c 0^ co^'.^^'^o/'''^^'^^ .-.^J^^^ "'' '0^ ' ^^ -• R*^*^^' y:i '^,. Ji o\'^^W&- -v^. v"^' \^J1M^^". ''^-/- ^^ -^0' r^^^^a "oy ^°'^^. ^Si^° .^'^'^- 'f^S: ^''^^ ':^^^^ -^Ho. ^. %,^* .-ij^;:. -^^c^ /Jife'v ^^..** .'W''^'' i°-'* ^:ps- v-^^ "^^0^ 0^ '^o *'^.T* A ■ '^ <■ r^^ ' '-' ^0' '^0^ ,0 '^0' K^ •iq ■^ XATl'UAL iMj-^iorn ^ ARKANSAS. guilt' ^^Ued bif J^utuoaiij ot the ^tatc. coi'i: -I \vn.!. !■!: i-ck [J^WIS. , Altli. ttlp: ]{(; NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS« '^,M\$M Istf g^Mtltoiltii 0t i\u MixU, COPIES WILL BE FURNISHED ON APPLICATION TO JAMES M. LEWIS, Commissioner of Immigration and State Lands, I^ITTLIC rock:, A-HIv, LITTLE ROCK: PRICE & BARTON, STATE PKINTEKS. 1SG9. ARKANSi ^'^ ITS ADVANTAGES AND RESOURCES. Arkansas is a part of the purchase made by the United States from the French in 1803. It was erected into a separate Territory in 1819, taking its name from the large river -which flows across it from west to east, and was admitted into the Union in June, 1836. It lies between latitude 33 deg. and 36, deg. and 30 min. north. In its width, from east to west, it varies from 170 to 250 miles, and extends 242 miles from north to south, possessing an area of 52,158 square miles, or 33,382,- 120 acres, of which 15,000,000 acres remain open to purchase or entry from the State and United States governments. Of these lands, a large portion may be entered under the home- stead acts of Congress by parties desirous of becoming actual set- tlers thereon. Arkansas is bounded on the north by the vState of Missouri ; on the east, by the Mississippi and St. Francis rivers ; on the south, by the States of Louisiana and Texas, and, on the west, by the State of Texas and the Indian Territory. Geographic- ally its position is second to none and superior to most of the States in the Union. On its eastern side the Father of Waters, burthencd with the wealth of the many States above us, hastens with its freight to the highwa}^ of the world; and if^ as has been demonstrated within the last two years, Wisconsin and Minnesota, one thousand miles north of us, can deliver their produce at European ports, by the way of jSTew Orleans, at less cost of carriage than by any other route,, it surely needs no ariiunicnt to show that we can deliver the products of our labor at the same market at far less cost to the tiller of the soil. ( )u the west lies the Indian Territory, with a soil as good as any, the products of which will be carried through the center of this State by railroad or river paying tribute, as it passes in its transit, to the sea. A railroad from Memphis, Tennessee, running west in almost a direct line through Little Rock, v/ill strike the projected 35th Parallel Pacific Eailroad at Fort Smith, on the border of the Indian Territory, and the projected South Pacific Railroad will run through Little Rock, via El Paso, in Texas, to the Gulf of Calitbrnia and San Francisco, making two grand high- ways of the nation through Arkansas — an indispensable neces- sity to at least three-iburths of the States in the Union — giving us equal facilities of communication with those old and wealthy States bordering the Atlantic, and the vast country west of us to tiic Pacific shore. There are to be found within the limits of this State every variety of soil and scenery, from the flat bottom lands border- ing rivei'S lakes and bayous, to the cloud-capped summit of the Boston mountains. Tlie southern and eastern portions of the State are level or undulating, while the nortliern and west- ern portions are more broken and hilly, becoming, in some localities, mountainous. The surface of the country is usually covered witli a heavy growth of timber on the bottoms, consisting of several varie- ties of oak, hickory, gum, pecan, elm, black walnut, maple and ash, with an undergrowth of spice, paw-paw and lai-ge grape vines; and the hilly and moun.tainous regions are covered ^vitli a growth of oak, hickory, maple, and pine remarkably straight, often fitl:y feet without a limb. Arkansas has untold wealth on her surface, in live growth of forest trees, suflicient to make her lumber interest of the first importance to the State. Occasionally, tiiroughout the State, small prairies are at in- tervals interspersed, covered xAih rich and nntritions native grasses. Cultivated grasses do well in all parts of the State — clover, white and red, timothy and blue grass. The lamented David Dale Owen, late State Geologist of Arkansas, says of the soil of the bottoms : " These lands are not excelled for fertility by any in the world." Speaking of the black sand soil in the northeast part of the State, be- tween Crowley's Kidgo and the Mississippi river, he says : " The black sand soil is remarkably deep and rich, and will yield, on new land, eighty to one hundred bushels of corn to the acre ; it is a quick, warm soil, and stands both dry and wet seasons well." The soil of the valleys between the hills, called " hammock " or "second bottom," is good, but not as good as the first bot- tom. It, however, grows all kind of crops well. The ridges, hills and slopes, for fruit growing and grazing, cannot be sur- passed. Xo locality excels th.Q northern and western portions of the State in the growth of timoth}^ blue grass and clover. Springs are abundant and the water is pure. Stock raisers, dairymen and fruit growers can find no better location. NAVIGABLE STllEAMS. While in other States, until supplied by art with means of transit, farmers were obliged to haul their produce, in many instances, one hundred and fifty miles to a market, in this State an all-wise Providence has so distributed the water courses that, intersecting every portion of the State, they give free access and egress by steamers to every part of this commonwealth. The St. Francis Biver, rising in southeast,ern Missouri, runs through or borders parts of the counties of Green, Craighead, Poinsett, Mississippi, Cross, Crittenden, St. Francis and Phil- lips, and is navigable in this State to the Miissouri line. The White River has its rise in Washington county, runs into the State of Missouri, from thence southward tlirough the following counties in Arkansas : Carroll, Marion, Izard, Inde- 6 peudence, Jackson, White, Woodrutf, Monroe, Arkansas and Desha. This stream is navigable for 360 miles at all times, and 100 miles further during high water. Black liiver rises in southeastern Missouri and runs through the following counties in Arkansas: Green, Randolph, Law- rence, Independence and Jackson. This stream is navigable for small boats to the Missouri line. Arkansas River comes through the Indian Territorv from the Rocky 'Mountains, and enters this State, on the western border, at Fort Smith. It