The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-01-05

/ - slttI bIl'pINuHilH Ibi lHHIht gar
| dening. Some of the valley land In
/ the district surrounding Bonnie Tcrre
Is well adaptcs to the growth of pO-
tatoes and vegetables, while much
| of the land on the hillsides is well
suited to the growing Of small fruits
! Most Of the timber has been
cleared from the lands near the rail
roads, but upon the hills and in the
southwest section there Is still much
timber. The principal variety is
oak-white, black and post oak.
Walnut, elm, hickory, wild cherry
hard maple and pine form IA small
part, each, of the timber growth
The timber is of little commercial
value, except as wood and railroad
ties made from the white oak.
The mining of iron has been an
important industry, but the great
supply from Iron Mountain in the
southwest has been almost ex-
hausted. Iron probably exists In
other parts OF the southwestern dis
trict and with increase in transporta-
| ton facilities iron mines may be re-
opened. For years the iron ore
from Iron Mountain was hauled on
plank road across the rough coun-
try to Ste. Genevieve. In all more
than four million tons of iron have
been mined in the county.
Other minerals are found, some Of
which are now mined. Copper and
zinc are found with lead, but are
seldom, II ever, saved. Nickel and
cobalt also occur in the lead depos-
it's; but are not saved. Silver to
the amount of one ounce to a ton Of
lead is found in the lead ore; about
| so 900 worth Is saved annually. In
he northwestern part of thecOunty
tiff or baryta is mined in consid-
cradle quantities, the yearly output
being about 5000 tons, worth S2J, 900.
| The Southeast Missouri Baryta Co.
owns about > 1000 acres Of land bear
| ing this mineral. Recently has been
| discovered, or rediscOvered u miner
al resembling plumbago. The de-
post is "A few miles south of Doe
Run. This mineral, when crushed
to n powder is said to make an eX-
cellent lubricant. A company has
been proposed looking toward the
mining of the mineral and the man
ufacturc Of the powder
Building Stone Abounds.
In rock and building resources for
building material, st. Francois cOun-
" has good grade OF red granite
AZ well as gray. Limestone under
lies most of the county and can be
used for building purposes. Brick
clay y also found, but no large brick
factories exist; nor are there any
large quarrics for the use Of the
rock and stone deposits. The de-
yelopmeut Of mineral resources has
turned mostly to the mining Of lead
and iron.
The crushed rock residue from the
lead mills, has some commercial
value. II is much used as n ballast
for railroads, and is used also in the
making Of rock roads. Furthermore
| it is of II quality that can be used in
the making of cement bricks and
blocks. So far 1t has been little
used in this connection; but the beds
| of the railroads and of the rock
roads attest to its quality. This,
| together with the granite, limestone,
| and clay deposits makes the re-
| sources for building materials great.
Consequently, although lead is the
only mineral mined in quantity, yet
| the opportunity for further develop.
ment In mining other mineral is
still great.
| The climate is very healthful and
| this, with the beauty Of the scenery,
and the spring water supply makes
| the county good place to live. The
average mid-winter temperature is
| Just n little below freezing and the
mean July temperature about 20 de-
grees. Along the st. Francis Riv-
cr and in the southwestern high
lands "the foothills of the OZarks, -
is some Of the prcttiest scenery of
the Ozark range. Iron Mountain
Lake makes an excellent pleasure
resort. The st. Francis River is
noted for its fish and the hunter can
find small game and sometimes deer
in the hill lands. The streams are
fed by numerous springs which make
an excellent water supply. The
yearly rainfall, moreover, is about
40 inches.
The people of the county are near
~ all native born Americans; many
are defendants Of the pioneers and
some trace their lineage back to the
old French settlers. Most OF the
foreign born are in the mining dis
trict. Here are found some Slavs
aud other southeastern European
races. The negro population Is on
ly about three per cent.
Intercourse between the county and
outside and between different parts
of the county is made free by the
good railroad facilities aud roads.
The st. Louis, Iron Mountain and
Southern Railroad runs for fourteen
miles alOng'the northwestern and
southwestern border, and the Bel.
mont branch of the same road runs
from Bismarck in the west to leave
near the center OF the southern
boundary II distance of twenty-five
miles. From Bismarck also the Ill
: inois Southern makes connection
, with the Iron Mountain and runs
sixteen and one-half miles eastward
r across the center OF the county. Al
Doe Run in the south begins the
Mississippi River and Bonnie Tcrrt
railroad which extends northward
through the lead belt for twenty-five
! miles. Its total length is siXty-twC
miles, 1t connects with the Iror
Mountain ut Riverside, st. Louis
: This road is owned by the lead com
panies and is said to declare tn,
largest diyidends of any railroad