Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-03-09

their road gets into operation. The
land is black and very ricn. Though
a Prairie country, plenty of timber for
firewOOd and fencing can be found on
the creeks. There ii was that l part
ed with Mr.. Shultz of Va. We left
Mr.. Aston in Dallas County.
In passing through Lamar, FaDnin
and GraysOn counties, was surprised
to meet up with so many persons
East Tenn. all housed and tenanted,
All expressed themselves as being
well pleased with their exchange of
countries. They represented times
harder, the country worse, and money
scarcer in East Tennessee than ever
before. This l knew to be true. One
said that Sorgum Syrup was legal
tender and about the only circulating
medium of trade that was in use.
The stream Of immigration to this
State is great. The trains from the
North. on the NJ. K. & T. Road, and
Iron Mountain Road, are continually
crowded to such All extent as TO rem
der travelling on them rather uncom--
Portable. Then immense numbers are
coming in wagons. 1t is quite a Gu
riosity to witness the trains of wagons
lOdOCO NAbAl nAiAo NADSShiiSo VIZ
broad prairies, all cheerful and happy.
1t makes hearts leap with Joy when
they reach land free from curse of
a military despotism. But lest L may
iutrude upon your columns | must say
"hold enough :"
To conclude, the past of Texas be-
longs to history, the present of Texas
is life. activity, force, energy and ap
pication in an effort to solve the
problem of her destiny in the future.
[ sometimes enjoy flight into the
years yet to be, in order to speculate
on the turn which the fortune of
States and nations may take. Texas
at least, of the Southern States, is not
to be tied down to the wreck of the
past. Her best days are before her.
with q magnificent domain; with a
fruitful soil; with genial CLINE, and
with an enterprising population al
ready at work, what remains for her
but to go forward? 1t seems that she
has taken a wise start. Her public
school domain is immense, and OF
great value; her railway system has
been projected OH a magnificent scale,
and within her ample limits, there Is
room for many millions of inhabi-
tants. With all the advantages L
have enumerated of soil, climate, IA
cilities for communication, and eduCa-
tional foundation, the future of this
great Empire State-the Lone Star"
the handsomest tnat decks the blue
canvas of our Southern national
ity, and sheds such halo of undying
glory over the hero of San JacInto-
must be bright.
This great State, embraces a terri
tory of 237.509 qsuare miles, or 1885,
6O2, $50 acres of arabic land, much Of
which is unsurl assed by any territory
of like extent on the continent. There
are yet in the Valley of the Rio Grande
region, with a climate as mild and
genial as that of Italy, many millions
vet unoccupied Wish could refer TO
the United States Marshal's reports of
census. and give the gain Of poppla-
tiOn. However, it is coDjectured that
since 1870, the population of the State
has increased at least 200 600, which
would make the present population
,2S4. .579. ASH have not the figures
before me, it would be guess work for
me to say any thing about the assess
ed value of the property of the State.
This much, as fact which may be in
teresting those who mSy contemplate
a change of residence. l am told that
there are yet in the State, S8,8l2, ,629
acres of public Iand-that is, land
owned by the State. The homestead
laws of Texas are very liberal-too lib
eral, think. Lands on the market,
are sold at an extremely low price.
and there is no excuse for failure on
the part Of the industrious emjgrant TO
EuiId up for himself a comfortable
home, and enter upon career of pros
perity
r. J. MCC.