flows across the State through the counties of Crawford, Sebastian, Franklin, Johnson, Yell, Pope, Perry, Conwa}', Pulaski, Jelferson, Arkansas and Desha. It is navigable entirely across the State, and, in high water, far up into the Indian Territory. Ouachita River rises in Polk, and runs throusch tlie counties of Montgomery, Hot Spring, Clark, Dallas, Ouachita, Calhoun, Union and Ashley, passing into the State of Louisiana. It is navigable in this State for one hundred and fifty, and, in liigh water, at least two hundred and fifty miles. Saline River rises in Saline and runs through Hot Spring, Dallas, Jefferson, Bradley, Drew, Ashley and Calhoun coun- ties, and is navigable for one hundred miles. Bayou Bartholomeiv is navigable in the counties of Desha, Drew, Chicot and Ashley. It empties into the Ouachita, and is navigable in this State about one hundred and fifty miles. Red River running througli the south-western portion of tlie State, is navigable in the counties through which it passes, viz: Little River, Hempstead, and Lafayette — a distance of about one hundred miles. The Mississippi ^ River forms the eastern boundary of the State, and borders the counties of Mississippi, Crittenden, Phil- lips, Desha, and Chicot, a distance of about 400 miles. Thus it will be seen that of the sixty-one counties in this State forty-three are watered by streams, each navi.2:able in their course, through different counties, from seventy-five to four hundred miles, making, with their branches a navigable highway within this State of over 3000 miles. And let it be borne in mind that the ice in Arkansas never obstrncts navi- gation. These streams have their rise in the mountainous and hilly regions in the north-western part of the State, in springs of clear, sparkling water that leaps from the craggy mountain side as if Moses had smitten the rugged cairn with his divin- ing rod, or, welling up from their base, become rivers where they burst from the Titanic grasp of the Genie of the hills. One of these springs is so remarkable that I copy a descrip- tion of it from Prof D. J). Owen's Geological Reconnoisance of Arkansas : " The country is well watered, and possesses manj? fine water powers — even at the very fouh tain-head of some of its numer- ous limpid calcareous streams, which frequently burst forth from among the ledges of rock. One of the most remarkable of these, forms the fountain-head of the main fork of Spring river, known as the "Mammoth Spring," welling upon the south side of a low, rocky ridge, from a submerged abyss be- neath of sixty -four feet, and constituting, at its very source, a respectable lake of about one-sixteenth of a mile from north to south, and one-fifth to one-sixth of that distance from east to west. " It is said by those who have sounded the bottom that there are large cavities and crevices in the rock, and that the main body of the water issues from a large cavernous opening of some forty yards in circumference. It has been estimated that it boils up at the rate of about eight thousand barrels per min- ute ; the correctness of this estimate we had no means of veri- fying, but it may be safel}' estimated that the average constant flow would be at least sufficient to propel from twelve to fifteen run of stones. " The uniform temperature and composition of the water is peculiarl}" congenial to the growth of a variety of cryptogamic, aquatic plants, possessing highl}- nutrative qualities, both for herbiverous animals and birds. "In the early^ settlement of the country, herds of herbiver- ous wild animals traveled from ijreat distances to this fountain for both food and water, as well as flocks of wild fowl. Now, the cattle of the neisrhboring farms may be seen wading in its waters up to their middle, and browsing on the herbage, which appears peculiarly congenial to their tastes ; it is, also, a gen- eral resort of geese, ducks, and other aquatic birds. " This mammoth spring is located just south of the east and west line between Missouri and Arkansas, on section 5, town- ship 21 north, range 7 west, of the 5th (fifth) principal merid- ian, and forms the most interesting feature of this section of the country, since it affords a water power which, if properly improved, might supply valuable mill-sites and water privileges for manufacturing purposes in general. " The water of this remarkable fountain remains at a nearly uniform temperature, never freezing in winter. On the 17th of December, 1857, the temperature of the air being 17 deg. Fahrenheit, the spring showed only 57 deg. Farenheit. But the average temperature, when the thermometer is sunk deep in the spring, will probably be found to be 60 deg. " The extent of the range of extreme low and high water is but three to four inches, so that the variation in the supply of Avater is very slight. '^A large proportion of the water now runs to waste, the present mill only requiring a limited supply ; but if it were all saved, which it could easily be, there would be enough for many grist-mills, as well as woolen factories, which would be well adapted to the resources of the country, since both the- climate and herbage seem to be well suited to raising sheep. At least, the small flocks of sheep seen in the range appear both healthy and vigorous. "The water is generally clear and limpid. It only becomes slightly muddy after long continued rains. From ten to eleven feet of fall can be obtained between the fountain-head and the present site of the dam. " Many years can not elapse until, in such a country, loca- tions of this description will become very valuable, xllready the little mill at this point attracts custom from thirty miles distance." RAILROADS. At the commencement of the rebellion several railroads were in process of being built. The Memphis and Little^ lioeh road was graded nearly the whole distance, and running seventy miles of its length. Dur- ing the latter part of the war only fifty miles at the Little Rock end of the road was in operation — this being the section be- tween the Arkansas and "White rivers. There is now in opera- tion an additional 50 miles from Memphis to L'Anguille river. It is one of the most important roads in the State — running through a magnificent country and connecting Memphis, a large city, with Little Rock, a city which is the capital of the State and destined always to be its commercial center. This road, which is now under contract, will be completed and running through trains six mouths from this date. It has aid from the State to the amount of $10,000 per mile for ninety miles of its length. The Little Iioek and Fort Smith Railroad, which will, with the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad, form a