The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-11-05
The Texan Germans,

" upon the south side of a range of
mountains that run across the State
from northeast to southwest. The
great road from Austin to San Anto-
nio passes through the center of this
county, at the junction of the Guadaz
lope and Comal rivers. At this juno
ton, and upon the west bank of the
latter. New Braunfels, the county
seat is situated, thirty miles east of
San Antonio, and about fifty west of
Austin. This county embraces about
nine hundred square miles, and a
large proportion of it is extremely
fertile, and in high state of cultiva-
ton. The principal staples are corn
and cotton. The average of the former
is thirty bushels per acre. The cereals
do tolerably well, but not so well as
in the adjoining counties of a higher
latitude. Peaches are abundant and
very fine, but apples are scarce, and of
rather inferior quality. The African
and Chinese cane are produced abund-
antly, not only for provender, but the
syrup manufactured from it, with the
latest improved machinery, is of a
superior quality, and amply sufficient
for home consumption-worth in the
market from seventy five cents to one
dollar per gallon. The cultivation of
the grape has proved a success as far as
tried, especially the French Burgundy
and the white grape. The wild mus
tang grape grows everywhere, and
makes very -drinkab1e wine for do
mestic use, and here are found guam
titles of other wild grapes, wild cher
ries, plums, etc. The sweet potato is
cultivated, but the Irish potato is an
uncertain crop. In, good seasons, such
as we have had for several years past,
all the ordinary garden vegetables do
well, being less liable to the encroach-
ments Of insects than those of many
other countries of this latitude. Poul-
try of all descriptions fourishes, re-
markably secure from vernin and dis
ease. The climate is healthy for man
and beast. No epidemic reaches here.
Cattle, horses, sheep and goats fatten
upon these prairies white men and
women and children work and live up
to natures laws. No idler's here, no
paupers, no thieves, no riots, but little
use for lawyers and doctors, and bu-
reau for freedmen. Twenty three
years ago a colony of indefatigable
German emigrants pitched their tents
upon the banks of this beautiful Co
NAL. Here they have lived and labored
and prospered, through evil report
and good report, until now they have
quite an imposing city Of nearly four
thousand inhabitants, and destined rl-
timately to become the foremost in the
State. 1t is now rapidly improving.
Everybody is building, or i'm some
way augmenting the value of his
property. This gives evidence of
general prosperity. The industrious
mechanic, who. but last year seemed
to live in poverty and obscurity, this
year inhabits a mansion worth from
$1,000 toi$S,000, erected by his indus
try and frugality. In this city there
are thirty dry goods istores, three
Touring mills, three saw mills, a large
factory for cotton cloth, one for wool
en- cloth, sash sactory, and mechanic
shops of. every description. The
country around may be supplied with
wagons and buggies from these shops
From 1000 to 5000 saddle trees are
made here annually. This place sup.
plies the country around with barrels
for beef packing, molasses, &c! This
is quite cotton mart for the sur
rounding region, exporting to Mexico
annually several thousand bales. iBu
what gives New Btaunfe4s peculiar
advantages over all the Southern cities
is her immense water power. Tht
Comal, which is only three miles long
has on one-half this distance a fall OF
momentum OF 1900 horse power, and
never overflows its banks. And here
is the very population for plying ma
chinery.i There are very few colored
people here. In S00registered voters
only about 80 are colored. Good me
chanics work for 50 so per day, and
common labofers for 81 SO! Tht
city and county are well supplied will
schools. The New Braunfels Acad
emy is building of hard stone, 16t
feet in length, and embraces five de
part1nents, under five competen
teachers-two German, two English
and a translator. This school aver
ages about three hundred pupils, al
studying the English as well as thC
German language; SO that the presen
generation all become acquainted witt
the English language. About dozel
American families have permanent!
settled here. There are four churche
I-one Catholic, two Lutheran and ON
Methodist. The services are all .hel(
in German. The building material
such as hard and soft stone, bricl
| (burnt and unbu1nt), and cedar ant
, cypress, are abundant; but pine lum
ber is hauled from fifty to sixty miles
, and costs from five to six cents pc,
, foot; burnt brick ten dollars per thou
sand.-GaIUesto1 tNeacs. 5as 9ai gtrtt
Decisions Against Butler. rip
The attempt of Ben. BUTLER to es
cape from the meshes ofothe law b,