THE 114 COUNTIES OF MISSOURI. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH-SURPLUS SHIPMENTS-ASSESSED VALUATION-INFORMATION CONCERNING SCHOOLS AND FACTS AND FIGURES. The State Bureau of Labor Statistics has adopted a new method this year in dealing with the 114 counties of the State. In an effort to encourage immigration to Missouri and show each section of the State in its true light, so that prospective home seekers, as well as present residents, may, at a glance, get a correct idea of the location, resources, shipments, assessed valuation, public schools and other information concerning any county in the State, the counties have been taken up separately and considerable matter of general interest prepared concerning each. To collect these facts and figures and prepare the reading matter accurately has been a task of no mean proportions, but this department will feel amply repaid if the information set forth herein will tend to bring any considerable number of home seekers to Missouri, call any wandering Missourian back home, or cause any resident of the State to feel an added pride in this, the greatest of commonwealths. Under the name of each county is given the section of the State in which it is located, the railroads and streams which traverse it, facts concerning the timber and minerals found within its borders, the kind of roads, a full description of the land and the average price of the same per acre, the principal crops, the schools, the shipment of surplus products, the assessed real estate and personal valuation, the school enumeration and rate of taxation, as well as much other useful and valuable information, from which a good idea may be secured as to the county in general. Adair County. Location-Northeastern part of the State. Railroads traversing county-Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Iowa & St. Louis; Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City; Wabash. County seat-Kirksville. Cities, towns and villages Water-The Chariton and Salt rivers and their tributaries afford abundant water supply. Living springs, wells and cisterns provide wholesome drinking water. Roads-The dirt roads are kept in fair condition, and interest in road work has been greatly stimulated during the last year. Timber-Oak, elm, cottonwood, hickory, ash, maple and walnut. The supply of merchantable timber is limited. The principal uses at present are as cooperage, ties and posts. Minerals-Coal is the only mineral mined, and the last report of the Bureau of Mines shows a production of 250,230 tons for 1910. Fuel-Abundant local coal and timber supply. The average price of coal is $3.00 per ton; of cordwood, $4.00 per cord. Land-This county is rolling prairie, with belts of timber along the streams. Soil rich and productive. It is all suitable for grazing, and ninety per cent in high state of cultivation. Improved farms can be purchased from $50.00 to $80.00; unimproved land from $30.00 per acre up. All fruits and berries usually grown in this latitude are grown in abundance. The principal farm crops are corn, oats, wheat and rye. Timothy, red clover and blue grass are the principal grasses. Labor-The cost of farm labor is from $20.00 to $25.00 per month with board and lodging; without board, from $25.00 to $30.00 per month. Social advantages-The population of Adair is principally American. All religious denominations usually found in this country are to be found. There are five Presbyterian, four Catholic, twelve Methodist, ten Baptist, eight Christian and one Holiness churches. All the leading fraternal societies are maintained. The schools are numerous, well attended and in fine condition. Kirksville is the county seat, and is a city of 6,347 people, with all the modern conveniences, paved streets, parks, waterworks, light, etc., large and prosperous banks, and a number of factories, which go to make Kirksville the industrial center of Northeast Missouri. It is also an educational and religious center, with public, graded and high schools, a conservatory of music and languages, the American School of Osteopathy, and the First District State Normal, a prosperous State institution. For further facts of interest reference is made to the tables herewith presented: SURPLUS SHIPMENTS FROM ADAIR COUNTY IN 1910. In the following table is shown the commodities produced in the county and shipped out by freight and express. No effort has been made to estimate the local consumption, as it would at best be only an estimate, with no assurance of absolute accuracy: Population, 22,700. Total taxable wealth, $6,760,920. Personal property is assessed at about one-third of its actual value. about one-fifth. Real estate at Number of districts in county. 80 158 6,394 Am't spent for teachers' salaries... Average tax levy for school purposes, 59 cents on $100 valuation. $45,972.33 9,682.31 75,495.83 Andrew County. Location-Northwestern part of State, directly north of St. Joseph, and touching the Missouri river on the southwest border. Railroads traversing county-Chicago Great Western; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Water-The Missouri river and its tributaries, the Platte, One Hundred and Two and Nodaway, which flow south through the county. Roads Are good dirt roads most of the year. The interest in good roads is increasing. Good limestone for foundation is found a short distance from Savannah. No minerals. Fuel No cl produced. Abundant wood sold at about $4.00 per cord. Considerable timber still remains, suitable for lumber, ties, posts and fuel. Land-Rich and productive. Corn and wheat, hogs and cattle and mules are the leading productions. The poultry product is large. Transportation facilities good. A great deal of fruit is grown for the St. Joseph and Kansas City cold storage markets. Social advantages-Good schools, fine churches, prosperous fraternal orders, good towns and good railroad facilities, and proximity to large markets makes Andrew county a most desirable place to live. Farm land ranges in price from $40.00 to $50.00 per acre. Farm labor ranges from $25.00 with to $35.00 without board. Farms are generally well improved and the people prosperous, SURPLUS SHIPMENTS FROM ANDREW COUNTY IN 1910. In the following table is shown the commodities produced in the county and shipped out by freight and express. No effort has been made to estimate the local consumption, as it would at best be only an estimate, with no assurance of absolute accuracy: Population, 15,282. Total taxable wealth, $9,148,470. Personal property is assessed at about one-third of its actual value. Real estate at about one-fifth. Average tax levy for school purposes, 45 cents on $100 valuation. Atchison County. Location-Extreme northwest corner of the State. Railroads traversing county-Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Rockport, Langdon & Northern. |