Holt county's personal property consists mainly of— 9,059 horses assessed at $19.38 per head; total. Schools in 1894..... Teachers. Pupils.... Amount spent on schools in 1894.. Permanent school fund..... $175,610 49,155 196,355 615 115,440 1,060,925 75 109 4,987 $49,360 41 HOWARD COUNTY. Population, 17,371. In Central Missouri; bordering the northern bank of Missouri river; traversed by M., K. & T., C. & A., M., K. & E., and a branch of the Wabash R. R.; 150 miles west of St. Louis; 90 miles east of Kansas City. SOIL-Along the river bottoms the soil is very rich, and in other portions of the county it is a rich sandy loam and very productive. The land along the western boundary and in the northeastern corner is generally hilly, and gently rolling in the other sections; it is all underlaid with a coal strata, found at a depth of from 1 to 30 feet though not extensively worked. Sandstone, limestone and a variety of clays are found. WATER-Springs, wells and cisterns. The Missouri river borders the county on the south and west, and many creeks run through the county. $2. ROADS-Dirt, well graded; 10 cents on $100 valuation. Poll tax TIMBER-Different varieties of oak, walnut, hickory and elm. FUEL-Coal, from 8 to 10 cents per bushel. Wood, $2 to $2.50 per cord. COST OF LAND-Farm land, $15 to $40 per acre; near towns, from $50 to $60 per acre; timber land, $5 to $15 per acre. FARM LABOR-Supply is adequate; mostly negro labor; wages, $20 to $25 per month, without board. PRINCIPAL CROPS-Corn and wheat. Corn yields 40 to 50 bushels per acre; wheat averages 24 bushels per acre. About 200,000 bushels of wheat shipped each year; selling from 50 cents to 60 cents per bushel; corn is largely fed to hogs. Dairy and beef cattle raised to some extent. Large shipments of hogs are made each season, constituting the chief export of the county; apples, small fruits and vegetables are grown with profit. Tobacco amounting to about 100,000 pounds is marketed annually. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894: SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Population, 17,371; Virginians, Kentuckians and some Germans; well educated, thrifty and law abiding. Many churches of different denominations, and 79 county schools are conveniently located throughout the county. GENERAL ADVANTAGES-Good climate; lands in proportion to fertility very cheap; abundance of good, pure water. Small fruits, market gardening and poultry raising can be made very profitable. People industrious and well to do; the right kind of immigration is invited. Among a number of thriving towns is Fayette, the county seat. FAYETTE-Population, 2800; situated on M., K. & T. railroad. Abundantly supplied by water from wells, cisterns and creeks. Well graded streets; sidewalks of board, stone and brick; lighted by electricity. Taxes, town, 50 cents; county, 30 cents; State, 25 cents. ADVANTAGES-Fayette has six beautiful churches, public schools and colleges, two banks with au aggregate capital of $55,000, many large well stocked stores, coal mines and tobacco factory. A fine opening for canning and implement factories is offered owing to superior railroad facilities. GLASGOW-Population, 1800; located on the Missouri river at the crossing of the C. & A. R. R. It is the most important shipping point in the county. FACTS AND FIGURES-Howard county has 285,591 acres assessed at $2,754,951. Her town lots are assessed at $730,007. Personal property assessed at $1,901,444. Total assessed value of property, $5,386,402. Assessed values are 36.72 per cent of real values; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $14,668,850. Howard county's personal property consists mainly of 7,322 horses, assessed at $19.54 her head; total 14,064 neat cattle at $16.02 per head; total, Money, bonds and notes. Schools in 1894. Teachers Pupils.... Amount spent on schools.... Permanent school fund $143,130 88,950 225,430 10,290 53,975 930,023 79 104 4,269 $38,665.07 18,191.22 HOWELL COUNTY. Population, 23,520. South Central Missouri, on Arkansas state line-Traversed by Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis and Current River railroads; 240 miles southeast from Kansas City; 180 miles southwest from St. Louis. SOIL-The soil is mainly a light fertile clay loam, covered in some places with broken stone, but this