Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-26
Texas--Her Climate, Soil, &c.
IcoRRrsPoNDExcR OF THE spr.I


Col. Lippard's home to Waco in McClennan
county, near the centre of this much talked
about country. We intended to spend Sunday
among the cathedral glories that lie on the
banks of Brazos, but ''the best laid schemes o.
mice and men gang aft gley," and Monday
found us still lingering upon the smiling banks
of this beautiful river in Waco.
1t was the nearest approach to a clear north
ern October day we had seen in Texas, as, at the
close of evening, we left Waco for a trip of two
hundred miles southwark and westward over
the gently rolling country that skirts the banks
of the Brazos to Houston. On the right the
plain swept away indefinitely, until the eye
weared Of tracing its long, billowy stretches to
the dead level OF the far horizon Yet upon either
beauttful groves of musquoit, China, live oak
and other kinds of timber, giving rest to the
eye and picturesque beauty to the prairie
scenery.
On the left Of the Texas Central railroad, over
which we were passing, lay the vast forests of
eastern Texas. With the exception of a fine
prairie here and there, the primeval forests still
cover about four-ffths of its surface. These
forests contain every species Of timber found in
the southern states-the white oak, red oak,
post oak, hickory, pecan, ash, elm, walnut, lom-
hardy, silver leaf, poplar and long leaf pine.
Vast bodies OF the latter kinds are found in
every portion of eastern Texas, both the long
straw and short straw variety. The valleys of
the Sabine, Trinity, Neuches, Angelina and other
streams, from their mouths long distance up,
are heavily timbered with growth of cypress
Cedar of the finest quality is found and often in
large bodies. There is, perhaps, not a finer
timbered country In the world than eastern
Texas. The lumber interests of the state are
now retarded for want of the transportation
necessary to convey it to the central portion of
the state, but soon the International, Houston
and Great Northern, and Houston and Texas
Central railroads will have been finished, and
taps built into the heart Of this timbered coun-
try. The numbering interest of the state will
then develop itself into one of the most remun-
erative branches of the many industries awaiting
capital and enterprise in this state.
The Houston and Texas Central railroad trav-
erses the very heart of the agricultural portion
of the state, which, for three tiers of counties on
each side of this magnificent road, may be con-
sidered the garden spot for the farmer to settle.
l would advise people from the north to go to
the west side in preference TO the east, but very
fine lands can be found along the International
and the Great Northern railways, and persons
to a timber country will doubtless
be suited there, as we'll as with that portion fur
Their west, on account of its having more timber
The lands are not so rich nor the region so
healthy. The country is warmer and more sui
try, as the sea breeze does not reach it. The
water is generally bad. All these objections,
however, are obviated in the counties lying west
and north of the Central railroad.
McClennan county is one of the best in the
state, and Waco, its capital, the prettiest city
| have yet seen, excepting Austin, possibly.
Bell and W llliamson counties may lay equal
claim to being the best counties in the state
They are the best watered and generally well
timbered. The society is good, schools excsl-
lent, and the immigrant is received cordially,
and everything done for his comfort the first
year in McClennan, Bell and Williamson that
can be done in any portion of the United States.
Austin, the capital of the state, is located upon
the Colorado river, and may be called the city of
the hills. The place naturally is beautifully
located, but so little enterprise is manifested
here that to me it presents the appearance of
third rate city. The capitol buildings are in a
dlapitated condition, and old trucks, carts,
boxes, cannon, and ordnance equipments are
scattered promiscuously about the grounds.
The streets are dirty, no sewerage, and every
one having anything to throw out of house or
store throws it into the street. Could some live
men have the control of affairs here for time
the city could be made to present very differ
ent aspect.
We called upon Gov. Davis, and found him
atfabe, intelligent, and having the bearing of an
honest man. His administration has been
much condemned by both friends and foes, and
some features have a bad coloring. His APP.
pointment of gamblers and unprincipled men
to office, has been very unfortunate for his adj
ministraton. They have robbed the treasury,
the people, and the helpless school children. The
school officers alone have expended S75 900 in
discussing $4,000.
This information have from Governor Davis
He attributes the looseness of affairs to the law,
and not to his administration. These things,
and many others I might mention, have been
very unfortunate for Governor Davis; but think
Davis is himself an honest man, and is doing
the best he can for the state. The trouble is, he
is headstrong, and in no instance will he be adj
vised by conservative men, but follows the
advice of the most radical element found in his
party.
There are great number of northern people
here in Texas, especially in this portion, and as
a rule they are doing well. There are so many
avocatious to follow here that one cannot go
amiss; he is bound to succeed if he tries. There
have been two hundred brick buildings put up
in Waco this year, and know of no place offer
ing so many advantages to the mechanic
especially a good architect and builder could
make a fortune very soon. Any mechanics
wishing to come to Waco can write to Flint &
Chamberlain, bankers, who will put them upon
tie right track. Wages in Texas for all skilled
labor arc nearly double those in the north.
Besides, all wages are payable in gold. The rail-
road is now completed to Waco, and the city is
making great efforts to secure the removal of
the capital of the state to that place, with very
fair prospect Of success.
The best way for immigrants to come to
Texas is via the Missouri, Kansas and Texas
railroad, which will soon be completed from St.
Louis, Mo-, to Red River City in Texas. From
Red River City they should take their tickets
over the Houston and Texas Central railroad to
any point along its line, or TO the crossing of
the International and Great Northern railroads,
whence they can reach the eastern part of the
state over these roads. The Missouri, Kansas
and Texas railroad will make liberal reductions
in tariff and freight to all wlo wish to immi.
CRATE BY addressing Col. Thomas Darwin,
Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad, ST. Louis
Mo-, immigrant tickets will be furnished to any
point they may wish to reach. By all means
buy an immigrant ticket; you do not you will
have more than double the fare to pay; your
accommodations are all the same.
From here we propose to visit the northwest
ern portion of the state, and in my next shall
give you few notes from that standpoint.
D.w.c.
MARRIAGE AMONG FRENCH PRIESTS. "A
Paris correspondent writes as follows:
"Fatber Hyacnthc's example will be followed,
ii would appear, by large number of French
priests, who, the Patrie states, are going TO re-