continuous line from the eastern to the western boundary of Arkansas, has a valuable grant of land and some stock subscription. It is now under contract and will be completed at an early day, connect- ing Little Rock with the Indian territory at Fort Smith — an im- portant commercial town in this State, — and being an impor- tant link in the Both parallel Pacific route, it must prove a good investment and a paying road. This road has also State aid to the amount of 10,000 per mile for 1/SO miles. Of this road, the president, Jesse Turner, in his report to the Governor of Arkansas, says : "Aside from its great importance, considered merely as an Arkansas road, it will, in all probability, become the main trunk of a great national highway, commencing at a point on the Mississippi river, opposite the city of Memphis, and running thence near the thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude to the Pa- cific ocean. If this should be its destiny, and I confidently believe it will, it will, in my estimation, give it a prospective importance second to no railroad on the continent." 10 There was, also, before the war, a raih-oad projected from Pine Blufi', in Jefferson county, to Napoleon, at the mouth of the Arkansas river. This road is graded nearly its entire length, and will probably be completed at an early day. It passes through the valley of the Arkansas — as rich a cotton growing district as the sun shines upon. A road was also projected from Eunice, on the jMississippi river, across the Ouachita, via Camden, to Red river into Texas. This road is partly graded, and, prior to the war, had cars run- ning for a few miles on the eastern end of its line. It is now under contract, and will be speedily pushed to completion. It giv^es an outlet to one of the richest planting sections of the State, runs through extensive coal fields, and has upon its line some of the finest pine and oak timber in the world. This road will probably be constructed from the Mississippi river to Camde)], a distance of about 100 miles, within the next twelve months, and will be pushed rapidly to completion. It has a large amount of land, and State aid to the amount of ^15,000 per mile for lOG miles of its line. The Cairo and F niton is another important projected raih'oad. This roJKl will run through a fertile country, has a large land grant from the general government, and is one of the most important roads. It runs diagonalh' across the State from the north-east to the south-west corner, and is about 300 miles long. It is the first link in the south-western Pacific Railroad. This road has aid from the State to the amount of f 10. 000 per mile for its entire length. Another of tlie most important projected roads in the State is -t\\Q Little Itoch, Pine Bluff a7id Neiv Orleans Bailroad. It will •extend from Little Rock south, via Pine Bluff, to the State line; thence to couiicct with a road via Vicksburg to New Orleans. People residing along the line of this road, estimate the amount of lands that wall be contributed to it by parties on the line at 500,000 acres. It has State aid for 112 miles of its length, at §15,000 per mile. This road will connect with the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad at Little Rock, forming a continuous line of rail from New Orleans to Fort Smith, connecting at .11 that point witli the 35th Parallel Pacific Eailroad, or a branch from the Central Pacific Road, in Kansas, to that place. Sur- veys are now being made, and it is estimated that this route will be completed by the 1st of January, 1871. A railroad is also contemplated from Helena, on the Missis- sippi river, to Little Rock. This road will pass through a beautiful country. It has State aid to the amount of |15,000 per mile, and is expected to be completed at an early day. There is also a railroad projected from Springfield, Missouri, to Fort Smith, which will run through the western and north- western part of this State. With that finislied, Arkansas will furnish the early fruit for St. Louis, Chicago, and other cities farther north. Gentlemen conducting these enterprises confidently assert that these railroads will give employment to from 3000 to 5000 laborers for the next three years. FARM PRODUCTS. Cotton. — The great staple of export for Arkansas has always been cotton. By growing this fiber, many became immensely rich and all made money. It is now, on land particularly adapted to it, the most profitable crop raised in this State, and the bottom lands of Arkansas are second to none in the south- west. There is no country in the world, except, perhaps, a nan-ow strip upon the coast of Georgia, that can produce as mucli cotton, of as good quality, on a given area, as can be produced upon the bottom lands of this State. x\ fair crop, on these bottoms, is 450 pounds of lint cotton per acre, which, at the present price, (Sept. l^t, 1869), 30e. per pound, will make the product of one acre $135. One man, in an ordinary season, can easily tend ten acres, making the result of his labor for one year $1,350, which is nearly double the product of one man's labor in raising corn or wheat in the more northern States. Corn. — These bottoms are also particularly adapted to the growth of corn. From sixH- to eight}' bushels per acre is not 12 an unusual crop ; and it is the opinion of good farmers that, let the same sj^stem of culture prevail here that has been adopted in Iowa and Wiscousin, and the crop of maize can be safely calculated to average sixty bushels per acre. The corn is not as flinty here as in the more northern States, and is con- sidered better for feeding purposes. Cotton and corn may safely be set down as the great staples of the bottoms. In addition to these, however, all the crops grown in the hills can be grown in the bottoms, viz : wheat, oats, rye, peas, beans, Irish and sweet potatoes, ground nuts, turnips, tobacco, hops, etc., also all kinds of roots and veg~ etables. Wheat does well in the bottoms, in seasons favorable to it, producing immensely — sometimes as high as sixty bushels per acre ; but it is not considered as sure a crop there as in the hills in the northern and western part of the State, where the usual yield is from twenty to twenty-two bushels per acre. It is said to produce finely, also, in the Red river countr}^, in the south- western part of the State. Winter wheat is usually grown here and is of a very superior quality. Oats, Barley and Rye do well in all parts of the State, es- pecially in the northern portion. Peas, produce immensely every where, and are a sure crop. JS'o Northern State can compete with Arkansas in the growth of the field-pea. Beans grow and produce well. The delicious Lima, or but- ter-bean, is