The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1909-05-20
Rich HiI and
It's Advantages
A Pen Picture Admirably Drawn
and Truly Portrayed BY
An Old Citizen,

ny our itiiNW Tow nHfnhu W. n.
Marsh, was recently sent TO the
state Labor and Immigration Com.
mission, which Ia now engaged In
altering such Information concern
ing the resources OF the state as
may lead to investment OF capital
and decrease OF Immigration to Mis-
souri,
Rich ~ is a thriving little city
In the southern part OF Bates county
Missouri. 1t was laid out in the
year 1850, When the coal fields Of
Southwest Missouri were first
brought into notice. The location
Is upon high rolling land about three
miles from the Marais des Cygnes
river. The climate is ~healehful.
Situated In the center OF vast coal
fields, and surrounded by a rich ag-
ricultural country, the town has
had a rapid and substantial growth.
The present population about 5000
The railroad facilities are good,
being on the Kansas City ana Jop.
lin line OF the Missouri Pacific rail.
roaC, the Wichita and Western Ia
branch OF the Missouri Pacific sys.
tenn and q branch line OF the Frisco
system.
Thi town has graded schools a
high school, nice church buildings.
daily and weekly newspapers, two
banks, an ice plant, tile aud brick
an opera house, a grain ele-
vator, a ziue smelier, cigar factor
les The water supply OF the town
Is unsurpassed. Water Is obtained
from deep wells In the center oftown
aud Is pure, sparkling and whole
IL is furnished TO the citizens
by a water worKs owned by the
city. The business section OF sub.
stantial brick buildings. Large and
stocks ART carried. Most
Every line OF trade IL represented.
There Is an electric light plant. also
owned by the City, telephone and
.elegraph systems. Two large
shaded by forest trees. are
he pride OF the citizens.
Rich III Il Is safe TO say. Is ore
the live; progressive towns OF the
'tate. II has had its years OF bust.
less stagnatlon and depression.
'long with other towns, but It's citi.
ems N wide awake today To the
possibilities OF the town. They do
lot propose 10 sit still or be pushed
back. Au aggressive board OF trade
$ ever alert for new enterprises and
he betterment OF the town. New
are welcome, help and en-
.ouragement to those who look for
lew homes, manufacturing or busI-
less location.
Formerly the town was a great
mining camp aud coal emporium.
'ut the big companies that operat.
q the mines for twenty a con-.
iuded that they had worked ont
he best OF the coal and abandoned
he field. However, new fields have
'ecn discovered and there Is consid.
'rable coal being mined. Citizens
.laims that the present mode of
mining Is really better for the town
han when the big companies domI.
rated the field. Then the profits of
he mines went mainly 70 enrich
Itoekholders living at "A distance.
whereas they are now distributed
lene by the many small opera.
.ers who live and have their homes
n the town, There Is still undoubt.
'diy great quantities OF coal IN the
immediate vicininity lach IAN.
md mining Is likely T. rove re-
lumeratiye for many years 20 come
Rich It'll, however. Is not DEPEND.
ant alone on coal mining for exls.
.onee. There are other features that
insure its continued prosperity.
The country surrounding Rich
.ill Is rich IA agricultural POSSIBLE.
Ties. IL is "A great corn-growing dis
-rict, and the live stock Interests
are OF immense value. Hogs, cattle,
horses, and mules receive much at
.ention. The yearly shipments of
I've stock amount TO many ear
Dads. Tame grasses do well. Tim
)thy. mixed aud prairie hay are Inn
)ortant crops. Flax seed and cas-
beans are also IA prouct OF the
'oii, Truck farming, poultry rails
ug aud dairying are growing in
iustrles. Fruit culture for market
pas not ~ yet received much Htten
ion. though apples do fairly wei
aud ther are some large orchards.
Usually there Is enough fruit grown
10 supply the home demand
Farm lands are held az reasonable
In fact. when location TO