Moving West by J. H. Rogers

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 18, 1865

Moving West.

By J. H. Rogers

Bro. White: Since my note appeared in the Review, headed, Moving West, I have received quite a number of letters from brethren of the States of Ill., O., Penn., Wis. and Mich., anxiously inquiring about our country, the price, prospect of homes, &c.

I would esteem it a favor to answer those inquiries through the Review, presuming there may be others who are also desirous to know of these things:

1. The number of Sabbath-keepers here is about twenty. The number of us organized, is fifteen. We are in unity with the body so far as we have knowledge. It is our "manner" to meet every Sabbath.

2. Society, politically, has undergone great changes. Even sympathy for slavery is regarded as disloyalty. Morally, it is about the same as elsewhere, I suppose. Religiously, the fall of "Babylon" is plain to be seen.

3. You ask for a description of this country. It is high and gently rolling on the prairies, a little more broken among the timber (as it is found on the water courses) but not mountainous in North Missouri. We are situated about half way from the Iowa line to the Missouri River. The soil is rich, and very productive. Limestone is abundant, and the country is tolerably well watered, Grand River runs through this country with its numerous tributaries.

4. The Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad runs near the south line of our country. Kidder is our nearest station, ten miles distant. Our facilities for market, are very good. We can sell every thing we raise at a good price.

5. Farms can be bought at from ten to twenty dollars per acre, "Southern" men are selling and leaving, and "Yankees" are coming in. There is but little government land in our country, though a great deal is yet unimproved.

6. All kinds of grains and vegetables in common use, grow here.

7. This is a good fruit country.

8. This is decidedly a good stock-raising country.

9. Stock is not so high here as you represent it there.

10. The opportunities for mechanics of all sorts here, are good.

11. As to guerillas, our part of the country has never been troubled with the presence of such bands, but we have had to go and protect other parts against such.

12. This is a very healthy country.

Now if such a country as this seems to suit your minds, we would gladly welcome you in our midst. I am aware I have not answered all inquiries. That would be difficult to do in one letter. I hope this may be satisfactory.

Seeing this "world is not our home," let us use it in securing to ourselves and others present livelihood, and everlasting happiness in the earth made new.

Yours striving to overcome.

J. H. ROGERS.

Allovista, Daviess Co., Mo., April 4th, 1865.

Note. We would caution Bro. Rogers not to encourage Sabbath-keepers to settle in his place, unless they can give good reference as to their standing with this people. Otherwise he will be liable, at least, to be visited by some uneasy disaffected ones, who would be glad to run away from their restraint at home, and move in there and impose upon his liberality.—Ed.