grov^n as easily here as the common white bean in the Northern States, and is one of our most common veget- ables. Irish Potatoes do well, and, with care, keep as Avell as in the Northern States. Siveet Potatoes yield from three to five hundred bushels per acre, and are not surpassed in quality by any grown on any part of this continent. Tiiey sell readily at seventy-five cents per bushel, and must at an early day form no inconsiderable part of the exports of this State. The uplands of Arkansas are peculiarly adapted to the growth 13 bf the ground-nut, or goober pea, the poorest soil growing tliem in great abundance ; they yield largely. There is a great and increasing demand for them, not only as an article of food, but oil account of the oil compressed from them, an article of great commercial value. Turnips have here a most prolific growth. They are to be seen in the fields as late as January, growing with an exuber- ance unsurpassed, a single one often w'eighing nine or ten pounds. In connection with sheep raising in the liilly portions of the State, peas and turnips must prove very valuable crops. Ail the varieties of garden vegetables, raised in any country, grow well here — squashes, peas, beans, okra, egg-plant, beets, turnips, radishes, onions, cabbage, celery, oyster-plant, lettuce and tomatoes. Vegetables are plenty in market in April, and last until Christmas. Blue Grass, in the timber on the bottoms, grows finely, and in tbe western and northwestern districts seems indigenous to the soil. In the report of Washburne and Denckla, to the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad Company, these gentle- men assert that " corn, cotton, cereals, grasses, (especially blue grass which takes hold of the soil and spreads rapidly and close), clover and fruits, are all grown here in great perfec- tion." These gentlemen also assert that " tobacco grows far better than in Maryland, while hemp does as well as in Ken- tuck}' or Missouri." Tobacco has long been grown here, and is of a very superior (juality. 4 Hops grow wild, and when cultivated yield bountifully. Honey is very plenty throughout the State. It is found wild in the hollow trees of every forest, and is accumulated by every one who desires it without any trouble. The numerous flow- ers aftbrd to the bees plenty of food in summer, while the short, mild winters create a very light demand upon the stock. With hives arranged with caps, the farmer or bee-fancier can always supply himself through the year v/itli lioney witliout disturb- ing the swarm. 14 STOCK RAISING. No portion of the United States is ])etter adapted to stock gro'.vini,^ than this. Cattle, horses and mules thrive and keep fat the year through, without care or feeding, in the central and southern portions of the State, where, in addition to the grasses, they feed and do remarkably well on small cane, which, in many localities, grows luxuriantly the entire year, affording a nutritious range during the winter. Fat cattle from this State find a ready market at St. Louis or Memphis. Hogs are raised here without cost, and tatten readily in the fall from tlie abun- dance of mast in the woods, acorns being plenty everywhere — that from the over-cup oak is nearly tvvo inches in length, very nutritious, palatable, and is devoured by the hogs greedily. There is no bettor corn country than this. With its natural advantages and facilities for a market, it must speedily become one of the first stock 2:rowing States in the Union. FISH AND GAME. The rivers, lakes and bayous are welbstocked with good tish. Among the varieties are pickerell, black bass, buffalo, and cat- fish — the last are sometimes taken w-eighing 150 pounds. Game is very plent}', and of almost every kind, consisting of bear, deer, turkey, duck, prairie chicken, and quail. FRUITS. No locality in the world can grow a greater variety of fruit, and to greater perfection, than can be grown within the limits of this State. Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, figs, plums, and grapes, all do well. This is a natural peach country. They grow large, are well flavored, and need no care. 15 SHRUBS AND FLOWERS I Grow luxuriantly. The magnolia, the pride of the South, is in almost every inclosure; the glossy, green holly is by every road side, while roses of infinite variety blush and glow in this soft, genial climate from early March till late December. All kinds of flowering shrubs do well, many hot house plants growing here in the open air eight months of the year. GRAPE CULTURE AND THE CLIMATE OF ARKANSAS. The genial climate of this State, neither too cold in winter nor- too hot in summer, is peculiarly adapted to the growth of the vine. Dr. Richard Thornton, with many years experience, asserts that there is no portion of the American continent where the grape can be grown so successfully as in western Arkansas. Leonard Withotf, Esq., of Van Buren, himself a native of a vine gi'owing region, near V/urtenberg, and for 25 3'ears a resident of Arkansas, having been engaged in grape growing for twelve j^ears, says the Catawba and White Ham- burg have neither of them ever failed, and that in 18oi his Catawba yielded him one and one-half gallons to the vine. Dr. Dibbrell, a well-known resident of this State, asserts that he has raised the Catawba, Diana., and Delaware, and has never known either of them to fail or be troubled with mildew. There is said to grow wild, south of Fort Smith, a large, Avhite, native grape, of very delicious flavor. Indeed, in every portion of the State, wild grapes of different varieties are abundant. Says Mr. John R. Eakin, author of a work on grape culture : " This is the best region of wild grapes in America. What we mean to assert is, that the region between the Mississippi and the staked plains, and between the Missouri river and the swamp lands of the Gulf, produce more and larger and better wild grapes than any other portion of the known world. This is deliberately said, after much reading, inquiry, travel, and extensive observation." Speaking of Arkansas, he further says : 16 " in the Eastern and North-western States, they all try to avoid a northern exposure. Our country is somewhat differ- ently situated, especially that portion lying west of the Ouachita and between the mountain ranges south of the Arkansas. It may be well to dwell on this a little. This section of country, and also that north of the Arkansas river for a considerable distance, is the 07ily part of the United States protected against violent wiiids. The mountains which shield it range East and West. The Blue Eidge, Alleghany, and Cumberland moun- tains run in a North and South direction, and, except in shel- tered nooks, protected