The person who reduced the request to writing, used the best orthography that occurred to him, so that what should have been "Raleigh," became "Rolla." The request thus written was sent to the Legislature, and the name of the town became fixed.

The inhabitants generally pronounce it as if the intended spelling had been adopted.
The journey from Rolla to Springfield was accomplished by stage, and required two days of travel.

For fifty miles the road led over mountains, to the banks of the Gasconade, one of the prettiest rivers I have ever seen.

The mountain streams of Southwest Missouri, having their springs in the limestone rock, possess a peculiarity unknown in the Eastern States.

In a depth of two feet or less, the water is apparently as clear as that of the purest mountain brook in New England.