The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-28
Travelling Correspondence.

Editors Democratic Salesman left Nc
Dade on horseback Friday morning, Au-
gust twenty second, at Z 80 o'clock, for Bas
trop, the county seat of Bastrop county.
The road between these towns is good, and
scenery pleasant to the eye, although few
cultivated farms are seen in the Immediate
vicinity of the road; yet rich nutritious
grass and fine trees of large variety are in
great abundance.
The distance to BastrOp from McDade is
about fourteen miles, but your correspon-
dent thinks that twenty would have been a
more appropriate number, rs the ride really
seemed to me TO have been over that much
ground
arrived at Bastrop about II o'clock A.
NJ. same day, and found the county seat OF
Bastrop county much larger than l had an
ticipated. Fine dwellings and stores are
thickly strewn along the main street; shade
and fruit trees in abundance surround each
house. The population of this town is
about 1900 or 1000; whites largely in ma
jority.
There are about forty business houses in
BastrOp, among which are eight grocery
stores, eight dry goods establishments, two
drug stores, two photograph galleries, two
fine hotels, two livery stables, four silver
smiths, two saddlery shops, two cabinet
makers, two wagon shops, four blacksmith
shops and one restaurant.
Several lawyers and physicians carry ON
an excellent practice here.
The people are intelligent and hOspitable;
the majority of them are church goers, there
being in Bastrop four fine churches, with eX-
cellent pastors, who are beloved by all who
know them. The churches are one MethO
dist, one Episcopal, one Christian and one
CathOlic-all are well attended. Besides
churches there arc two Masonic lodges, one
fine college building, Turn Verein, some
what similar to the one we have in Austin.
BastrOp to-day is in flourishing condi
ton, new buildings are being erected, bust
ness assuming more lively appearance and
good health prevails in all quarters.
People coming in from other parts of tho
county report the cotton prospect this yeal
to be excellent, and other crops in good con
dition.
Residents of the county, living near and
about the county seat, make fruit raising {
speciality; also vegetables in large quaint
ties are raised here annually, and shipped NJ
and down the Houston and Texas Contra
Railroad to various points.
The streets are in good condition, and ;
look of cleanliness meets the eye in all di
rections.
There are several fine residences, among
which is that of Hon. Joseph ID. Sayers, oc
cupying beautiful location and surrounded
10y lovely shade and fruit trees. Rare shrubs
and fragrant flowers adorn his garden, max
ing his home almost a paradise.
/ would also mention the Nicholson
House, with that most worthy OF hosts, Mr.
James Nicholson for its proprietor, simila
in location to that of the residence of Mr.
Sayers, surrounded by variety of beautiful
trees, and so located as to get the benefit o
the morning and evening breeze, which
never fails to visit this portion of our En-
pire State.
Mr.. Nicholson stands ready at all bour
to receive friends aud patrons under his
hospitable roof, his smiling face and kim
manners not only cheering the traveller, bu
when one takes his departure from tn,
Nicholson House, it is only to return on
rcvisitIng Bastrop.
This lovely town can boast Of having
/ large steam grist mill and cotton gin
which yearly pay their owners handsome
profits.
BastrOp Is surrounded on the northeas
and south by undulating hills, large guam
titles and variety OF timber, while fin
farms, rich with Hpening crops, stretcl
away for miles in the distance, and allen:
the western boundary Of the town course
the beautiful Colorado, thus making tn
town most desirable place in which L
live.
But one thing more to make this 'stown'
llourishing s'city, F" let the Texas Contra
run tap road from McDade through tn
valuable coal mines To Bastr0p, thus open
ing up to the world this great wealth O
mineral production and facilitating the emf
grant To settle up the '.Eden" Of counties
W. ]. i.