The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1915-08-12
The White River Country

this section a short time ago. Mr..
Bell is recognized as one Of the best
writers in the state, and we reprint
the story in order that our readers may
see what an outsider thinks Of our
part Of the state-Editor.
What is there to see and do in the
Ozarks?
Well, in the White River section,
where most Of the tourists 90, there
are mountains that look like the Blue
Ridges, hills like those in south Cal
laway, clear streams in which real
bass are TO be caught, mountain folks,
lots Of primitive homes, good swim
ming pools and millions Of wood CHG
gers,
A week or two in the Ozarks affords
good recreation and can be made
thoroughly enjoyable. One must not
expect modern hotels with modern
conveniences, and he need not go pre-
pared for fashionable life. But a good
time awaits those who are willing to
go and accept conditions as they are.
And a week or two in the White river
section is worth while. A loyal Mis-
sourian who can afford it ought 10
make such a trip just to know the
state better. 1t will take lots Of notions
out Of his head, and at the same time
please him to discover that this Mis-
sonri mother land is place Of infinite
variety.
To get to the White River country
60 to Carthage, on the Missouri Paci
fc, and then take the Iron Mountain
for Galena, or Branson, or HOLSTER.
The famous float on White River
begins at Galena and ends at Branson.
Six days are required for it, and the
distance by water is l25 miles, while
by rail it is only 2l miles. The seen
cry on the trip is said TO be wonder
tul. Fisherman, say, too, that at the
right seasons the bass fishing is as
good as is TO be found in America.
Branson is at the end Of the railroad
journey Of those whose detectives
point is Lake Taneycomo. Do you
know Missouri has lake that is more
than twenty-five miles long, and that
at IFS lower end is a hydroelectric plant
which furnishes current for Springfield,
Joplin and Carthage2 That is Lake
Taneycomo. Before the dam was
built the lake was part Of White River
and, for that matter, is yet, Gaso-
line launches convey passengers from
Branson to Lake Taneycomo resorts.
These places are becoming more
numerous each year and il the pro-
moters are to be believed, the day is
not far distant when the whole country
will be one great playground for folks
who are tired and need rest, or for
those who have nothing to do but
travel.
Hollister is the important resort town
Of the White River country. Near by
is the Presbyterian Assembly OF the
Southwest, which possibly one day
will equal the great assembly at
Winona. Ind; in another direction
from town is the school OF the Ozarks,
Presbyterian institution which affords
Missouri mountain youths an oppor.
tunity TO obtain a high school edu-
cation. The little town itself already
has the atmosphere OF a tourists resort.
A trip from Branson 10 Forsyth is
we'll worth while. Leaving the lake
at the dam, the traveller is able TO con-
tinue the journey over two miles oil
mountain road in an automobile.
Forsyth is the county seat OF Taney
county and has population OF 200
people. A small stone court house,
built in the center Of the town by the
state, is the only building Of note, but
the village is as quaint and picturesque
as any in Missouri. It nestles on the
river, and is surrounded by hills thai
are several hundred feet high. Such
town could not exist in north Mis-
souri-flst, because the hill. would b.
lacking; next, because towns iu thi
part Of the state are closer TO railroads