40. All these cereals are shipped by river. The low freight rates leave a good profit to growers.. Watermelons and canteloupes have lately been grown with large profits. The sandy soil in southeastern portion has proven to be the natural soil for these products; hundreds of cars of melons are annually shipped to St. Louis, Chicago and other sections of the country. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894: SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Fully 25 per cent of the 12,548 inhabitants are Germans. The American settlers are from Tennessee and Kentucky stock; they are industrious, clever, solid and enterprising; newcomers are welcome. Of churches there are represented the Methodist, Baptist, Catholic and Lutheran; good schools are scattered all over the county. GENERAL ADVANTAGES—A good healthful climate; land cheap prices and productive soil are the inducements for sober, industrious workers to open for themselves the road to wealth and prosperity. There is an opening for a flour mill, a stave and box factory. Farmers will also find rare opportunities in the agricultural pursuit, such as good market facilities, productiveness of soil, unfailing crops and large yields. BENTON-The county seat, with 450 inhabitants, is situated on the Morely and Commerce branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern railroad. Other towns are Sikestown, with 750 inhabitants, and Morley, with 500 inhabitants. The latter town is in the center of the watermelon district. Commerce on the banks of the Mississippi has two flour mills, a bank and several stores; it is the shipping port of the county. FACTS AND FIGURES-Scott county has 260,911 acres assessed at $1,561,310; her town lots are assessed at $311,810; personal property assessed at $982,764; total assessed value of property, $2,855,881. Assessed values are 43.18 per cent of real values; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $6,613,904. Scott county's personal property consists mainly of 3,603 horses, assessed at $28.02 per head; total. $100,987 South Central Missouri; Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis railroad traverses the county; 130 miles south of St. Louis; 110 miles from Jefferson City. SOIL-Principally hilly, except river bottoms. The soil is sandy, of a red clay and loam, and is very productive; especially good for fruit raising. Abundance of fine quality of fire-clay; lime and sandstone quarried for home use. Copper, iron and lead are found, but not mined in late years. WATER Cisterns and wells; Current river, Jacks Fork and Mineral creek flow through the county. ROADS-Dirt, in fair order the year around; tax, 5 cents on $100 valuation. TIMBER-Principally pine and oak, which is found in abundance and extensively milled. For years past millions of feet of lumber have been shipped each season. FUEL-Wood, $1 per cord. COST OF LAND-Good farming land, from $10 and upwards; timber land, $1 to $5, according to location for manufacturing purposes. FARM LABOR-Ample supply; condition, fair; wages, $15 per month. PRINCIPAL CROPS-Corn; time of growth, two to three weeks earlier than in north and central part of State; yield per acre, 20 bushels; little shipped; most of crop fed to stock. Small fruits and vegetables grown to advantage. Some few Jerseys and Short Horns raised; over 2000 head of beef cattle shipped in 1895. Excellent range for hog raising, but few shipped owing to lack of railroad facilities. SOCIAL AND GENERAL ADVANTAGES Population, 11,356; a number of churches and public schools are scattered throughout the county; the people are hospitable, prosperous and well to do; healthy climate, mild winters; land is cheap, selling for $1.50 up to $20, owing to improvements; rich and productive soil, with little work land produces in abundance. There is an inexhaustible supply of lumber and with better railroad facilities would become one of the largest lumber producing counties in the State. Among a number of growing towns is Eminence, the county seat. EMINENCE-With a population of over 100, is situated on the Current river. Water supply from wells and cisterns; streets and sidewalks in fair order; one union church and public school. A fine opening for the establishment of a canning factory. Lodges of I. O. O. F. General stores well stocked with goods. Citizens feel kindly toward new comers and extend a hearty welcome to homeseekers. FACTS AND FIGURES-Shannon county has 580,741 acres assessed at $1,348,880; her town lots are assessed at $59,265; personal property assessed at $348,366; total assessed value of property, $1,756,511. Assessed values are 60.60 per cent of real values; hence, actual wea th of county is estimated at $2,898,533. Shannon county's personal property consists mainly of 2.227 horses, assessed at $27.48 per head; total... 6,876 neat cattle, assessed at $7.45 per head; total.. Schools in 1894.... Teachers Pupils.. Amount spent on schools.. Permanent school fund... $61,200 29,599 51,260 2,494 11,826 31,572 50 52 2,256 $14,041.18 SHELBY COUNTY. Population, 16,446. Northeast Missouri; traversed by Hannibal & St. Joe railroad; 85 miles from Jefferson City; 110 miles northwest of St. Louis. SOIL-About two-thirds of the county gently undulating prairie; balance well timbered along the water courses; soil particularly adapted for raising corn and grasses; one of the finest stock ranges in the State; most of the soil is a rich, black loam, about eight inches deep; pottery and brick clay, lime and sandstone are found; some indications of coal, but not mined. WATER-Fabius, North and Salt rivers, Crook and Black creeks flow through the county. ROADS Good dirt roads in dry season; could be better worked during wet spells. TIMBER-Oak, hickory, walnut and maple; ties are made and shipped each year. FUEL-Wood, $1.50 to $2.50 per cord. COST OF LAND-Unimproved, $5 to $25; timber land, $5 to $20 per acre. FARM LABOR-Moderate supply; condition, fair; wages, from $15 to $20 per month. PRINCIPAL CROP-Corn; time of growth, four and one-half months; yield per acre, 40 bushels; selling price last year, 20 cents per bushel; average selling price for five years past, 45 cents per bushel; oats, 40 bushels; wheat, 13 bushels per acre. Small fruits and vegetables yield abundantly. This is a good stock county; all the popular breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs are raised and shipped in large numbers each year. SURPLUS PRODUCTS-Besides home consumption, the following products were shipped in 1894: GENERAL AND SOCIAL ADVANTAGES-Population, 16,446; over 50 churches of different denominations, and 81 district schools are scattered about the county; there are a number of good newspapers; the people comprise a law abiding class of intelligent citizens; the general climate and health the year round are good; land is cheap and very productive; general farming and stock-raising always succeed. No county in the State has more advantages to offer and a warmer wel· come to extend the new comer than Shelby county; among a number of wideawake towns is Shelbyville, the county seat. SHELBYVILLE-Most beautifully situated on Jake creek, from which its supply of water is obtained. Well-graded streets and sidewalks in good condition. The different branches of trade are represented by well-stocked stores. Churches and schools, beautiful homes and good society are a few of the many attractions offered homeseekers to settle and become identified with this progressive town. ́ FACTS AND FIGURES-Shelby county has 316,925 acres assessed at $2,567,118; her town lots are assessed at $479,025; personal property assessed at $1,880,417; total assessed value of property, $4,926,560. Assessed values are 34.38 per cent of real values; hence, actual wealth of county is estimated at $14,329,726. Shelby county's personal property consists mainly of— 10,574 horses, assessed at $21.90 per head; total. Schools in 1894.... Teachers Pupils..... Amount spent on schools.. Permanent school fund.. $232,079 51,910 169,305 10,260 36,933 1,033,786 81 128 4.474 $48,964.59 46,862.31 |