Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-12-21
From tho Jefferson Times.
Letter from Dallas.

DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 70, IS|l.
Col. LouaHERY-f wrote yor
from Sulphur Springs. Of my
travels and sights from that place
to Dallas, wrote to the Homo Ad
vocate, promising to conclude in
the Times, in order to divide my
burden between you.
I never was more Surprised than
at the rapid building up of Dallas
since I last saw it. In fact, most
of the improving has been in the
last six or eight months, as appears
from tho newness of the houses.
know l shall not be:able to impress
YOU with the true state of things
In many respects the development
of Dallas into city is unlike that
Of J effcrson. Here it has been more
sudden-something like the exact
reverse Of panic. AS the railroad
approached, merchants, shopmen,
mechanics, spectators and traders
fockcd in here, from every direc'
ton to be in the flow of prosperity,
and got q share of the money that
would be put afoat as soon as the
road came. And with the road
came the tide of "terminus mon;
enough of themselves to make lit
tlo town. The road won't on, but
these men almost unanimously set
tied down permanently in Dallas,
under the conviction that the trade
would continue permanent here,
and that Dallas was destined to be
q great center. :"
So rapid has been tho influx Of
population, that it has been impos-
sible to provide substantial houses
for dwellings or business, except
partially. A great many small deal,
ers, and oven families are occupy
ing cloth tents. Many others have
little better, being plank houses or
shanties hurriedly boxed up for i'm
mediate use. These are numerous;
indeed, thickly planted, from the
Central Road three-quarters OF a
mile distant, to the public square,
which is near the east bank OF the
Trinity River, on two or three
streets. The residences, as q gener-
al thing, arc much better class OF
houses; many of them very good
and neatly finished, and on beauti-
full sites. The substantial character
of the greater number of the bust
ness houses is not to be taken as an
indication ofa fear of a falling of
of trade, but rather to the pressing
demands for houses no,c. After one
season of successful trade, any firm
could afford to tear down temporary
buildings and build better ones.
While / am on the subject Of i'm
provements, I will rofer to the
bridge, court house, college and
churches.
The bridge across the Trinity is
at the extremity of Commerce
street, which crosses the south side
of the public square. 1t has two
spans ofiron, and rests upon piers
and abutment of stone. The road
across the bottom, on the west side
of the river, was frst thrown up to
a grade above high-water overflow,
then laid with stone edging perpen-
dicular, and filled in with gravel,
making it as firm as solid rock. All
together cost in tho neighborhood OF
SIS 900. This is joint stock, and
already yields an income to the
stock holders of one and half per
cent. a month, and improving. This
enterprise was inaugurated and
carried out in the face of many dis
couragements before Dallas began
to be what she now is. 1t affords
prominent example of what can be
accomplished by few perseverlng
public spirited men. Other places
of four times the capital might pro-
fit by it. A similar bridge across
East Fork has been chartered and
the work commenced, which is, as
you know, in the direction of JEFF
ferson. A word to the wise.
The first story Of a new Court
House is mp. is Of massive stone,
and covers th, ground TO the ex-
tent of 10 by 66 feet. There are
eight rooms on the first floor. The
court room and suitable offices will
be on the second floor. The build
ing has more the appearance of q
State House than q county court
house.
The churches are well represent
ed. The Methodists, Presbyterians
Cumberland Presbytsrians, Episco-