The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-07-11
Texas AS Seen by a Tennesseean,

From letter written to a gentleman in
this place by Mr. J. II. Linebarger, late of
our county but now resident of Texas,
we are kindly permitted to lay before the
readers of the BULLETIN quite an inter
esting description Of the Lone Star State
the letter bearing date June 81, 10, and
postmarked GreenvilIe, Hunt county:
Colonel Nicely Sir-Having travelled
about two thousand miles on horseback
in the State, feel competent to give you
some information in regard to the coun-
try. Eastern Texas is a POOR country.
Commencing 1T Bowie county in the
northeast corner of the State, it Is a san
dy, pine woods country, extending west
from 100 10 $50 miles, and south the
whole length of the State. This pine
woods country affords immense quanti-
ties Of superior lumber, which is indiS-
pensable on the western prairies. At
ter passing through the timber of the east
the country opens out into immense prai-
ries of the richest soil | ever saw-in
many places thousands of acres in a
tody. This portion presents a most beau
tiful landscape. The face Of the country
is undulating, no hills, with farms here
and there and large numbers of stock of
all kinds, except fine blOoded, running at
large, subsistIng wholly on the wild grass
winter and summer, and will not eat corn
if given to them. The people pay no at
tention to their stock. Could raise the
finest in the word if they would try.
Running water is scarce, but water may
/ be had by digging Is to 80 feet almost
anywhere; besides, pool dug in the
/ black dirt holds water like a jug. An
outlay of 800 wou ld provide water
enough for a large h erd of stock during
1 the entire summer. All Of the large
stock raisers have gone farther west and
left, l think, a fine opening for a man who
will give his attention to the raising Of
( fms stock.-Would, of course, need q
farm in connection. Farming pays much
better here than IN Tennessee. Every.
thing grows in abu ndance that is planted
and cultivated. Lands are cheap yet
three to six dollars wild improved land
is high. All land is advancing rapidly
En-; grafton Is pouring in all the time
FROM the north and south. There are
several railroads in contemplation some
are under contract. North Middle Texas
Is destined to be q wonderful fac coun>
try. ] went as far west as there was any
settlers. l don't like this portion so we'll
Its mountainous and rough timber very
scarce aud range rather poor; soil not SC
productive but running water more plen-
tifuI; the valleys are fine for grain, bu
the country is subject to the visits of tn,
army grasshO pper, which comes not IN
frequently, totally destroy ing crops. Did
not see any cotton plantei cut there. In
fact, 1t Is strictly q stock country. There
are immense herds of cattle and horse.
all over the mountains and valleys. ] wa.
told that sumo men own as many as fifty
thousand head. There has been a grea
deal Of rain here for the last month
Waters very high roads extremely muddy
errors needing work, and some crops 0
wheat have been badly Damaged in tn,
shocks. Where it was carried to tht
barns OF put up in stacks, it Is all safe"