The Mena weekly star., 1921-07-28
BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS- IS PROSPECT

Saturdays issue of The Star car ried a news story that, if the expee- tations are realized, will mean re- turn to the good old days" for large portion of North Arkansas backset to conditions of 20 years ago. asserts the Arkansas Gazette.
 The writer came in direct contact with this situation recently at harrl- sin, in Boone county, where he with auto party, spent a night and most of a day. This countyseat town has for months been the center of the strike trouble that is largely blamed for the approaching shutdown of the. Mis- souri & North Arkansas railroad, which extends across Arkansas from Helena on the Mississippi river to 8 point north of Eureka Springs and on to Joplin in Missouri. The populace of Harrison is distinctly partisan to the railroad management as against the strikers, and one of it's papers, The Harrison Times, was served with injunction proceedings few days ago because of articles that were alleged to be injurious to the cause of the strikers.
 Harrison has population of a doz- en or so more than Mena, according to the late census. It has a large trade territory because it is the largest town in that section served by a rail- road, and yet, facing the closing of this means of transportation, It's busi- ness men are rejoicing that they are but ten miles from Bergman, on an- other railroad, which they can reach over a good road. At the same time they are strengthening their position 1 by extending good hard-surfaced road to the south, joining up with the splendid project being pushed by New ton county, the one county in Arkan- sas at this time untouched by any rail road.
 A little further west, about 52 miles by roadway, about half of which is hard surfaced, is Eureka Springs, certainly city of large importance, this community also served by but the one railroad. In the approaching crisis Eureka doubtless takes much solace in the magnificent road that ex- ltends northward, over high mountains, , to Seligman, twenty miles away. Over this, in addition to heavy travel must also come and go hundreds of tons of freight if the M &. N. A. ceases operation, tho some might come from Rogers in good weather When Carroll, Boone, Searcy, Van Buren and Cleburne counties have lagain joined Newton as "railroadless" they doubtless may look more earnest l ly to what the latter is doing in order | to "get into the world" as it were. Something of this was mentioned in a former article, and much more may we'll be said.
 Met Homefolks On Road.
 On the return from Missouri, the editor and his party came over a course somewhat different than that going, passing thru Neosho, Ander- son, Lanagan and Noel, on the Mis- souri side, and between the last two points was fortunate in meeting, on the highway, MT. and Mrs. H. E. Fitz, Miss Mary Robert and Miss Ouida Riding. And sure it is that home l folks Tn strange land look mighty good. From this meeting developed the visit to Ginger Blue, the new re- sort on Elk river, the hotel and cot tages mostly built by MT. Fitz. It is a beautiful site,~ seems right in the mountains" aRd was receiving a good patronage In charge of the hotel we found Mrs. Georgia Phillips. The grandest sight of all here was the magnificent river with wide gravel beaches and water so clear that at even 10 or 20 feet in depth-and some of 1t is even more-the bodies of daring divers shown clearly. Some how this visit confirmed the idea that. after all, aside from place to sleep and eat, water is the greatest at traction to most people who seek sum- mer recreation, and Mena should make no error in overlooking the feature.
 From Ginger Blue the homeward trip extended South thru Sulphur Springs to Gravette, thence to Benton vile, Rogers, Eureka Springs, Harri- son and Jasper, county seat of New ton, where were spent two joyful days. largely in swimming in the clear wat CTS of Little Buffalo, and in enjoying the courtesies of the Jasper people. which began with helping us locate the best camping place, included fresh caught bass from the river. fresh butter and buttermilk, cream
 
 at the hotel, guests of Mir. and Mrs. w. P. Murray, the proprietors And after all this we were urged-yes, urged-to come again and stay much longerl
 Folks and Places to Remember.
 Somehow it is hard to quit thinkino of these people and this little far-in- land town, and this country. We went miles out of our direct route home to again see and visit them. and were well repaid. Crossing the South line of Boone county into New ton, after lapse of four weeks. we found that the need of descending into deep guiches and driving along creek beds of rock had been obviated. and the passage was over a road that had been put in usable shape since we passed before, tho not completed. But one deviation from this was needed before we reached the Buffalo. a beautiful stream of good size. this where a bridge was yet to be placed on the waiting piers. The Buffalo was crossed on a splendid steel struc- ture that must be fully 400 feet in length. On crossing we found store and a residence. conducted and oecu- pied by F. A. Hammons, his wife and daughter. And such a welcome as they gave us! Nothing would do but we should stop few minutes and we were served with delicious lemonade. and were urged to let them show us a me camping place close by the river Dank where We could rest and fish