The southwest corner of Missouri made fortunes for many early settlers to the area; and created an economic boom rivaling the Gold Rush. In this new book; author Jerry Pryor creates a pictorial history of the efforts of those who staked everything on the chance of striking a fortune underground in the land west of the Mississippi. As early as the first Native American occupation of the region; mining for ore had always been an essential aspect of life in southwestern Missouri. In the mid-19th century; mining towns sprung up like weeds; with early wanderers hearing tales of fortunes made; sometimes accidentally; while plowing fields rich in ore. Joplin; Webb City; Carterville; and Oronogo all have origins in the mining camps that eventually grew into booming towns and cities. Soon this rich belt of mining land fostered a variety of lifestyles; ranging from the poor mans attempt to support his family under difficult and frightening conditions; to entrepreneurs such as Alfred H. Rogers; who organized the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway Company; the largest inter-city system west of the Mississippi.
#3396315 in eBooks 2013-06-17 2013-06-17File Name: B00872FMMY
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