 30 acres more are the best of fruit land. In the center of this spring of pure, cold, soft water gusheS forth from the hillside, and it has never been known to fail. From the apex of this mountain one can gaze in admiration at the wonder ful work of natures plastic hand as he beholds the landscape below and beyond. For miles above and below the view of the beautiful valley is unobstructed, until three miles to the east the crystal water> of the Choctaw mingle with the limpid, fsh-laden elements of Red river. Fourteen miles to the north one can plainly see men and teams cultivating the ground on another mountain top. Between these two is belt of almost level country dotted with beautiful homes, fine orchards and grain-laden fields. l mention this specifically to give an idea of the general contour of this vast, heaven-tavored, but hereto
 fore neglected section of our bound less state. ( have nothing to sell
 Much gold wouldn't buy my mountain home.)
 But the primeval quietude of this sequestered section is at last feeling the impetus of commercial life and activity. Within the past two years the Missouri Pacific has construct ed a railroad from Batesville tC Kansas City, running through the northern portion of this great fruit, mineral and agricultural belt, and , the North Arkansas road is now ir