BOLLINGER COUNTY.

Population, 14,116.

Southeast Missouri. Traversed by St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern; 50 miles to Poplar Bluff; 100 miles from St. Louis.

SOIL-Northern part hilly, with sufficient gravel to require little or no drainage in cultivated parts; southern parts level with some swamps. In and about the creek bottoms the land is of a rich quality and very productive; kaolin is found in large quantities; sand, limestone for building purposes is also very abundant; some indications of iron and lead, but as yet undeveloped.

WATER-Many springs; good cisterns and wells throughout the county; three streams flow over beds of gravel and have clean, pure

water.

ROADS-Sufficient in number for all requirements, but could be in better condition; three days poll-tax.

TIMBER-Fine growth of hickory, oak, walnut and ash. Large quantities are made into staves and spokes.

FUEL-Wood, $1.50 to $1.75 per cord.

COST OF LAND-Farms, $15 to $30 per acre; timber land, about $3 per acre.

FARM LABOR-White, ample supply; $12 to $15 per month.

PRINCIPAL CROP-Corn, time of growth, from April to October, yielding about 30 bushels per acre; last year average price, 20 cents per bushel; for five years past, 35 cents. Wheat, oats, rye and barley are also raised to advantage. Fruits and vegetables, clover and grasses also thrive.

CATTLE-A good assortment of Jerseys, a few beef cattle are raised. The common breed of hogs and sheep are also raised. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894.

SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Population, 14,616. Largely Americans. Many from North Carolina and Tennessee. Some Dutch and Germans in the northern part. Many Protestant and Catholic churches throughout the county. Some 75 county schools, lodges of Masons, OddFellows and United Workmen.

GENERAL ADVANTAGES-Climate, good; land cheap. The resources of the county are many and very desirable to homeseekers; those with capital can find numerous opportunities for investment. Throughout the county are many thriving towns, among them Marble Hill, the county seat.

MARBLE HILL-The county seat is beautifully situated on an elevation commanding a fine view of the surrounding country, and about one mile from the railroad. What it lacks in number of inhabitants it makes up in quality. Its citizens are hospitable, cultured and refined. There is no more delightful place for a home in Missouri than beautiful Marble Hill. Its stores are well stocked for the purchase of all goods. Churches and schools look after the morals and intellectual well-being of the people. For homeseekers and those with capital to invest, Marble Hill can afford many advantages and opportunities.

FACTS AND FIGURES-Bollinger county has 358,459 acres assessed at $1,262,827. Her town lots are assessed at $104,095. Personal property at $679,345. Total assessed value of property, $2,046,267. Assessed values are 64.33 per cent of real values; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $3,180,890.

Bollinger county's personal property consists mainly of

Central Missouri; bordering the northern bank of the Missouri;

traversed by C. & A., Wabash and M., K. & T. railroads; 25 miles northwest of Jefferson City; 150 miles west of St. Louis.

SOIL-Over one-third of the county is of a rich rolling prairie of a light loam, very productive. The balance of the county is well wooded. Coal is found in quantities and extensively mined. Clay for brick and stone for building purposes are found in abundance. The veins of lead in the southern part of the county are not yet developed.

WATER-The Missouri river runs along the southern line and Hinkston, Cedar and Rocker creeks flow through the county. Many springs, wells and cisterns make the water supply first class.

ROADS-Dirt and gravel, in excellent condition; tax, 10 cents on $100 valuation; poll-tax, 4 days' work.

TIMBER-Walnut, hickory and ash sufficient for home use. None

shipped.

FUEL-Wood, $2 to $3 per cord. Coal, $2 per ton.
COST OF LAND-Farming, $20 to $50 per acre.

$15 per acre.

Timber land, $5 to

FARM LABOR-Ample supply; $10 to $15 per month with board. PRINCIPAL CROP-Corn; time of growth, five months; yielding from 30 bushels to 50 bushels per acre; sold last year from 20 cents to 25 cents per bushel; average price for five years past, 35 cents per bushel. Large numbers of cattle, sheep and hogs are raised and marketed each year.

SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894:

SOCIAL ADVANTAGES

Population, 26,353; largely American

stock; remainder mostly Germans; churches of all denominations; 126 county schools and many fraternal organizations.

GENERAL ADVANTAGES Good healthy climate; no extremes. Small fruit and vegetables raised in abundance for canning; land rich and cheap; best inducements for homeseekers. The people through. out the county are thrifty, intelligent and invite immigration. There are a large number of growing towns, among them Columbia, the county seat.

COLUMBIA—The county seat is beautifully situated on the Wabash railroad with a population of 5000. Fine system of water works, wellgraded streets, brilliantly lighted with gas and electricity and fine sidewalks of granitoid and brick.

TAXES-Town, 50 cents; county, 30 cents; school, 50 cents, and State, 25.

ADVANTAGES-Columbia, with its well-known universities and colleges and many beautiful churches, is justly known as the "Athens of Missouri." The State has expended hundreds of thousands of dollars on the State University buildings at Columbia and no where in America are there superior educational facilities, handsomer grounds and edifices and pleasanter and purer homes than are found in the beautiful city of Columbia. It has lodges of all fraternal societies, a large number of stores well stocked with all varieties of goods, three banks, capital, $220,000, with deposits amounting to $600,000. Wagon, broom and mantle factories and a large flour mill.

FINE BUSINESS OPENING for any factory, especially furniture. In addition to railroad towns are the following "inland towns:" Ashland, Midway, Woodlandville and Hinton.

FACTS AND FIGURES-Boone county has 423,059 acres assessed at $3,727,355. Her town lots are assessed at $1,384,080; personal propery at $2,912,690; total assessed value of personal property, $8,024,125; assessed values are 46.22 per cent of real value; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $17,360,720.

Boone county's personal property consists mainly of

BUCHANAN COUNTY.

Population, 80,254.

Northwest Missouri; bordering the Missouri river; traversed by C., R. I. & P., K. C., St. Joe & C. B. and Q. & G. W., A. T., & S. F., H. & St. Joe and C. B. & Q; 50 miles north of Kansas City.

SOIL-Black rich loam, very productive. Rolling prairie. The western border of county is bounded by the Missouri river; the bot. tom lands along this river are very rich. Fine quantity of clay is found for making bricks; also, limestone for building purposes.

WATER-Wells, springs and cisterns. Missouri river on the west. Platte, One Hundred and Two, and Black Snake creek runs through the county.

cord.

ROADS-Dirt, in good order. Poll tax, $3.
TIMBER-Walnut, hickory and oak.

Fuel-wood, $2.50 to $4 per

COST OF LAND-Farms, $25 to $75. Timber land, from $9 to $30 per acre.

FARM LABOR-Supply sufficient. Wages $20 per month with board PRINCIPAL CROP-Corn; grown in about five months, averaging from 60 to 70 bushels per acre; sold last year for about 25 cents per bushel; average for the five previous years, about 35 cents per bushel. Owing to the unusual railroad facilities of Buchanan county, crops can be marketed to the very best advantage. Cattle, hogs, sheep and large apple crops add to the wealth of the county.

SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following produce was shipped in 1894: