The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-08-05
Letter from Squire Mack.

MCKINNEY, COLLIN 20. lea, July H.,
DEAR HERALD.--I again present myself be-
fore your readers. Another. year has rolled
around, and you have brought me the the sad
news that familiar face has been borne to its
last resting place. Peace to their ashes. sai
Our country has been comparatively healthy
for the last year. In February last Mckinney
and vicinity, were visited by disease (spinal
meningitis which proved fatal in every case
With the exception of two cases of adults, the
disease was confined exclusively to children
Last year the produce of the farm was particu-
larly ,remuneratiyc to the farmer, and this
has raised the price Of labor to a value I'M
known heretofore. The labor needed can not
be procured. This has been produced by the
rapid advance in the price of all species Of
trade. There was heavy tide of emigration
last fall ard winter. Vast numbers passed on
farther South and West. The cause of this
was the scarcity of shelter for themselves and
animals. We hope for better state of affairs
this year. Two steam mills have been. started
in the forest near Mckinney. This will great
ly facilitate building and fencing. Last year
Collin county brought into market 5000 bales
of cotton, 5000 bushels boisI dare seed.
These brought to the county $500 per bushcl.
This trade in BoiS dare seed is confined to SIX
or seven counties and is estimated at $4,000
bushels. Icannot Low give an estimate of the
amount of mules, noises, cattle, bacon and hides
that were put into market. The crops of corn,
cotton, &c, promise the greatest yield ever made
in n. w. Texas. The wheat crop is light.
Prices current, corn 75cts. per bushel, -four
5000 per cwt, bacon Is cts. per h., beef ) cts.
per h., salt 81 90 per sack.
You probably heard, even before we received
the news, that the parent government had
opened her arms and received into her field her
Maynard child, the Lone Star; and strange as
it may seem there WaSnot a gun fired to spread
the news. 1t produced some shutlling among
office holders and seekers, and to prove that we
are ''truly loyal VIC have eleven colOred repre-
sentatives in our. Legislature. When this body
was convened its first work was to elect Sena
tors, and 1t is said there was sent from Wash
ington toAtstin SlO9, 600 in order to make axe
construction success. Hamilton and Flani-
gan were elected, and being called upon by this
body for speeches, the former, speaking on the
subject of emigration, said, "We are now get
ting population into this State, and gentlemen,
it is the worst population We could have. 1t is
from the seeded Estates mostly" The SEN
ator who said this, was l think, born i'll KY,
and has been resident of Texas Is years.
The next great action of this "loyal body" was
a military bill which makes the Governor anil
itary dcspot. The intention of it is to cheek
emigration from the "seceding States" f3i
The great Union and Pacific i. Il. has been
put through; the Northern population and cap
ital have covered that rich and productive line,
and there is but little doubt that few years
will bring the Memphis 81 Ell Paso l.. Il.
through, and which soil will excel others on
the North American continent for durability,
variety of produce, and its adaptation to tho
great staple products. W i'll Southern people
foldthc arms and let Northern capital cover this
also? Persons from the North are already here
prospecting. Capital and energy are all thai
are wanted on our part. Raw or uncultlvated
lands can be bought from 81 90 10 $500. Mon.
ey invested i'll these lands will pay. There arr
some disadvantages that emigrants have to en-
counter, if they have not capital sufficient to
buy improved lands and stock them.
As alluded to in a former letter, il is III
doubt mystery TO those who live in the Older
States, that If all be rIc that has been said il
favor Ut n. w. Texas, why have so many re-
turned restless and dissatisfied? TO accoun
for this we must study human nature, and The
different causes that influence it; a few of thu
, many causes, are early associations severed
| the scenery of early life exchanged for that o.
new, the absence Of art, change of customs, &c
If one be willing 10 forgo all these for the pros
| peat of the future, think he will be satisfied
but if he has not made these determinations he
| is discontinued. He must come with the cxpcc
tation of honoring those who labor; VIC tolerate
no oilers here. If were a loafer, would risi
my chances in old Maury.) When ;disappoin
| ted, his mind naturally revcrts to chihdhoodi
home, and the scenes of early life. It is bu
natural consequence that faults should bt
! found with country, people, and Institutions
But if he willingly acceptthe new association:
1 and customs, he cannot fail to find, not only
productive, bat also abeautful home in this
our. great and picturesque country. l thinl
women endure greater trial than menli chi
grating to anew country. They are more at
tached TO early associations, and harder 10 form
new. They are greater admirers of ant than
| men, and not so much the admirers of nature il
her rude state, consequently, with but few ex.
| tcptions, they have all been dissatisfied will
heir new homes. But time the '.grcat con
solcr',, rarely fails 10 reconcile them, to 'th'
change. and eventually they become as nIhcl
attached to the fair and ilowery plains OF Texas
as TO the ruder hills and rougher. views OF 9th
| ther countries. -H-.t-H
must close, by expressing through you
columns, my love for the dear people ofmy ma
tive land. The recollection of their associations
is green and fresh in my memory. Hoping an
| prav;ng for their future prosperity and happ
ness, | an, most truly and respectfully,
| ' W Y u MAcE