The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1909-05-27
Rich Hill and
It's Advantages
A Pen Picture Admirably Drawn
and truly Portrayed by
Al Old Citizen.

AAHNHHEhN WAAN ~ "" ANHNEN"H HH
gathering such Information concern
ing the resources OF the state as
may lead to Investment OF capital
and Increase of immigration to Mis-
souri,
Rich Hin 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 Ia healehful.
Situated In the center OF vast coal
fields, aud surrounded by a rich ag-
ricultural country. the town has
had "a rapid aud substantial growth.
The present population about 5.a00
The railroad facilities are good.
being on the Kansas City and Jop.
lin line OF the Missouri Pacific rail.
roaG. the Wichita aud Western Ga
branch OF the Missouri Pacific sys
tent and a 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 and brick
plant, an opera house, a grain ele-
vator, a zinc smelter, cigar factor
les. The water supply OF the town
is unsurpassed. Water Is obtained
from deep wells In the center oftown
and Is pure. sparkling and whole
some. Ii is furnished to the citizens
by a water WORKS owned by the
city. The business section ul sub
%stantial brick buildings. Large and
varied stocks are carried. Most
every line Of trade IL represented
There Is an Electric light plant, also
owned by the City, telephone ana
telegraph systems. Two large
parks, shaded by forest trees, are
the pride OF the citizens.
Rich III Il Is safe 10 say. Is one
Of the live; progressive towns of the
state. IL has had its years OF bust
ness stagnotlon and depression,
along with other towns. hut It's citl-
Eens are wide awake today to the
possibilities OF the town. They do
not propose 10 sit still or be pushed
backs Au aggressive board OF trade
Is ever alert for new enterprises and
the betterment OF the town. New
corners are welcome, help and en-
couragement 10 these who look for
new homes, manufacturing or busl-
ness location.
Formerly the town was a great
mining camp aud coal emporium
but the big companies that operat-
ed the mines for twenty years, con.
cluded that they had worked out
the best OF the coal and abandoned
the field. However. new fields have
been discovered and there IL eonsid
cradle coal being mined. Citizens
claims that the present mode OF
mining Is really better for the town
than when the big companies DON'T
uHted the field. Then the profits OF
the mines went mainly TO enrich
stockholders living at "A distance,
whereas they are now distributed
here by the many small opera
ters who live aud have their homes
Ia the town. There Il stu nndoubt-
edly great quantities OF & 20 IA the
Immediate y%icininity Of iieh IAN,
and mining Is likely 90 prove re-
numerative for many years 10 come
Rich IAN, however. II not depend.
ant alone on coal mining for oXls.
tence. There are other features that
Insure lis continued prosperity.
The cCuntry surrounding Rich
HIN Is rich ia agricultural posslbil.
titles. IL Is a great corn-growink dis.
trict, aud the live stock Interests
are OF Immense value Hogs, cattle,
horses, and mules receive much az.
t%eution. The yearly shipments OF
live stock amount 10 many ear
loads. Tame grasses do well. Tim.
othy. mixed and prairie hay are lm-
portant crops. Flax seed aud cas-.
tor beans are also "A pronet OF the
soil, Truck farming, poultry rails
Ing and dairying are growing iu-
dustries. Fruit culture for market
has not as yet received much attcn-
ton. though apples do fairly well
and there are some large orchards,
usually there II enough fruit grown
20 supply the home demand
Farm lands are held nc reasonable
prices. La fact, when location Ia
markets, convenience 10 schools and
church, and improvements are con.
slderered. the prices are much cheap.
- than fu Faetfpn III u.0V