ship 29; in range 5 east, townships 27, 28, and 29; also in ranges 6 and 7 east, in townships 27, 28, 29, and 30.

Minerals. Wayne County is very rich in minerals, but little has been done toward developing them. Hematite iron has been discovered to be very abundant in the central and southeastern parts of the county; and specimens of the ore have been taken out at the following localities, some of which are very extensive beds, and of superior qualities range 4 east, townships 27, 28, and on section 24 of township 30; in range 5 east, sections 9 and 16, township 3; in ranges 6 and 7 east, townships 28, 29, and 30. The Western Journal and Civilian, one of the most wide-awake, progressive papers ever published in the West, in 1852 said: "Notwithstanding the vast amount of iron ore found in the Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob, I am of the opinion Wayne County contains more iron ore than any county in the State, and probably nearly as much water power." Copper ore is also abundant; an extensive copper region extends from Iron and Madison down into the north central part of Wayne. A high jaspery ridge, called Copper Mountain, passes through section 24, township 30, range 4 east, and sections 18 and 19, township 30, range 5 east, etc. Lead veins have been discovered on section 8, township 20, range 4 east, and strong indications of good deposits in townships 29 and 31, range 4 east.

Chalybeate springs, the medicinal properties of which are highly spoken of, are in section 24, township 30, range 4 east, and section 18, township 30, range 5 east.

When the mineral wealth, the extent of her agricultural resources, and her valuable timber lands shall be properly represented, and a cheap and speedy transit to reliable markets secured by the extension of the Iron Mountain Railroad through this county to the South, Wayne will rank among the most populous and important counties of Southeast Missouri.

GREENVILLE, the county-seat, is on the north half of section 13, township 28, range 5 east, on the east bank of the St. François River, with a good agricultural district above and below in the valleys. This portion of the State suffered greatly during the war, but the population is now about as in 1860, when it was as follows: population of Greenville about 200; Patterson, 30; Collier, 30; Grangerville, 50. Distance from Greenville to the railroad at Pilot Knob, 40 miles; to the Mississippi River, 65 miles.

416

WEBSTER COUNTY.-WORTH COUNTY.

WEBSTER COUNTY.

This county is situated in the eastern part of Southwest Missouri, and has an area of about 550 square miles, and was formed from portions of Wright and Green Counties.

Physical Features.-The principal part of the county is rough, broken, timber land. The Ozark hills extend through the center of the county, and many of the small tributaries of the Gasconade pass from the center to the northeast, while those of the White River run in a southwestern direction from the Ozark ridge. The timber is principally oak and hickory.

The Soil in the valleys and on some of the uplands is fertile, and well adapted to farming and grazing, and there are many of the slopes and hillsides that would make excellent vineyards and orchards. More attention has been paid to stock raising than to any other branch of farming, and it has proved very profitable. All kinds of fruit grow to perfection.

Minerals. The first discovery of mineral in this county was by Capt. W. D. Murphy, now of Camden County, who found it in several localities in T. 30 R. 17 west, and also upon James' Fork of White River. Some 400,000 lbs. of lead were raised and smelted in a log furnace, up to February, 1846, when Mr. M. removed to Linn Creek. Iron ore has been found, but nothing has been done lately in any kind of mining.

MARSHFIELD is the county-seat, pleasantly located, and will be on the Atlantic and Pacific R. R., when extended. Dallas and Sand Spring are each good business centers.

WORTH COUNTY.

This county is one of the newest (and smallest) counties in the State, formed from the northern part of Gentry County, bordering on the Iowa State line, in the northwestern part of the State. This county embraces only 260 square miles, being 20 miles one way and 13 the other, and has 5000 inhabitants. The taxable property, in May, 1867, amounted to over $800,000.

Physical Features.-The face of the country is undulating and rolling, about one-third timber land, consisting of oak, hickory, maple, ash, elm, lynn, cottonwood, etc.