by spurs, the winds rush down on each side of them from Labrador and Hudson's Bay. The same is the case with the northern portion of Missouri, with Ohio, Il- linois and Indiana, and on dowm the Mississippi and the South- ern States east of the river. These N'orth winds are very sud- den and destructive, bringing in twenty-four hours the climate of the frigid zone — throwing against vegetation the identical air that was but yesterday on an iceberg. This influence is greatly modified with ns. These hills, to our north, perform the same office which the Alps do to Italy. This is indeed, as to climate^ the Italy of the United States." Sudden changes are less frequent than in the Eastern States in the same latitude — and not to be compared to the country further West, where sudden northers sweep down to the Gulf, often causing the cattle to perish on the plains of Texas as far South as San Antonio. All evidence demonstrates that there is not, on this continent, any locality superior to this for the profitable growth of the grape ; and, for the reason adduced above, it is believed that the climate of Arkansas possesses the most equable temperature of any State in the Union. The fhermometer does not show here as high a temperature during the summer months as in the more N^orthern States, and in our short winter — which hardly deserves the name — it rarely drops down to zero. The time cannot be far distant when our valleys, hill-slopes and mountains sides will rival sunny France in the products of the vine. 17 ' TIMBER. The lumber interest of this State is naturally suggested to the mind by the immense forest growth with which it is cov- ered. The pines grow mostly on tlie hill lands, although they are occasionally found in the bottoms. It is uot unusual for a single tree to make two thousand feet of good merchantable boards. No lumber makes better flooring. It is shipped to St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, and is used here in the manu- facture of sash, blinds and doors ; for inside finish, and, in- deed, for all building purposes, suitably dressed and oiled, it is very beautiful. So.me portions of the State are very heavily timbered with black walnut. It is of great value and only awaits capital and labor to be added to the commercial wealth of the State. Cypress grows on the bottom lands skirting the rivers, lakes and bayous. Some of these trees grow to an enormous size, making, in some instances, 6000 feet of lumber to a single tree. It is an excellent timber for the manufacture of doors, etc., makes good shingles, and is used principally for that purpose in this locality. Most of the varieties of oak grow luxuriantly. The white oak and a species of oak called here the "overcup," resembling the white oak, grow large, often four or five feet in diameter. It is applicable to all the uses to wdiich oak is ever put, but, on account of its large size, more particularly to the manufacture of the pipe stave. This stave is worth in New Orleans §160 per thousand. They are rived sixty inches long, six inches wide, and two and a half inches thick. With proper management it seems as if enormous wealth should be accumulated in this business ; the profit ought to be at least 100 per cent. This timber can be obtained convenient to navigable streams and in large quanties. Many other kinds of timber are found here — pecan, persim- mon, which grow large enough for saw^-logs, elm, hickory and cherry, all of which, as the country is developed, will seek their legitimate uses. Lumber is now worth §20 per M., and shingles $4. 18 Red cedar grows in extensive brakes in the northern and western parts of tiie State. It is to be found in large quanti- ties near the White river and Petite Jean. y geological surveys and other sources of information, that minerals, marble and mineral earths, exist in this State in sufficient variety and quantity to render Arkansas, in that respect, independent of the world. David Dale Owen, in his Geological Reconnoissance of Ar- kansas, says : '' There are resources of this State in ores of zinc, manga- nese, iron, lead, copper, marble, whet and hone-stone, rock crystal, paints, nitre earth, kaolin, granite, freestone, limestone, marls, green sand, marly limestone, grindstone, and slate, which may well justify the assertion that Arkansas is destined to rank as one of the richest mineral States of the Union. Her zinc ores compare favorably Avith those of Silesia, and her argentiferous galena far exceeds in per centage of silver the average of such ores of other countries. Her novaculite rocks cannot be excelled in firmness of texture, beauty of color, and sliarpness of grit. Her crystal mountains stand unrivaled for extent, and their products are equal in brilliancy and trans- jjarency to any in the world. * * Arkansas is destined, I believe, to take the lead of all the Western States in her rc- ources in ores of zinc and manganese." Speaking of the coal on Spadra creek, he says: ''It is semi- anthracite ore, richer in fixed carbon than the celebrated Zebra run coal of the Shamokin coal fields of Pennsylvania, and is 19 superior for inanufaetariug purposes to any western coal at present known, "where durability, intense lieat and reduction are required." This coal is plenty, covers a large area, and can be mined with but little expense. It lies in Johnson county, bordering the Arkansas river, and opens a large iield lor onter|trise and capital. At the commencement of the rebellion, attention was first being directed to mining in this State, since which time, owing to the unsettled condition of the country, but little advance has been made in developing her mineral resources. Coal is, liow.ever, obtained for local purposes, in many parts of the State, by digging into the side of some hill or by stripping the surtace eartli. COAk. 'J1ie report of the General Land oliiec for 1807 estimates the coal fields of Arkansas to comprise, in area, 12,000 acres. Coal is known to exist in twelve countio.