Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-12
TEXAS.
Her observation-disclosures

To the Union ana American:
SAN MARCOS. Tex, Feb. 81, 1S73.-
Feeling assured, from the tone of your val
liable paper, that you take an interest in
the material progress and development of
the Southern States in their aggregate Ca
pacity, have assumed the pleasant task
of giving you the outlines of the growth
and thrift of our lovely "Lone Star" But
few years since our country labOred IN
der the embarrassing attitude of being de-
nominated wild desert, infested with
bands of marauding savages, whose trails
were left aimed with the blood of innocent
women and children. Now, these frivolous
flights of the imagination are regarded by
the thoughtful reader with that degree Of
consideration they originally merited. 1t
is true that since the war we have
lived under a most abominable gov
eminent, and in common with other
sister States, Texas has enjoyed the bliss
full (?) privileges incident to meek repose
under the frowns of carpet-bag and bayonet
rule. Fortunately, however, the united
efforts of the grand old Democratic party
have redeemed us from that oppressive po.
litical thraldom to which we have been so
painfully subjected for a few years past
Texas, to-day, offers the most inviting field
for immigration Of any scope of country on
the continent. As railroad facilities in
crease, corresponding increase in popula-
ton, and civilization is the result. In 1870
we had about 100 miles of completed rail-
road in our State; now the length Of the
several roads in actual opersti IN is 1,066
miles. Other internal improvements have
multiplied correspondiDgly. Our vast
prairies, over which millions of stock have
been permitted to roam for many years, are
now being rapidly settled and improved by
"bone and sineW" from the older States.
The Texas pioneers whose lives have been
devoted to raising stock on an extensive scale
are gradually yielding to the pressure OF
this vast food of emigration and making
room for the many, by recediDg with their
herds to the wild prairieS Of the frontier.
Texas has an area of 274, 1865 square miles,
or 175, 594 $50 acres, and a population of
but 100000 of souls. OF this vast area
of country we can safely say that its rich
ness and productive qualities cannot be
surpassed. We have a soil peculiar TO
mountain valleys, which is specially adapted
to the growth Of grapes, and also of small
grain. On our prairies and along the base
OF the mountains the peach, plum, apple
and almost all kinds of fruit can be grown
with q certainty. Until within few years
past the people of Texas deprived them
selves Of many luXuries, in the way offruits,
because of the want of confidence in the
soil, or from mere Indifference about plant
ing; we are unable to determine which.
1t is but just to say that fruits of almost
every kind are now successfully grown by
the Texas people.
We cannot do Texas Justice in one letter,
consequently, f)r fear of getting this com
munication TOO long, we had better con-
clude by asking the privilege of briefly re-
ferring to
HAYS COUNTY.
This county is situated 80 miles west of
Austin, the capital of the State, on the San
Antonio and Austin stage road. 1t has an
area of $50 square miles, of which at least
one half is superior farming land. Corn,
cotton and fruits of all kinds grow in great
abundance. For beautiful scenery it can
not be surpassed. Stone, fer building ma
terial, and cedar for fencing, are'inexhaust-
ible. The western half of the county is
mountainous and timbered, while the east
ern portion is prairie, beautifully dotted with
evergreen. Vegetables are grown in abund-
ance. 1t has water power the world can
not equal. The San Marcos river, which
has its source in the southern portion of
the county, within a few hundred
yards of the county seat, affords an
nexhaustible fountain of the clearest and
purest water the eye ever beheld. This
river, all points of which are accessible, Of
fers the most fiatteriug inducements for ir-
rigation (but it is seldom that is needed) Of
any stream in the State of Texas.
The International, and the M. K. and L.
roads, as surveyed, will run through the
heart Of the county. A number of fine
schools, and refined society are two striking
characteristics of Hays county. The voting
population is something near 1000. Polit-
ically, tie county is Democratic-has elect
ed Democratic Representative to the Leg
islature ever since it has been an organized
county. Lands unim proved are held at
from 81 80 to SIS per acre. San Marcos,
the county seat, is improving rapidly, fifty
new and substantial buildings having gone
up within the past twelve months.
In conclusion, we would says that Texas
is the country, and Hays the county in
which emigrants should seek their homes.
+. j, NJ,