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MISSOURI TO HAVE STATE PRESERVE Fine Body of Sporting Land in Phelps and Crawforc Counties Selected. A tract of 3.0S0 acres of land in a compact am continuous body, lying partly in Phelps and partly ii Crawford County, has been selected by Timothy Birmingham, Missouris state game and fish commissioner, -for purchase by the state as a park anil game and fish preserve. This tract of land includes the great Moriinac Springs and the site of tho famous old Merimac iron works, which were operated extensively from early in the 40s up to 1S7S, says a Missouri exchange. It embraces eight miles of river front on the upper Merimac River and along the "dry fork" of that stream. These streams, with the great spring and the river of ice cold water that flows from it, make an ideal place for propagation of nil kinds of game fish. There is perhaps more virgin forest on tlie tract of land than on any other body of the same area in Missouri. The purchase is subject to approval by the governor and attorney-general, and these officials will visit and inspect it soon. Tlie land belongs to the Merimac Springs Company, the corporation being the property of the James estate, which in former years operated the iron mines and works. The price for the land is 150,000, which is to be paid on terms agreeable to the state If the deal is consummated. Provision was made by the legislature for establishing a state game and fish preserve four years ago by creating a fund, the nucleus of which is five per cent of all the money derived from issuance of hunting and fishing licenses. This fund now amounts to 35,000. It is estimated that the entire purchase price can be paid from this fund in the ensuing four years. A. number of sites have been considered for the state park. On the score of accessibility and adaptability the Merimac Springs tract is conceded to be far better suited for the purpose than any of the others. The Merimac Spring flows 150,000,000 gallons of water each twenty-four hours. This flow empties into the Merimac River a mile from where it bursts out of the subterranean recesses at the base of a bluff 200 feet in height. The spring and the stream connecting it with the river are full of rainbow trout of great size. Picturesque scenery.- rugged hills and virgin forests even at present abounding in game are found in the tract of land selected for the state park. It is the natural habitat of wild turkey, quail, squirrel and other sriiall game. Both forks of-the Merimac River are full of bass, crappie, perch, "Jack" salmon and other game fish. There is a good road for automobiles from St. James on the "Frisco" railroad. The tract is located 100 miles, or about four hours cither by train or automobile from St. Louis, and is more readily accessible to all parts of tlie state than any of the other sites considered for establishment of the park. Of the 3,000 acres there are some 400 in cultivation, sufficient to produce all that is neeessary for the maintenance of herds of deer, elk and other i game animals with which the park is to be stocked. It is expected that Governor Gardner and Attor-jney-General McAllister will at once inspect the tract :of land, and that they will approve of its purchase
