selling price for last five years, 35 cents per bushel. Other grains grow well; small fruits and vegetables are abundantly raised throughout the county. Cattle, sheep and hogs are raised, but not in large numbers. A fine Shetland pony farm is situated near Ironton. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894: SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Population, 9586; mostly native; scattered throughout the county are many churches of different denominations, and 39 county schools. There are a number of summer resorts in the mountains which are well patronized during the summer months by St. Louisians; Arcadia is the best known. GENERAL ADVANTAGES-During the summer the climate is delightful; the health of the people is very good. Both timber and farm land very cheap; railroad facilities good; bulk of crops raised within easy reach of markets. Among a number of towns is Ironton, the county seat. IRONTON, with a population about 1100, is beautifully situated in the Ozark mountains; its climate is delightful during the summer months; no more delightful place in Missouri to spend the heated term than in the Arcadian valley; the people are hospitable, industrious and intelligent, and several churches, schools and fraternal lodges are supported by them. There are many stores at which all needful articles can be purchased. One of the largest hub factories in the State is located here and doing a profitable business; a woolen mill and wagon factory are also being successfully operated here. FACTS AND FIGURES-Iron county has 331,154 acres assessed at $1,047,700; her town lots are assessed at $308,900; personal property assessed at $445,585; total assessed value of property, $1,802,185. Assessed values are 34.05 per cent of real value; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $5,292,760. Iron county's personal property consists mainly of— Central West Missouri, on Kansas state line-Traversed by Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, Kansas City & Southern, Missouri Pacific and Chicago & Alton. SOIL-Rich loam and very productive; the bottom lands are well adapted for the raising of all grains; good quality of yellow clay is found for brick and tiling; limestone in abundance and extensively used; coal is mined for the general markets. WATER-The Missouri river borders the northern part of the county and many good wells, cisterns and small creeks are to be found throughout the county. ROADS-Dirt, macadamized and in good order; road tax, 5 cents on $100 valuation. tion. TIMBER-Oak, walnut and hickory sufficient for home consump FUEL-Coal, $3 per ton; wood, $3.50 per cord. COST OF LAND-Farm land averages $50; timber, $15 per acre. FARM LABOR-Supply fairly good; condition, good; wages, $15 per month. PRINCIPAL CROPS-Corn; time of growth, 4 months; yield per acre, 30 bushels; selling price last year, 20 cents per busbel; average price for five years past, 30 cents; railroad facilities for handling crops, first class; other grains grow to advantage; small fruits and vegeta bles yield abundantly; cattle, sheep and hogs are raised and shipped in large numbers each year. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following SOCIAL ADVANTAGES Population, 175,000; all the Protestant denominations and Catholic churches are represented by many houses. of worship throughout the county; 129 county schools; lodges of fraternal organizations, Knights of Pythias, Masons and Odd Fellows and A. O. U. W. GENERAL ADVANGTAES-Good, healthy climate; land rich; prices moderate; good class of inhabitants, progressive and up to date in every way. Railroad facilities very good; bulk of crops raised within a few miles of markets; population increasing rapidly each year; people are well to do and invite honest immigration; capital will find many opportunities for investment; homeseekers can find no better county in the State in which to settle. Among many well known towns is the county seat, Independence. INDEPENDENCE- Population, 7000; beautifully situated on the Missouri Pacific and Chicago & Alton railroads; abundantly supplied with water from water works; well paved streets; sidewalks in good order; lighted by gas and electricity; many beautiful churches and colleges; blocks of substantial stores and avenues of costly resi dences; four banks; factories; many lodges, and a fine opening for any manufacturing business, are a few of the many desirable points Independence has to offer as a place for business or residence. This charming city is only 30 minutes ride from Kansas City; its citizens are of the very best and possess considerable wealth; fire and police protection; water and gas mains all over the city; electric towers; telephone and telegraph offices are some of the conveniences of the city. FACTS AND FIGURES-Jackson county has 363,172 acres assessed at $13,285,550; her town lots are assessed at $45,689,035; personal property assessed at $13,284,900; total assessed value of property, $72,259,485. Assessed values are 30.12 per cent of real values; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $239,905,328. Jackson county's personal property consists mainly of— School in 1894 Teachers Pupils..... Amount spent on schools. Permanent school fund. $400,045 96.345 324,903 8,840 107,187 3,053,777 129 202 8,446 $518,131.95 JASPER COUNTY. Population, 59,741. Southwest Missouri, on western State line; traversed by St. Louis & San Francisco, Missouri Pacific, Kansas City, Fort Scot & Gulf and Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf railroads; 60 miles west of Springfield; 130 miles south of Kansas City. SOIL-Soil of the bottom, valley and low-lying prairie lands is a black loam, the sub-soil being lime-stone with gravel; uplands, red or mulatto soil. Greater part of county gently rolling; the valleys along the streams are timbered; it is not as rough as is generally thought to be on account of being on the slope of the Ozark. Estimated to be about 2000 acres of coal land in northwest part; clays for pottery and brick; abundance of lime stone is quarried and shipped each year. Three fourths of all the zinc produced in the United States comes from the mines of Jasper county, and its lead-ore product forms a large percentage of the entire product of the country. WATER-Wells and springs. Spring river and Center creek, with many small streams, flow through the county; over 250 miles of running streams and 1000 clear crystal springs, make the water supply abundant. ROADS Two hundred miles of highways graded and graveled; over 42 bridges span the stream; no better roads in the State. TIMBER Found along the streams, mostly oak, hickory, elm and walnut; some walnut shipped. FUEL-Coal, $2.50 to $3 per ton. Wood, $2.75 to $3.50 per cord. COST OF LAND-Farm land, from $30 to $60 per acre, according to location; timber land, $10 to $15 per acre; mineral land, $100 to $2000 per acre. FARM LABOR-Supply sufficient for demand; condition, good; wages, $15 to $18 per month. PRINCIPAL CROPS-Wheat and corn. Time of growth, wheat, fall to spring; corn, April to September; yield per acre, wheat, from 14 to 24 bushels; corn, 30 to 80 bushels; selling price last year, corn, 20 cents; wheat, 60 cents; average price for five years past, wheat 62 cents; corn, 30 cents; oats, 20 cents. Flax, sorghum, millet, clover, timothy, fruits and vegetables are raised to advantage. Cattle, sheep and hogs are raised, but shipped to a small extent only, owing to the large home consumption. Apples, small fruit and vegetables, fresh and canned, bring large returns to producers. Surplus ProDUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894: |