The Van Buren press., 1873-05-20
LETTER FROM TEXAS.
LL.No. LLANo Co. TEN, May 3, 1873

even ifUin III Blhls
The early days OF the present month found
NE stepping upon one OF the dazzling points
OF the " Lone Star State and, Immediately
upon introduction. fully realized, as well as
thoroughly comprehended, what is meant
when It's said Texas is a fast place" Upon
entering. the most amazing feature, to one
coming from Arkansas, is presented in the
shape OF Il little city, called Denison. There,
as well as at Sherman, larger place, are a
portion of those peculiarities by which one is
assisted in determining what drs cities. Their
streets are thronged with wagons and tran
| slent as well as most all other classes Of men
and women-they have assumed quite city
mode of business, are throwing upon them
selves city garments, while as 'twerc, the
"Lone Star" banner rises as if to cheer the
once dreary desert.
Leaving these fair cities, blooming with
pride and perhaps bathing in their msrdian
splendor, wandered Eastward. To my sur
prise, was soon beyond the radiance of the
first attraction; soon | found myself beyond
the influence of the bright though circum-
scrbed rays emitted by Sherman and Deni-
son, and were there not such contrast in Wis
iting Eastern from Northern Texas, there
might be more favorable impressions made of
both. 1t was not until had visited Collin,
Hunt and some other counties, that inhaled
the atmosphere, which, presume, produces
Texas fever, so called in Arkansas-that
malady you know, has been raging desperate
ly almost throughout the United States, dur
ing the past year or two.
| should have told you of a real
DISEASE.
A serious epidemic called meningitis, which
was raging very alarmingly, short time ago
in Northern Texas. Denison seemed to have
suffered more, from this, than other localities.
This disease. though confined principally to
the juvenile class has been exceedingly fatal.
Few, very few, having recovered who have
been attacked. Twas said that occasionally
five per day were inferred at Donison. And
quite a gloom was cast over our little band
as we came upon Denison's Cemetery, which
disclosed, from tho freshness of the graves,
that perhaps twenty bodies had been deposit
ed within a very few days-though, in the
city, little seemed to be known of the havoc
being made. Perhaps, policy suggested Sc
crecy.
From Northern Texas, in pursuance that
old motto, Go West,"I
CAME WEST
And, while shall remember that Benedict
arnold proved to be traitor aud that Bona
parte got whipped at Waterloo, | shall not
forget that overland trip to Western Texas
All, one would indeed be tastelcss, even tor
pd, not to enjoy the tales of"Wild Western
Scenes,' of The Beauties of Extensive
Plains, especially were they couched in the
language ola Dickens, a lady Evans or a Leon
Lewis, making it so suggestive of moonshine
flowers, poetry. etc. Yes, the theory's good
but then let him enter upon the practical part
of those Old romantic ideas and come West,
might he not advise men, with homes in Ar
kansas, to procure an immediate antidote for
: Texas fever, and not attempt TO allay the
pain by going West? Methnks his words
would be, stay at home, Tommy don't go =
Well the fact is, | feel to be in a wondrous
state. Il don't mean the State OF Texas but
the state OF the case, which is this In passing
through this, the blazing star of civilization,
stopped
FEW DAYS ~ THE CITY OF b.
Among other days that came while there, was
sunday. On Sunday morning, | visited the
Public Square hoping to post myself in re-
gard to the exercises of the day, that might
hear a discourse from some Texas divine
Stepping upon the side walk-this, thought |,
is drug store, which | mistook yesterday for
a bar room, since the doors are open this
morning. Advancing further, | discovered
another open door. Within were several good
looking youths, which collection induced me
to pause for moment. Soon, however re-
sumcd my walk, thinking perhaps this was
their hour for worship, If so, they were wor-
Shipping BachuS, for twas drug store similar
to the first one. Imagine my surprise, upon
finding the whole city engaged in the dyag
business that morning, or, perhaps, 'twould
be more proper to say, some were in the drag
business G., dragging dry goods from the
shelves, to supply customers. This, | must
say, had tendency to rather stupcty the rapid
growth oftayorabe opnion-still more when
conycrsant with the fact, that the Sabbath
morning exercises were often opened with a
fantastic game Of blliards,or testing the accu-
racy Of their WinchcstSrs, by shooting for
while at target.
| have since learned, there Is no State law
in Texas touching the Sabbath day; but that
by mutual consent. or y Kind of municipal
law, business is carried on until O'Clock A.
m. Sunday and opened again at 4 p, IN.
TnE LEGISLATURE
or Texas. which Is now in session, is quite an
honorable body, few exceptions, and one Of
its members informed me few days ago, that !
they were going to pass law, during this
session, respecting the Sabbath day. The |
Legislature has been very busily engaged
granting railroad charters, entertaining me-
MORALS from the people, etc. The State hav-
sceptre, the people would not mcmerialize for
assistance in local affairs, as they thereby
might only reveal new means for oppression.
Thus great deal of local business accumula-
ted. And now, when realizing that Texas is
again SO near the shore of liberty, and too re-
turning in such healthy condition, almost
feel to weep for poor Arkansas, as she wan
ders far out in the ocean Of discomfort, being
constantly met by insulting pillows and ma
llcous waves, with no manner Of redress.
This brings me TO speak Of a way out in
BuRNET AND LIANo COUNTIES.
Here, in this great cattle region, grass, OF