Evening star., 1935-04-28
OZARK FOLKS SOON
TO LEAVE HAUNTS
$4,000 of Nations Most
Picturesque Citizens to Be
; Moved Near Civilization.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ST. LOUIS. April 27.-"Social re-
habilitation" finally has reached the
isolated cabins of the Missouri OzarkS
and $4,000 natives widely hailed as
the Nations most picturesque citizens
are to be transplanted.
Civilization, long foiled by the bleak
hills, has penetrated remote sections
pf Southern Missouri in the guise of
q gigantic Federal reforestation pro-
Ject that will eventually include one
seventh of the States area.
In huge "reSettlement" movement,
largest trek Of the States population
since pioneer days, $4,000 natives are
being moved within shouting distance
of the progress" they have consist
emily Stunned for generations.
11,0Se Exc Out Existence.
Relief workers estimate more than
1000 destitute families today are
eking out a bare existence on the
rock-dotted mountain slopes of the
three and quarter million acres of
hand being purchased by the govern
fnent in Missouri to rebuild depleted
Ozark forests
Under terms of an arrangement
between the F. E. r. A. and the Ma
tionsl Forest Service these families
many Of whom have held their land
for generations by "squatter" rights
will be moved from their unproductive
hill patches and given tillable land
to cultivate within the borders of the
giant forest and game preserve.
From their ranks Uncle Sam will
draft and train corps of workers to
patrol this, his newest hinterland.
No attempt will be made to move
families long distances" Paul Kelleter.
forest supervisor, said today. In most
cases they will not have to travel more
than 10 miles.
To Keep Near Communities.
THE families will be concentrated,
as far as possible. near existing COM
munities, where they can obtain the
fullest social and educational oppor-
tunities.'
The Federal program, viewed with
Apprehension by some of the noun
taineers, has been welcomed by most
of the residents, poverty-stricken since
the spcliation of the States rich pine
and oak timber reserves in the last
century.
Each family will be given 10 acres
of good agricultural land and per-
mitted to pay for it on q long time
adjusted basis. During the slack
farming season the men will work in
the forests buildings roads, planting
trees and constructing fire lookout
towers.
Almost half of the land, bought at
the rate Of 81 to SO an acre, is now
under option, and Federal officials
have already begun opening up the
almost inaccessible country.
Plan Recreation Center.
Eventually officials hope to convert
the section into q vast inland recrea-
sion center. Thirty-two game pre-
serves. four in each OF the eight
purchase units, have already been
planned. The entire forest area in
tludes portions of 23 Southern Ozark
counties
;. Midwestern sociologists hail the
project as boon to the backward
hill billy" but see in its completion
cause for romantic lament.
: For eduction of this almost Hitter
Ste people will destroy-in a single
generation. they say-the most color
tll body Of folk lore yet remaining in
America
Rich in the traditions of an earlier
and simpler culture, the Ozark Hill
people still sing and dance to the
old folk tunes of -Eizabethan
England and the later ballads of the
American frontier
The near-forgotten home arts of
basket weaving and furniture making
still flourish there, and stores of
fha'nts" and witchcraft abound among
fhe superstitious.
The region was settled by descend
ants of Virginia and Kentucky pi-
oneers who emigrated earlier from
the Atlantic Seaboard, bringing with
them memories and tales of rural
England Of two and three centuries
ago.