Marion Co TOC

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This article appeared in Des Arc Citizen
A.G. Cochran is the Great Great Grandfather of Terry R. Clark- Cook
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Terry R. Clark-Cook Copyright

LETTER FROM BUFFALO CITY
For the Des Arc Citizen.
A.G. Cochran - Postmaster

Upper White River - Its navigation - General, Present, and Prospective View of Buffalo city and Surrounding country, &c.

Mr. Editor - Thinking that it would be interesting to your ____ous readers to see a plain statement of facts, such as is indicated by the above caption, I sat myself douwn to write - no secular motive or pre_nlary interest, has precipted me in writing - but I merely do so, to let the people know, who may be hunting new locations for business and future homes, that we have some good things even as high up White river as the Buffalo Shoals. but to the point - it has been said by OLD STEAMBOATMEN that, when the river was navigable to Batesville, it was also navigable to Buffalo city, which I have found to be true by personal observation, and it is conceded by all who know tthe river, that it is navigable as high as Buffalo city at least six months in the year, ___ a good class or steamboats. The following boats are holding themselves in readiness to run the Upper White river trade in the coming season. viz: Interchange, Capt. J.M. Gilchrist, to run from Buffalo City to New Orleans; Mary Patterson, Capt. Morg. Bateman, and Nebraska, Capt. Cummings, to run from Buffalo City to Jacksonport; and I doubt not that several OTHER BOATS will be "in" in time to reap a share of the spoils. The river from Batesville up is lined (alternately) with rich bottom lands and pine hills, affording an abundance of timber to suppy quite a number of first class saw mills. The principal productions of the country are Corn, Wheat and Tobacco, which has been raised this year in abundance. Cattle and hogs are also raised in almost INNUMERABLE QUANTITIES. Beef cattle could be brought at 3 cents per pound, good corn fed port, at not exceeding 4 cents, wheat is worth 50 cents per bushel, corn will be worth 25 cents per bushel. As for the present view of Buffalo City and adjacent Country; it may be accurately summed up as follows; I have seen all the town sites on White river from Buffalo City to its mouth; and also all the towns sites on the Arkansas river, and many other rivers, and Buffalo City is decidedly the most beautiful location I have ever seen in the State. When we take a view of the beautiful and romantic scenery, and the pure chrystal [spelled as printed] water that gushes from the mountainside, it reminds us of the following sentence in the "Indian _____ [bottom of this copy has page cut off]

[part two...continuation of letter]

"Where the tall cedars wave, And the bright waters flow,
Where my father reposes,
Oh! there let me go."

The town was surveyed in October last, but very little improvement was done until the first of February. Since then there has been considerable improvement. To the tavern know as the"Shoal House", there has been added a room 20 feet square, with a passage 15 feet wide, and porch 36 feet long, a double stable and smoke house. The water house at the steamboat landing, has been thoroughly renovated and put in good order; which is sufficient capacity to do an extensive receiving and forwarding business, and also to carry on an extensive mercantile business up stairs, which is now occupied by Messrs. Gilchrist & Co. Several other buildings have been moved and placed on front row, and repaired. A business house 25 by 100 feet (new) is nearly completed: two new residences have been built; one other being built, and several others in contemplation. We suppose that Messars. G. & Co,. Capt. Morg. Bateman, W. H. Fletcher, E.B. [H.?] Tunstall, C. Duggins and Alex.[Alexander] Moreland, will build this fall, and probably several others. I omitted to mention, when speaking of new improvements - a STEAM GRIST MILL, built by the Messrs. Tunstalls, which makes a fine article of flour. There have been eleven families moved here since the town was surveyed. The country is fast setting up, and is considered as healthy as any part of North Arkansas. Plenty of good uplands can be bought at the graduation price, 25 cents per acre, and improved land can be bought at from $3 to $5 per acre. Now I must speak of the things that we need here. A mercantile house, such as would keep a heavy stock and a general assortment of Dry Goods and Groceries. Such would be inducement sufficient, in that line, to induce the people to make this their trading point, as well as shipping point. We also need a Drug Store and a good Physician. Also a good Boot and Shoe maker, with a good stock of leather. For all these a better location could not be found. And last, though not least, we need a preacher, one of grace and energy that will stir up the people, and have a church built right away. A better opening for a steam saw mill could not be found anywhere, and I believe we need that about as bad as anything I have mentioned, for I know of several that would be building now, if they could get lumber convenient. A good blacksmith, wagon maker, and tin shop would do well here. A word to trading men. There could be bought and shipped from this point the coming season, about 200 head of beef cattle, 100,000 lbs. of pork, 10,000 bushels of wheat, 50,000 bushels of corn, and 40 hog-heads tobacco; provided, that purchasers would come in, go and see the people and buy. These figures are put down low. No fear of exaggeration. The information has been obtained by inquiring of old settlers who are well posted. The fact is, a man could buy produce just as long as he had money or groceries to buy with, if it wre a $100,000 worth. The prospective view is simply this, Buffalo City will one day be one of the most flourishing towns in the State, then those that occupy soil contiguous thereto will reap their rewards; the opinion of the Yellvilleians and Carrolltonites and all other self-interested inland towns to the contrary not withstanding. As it was doubtless truly remarked by an old and respectable German citizen who has settled here, the other day, said he 'them hill side,' pointing to the hills on the opposite side of the river, North of town, 'in less then five years will all be in a high state of cultivation, the beautiful Dutch vineyards.'

I fear that this scribble is already too long to please you, but "the half has not been told".