-, and is mined exten- sively for local purposes. Work has been commenced at the Kellogg kead Mines, twelve miles north of Little Rock, whei-e, I am informed bv Mr. Chamberlain, the Superintendent, that the galena is ricli enough in gold and silver to defray the cx[>ense of minini'-and smelting, so that the lead is a clear profit. HOT SPRINGS. Among the most remarkable of the natural M'onders of Ar- kansas, are the Hot Springs. The cures produced bv rhem are wonderful. Cases of old chronic disease, that have stubl)ornlv resisted all attempts at cure by the profession, vield as if bv magic to this great natural medicator. The Hon. James Hinds in his speech in the House of 1 Representatives, July 25, 1868 said : 20 "These springs are 54 in number, having a temperature va-« rying I'rom 93 to 150 deg. Fahrenheit, and discharge 317 gal- lons per minute. The amount discharged from each varies, but they arc all qualitively allied. It is estimated by eminent medical gentlemen that there are over one hundred thousand afflicted persons in the United States who cannot be perma- nently cured except by a use of these waters ; and the day is not far distant when a great city will rise on this mountain slope which will be the Baden-Baden of America. Here, where the salubrity of the climate is unsurpassed, especially in the summer season, and wdiere the long genial twilights are in- spiringly refreshing, will come the pleasure seekers from all parts of the world ; and here will resort from year to year the millions of afflicted from all lands, to be healed of their many infirmities." Dr. Lawrence, a resident physician for ten years, says : "The properties of the waters depend not alone on their caloric qualities, but the springs all contain carbonates of the alkalies, and alkaline earth agents well known to therapeutists to possess active eliminative agency, consequently they pro- duce valuable alterative effects in chronic diseases. Bheuma- tism, gout, stiff joints, contraction of the muscles and skin, ■old wo'.inds and painful cicatrices are relieved ; skin diseases, scrofulous ulcerations, and enlargement of the glands ; prostra- tions from long-standing sickness or debility, following severe courses of powerful medicines, show a remarkable improve- ment ; spinal diseases, neuralgia, nervous affections, partial paralysis, lead palsy, St. Vitus' dance (chorea), muscular and o-eneral debility, respond to treatment. Uterine diseases, as a class, arc greatly benefitted; and the baths are particularly re- garded for the grand climacteric change of life ; when sterility is a consequent of functional disorder, the baths are of great importance. For mercurial diseases, mercurio-syphilitic, and all syphilitic affections, volumes of testimonials could be ad- duced in relation to the effects of these remarkable and unex- celled waters in the treatment of these obstinate and loathsome affections." 21 The large quantity of free carbonic acid which these springs contain, and which rises in volumes through the waters, pro- duces, undoubtedly, an exhilerating effect on the system, ena- bling invalids to drink it freely when otherwise the stomach would promptly reject it. At an early day, not onlj- will those wonderful springs be sought for by invalids, on account of their curative properties, but the lovers of nature, and the traveler who seeks for the wonderful and the beautiful, will here find irresistible attrac- tions. Says Owen, in his Geological Eeconuoisance of Arkansas, when speaking of the vicinity of the Hot Springs: •'This ridge or mountain is made up of the most beautiful variety of novaculite, equal in whiteness, clearness of texture, and subdued, waxy lustre, to the most compact forms and white varieties of Carrara marble. Except in being less translucent, it approaches, in lustre and fineness of structure, to chalce- dony.'' The famous crj'stal mountains, in Montgomery county, are twenty miles from Hot Springs, of which he snjs : '•There is at present no region knovcn on this continent which prosciits such extensive mines of rock crystal as the gorges of the mountainous ridges of Montgomery county. Almost every fissure of this vast sandstone formation, for a distance of one or two miles in length, and from three-quarters to a mile' in breadth, is lined with these brilliants, which, exposed in bilrst- ing open the rock, glitter and flash in the sun's rays like a dia- dem." Here, as in the Alps, we have the " Crj'stal Hunter," explor- ing the recesses of this great crystal mountain, and carrying his glittering -'points" to Hot Springs and elsewhere, expos- ing them for sale in the door-steps of the hotel and in the shop windows, as attractions for strangers, to serve by their purchase as remembrances of the buyer's visit to the crystal regions of Arkansas; and truly by a judicious selection the lover of the mineral kingdom may here possess himself of gems of superior value that may vie in beauty and brilliancy with those of the Alps — Daupliiiie, reidmont, luid ('arrara. AVitii proper tools, slabs might be rent off from the face of the sandstone rock, lar more than a man could lift; in lact, even a cart load, studded over v/itli limpid crystals of all sizes, from the fraction of an inch to live and six inches in length. There are many other springs in this State possessing cura- tive properties, but it is ])elioved that, in the cure of disease, there are no springs in the world that can compare with the Hot Springs of Arkansas. LITTLE KOf'K. This city, located near the centre of the State, is built upon a high, rolling plain, overlooking the Arkansas river and sur- rounding country tor miles, and is as healthy as any other city in the United States. Back of it, lie wooded rocky hills, cov- ered with a heav}-- growth of timber, Avhile east and south stretch out the bottom lands of the Arkansas. Its drainage is excellent. The banks washed by the river are mostly solid rock, wliicli rise from thirty to sixty feet above its level. Its population is about 10,000. It has two steam saw mills, two steam sash, blind, and door factories, eight churches, eight school houses, one college, and one seminar3% three daily papers, and live hotels. The public buildings arc good, and it has many line resi- dences, with grounds tastefully ornamented, and a profusion of shrubs and flowers, making it in fact as well as name the "Flower City," or "City of lioses." Business is good, and it presents all the aspects of a thriving city. In addition to the retail trade, quite a large wholesale business is done from this point. During the past year about 8000 bales of cotton have been shipped iVom this place. The railroad system of this State finds its common center at the Capital, making it the commercial as we'd as political center of the State, and it is confidently predicted that five years hence will find it a city of 25,000 inhabitants. 