Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-07-05
"THE CROSS TIMBER" IN TEXAS.

"THE CROSS TIMBER" IN TEXAS.
From the Rcd Lander, San Augustine OF
March 30.
The Cross Timber is continuous series
Of forests extending from the woody region
at the sources Of the Trinity, in a direct
line north across the interminable prairies
of northern Texas, and the Ozark terrific.
ry to the southern bank Of the Arkansas
river. This belt of timber varies in width
from S to so miles. Between the Trinity
and Red river is generally from five to
nine miles wide, and is so remarkably
straight and regular that it appears to be
work Of art. When viewed from the ad
dining prairies on the east or west, it
appears in the distance like an immense
wall of woods, stretching from south 10
north in straight line, the extremltes
of which are lost in the horizon. There
appears to be no pecul arity in the surface
OF the ground over which the Cross Tim
Der passes, to distinguish it from the surface
of the adjoining country but where the
country is level tho region traverscd by The
Cross Timber is level; where it is undu.
la.ing, and where it is hilly, tha. also is
uneven, conforming in every respect TO the
general features Of the adjoining country.
The trees composing these forests are not
dstinguishable by any peculiarly from
those which are occasionally found in the
adjoining prairies, or in the bottoms b'r-
dering the streams which inters"ct the
Cross Timber. Oak, hickory, elm, white
oak, post oak, holly, and other trees are
found in it. The elm is often found in it
growing luxurian'ly far from any stream
and in apparently poor and sandy SOIL
The black jack, species Of oak, IS found
throughout its whole extent from the Ar
kansas to the "Back Jack Ridge" at the
sources Of the Trinity.
The Cross Timber in its general drec
ton does not perceptble vary from the true
meridian. DR.. Irion informed US that, a
few years since, he accompanied a party
of surveyors, who measured line exten'
ding forty miles due south, from the bank
of Red river, near the Cross Timber; and
found to their surprise, that the western
border of the Cross Timber continued
parallel with this line through the whole
distance.
AS might naturally be supposed, the
Cross Timber forms the great landmark of
the western prairies and the Indians and
hunters, when describing their route across
the country, in their various expeditions
refer to the Cross Timber, as the navlga.
tors Of Europe refer 10 the meridian o.
Greenwich. If they wish 10 furnish d
sketch of the route taken in any expedition
they first draw line representing the
Cross Timber, and another representing
the route taken, intersectlng the former
Thus simple but correct map OF tht
pv. ,iv,. Of country trovcrsed in the cxPodi-
ton is at once presented TO view.
The remarkable uniformi y which char.
ac.erizcs the Cross Timber, and its appa-
ren,ly artificial arrangement, under q
particular meridian, has induced some
persons to believe that it is work of art
and owes its origin to the unknown race o.
men who have erected the mounds and
ancient fortiications ofthe Mississippi val.
ley. We can hartly imagine, however
for what useful purpose it could have been
intended, unless as landmark to distln-
guish the boundary between two naIons.
But whether it is the work of art or OF
nature, will probably never be determined
The lines of civilization are rapidly exten.
ding towards it, and soon the scrutiny ol
science will be forever checked by the de.
slroying axe oflhe pioneer.