The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1874-07-16
No. 1890.
Correspondence of the News.
Letter from Texas-A ThriV-
ing Young City.
DALLAS, TEXAS, June 20, 1874.

Letter from Texas-A Thirty.
ing Young City.
DALLAS, Texas, June 20, 1874.
Mr.. j. L. BoARDMAN-Dear Sir:
AS I promised when leaving HILLSIDE
70 to write letter for the News oc-
casionally, I will not delay fulfilling
that promise longer.
The route travelled was via st.
Louis, thence over the Missouri.
Kansas & Texas r. r. to Dennison,
Texas, where connections made with
the Houston & Texas Central R. r.
for Dallas. Of Missouri and Kansas
so much has already been written by
others, that I will omit mentioning
them, but we travelled south 248
miles across the Indian Territory, a
country I have never seen any ac-
count of in.your paper.
The Cherokees and Choctaws occupy
the lands passed through, and live
in settlements fifteen or twenty miles
from the R. R. so that they can raise
cattle without interruption. They
don't like the railroad They cult
vate a little corn and wheat, but are
principally engaged in stock raising.
Many of them are wealthy, and own
from 1000 to 1000 head of cattle.
Some of them are educated, and
have books printed in their own
language. At Talequah, (the Capt.
taD they have College and publisha a
paper.
There are some of the finest farm
ing lands in this Territory, especial
ly in the vicinity of Gibson and Mus
kogee stations, that eyes ever gazed
upon, and well adapted to the cult
vation Of cotton, corn, wheat and
oats. When these lands are opened
to settlement, I know of no country
that offers better inducements than
it possesses, having the advantage .
of rich prairie soil, mild climate,
and an abundant supply of timber
and water. Trains cross Red River
on splendid iron bridge, making
the trip from st. Louis to Texas
without change of cars. The water
of Red River is the color of brick
dust.
The city Of Dallas is situated on a
bluff, on the east bank of Trinity
River, and contains q population of
$4,000 inhabitants. All nations are
represented; even the 'sHeathen Chi
nee" is here.
The Texas & Pacific R. R, from
Shreveport to San Diego, Cal, inter-
sects the Houston and Texas Central
R. R. here, and is completed to this
place.
Dallas controls the wholesale trade
of northern and western Texas, and
is the best city in the State. She has
street railroad that pays its stock
holders dividend of 40 per ct. per
annum, an iron bridge across the
Trinity that cost S1O4,000, and a
number of FIGURING Mills, Planning
Mills and other manufacturing es-
adjustments.
Real estate has advanced 500 per
cent. the last two years, and there is
an appearance of thrift here that I
have never seen equaled any where
else.
Good business rooms rent for ST.
500 to $4,000 per year. The cotton
trade here last winter averaged $780,
900 daily. The business men are
principally from the older States, and
possess frst-class business qualifca-
tons.
Hotels and boarding houses are
taxed to their utmost capacity to
accommodate the travel. E'Ue7e the
jail has about all 1t can 0ccomnao-
date.
In my next Twill give description
of northern Texas generally.
Respectfully yours,
THOS. MITCHELL.