23 Mechanics' wages licre are from three to five dollars per day. Farm laborers can be obtained at from twelve to twenty dollars per month ; good house servants from six to ten dollars per month. Emigrants coming to Little Rock will be near the center of the State, and will from here find all points easily acces- sible. The State land office is located here. Those in charge of it will always be glad to give any information or assistance in their power to immigrants. The different United States land offices are located at Little Rock, Washington (Hemp- stead county), and Clarksville in Johnson county. STATE LANDS. The lands belons^ing to the State are the swaurp and over- flowed lands granted to the State by Congress in 1850. Of these, there remain unsold about 2,000,000 acres, divided into first and second class. The first class comprises those lying within six miles of a navigable stream, and are sold at seventy- five cents per acre. The second class are those lying more than that distance from navigable streams, and are sold at fifty cents per acre. This grant comprises some of th.e finest land in the State. DONATION LANDS. in 1840 the Legislature enacted what is termed the "dona- tion law," by which the lands not sold by the Auditor at the annual sale of lands for non-payment of taxes, are donated to any person in tracts of 160 acres or less, who shall reside on the land and cultivate five acres, or who, in lieu thereof, shall fence and cultivate five acres within eighteen months after the date of donation. In 1850 the provisions of the law were so extended that a person might take up a quarter section for Ids 24 wife and each of his minor children ; the wife and children 'were not required to make any improvements, the applicant being required to swear that the land so obtained was for his or her own use, or for the benefit of his child, and not for specu- lation. SCHOOL LANDS. The sixteenth section in each township is set apart for com- mon school purposes. A portion of these lands have been disposed of, but many fine tracts are still in the market. They are sold principally on time and afford good opportunities for the landless to secure comfortable homes. Further information regarding these can be had upon application to the Superin- tendent of Public Listruction, at Little Rock. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT LANDS. Five hundred thousand acres were donated to the State hy the general government, in 1841, for the use of internal im- provements in the State. They were selected with great care, and comprise the best lands then unsold. A portion of these lands arc yet subject to entry. They are scattered over the entire State, and are sold by the State at $1 25 per acre, on a credit of one, two, three, four and five years, with interest payable annually at six per cent.. SEMINARY LANDS. There was also donated by Congress to this State, for the purpose of establishing a seminary of learning in this State, seventy -two sections of land, which were carefully selected from the most valuable tracts. These lands are sold by the 25 State at S2 per acre, •upon the same terms as the internal im- provement lands, except that the interest is ten per cent, per annum. SALINE LANDS. Congress donated to this State a certain amount of land contiguous to the various salt springs. A part has been sold and the remainder is subject to entry at 81 25 per acre, one-fifth cash and the balance on time. The Commissioner of Immigration and State Lands has by law entire control of all the lands owned by the State, except the school or " sixteenth section " lands, and all applications to purchase must be made to his office, at Little Rock. GOVERNMENT LANDS. There are of government lands in this State about twelve millions of acres unsold. These lands are subject to entry only under the homstead acts of Congress, in tracts not exceeding 160 acres each. Any of these lands may be obtained by actual settlement upon them. Persons who desire to procure a home upon these lands have to settle upon them and make a- small improvement, and reside thereon for five years. After they have done so, government gives them a title at the simple cost of preparing the papers, amounting to not more tlian ten or fifteen dollars. HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. The homestead law of this State is more liberal than that of any State in the Union, the homestead act of Minnesota ex- empting but eighty acres of land, while in this State, by a wise. provision of,the constitution, adopted by the Constitutional 2(5 Convention, lltli of 1^'ebruary, 1868, and subsequently ratified by the people, one hundred and sixty acres of land are exempted from execution. The benefits of this exemption, should the liead of the family be removed by death, inure to his widow wliile she remains unmarried ; also, to his cliildrcn during their minority. The constitution further provides : " The per- sonal property of any resident citizen of this State, to the value ■of two thousand dollars, to be selected by such resident, shall be exempted from sale or execution or other iinal process of any court, issued for the collection of any debt contracted after the adoption of this constitution. "Hereafter, the homestead of any resident of this State, who is a married man or head of a family, shall not be en- •cumbered in any manner, while owned by him, except for taxes, laborers' and mechanics' lieu, and securities for the purchase money thereof. Every homestead not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres of land, and the dwelling and appur- tenances thereon, to be selected by the owner thereof, and not in any town, city or village ; or, in lieu thereof, at the option of the OAvner, any lot in a city, town or village, with the dwelling thereon, owned and occupied by any resident of this State, and not exceeding the value of $5000, shall be exempted from sale or execution, or any other final process of any court." Further, it says : " The homestead of a family, after the death of the owner thereof, shall be exempt from the payment of his debts, in all cases during the minority of his children, and also so long as his wddow shall remain unmarried, unless she shall be the owner of a homestead in her own right." It also X^rovides that the property of a female, before marriage, shall be held by her in her own right as long as she shall so elect, to be disposed of by her as she shall deem proper. These just provisions of the constitution, it will be seen, provide against the possibility of any one's ])eing distressed or deprived of a home. 27 EDUCATION. The constitiitio:: of this State provides " That the General Assembly shall require by law that every child of sufficient mental and physical ability shall attend the public seliool dur- ing the period between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18) years, for a term equivalent to three years, unless educated by other means," and the Legislature has provided a very efficient school law, now being set in operation, which secures to all the Stale ample school privileges. The law also provides that the white and colored children shall be educated in separate schools. Section 3, in the educational clause in the new