The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-03-09

promptly on schedule time, to our ut
ter amusement our destination was
reached at 4:30 the same day, thus
covering the vast distance Of "a miles
in so short time. The only unpleas.
antness to be encountered is the diZ-
illness occasioned by the rapid transit
which brings on feeling somewhat
akin to sea sickness. This road may
resemble real railroad in some par
ticulars, but at best 1t is only a lu.
dicrous imitation, and were it not for
the name and looks of it, a fellow
who was in hurry would save time
by walkinv, but we were not, so rode
il clear through Arriving at the
beautiful little city of Minnith, nestled
in the fertile valley of the Little Sa-
line, "a thing Of beauty and a joy for
ever"
The Saline valley is noted for its
fertility, and the river or creek for
its abundance of fish. The village
contains two up-to-date general stores,
a blacksmith shop, school house and
q saloon, besides many comfortable
residences. Both stores are doing a
thriving business. An extensive tie
trade is carried on, the merchants TAX
ing care of that business. The school
house is amply large, and modernly
equipped, heated and ventilated by the
Smith system, which speaks well for
the good judgment and intelligence of
the people; also free textbooks are
furnished all pupils. 1t is good omen,
to see the boys and girls so highly
valued. But this advanced school
spirit is very manifest wherever you
go, good augury for the future of
our nation.
Next, the town of Avon attracted
our attention, and was reached in the
afternoon of the 28th ult, partly by
rail and partly by foot, the foot part
being responsible for such an early
arrival. Avon is a real country vii
lage, and is also in the Saline valley,
near the head waters of that limpid
stream. The industrial activities of
Avon consist of a general store and
postoffice, school house and black
ing necessary asset Of any we'll reg
ulated community. Mr.. c. A. Boyd,
the busy and accommodating merchant
and postmaster, certainly is doing a
lucrative business as he supplies
vast territory which is occupied by
thrifty and prosperous farmers, who
are liberal purchasers. The school is
being taught by Rev. Golfer, teach
er of experience and erudition. Mr.
Howard Price lives in the suburbs of
the village and is somewhat engaged
in the chicken and mule business. He
is Familiarity addressed by his neigh
bors as the preacher. We did not
learn whether he received this SOU
briquet on account Of his extreme
piety or his super-extreme loquacity,
but he is co-called, nevertheless.
Completing our work at Avon,
where we were so comfortably and
pleasantly entertained in the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. Mertelle, after few
hours tramping, found ourselves at
Coffman, the metropolis of the Saline
Valley section. This is certainly a |
real live town, for here is heard the
honk of the Ford which is the syno-
hymn Of modernism, and all things
else partake of the same, homelike
(Farmington) surroundings. The
business enterprises of Coffman con-
sist of two modern department stores,
a bank, an excellent blacksmith and
repair shop, and an ex-saloon. The
Coffman Mercantile Co. is a spacious
store and is full from cellar to gar
ret with the choicest needs of its ex-
tensive patronage. Mr.. BENZ. C.. Ora
ham, manager of this popular store,
sees that nothing is left undone that
would contribute to the benefits of u
his customers. The Gegg store is
well appointed and shares in a great
degree the large patronage of that /
rich section. But of major import {
ance, not only to Coffman, but to the {
vast and fertile section surrounding /
it, is the banking institution there. {
That institution, with the genial and I
affable cashier, Mr.. Richard Adams.
Jr., is the most popular and cherished {
place in the little city. Mr.. Adams S
knows the banking business well and t
is in his right atmosphere when be-
hind the counter. Mr.. Bauer, the I
popular smith, is as busy as the real, 7
or supposed, bee in tar bucket. The c
saloon ex's real well and the devout +
will and wish of the best citizenry of d
that prosperous little city is that it i
will soon make its exit to a more con-
genial cline. %
Nlgnt Ilndlng US still distant from I
,he Hub, Pennington, we were taken +
in charge by our erstwhile county, t
nan and friend, Mr.. Ed Turley. Mr.. o
rurley is the proud possessor of one
If the best farms in Southeast Mis- \
'euri, known as the Col. Joseph Coff-
nan farms an old Virginia gentleman
4 the highest type. The residence
but mansion them now is large I
rick structure beautifully situated in p
large black walnut grove, just out g
ide limits. This has been the scene Il
4 many important gatherings, as Mr.. fl
joffman was man of great impor-
ance and influence and historically c.
'rince of entertainers. This was a *
avorite resort of Thos. H. Benton and OF
nen of like affairs. Here many i'm II
ortant State and National questions b,
ave been discussed and initiated. Il
lear here our popular townsman and Ii
opular family grocer of Coffman first eN
aw the light of day, and here d
,day you will find the finest herd
Poland Herefords in Southeast lu
[iSsouri to saw nothinp of Tho fna sa