The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-08-12
The wanderer on His Travels.
GAINESVILLE. July %. 1875.


The Wanderer on His Travels.
GAINESVILLE, July 90, 1875.
The village of Warrenton, some six
miles from White Sulphur Springs, and the
county town of Farquier county, is very
delightful place to spend the hot summer
months. Before the war it was quite q
place of resort for the wealthy planters OF
Southern States. The society is first rate
educated, retihed and possessed of true Nir-
ginia hospitality. Within the last eighteen
months, Warrenton has been deprived OF
both her hotels by fire, and visitors are de-
pendant upon private accommodation, OF
which the best is to be had at quite moder-
ate rates. There are quite a number of well
known strangers here at present. Amongst
the names l have heard is Admiral Sands,
ex-Confederate States Senator Semmes, OF
Louisiana, and A. G.. Penn, of New Orleans
all with their families. / also met my
old acquaintance, George b. Cochran, OF
San Antonio, who has made the people OF
Warrenton exceedingly glad by the pur-
chase of the site of the old Warren Green
Hotel, and on which he proposes to erect a
modest hotel building-so built as to be
enabled to increase its accommodations as
circumstances may require. The grounds
are very pretty and quite extensive, COM
prising in all about six acres. In was
once, before the days of railroads, con-
sidered the hotel of the South, as
it was the great stopping place of
all the stages bound further South.
The old house, believe, was formerly a
mansion of one of the rich, ancient Vir-
glnians, afterwards converted into school,
and finally into hotel. Standing amongst
a bower of fine old trees, on an elevated
spot above the level of the surrounding
streets, with a beautiful lawn of blue grass,
it had an extremely attractive and cool
look. Here beneath the shade of one of
these grand old trees, just fifty years since,
the illustrious Lafayette addressed the peo-
pie of Warrenton. The price of this prop
erty was only six thousand dollars, and
there are buildings and fencing on it, unin-
jured, that could not be put there for the
money--a sad commentary on the price of
property in this good State. II could
move the property by any writ known to the
law-Or unknown, either-and put it down
in Austin, as well situated as this is, it
would be worth half million; but this is a
practical showing between the old States
and the new. With such favor is Cochran
looked upon that the leading taxpayers OF
the town have intimated that when the hotel
is built the corporation must relieve 1t OF
town taxes for at least ten years.
Considering how these people in this Sec
ton were completely stripped of all prop
erty-nOt only their slaves, but they were
despoiled of all horses, cattle and sheep,
most of the houses on the farms ruthlessly
destroyed, fences burned, and the country
one vast common-it is, indeed, wonderful
-. i LII thor
have done in the way of restoring some of
the comforts of life. +-
Leaving my daughter considerably i'm
proved from the change and the free use of
white sulphur water from the springs,
concluded to run down and see one of Aus
tins whilom citizens, Mr. William Fl.
Brown, who is living near Gainesville on
part of the battlefield of Manassas. /
found him with an amiable and accom-
plished wife and a bright-eyed two-year-
old youngster, comfortably situated as a
Virginian farmer. He certainly has q. beau
tiful place, and, with the aid of guano,
plaster and other phosphates, is gradually
restoring the land to fertility. l could not
help, however, remarking to him that half
the energy and expense, on Texas farm,
would have been ten times rs remunerativs,
and, | rather guess that when he Is able
to sell he will do so, and then cast his lot
among US once more.
This section of country seems very at
tractive to Englishmen, several of whom,
possessed of considerable means, have set
tied here. This is sort of country that
would suit Englishmen-not too hot. in
summer or too cold In winter--and as they
are well used to manuring plentiiully
every year at home, it seems a thing OF
course to them, and they take to it
very naturally wish we could induce
Just few of the same sort to settle with
US. Our extremely healthy climate, and
our rich lands combined, would, If favOra-
bly, reported on by one who bad actually
tried the place himself, soon bring many
Others to partake of the good g the gods
have provided for them"
This must be very 6ne grape country,
for, in the course Of a drive yesterday, J.
saw several very large vineyards that have
been established, generally, by the new
corners, who find quick transportation by
the railroad and a ready and profitable mar.
ket in Washington for their produce. Some
very fine wine has also been made, which
also finds ready sale.
You know l spent several days at this
point last year; and am glad to witness
the improvement that has taken place in
the neighborhood since that time. / find
several new houses built, great deal Of
new plank fence taking the place Of the
dilapidated Virginia worm fence, that first
had 10 be used for the want Of ell other
material, and in = circle Of seven miles ]
see that mora land has been in cnlfiFstion.
or being prepared. There Is good deal
of Quiet, unostensatio1s energy among the
neople. and 4 great love for their ancestral
odes. as well as determination 60 forget
the past and bend their energies 70 the re-
cuperation Of their wasted fortunes. With
. fnlI determination to Do, . thing is always
half done at the start; and this grand old
commonwealth, never So well described as
when styled the mother Of States and Of
statesmen, Will yet hold Der head as high as
she used TO do among her sisters
- ~ - tsr WAxDERKR. 81
E 81 "a