The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1875-04-24
LETTERS FROM TiiE PEOPLE.
DALLAS, April II, 1875.

DALLAS, April II, 1875.
To the Editor of The Dallas Herald:
Three years and nine months ago
to-day 1 became n citizen of this town,
and have closely watched its growth
ever since. Plain facts are better ar
guments than Hypothetical suggcs-
tions. How stood Dallas then?
Within the present municipal limits
there were not exceeding from twelve
to fifteen hundred inhabitants. Now,
by fair estimate from the best data we
have full twelve thousand. Then,
there was not business house off the
court house square. Now, the center
of business is four hundred yards from
it, and there are numerous respectable
establishments on four different streets
widely apart, more than mile from
the court house. Then, the present
residences of three fourths of the eX-
isting population were covered with
forest trees, brush, bramble and briars.
Then, the nearest railway depot was at
Groesbeck, one hundred and twenty
five miles distant by the road, and l
was eight days in moving from there
to Dallas.
Now, by three different routes, we
have semi-daily connections 10y rail
with every state in the union and Can
ada. Then, we had four churches,
now we have fifteen. Then, rise in
the Trinity stopped travel. Now, with
the river three-quarters Of n mile over
the bottom, the iron bridge and cross
ways bid defiance to floods. Then, we
had no foundry. Now, the third one
is about starting. Then, about three
blacksmith shops; now, about twen-
ty-five. Then, one weekly newspaper.
Now, two dailies and four weeklies.
Then, no bank, now four. Then, no
court house, now the finest one in the
state. Then, two or three feeble Sun
day schools, now at least fifteen large
ones. Then, few struggling schools,
now a large number of excellent grade.
Then, two Touring mills, now five.
Then, our receipts in cotton were next
to nothing-now, we have magnifi-
cent cotton compress and cur ship
ments rank next to Galveston> and
Houston in the state.
Then we had two hotels, old style
now we boast several first-class and
one being finished. Then we had two
livery stables-now ten or twelve.
Then we had not over ten indifferent
brick houses of all sorts-now proba-
bly, two hundred, and many of them
fine and costly. The postofllce, Pacific
depot and many large business houses
now stand in what was then field.
The market house snd other large es-
adjustments now stand where then
was a large, impossible baranca in
the suburbs. Our planning mills stand
now i'm the midst Of business and resi-
dences, where thIckets then abounded.
Our entire suburbs now, then barren
prairie or copses of wood, are dotted
with palatial residences, beautiful gar
dens and thriving orchards.
Look where we may, we find these
ard kindred changes from woodlands,
ravines and thickets to centess of busi-
ness, of churches, shops, residences,
gardens, etc. IL any town of the west
or south has ever made greater progress
in the same length of time, am un-
able to recall it. Besides this wonder
full change has taken place within less
than three years, when the first cars
reached Dallas in 1872.
With such facts, supplemented by
the great aggregation Of capital in our
great enterprise of our mer-
chants, mechanics and business men
of all pursuits, and the general unity
and spirit Of our people, is there left |
any ground for the vocation Of croak- /
ers, set-fasts or puil-backs?
Keep on in the same way-let unity |
our career will continue |
to be upward and onward. y, |