is not a hinderance in its cultiva. tion; being rich in phosphates makes it an invaluable aid in fruit-raising. In the valleys the soil is a black loam and entirely free from stone. The productiveness of the county as a fruit grower is unsurpassed. Fire-clay, kaolin, lime, dolomite and sandstone, iron, lead and zinc ores are found; mining in this county, however, is as yet in its infancy. WATER-Wells, cisterns and springs of pure soft water; five large streams flow through the county. ROADS-Dirt, in fair order; no road tax. TIMBER-Oak and pine; a large amount of pine is milled and shipped each year. FUEL-Wood, from $1.25 to $1.50 per cord. COST OF LAND-Farming, from $5 to $50; timber land, $3 to $15 per acre. FARM LABOR-Supply ample; condition, good; wages, $10 to $15 per month, with board. PRINCIPAL CROPS-Fruit, corn, wheat, oats. Howell county is in the fruit belt and is one of the best fruit-producing counties in the State. Corn averages 25 bushels, wheat, 18 bushels, oats, 50 bushels per acre. The fruit crop in 1895 was worth over $600,000. CATTLE-Dairy and beef cattle are mostly raised for home consumption; hogs fed on mast and corn yield a large profit to owners. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following produce was shipped in 1894: SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Population, 23,520; almost wholly American; 40 county churches of various denominations. Lodges-Masons and Odd Fellows; 97 county schools; 4 weekly and 2 daily newspapers. GENERAL ADVANTAGES-Climate free from extremes. No blizzards, hot winds or drought; can plough every month in the year; grazing season from April to November; feeding season short. The people are industries, prosperous, and invite honest, energetic immigration. The county possesses a number of thriving towns, among them West Plains, the county seat. WEST PLAINS-Population, 2300. Situated on Kansas City, Fort Scott railroad; abundantly supplied with water, from wells and cisterns, and a big spring in the centre of the town; well graded streets; sidewalks of concrete, stone and wood; lighted by electricity and gas. Total tax, $1.80 in city; $1.30 in county. ADVANTAGES of West Plains, as a place of residence, are many; there are 7 churches, of different denominations; excellent public schools; 3 banks with an aggregate capital of $125,000; all the wellknown fraternal societies have lodges; blocks of fine stores filled with goods of every description and many manufactories. A FINE BUSINNESS OPENING for an iron furnace, box, barrell, canning and furniture factories, creamery or distillery. In addition to railroad towns within a radius of 5 to 15 miles are the "inland" towns of Moody, Pottersville, Peach Valley, White Church and Siloam Springs. FACTS AND FIGURES-Howell county has 515,233 acres assessed at $1,579,763; her town lots are assessed at $438,195; personal property assessed at $737,063; total assessed value of property in county is $2,755,021. Assessed values are 29.82 per cent of real values; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $9,238,836. Howell county's personal property consists mainly of 5,905 horses, assessed at $18.88 per head; total 25,356 hogs, assessed at $1.01 per head; total. $111,507 53,305 87.512 8,880 25,661 185,305 97 119 6,327 $45,342.88 5,771.45 IRON COUNTY. Population, 9586. Central Southeast Missouri; traversed from north to south by St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern railway; 75 miles south of St. Louis ; 120 miles southeast of Jefferson City. SOIL The soil is of a light loam and in the valleys very pro. ductive. The Ozark range of mountains runs through the county. Clay for making brick and pottery; also iron and lead are found, but not mined to any extent. WATER-Wells and cisterns; Stouts creek, containing clear pure water, runs through the county. ROADS-Dirt, in good order; road tax, 10 cents on $100 valuation. TIMBER-Oak and pine grow in abundance; large shipments of hub and saw timber made each year. FUEL-Wood, $2 per cord. COST OF LAND-Farm, from $10 to $20 per acre; timber land, from $2 to $10 per acre. FARM LABOR-Supply and condition good; wages, from $15 to $18 per month, with board. PRINCIPAL CROP-Corn; time of growth, four months; yield per acre, 25 bushels; average selling price last year, 20 cents; average |