The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-11
wandercr on nj. travels.
THE DARK CORNER.


Editors Democratic StatesHsaa-Few Of
your readers have heard of the Ozark Cor
ner'' or its now defunct neighbors, scratch
Ankle ''Slip Up STEAL Easy" and
''Grab All, - the latter being four defunct
embryo villages in the lower part of Falls
and the upper part of Milan counties, all
of which advanced as far as grocery, gen
eral store, and perhaps a blacksmith shop.
but they have all died, and the railroad
killed them, for if darkey wants a plug of
tobacco he must Ito horse and away
nothing short of the nearest town can stop
hm.
The Ozark Corner" was the name at
tached to this division of Falls county, from
the fact that at one time they had neither
school, church, or postoffice, a reproach
that has long since been removed for they
have now very respectable and comfort
able two-story frame building, which is
used as a Masonic Hall, with quite a flour
ishing lodge; school on the week days,
and preaching 10y various denominations
every Sabbath.
Capt. L. NJ. Wilder, who won his title ON
the battle field in Mexico, and who in the
Second Legislature represented Rusk cOun-
ty, may we'll be styled worthy patriarch of
this settlement. The people look to him in
all cases for advice and assistance, and be
ing man of means, he is able and ALWAYS
ready to assist them. The captain has a
fine farm fronting on the Brazos, running
back to the post oaks, in which he has
built comfortable residence, the latch
string of which hangs low down, so as to be
in reach of the little children: he is a neat
gentleman of the old school, who, though
long past his ''three score" still gallantly
sits his saddle with more ease and grace
than many young man.
1t is extremely pleasant to me to see the
prosperity of the men to whom in the three
last years l sold small surveys of land on
accommodating terms. Their paper has
been heretofore promptly met and those
whose nOt.s become due this year have the
cotton on hand, but owing to the sickness
at Calvert have not been able to take it tc
market, they will meet their notes, how
ever, in January.
In what country besides Texas can man
buy land for five dollars an acre that will
raise bale of cotton, which for the last
three years will average sixty dollars.
Col BOZeman, who cultivateS what il
known as the Caddo Prairie, has raised
over 600 bushels of corn and more than 9
cotton called "prolific, :" and l assure you il
does not belle its name-a tall, powerful
stalk, with bolls from its base to its top-l
perfect sight to behold.
For years have always advised the immi
grant who was dealing with me to build {
cistern among the first things he did, anC
right at this place l had another opportu
nifty to prove the necessity of tine advice
being followed Two families came from
Alabama, and have located within less thar
500 yards of each other. Both have chill
dren, and arc about' equal in numbers. Ono
has used cistern water, and the other watel
from fine spring. The family using the
cistern water had one or two slight chills,
easily controlled, have worked daily in tht
field and made fine crop of corn and cot
ton. The other, using the spring water
have been sick for the last five months anC
have not been able to pick 500 pounds O
cotton, and are, in fact, pitiable objects tt
look at
believe that ourprairie country is admi
rably adapted for white labor, if the parties
will make cisterns and adopt the furthel
precaution to place their houses so tha
our usual south breezes will not blow from
the field into the house If these two things
are strictly observed, health, wealth anC
prosperity are almost assured, if a gooC
share of industry is maintained.
Leaving the dark corner, shall wenC
my way to Madison county, going 10y the
way of Smiley's Ferry to Bremond.
Such farms as you pass on this route on boil
sides of the river! Indeed am afraid to say
much more of the Brazos bottom, or tell o.
the size of the cotton stalks, the immense
number of bolls or the whiteness of the
fields, for IN spite of houses full of cotton, OF
immense piles or heaps in the field here you
see hundreds of acres so full and so white,
that even an experienced planter might
doubt if they had been touched by picker
To avoid Calvert which is not yet free from
the fever, / took BremOnd in my route,
which is by far the best location for a vii
lage of any from Houston up. Business
appeared lively and if can Judge by the
railroad depot, l should say that a large
scope of country must ship from this point.
1 am writing this by the light of two home
made tallOw candles, the ink as you see is
verypale, the dogs are barking and howling
in response to the horn of the hunters for
my friends sons are going ''cooning." The
fire on the hearth is comfortable and the
supper was splendid, and feel at peace
with all the world Good night.
WANDERER.