COLE COUNTY. Population, 18,164. Central Missouri; reached by the Missouri Pacific, Jefferson City, Lebanon & Southwestern, Missouri, Kansas & Texas and Chicago & Alton railroads; 123 miles west of St. Louis, and 160 miles east of Kansas City. SOIL-Near the larger streams the county is broken; a short distance back it is a broad even upland, roiling surface with clay subsoil predominating; sandy loam in the bottoms; on the hill sides a black limestone soil. There is some coal in the county, and a large quantity of excellent "loess" clay from which fine pressed brick can be made. There are also inexhaustible quantities of magnesian limestone; lead and zinc, though found in many places, have not been largely developed. WATER-Springs and wells; the Missouri river is on the northern boundary, the Osage on the eastern, and the Moreau river and numerous creeks run through the county. $100. ROADS Superior dirt and gravel roads; road tax, 20 cents on the TIMBER-Oak and hickory; suitable for fuel only. FUEL-Coal, $3 per ton; wood, from $2.50 to $3 per cord. COST OF LAND-Farm land, from $10 to $55 per acre; timber, $7 o $12; other lands, $5 to $7. FARM LABOR-Supply is good; wages average $13.50 and board. PRINCIPAL CROP-Wheat is the chief product, yielding an average of 12 bushels per acre; 450,000 bushels raised, of which about 175,000 bushels are shipped. The greater portion of the wheat product is ground into flour by the mills of the county, and shipped to southern markets. The average selling price from 1890 to 1895 was 60 cents; profit to producer during the five years is estimated at 35 cents per bushel. Total value of wheat product for Cole county, $263,000. With its two large rivers and several railroads, the shipping facilities of this county are excellent. Cattle, sheep and hogs are of the finest breeds. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894: SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Population, 18,164; Americans and Germans, about evenly divided. There are 45 churches of all denominanations and 51 public schools; principal fraternal societies are represented. GENERAL ADVANTAGES-Cole is unsurpassed in the matter of health. The soil is productive and the people are intelligent, thrifty, peaceful and law-abiding. Among other flourishing towns is Jefferson City, the county seat, and Missouri's beautiful capital. JEFFERSON CITY-Population, 8325; on the Missouri Pacific and Jefferson City, Lebanon & Southwestern railroads and the Misscuri river; lighted by gas and electricity; water works; fine macadamized and gravel streets; fine stone, brick and granite pavements. There are 103 stores, embracing all lines of business. Besides its magnificent capital and imposing department buildings, there are many elegant residences and fine hotels. County taxes, $1.30 on $100 valuation. Jefferson City taxes, $2.10 on $100 valuation. ADVANTAGES-Jefferson City has the advantage commercially and socially of being a State capital. It has 15 churches of all denominations; three white and three colored public schools, and the Lincoln Institute, a college for colored students; all the well known fraternal orders and labor organizations. There are 17 successful industries— shoes, saddle-tree, harness factories, etc.; one national and two State banks, with a combined capital stock of $192,600, and deposits aggregating $800,000. Excellent business opening for a cabinet factory. In addition to the railroad towns adjacent to the county seat, are the inland towns of Wardsville, Osage Bluff, St. Thomas, Teal, Hickory Hill, Brazito, Decatur and Marion. FACTS AND FIGURES-Cole county has 233,886 acres assessed at $1,398,920; her town lots are assessed at $1,535,070; personal property assessed at $1,237,347; total assessed value of property, $4,171, 337. Assessed values are 48.03 per cent of real values; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $8,684,857 ..... Cole county's personal property consists mainly of- Number of teachers.. Number of pupils.... Amount spent on schools in 1891.. Permanent school fund $37,308 36,940 77,711 4,970 .... 30,294 426,867 51 80 3,508 $27,291.67 COOPER COUNTY. Population, 23,263. Central Missouri; 95 miles east of Kansas City. Traversed by M., K. & T. and Missouri Pacific railroads. The Missouri river forms the northern border of the county; Lamine river flows through the western part, and with the many creeks, the drainage of the entire county is perfect. SOIL-The bottom lands are rich and fertile, producing large crops of wheat and corn. Wheat is the principal export grain; corn is mostly fed to cattle and hogs. Large shipments of cattle, sheep and hogs are made each year. Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894: BOONVILLE, the county seat, is situated on the Missouri river at the junction of the Mo. Pacific and M., K. & T. railroads; it has a population of over 5000; many beautiful churches, schools, handsome. residences, well-paved streets and sidewalks, electric lights and a number of well-stocked stores. Boonville has the reputation of being one of the oldest and most substantial towns in the State. FACTS AND FIGURES-Cooper county has 348,882 acres assessed at $3,221,478; her town lots are assessed at $947,722; personal property assessed at $2,285,063; total assessed value of property, $6,454,263. Assessed value is 28.41 per cent of real value; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $22,718,278. Cooper county's personal property consists mainly of 8,647 horses, assessed at $23.19 per head; total........ Number of schools operated in 1894.... Number of teachers. Number of pupils... Amount spent for schools. Permanent school fund..... $200,600 124,415 291,560 14,445 104,890 904,415 106 130 CRAWFORD COUNTY. Population, 12,690. Central Southeast Missouri. Traversed by St. Louis & San Francisco and its Salem branch; 85 miles southwest of St. Louis; 60 miles southeast of Jefferson City. SOIL-Hilly, undulating and rolling. Along the streams the soil is very productive; the upland is excellent for fruit culture and stockraising. Some coal is found, but not developed; also some fire-brick and paint clays have been discovered, together with limestone, granite and onyx; also lead, iron, zinc and copper. Iron and copper ores are mined and shipped extensively. WATER-Cistern, spring and well water in abundance. Meramec river and many creeks flow through the county. ROADS-Dirt, in fair condition; tax, 10 cents on $100 valuation. TIMBER-Large quantities of pine, oak, walnut, maple and hickory. Railroad ties and furniture lumber are marketed. FUEL-Principally wood, from $1.25 to $1.50 per cord. COST OF LAND-Farms, from $8 to $25; timber land, $2.75 to $5; other land, from $2.50 to $10 per acre. FARM LABOR-Supply, equal to demand; $10 to $15 per month. PRINCIPAL CROP-Wheat; average time of growth, nine months, yielding on an average 15 bushels per acre; average price last year, 60 cents per bushel; bulk of crop raised within easy reach of railroad. Fruits and vegetables are raised abundantly. Best county in Southeast Missouri for stock-raising. All the popular breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs are raised to advantage. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following produce was shipped in 1894: SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Population, 12,690; American and German ; 42 churches of different denominations and 79 county schools look after the moral and spiritual well being of the people. GENERAL ADVANTAGES-Health, good; climate of a mean tempaOwing to perfect natural drainage no malaria exists. The inhabitants are peacable and industrious, energetic and will cordially welcome immigration. Among a number of towns is the thriving and growing county seat, Steelville. STEELVILLE-Population, 650; situated on a branch of the St. Louis & San Francisco railroad. Supplied with water from cisterns, wells and springs. Streets in good condition; sidewalks of stone, plank, gravel and brick, well lighted by coal oil lamps. TAXES-Town, 25 cents. |