The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1872-02-22
wasseTSfi ON hi. TraveIs---NO. 6.

WRHaeFer on his Travels---NO. o.
Editor Democratic Statesman:
think my last left me in the
YEGUA COUNTRY,
this is a section of the State which,
until lately, has been overlooked, ex>
cept by a few men, mostly squatters,
who sought the timbered land for the
sake of raising hogs which the never
failing mast of the wild peach, haws
and acorns rendered one of the most
profitable businesses in the State.
THE YEGUA CREEK,
is the dividing line between Burleson
and Washington counties, and/fs a
long, sinuous, sluggish creek; which
eventually empties into the. Brazos
River near the now deserted town of
Washington.
The Yegua and its feeders drain an
immense section of country, but the
channel is very shallow, and cOnse'
quently its banks overflow. The bot
toms are very rich, the timber very
fine. The back lands are timbered with
post oak, tall and graceful, and the
land is easily cultivated, and good for
bale of cotton per acre, in ordinary
seaso Us with twenty-five or thirty
bushels of corn.
Innumerable small creeks empty in
to the Yegua, the bottoms of which
are mostly "peach land" and the far
mer making use of this portion of his
farm for corn is sure never to miss
making his bread.
Why this section of country was
overlooked during the days of slavery,
was, and always will be mystery to
me, for, taking an average Of ten
years, I am satisfied there will be
but little difference in the amount of
crops made on an equal number of
acres, and these lands are easier, by
far, for cultivation
| know Of no section of country
more suitable for white labor, and few,
indeed, where industry will be better
rewarded.
saw some Tennesseeans looking
over the country, and they asserted
that they were paying rent of five
dollars per acre for lands considera-
bly, inferior to these, as they look, and
quite poor in results, when compared
to what they had seen raised on these
lands. When the dread Martial
Law" is removed, we shall have quite
an accession Of able hands and wills
ling hearts from Tennessee, but baV-
ing borne the deviltries of Brownlow,
they don't feel inclined to risk the
will Of one man to place them in the
power of all ignorant militia. Is not
even the fact, that these lands can be
bought at five dollars per acre on Ibis
eral terms enough to induce them to
move.
Leaving the Yegua, and striking
for Burton, you begin to see the rolf
ing lands of Washington county, which
to me is one of the most desirable
counties in Texas.
Very little poor land, mostly good,
rich and richest, is the way would
classify Washington county lands.
The numerous farms, the rolling
prairies, the heavy timber, and the rich
creek bottoms so vary the scene that
it pleases the eye of the traveler-and
the people are kind and accommoda-
ting. The Central Branch Railroad to
Austin running through the county,
has added much to the value of land,
aud is certainly a great convenience
to the people. immigration is very
light this year. Corn sells at from
so to 60 cents, and pork has not been
sold higher than 5 cents plenty of
both on hand.
[ understand that corn can be pur-
chased, shelled and delivered, at Bur
ton for 60 cents, the purchasers find
ing sacks: this being the case, l can't
see why corn should be quoted in the
city at 81 to $I,1O. We had very
good crops in Travis last season. and