The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-30
ON THE WING.
An Interesting Letter from an
East Tennessean in Texas.
AUSTIN, TEXAS, August Is, '76.

AUSTIN, TEXAS, August Is, '76.
To the Editor of the Morristown Gazette:
In company with Col. John Blev
ms, of your neighboring county O
Hawkins, after bidding adieu tc
s'loved ones at home, we came tc
Knoxville where we remained only
two days, and thence to the growing
little city of Chattanooga. From
the latter, we went to Nashville only
to remain a short time, anxiously
desiring to prosecute our journey to
the great and growing city of St
Louis, to witness the meeting of the
National Democratic Convention, in
that great metropolis of the West
OF this latter city, and also of the
Convention, we perhaps, will have
something more to say hereafter.
After leaving st. Louis on board
of one of the elegant U. S. mail
boats, freighted with the products
of the Upper Mississippi Valley, to-
gether with many passengers com
posed Of delegates mainly from Ten
nessee. Mississippi, Louisiana, and a
few from Texas, returning home
with their wives and daughters, we
| foated down the 'sfather of waters"
soon to find ourselves in the beauti-
ful city of Memphis, just in time to
NAL birthday of American Indepen-
dence.
The celebration in Memphis, on
the Fourth of July, was grand sue
cess, presenting a scene on all the
principal streets and Court-square,
altogether lovely. and everything
passing off merrily and pleasantly
as one could wish or desire.
Here, we met many familiar faces
friends whom we are proud to
claim as East Tennesseans, and
among the number mention may be
made of Judge Sam. Powell, Judge
Jno. NJ. Carmack, Capt. Sam. Gam
mon, Hon. Joseph B. Heiskell, and
several others well and favorably
known by many of your readers.
After a pleasant sojourn of sew
eral days in the beautiful "Bluff
City, we took the train for Little
Rock, Ark. and from thence, we
soon found ourselves travelling with
almost lightning speed TO the ''Lone
Star State
Almost in the twinkling of an eye,
we were transported over the line of
the Texas and Pacific railroad, to
the city of Dallas, only a few years
oil 40 70
but now bcasting of a population
fully twenty thousand souls, and
which is still rapidly increasing in
population, intelligence aud Weal+.la
rivaling some of the moe nopulous
cities OF the oouth and West. AT
ter Spending about a week in Dallas,
during which time We met with quite
number of other old familiar
faces, friends whom we had not seen
for many years. Among others we
will take occasion to speak Of Jack
Harry, and his four or five brothers,
formerly of Rogersville, Tenn, who
it will be remembered by many OF
the citizens Of the latter place, were
apprentices, working at the shoe
makers bench, an humble but hon.
orable occupation. These young
men came to Texas after the war,
following their humble calling, bat
they now own business house on
one of the principal streets in Dal
las, worth all of $4,000, and carry
ing stock of boots and shoes and
other goods in their line, amounting
to at least ten Thousand dollars
There are many of their friends left
behind, whom we know will be GLAD
to hear from these young men
whose conduct is worthy of emula
ton, and praise. We will not for
get to mention, also, the names o
John Jackson, Ralph Church. A
Wood, M. d. Wood, John Park, z
I. White, VIM. Hazen, James Davis
H. Page, and Sam Lackey. who's,
names are familiar to you.
From Dallas, we took the cars
travelling for distance of nea
three hundred miles, reaching tn,
city of Houston, to meet again ou
friend and travelling companion
Col. Blevins, whom we found quit
unwell, so much so, that it becam
imperatively necessary for him t.
return back 10 his home, after whic
time, we prosecuted our journe,
over the wide extended prairies
, down to the beautiful 'Guif City,
, and there beside the waters of til
briny deep, TO enjoy for little SEE
son, the soft and gentle breeze fror
; her noble beach. whose kiss to th
! cheek in the golden morning and i
: the restful evening, comes SO gentl
that one can scarcely detect its al
! proach. Yet we learn the charm {
: Galveston, its surf-batns. gardens {
: flowers and orange blossoms, whic
I: ;mpregnate the whole atmospher
with sweet perfume, giving to th
visitor and weary traveller, feelin
almost indescribable.
We come now to speak of our tri
: from Galveston to "San Anton," {
! the Texans lovingly call the ol
: town; where consumptives have fl
= years been coming, apparent
" upon their last legs, only to find r
! newed life and vigor.
1t would be an idle task for us t
! attempt to give you an adequai
idea of this beautiful country lyir
! between the Colorado and r.
!. Grande, in the midst of which sc
: ton is situated the ancient city
San Antonio, place thorough
EuroDean in asneet. and NAV
= Justly termed the Pearl of Texas
= as we'll as the Cradle of Texan Ii
, erty." This ancient city was fir
:. settled in 1864, now more than tv
Y hnndrad and tpventu vnars sin