The Soil is generally fertile, and well adapted to the production of all kinds of grain, grasses, vegetables, and fruit, except peaches, which have been unsuccessful. Excellent grazing country, well watered and plenty of "range."

Flouring mills and manufactories needed, and the citizens offer great inducements to capitalists who will establish woolen factories and flouring mills. Uncultivated land can be had at from $2 to $5 per acre, and partly improved farms at from $4 to $10 per acre.

GRANT CITY is the county-seat and principal town. Smithton is also a flourishing town.

WRIGHT COUNTY.

This county is situated in the south central part of the State, bounded on the east by Texas, west by Webster, north by Laclede, and south by Douglas, and contains an area of about 500 square miles. The first settlements were made in 1838, at which time sixteen persons located here. Population in 1860, 4506.

Physical Features.-The surface of the county is in some portions hilly and broken, others moderately undulating. The Ozark range of hills pass in an east and west direction through the southern portion of the county, and some of the hills attain an elevation of 450 feet above the valleys of the streams. Along the Gasconade the hills are precipitous, and the scenery wild and picturesque. Principally covered with oaks and yellow pine. Good water-power on the Gasconade.

The Soils of the valleys and of the undulating uplands are fertile, and produce well, while those upon the cherty ridges are thin and generally sterile. The proportion of tillable upland is small, except for grapes and other fruits. On account of its high, dry, porous soils, and salubrious and healthy climate, some of the citizens have named it the "American Italy."

Products. The most profitable products now marketed are stock, corn, wheat, tobacco, and hay. The present shipping point is Linn Creek. Marshfield will be the nearest railroad depot. Farmers have raised 1200 lbs. of hemp, 1200 lbs. tobacco, 75 bushels of corn to the acre, and grains, grasses, fruits, and vegetables in proportion.

Minerals. Lead ore has been found both on the surface and in the rocks beneath, in sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 23, and 24, in township 29, range 12 west; and when the southwest branch of Pacific Railroad is completed (which passes near the north border of the county), these mines will doubtless be opened and prove profitable. Iron and copper have also been found, but no extensive explorations made.

HARTVILLE, the county-seat, is on Wood's Fork of the Gasconade, and though almost obliterated by the war, is rapidly being rebuilt by a new population. Mountain Grove is also a business center, 18 miles from Hartville.

APPENDIX.

INTRODUCTION OF STEAM NAVIGATION UPON WESTERN RIVERS.

WHEN We consider the immensity of our ocean, lake, and river steam tonnage, and our present maritime position, it is a matter of some interest to reflect that this powerful motor was cradled in the western rivers of the United States.

In this subject we embrace what is generally termed "The Valley of the Mississippi," of which St. Louis is the natural metropolis. Strictly speaking, this valley is bounded on the west by the Rocky Mountains, and on the east by the Alleghanies, embracing a drainage of 1,244,000 square miles-more than half the entire area of the United States. The Upper Mississippi Valley is composed of three subordinate basins, whose respective dimensions are as follows:

The following is the length of the navigable streams, tributary to St. Louis: Missouri, 5300; Mississippi, 2463; Ohio, 975; Arkansas, 800; Tennessee, 780; Illinois, 300; Cumberland, 370; White, 500; Kentucky, 117; Wabash, 335; Wisconsin, 350; Red River, 800; Fox, 200; Osage, 200; Kansas, 100; Black River to Poplar Bluffs, about 275; Rock River, reported to be 200; Yazoo, 100; St. Francis (?), 100; Big Sioux, 75; Des Moines (?), 200; Yellow Stone, 800; Minnesota, 295; St. Croix, 60; Monongahela, 91; Muskingum, 91; Green River, 186; Kanawha, 100; Salt, 30; Sandy, 30; making the total navigation 16,232 miles.

The distances given above generally refer to the length of regular steamboat navigation, and several of the streams have been penetrated much farther; yet some of the smaller streams will need improvement, before the entire length named will be practically used for steam navigation.

In 1712, when La Motte Cadillac was ordered by the Ministry to accompany the agents of Crozat, and assist them in establishing trad