Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-04-02
From Texas.

Messrs. Editors: This is unquestion.
ably a fine farming country; but like
many Of the Western States, it is highly
misrepresented by writer's and persons
whose object is to encourage emigration.
by portraying 10 a lively, bombastic and
exaggerated manner the advantages of the
country while the disadvantages are
passed by untouched. Many. by these
means, are fools enough to think there i,
a fortune west for them, and they start
with bright expectations, thinking all
they have to 90 is TO take possession on
their arrival.
A great many to my opinion has been
disappointed and others will be- if thew
start with such expectations. I will say
to those who have a thought of coming to
Texas. don't be aattered with the idea of
becoming rich Immediately or that you
can live without work it this be your
OBJECT we advise you to stay where you
are for you will fud hospitality as good,
if not better, in East Tennessee than here,
and the people as much disposed to keep
loaters. But if you come, come with a
resolution to live frugal and work dili>
gently, and do so, you can make money
in Texas. Wages are high and land is
good. Here are wide and far extended
pralrlcs, now covered with green verlaro
and thousands of horses and cattle on
them subsisting. Thousands Of acres are
now in cultivation, upon which from
twenty to forty bushels of wheat and
from fifty to sixty bushels of corn and
FROM one to two bales Of cotton per acre
has been raised.
Admitting all this, Texas is lacking in
many of those natural resources which
are 50 essential to the life and prosperity
of a State. Here are not seen those tall
stately oaks and the varieties of timber
that decorate the hills of East Tennessee ,
nor the cool refreshing innumerable
springs and clear sparkling streams that
flow through her valleys, and varieties of
minerals which are being slowly but
steadily..developed, with her salubrious eli
mate and productive soil to which nearly
every variety Of grain and vegetables is
adapted. A country with all these natu>
raj resources, which the hand of nature
has 50 beautifully bestowed, needs only a
wide awake and energetic people, with a
stronger desire for competition with her
sister States. Texas, as well as Tennes,
sees, most important requisite is more La
boring men. | see that ten different men
have announced themselves as candidates
for Trustee in Washington county. High
time for office seekers. Let the farmers
strive as hard to improve their farms as
some Of these men will strive to secure
their election in August and the time will
be, and not very distant, when ten bush
els of wheat will be raised per acre in>
stead of FIVE, and East Tennessee will
blossom as a rose with the fruits of pros
perity.
All East Tennessee lacks of being the
best country in the world is a more fer
tie soil, and all Texas lacks is timber and
water. The superiority will have to be
acknowledged to be in Tennessee's favor,
for her soil can be improved, while for
generations to come Texas will remain
unchanged, her disadvantages being wa
ter and timber.
Farmers Of Washington county. look
with more interest to the improvement Of
your soil, and if improved it cannot be
equalled by the Prairies of Texas and
you can then be an independent and
prosperous people.
JOHN W. BAYLEss.
Wildwood, Texas, March 22d, 1874.