Some years ago I bought a little book at my local antiquarian book store. It was hard bound, but originally had been a pamphlet. It was published in 1850 by the railroads and described in glowing detail all of the attributes of the state of Missouri. Timber, minerals, etc. Clearly it was trying to promote the development of the state by industry as well as to encourage settlement of the state. I don't know how these booklets were distributed but I'm sure they were on trains, at all depots and who knows? My folks came from VA, to KY, to IN, TN, IL, to MO (c 1854) and some on to OR. Of course, letters to 'back home' by the earlier migrants inspired others. JoAnn