constitution, says: "The General Assembly shall establish and maintain a State University, with departments for instruction in teaching in agriculture and the natural sciences, as soon as the public school fund will permit." Section 4 provides for a fund as follows : '^ The proceeds of all lands that have or hereafter may be granted by the United States to this State, and not otherwise appropriated by the United States or this State ; also, all mines, stock-bonds, lands and other jiroperty now belonging to any fund for purposes of education ; also, the net proceeds of all sales of lands and other property and eftects that may accrue to the State by escheat, as from sales of estrays, or unclaimed dividends, as distributive shares of the estates of deceased persons, or from fines penal- ties or forfeitures; also, any proceeds of the sales of public lands which may have been, or may hereafter be, paid over to this State, (Congress consenting,) ; also, all the grants, gifts, or devises, that have been, or may hereafter be, made to this State, and not otherwise appropriated by the tenure of 'the grant, gift, ■or devise, shall be securely invested and sacredly preserved as a. public school fund, wliich shall be the common property of the State, The annual income of which fund, together with one dollar per capita, to be annually assessed on every male inhabitant of the State over the age of twenty-one years, and so much of tl^e ordinary annual revenue of the State as may 28 be necessaiy, shall be faithfully appropriated for the establish- ing aud maintaining the free schools and the university in this article provided for and for no other purpose whatever." In addition to this, the 16th section of laud in every township is set apart for school purposes, much of which it is thought can be saved to the State. It is, in au}^ event, safe to assert that the educational interests of Arkansas are fully provided for. MANUFACTURES. "In 18G0, Arkansas had 518 manufacturing establishments,, with a capital of Sl,316,610. The annual product was $2,880,- 578 ; the cost of labor $554,240, and of raw material 81,280,503, leaving a proiit of SI, 055,835, or 80 per cent, on the capital. Over three -fourths of this production consisted of lumber, flour,, meal and leather." Since which time manufactures, espe- cially of 'lumber have largely increased. From 1850 to ISiJO the increase in value of sawed and planed lumber in Arkansas, was 1000 per cent. POPULATION. In 1850, the population was 209,877; in 1860, 435,450; and is now rapidly increasing by immigration from the older States. PROFITS ACCRUING FROM LABOR. Many farmers in this State realized last year a net income from their crops of from ^15,000 to $30,000, and, in one case, $45,000, and this not at the expense of the labor — as in many instances heads of tamilies, having aid of the same only in the picking season, realized, besides cost of living, from 3900 to $1100. This State is one-sixth larger than the State of New York. In 1860, the cash value of farms and farming tools was SlOO,- 29 000,000. Live stock was valued at S22,000,000. The State produced, as near as can be ascertained, 367,000 bales of cotton, 1,000,000 pounds of tobacco, 500,000 bushels of oats, 18,000,000 bushels of corn, 80,000 bushels of rye, 1,000,000 bushels of wheat, 500,000 bushels of peas and beans, 500,000 bushels of Irish potatoes, 1,500,0C0 bushels of sweet potatoes, 4,000,000 pounds of butter, and 1,000,000 pounds of honey. The value of the slaughtered animals in the same year .amounted to S1,000,000, showing- that of the open land in the State fully one-third has not been in cultivation since the war, .and that the demand for labor and capital in Arkansas is not •exceeded by an}' part of the United States. Among the most thriving cities in the State, are Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Camden, Fort Smith, and Helena, all good business points. There are many other thriving towns, desirable locali- ties for immigrants. KOUTES OF TRAVEL. This State is easy of access by boat from any point on the Mississippi river. Immigrants from the North and East, via Memphis, can come from that city to Little Rock by the way •of White river to DeVal's Bluff by the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad, or by boat via the Arkansas river. Immigrants from Germany w'ill find an easy rout to this State by eltlier the Bremen or Hamburg line of steamers to New Orleans; from thence by Mississippi and Arkansas or Ouachita river steamers to any point. QUIET AND SAFETY. Since the war, in common with other Southern States, there bave been some local disturbances in Arkansas, but under the •strong and well-administered State government now in power, all discord has ceased, the evil disposed have either subsided into quiet or left the State, gangs of desperadoes have been 80 broken up and ottendcrs brought to justice, until life and prop- erty arc as well protected in Arkansas as in any State in this Union, and the people every where express an earnest desire for irnmierratioj). STATE CliEDIT. Although almost a repudiatoc for niany years, the State g*ov- ernraent lias taken steps to establish lier financial reputation. Her debt is funded and provision made tor the payment of the interest on the tirst of January next. She has awarded aid to 850 miles of the railroads in her limits to insure their early completion. These were not party measures. All clases were in favor of a fu.nding bill, and the people of the State, by almost a unanimous vote, pledged her aid to the building of the most important lines of road. Togetiior with this, let it be borne in mind that there are, within the limits of (and border- ing on) the State, 3000 miles of navigable streams. With these great natural resources, and her immense agri- cultural and mineral wealth, it is confidently expected that but a short time will elapse until Arkansas, rivalling Missouri and Illinois, will stand among the first of the States of the Missis- sippi valley. In conclusion, it may be trutlifnlly asserted that any person who can strike a blow, or has a moderate sum to invest, can not do amiss by coming to Arkansas. All letters addressed to this ofiice seeking inibrmation u'ill ])e promptly answered. This pamphlet Avill be sent free to any person, on receipt at this office of name and address. .J. M- J^E^VIS, ('oui'itiisloner of Iminipration and State Lawh. H 1 '^1 74 >v" %^, ^o ^^ ^ 7 » ' 'o, ^;^ : .>^^'V "^^° ^-^ sS "'^° x^-n^ ■a? '<• <> * * ^*^ 'P a\ ^&'. % /'4¥/^\% y/^^'^% s^""' 4^*^ ^^o^c,^ ^9 ■ \ ^ A <^ *y i^ "^ 'o . I * A. <^ *, ,0 <^ ' ^M^. '^. .'?:^' -n^-o^ 4 c» "oV^ ^^-n^. 0' n^ . « • < s^"^ /A^.'^A-^ t^^ A^ *^iafe'- '^ ^ rC\\ Bk //h r. -^ A , ^' 4 O