The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-21
NO 4


L
s f. August z, 1873.
Editors Deaoarafis Ssaieaasl-As the
srATEsafAs IS usually open to communiea-
tiOns from the frontier, perhaps 4 few notes
may not be out Of place; sll tie mare 50
that-this county does not often ind spokss
man for i in your columns, though tribu.
tAry to Austin, and q generous patron Of the
STATESMAN.
Frosts, grasshoppers aud dry weather
have cut crops somewhat short this year.
With littlemore rain, late corn win return
a good yield, and in any event presume
enough will be made for home use. The
grasshoppers destroyed the wheat crop,
which was very promising. But little cot
ton has been planted. II, howeyor, what
have seen be a criterion by which to Judge
Of its producing capacity, this section Is
well adapted to cotton, and the worm has
never been known. Vegetables and fruit
can be raised here Of the finest quality. The
good people of Austin have probably never
eaten finer FL Paso onions or more delicious
peaches than were sent to their market from
this county. Fruit Is very scarce this year,
as is the case generally.
The range isunexeelled in the State, and
is unusually fine. This curly mesquite,
very similar to the buffalo grass OF the
prairie, does not dry up and blow away in
winter, but cures like hay. Animals keep
fat all the year. Beeves attain that solid
condition that tells on the scales, which
one seldom sees in the lower Country. This
section has been well nigh drained Of cattle
and presents fine field 70 the stockraiSor |
A better country for horses cannot easily be |
found, but the Indians have almost put |
stop to that branch of stockraising; one |
that should be source Of great revenue to i
the country. Persons unaccustomed to the 4
frontier have little idea what great draw /
back upon its prosperity and improvement /
are these red marauders After the moon
reaches the first quarter horses must be
stabbed or tied close to the houses,
or the chances are, three out OF |
five, in the morning, viii find them
missing. Though the moon has not
yet reached the full, one party has been in,
killed Mr.. Phillips on Cherokee, and passed
out with about fifty head Of horses, worth
between $500 and $4,000. Two or three
moons ago, they stole near thousand dol
lars worth from the immediate vicinity bf
the town. Month after month, and yehr
after year, these people have been robbed
v
dress. The Comptroller says no section Of
the State is Inore prompt in payment bf
taxes than the frontier; but neither tile
United States nor the State government
gives them that protection which should be-
their return for bearing their share Of the
common burdens. The cries Of their women
and children hurried of to a captivity worse
than death, and the blood Of their slaugh-il
tered brethren call loudly for relief. They
have looked in vain to the United States
government, and have ceased TO expect aid
from that source VIII their own State al
ways refuse them protectionl Taxation
without protection is tyranny. VIII the
STATESMAN help them to present their
claims before the next Legislature in such
a manner as must gain relief2
1t has been my fortune to have visited
considerable portion of the frontier, and
very rarely has any country presented
greater inducements to the immigrant Land
can be obtained at fairrates and Of excellent
quality. Many farms on spring branches
can be irrigated, and such produce certain
and abundant crops. Pecan and elm abound,
and in some places cedar. Rock is every
where to be found. The character of the
is exceptionally good. The mail
bag shows that they keep posted not only
in agriculture and stock raising, but IN the
general news and literature of the day
are two schools in the town with a
total Of seventy scholars. Aside from
charges connected with the cattle business
there is said to be very little business on the
criminal docket.
When the Indians are driven permanently /
beyond her borders, which the building OF
the Texas Pacific will accomplish. San Saba
must improve rapidly, and realize the bright
future now opening before her.
The mail rider from Llano brings the re-
port of fight between eight whites and 1
sixteen Indians Two Of the whites held
horses, the others charged, and FIVE Indians
were seen to drop from their horses at the
first round. The Indians then charged, but
the whites held their ground, wounding in
all ten Indians, killing two and capturing
all their horses, blankets, etc. The Indians
were armed with new Spencer rifles. Four
of the whites were wounded, OF whom It is
feared two viii die. #. p.
4