The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-05-10
LETTER FROM TEXAS.
Il JEFFERSON COUNTY KAN'S
TRIP TO TEXAS AND WHAT
HE Has TO SAY OF II.
DALLAS, Texas, April 80, 187f
D the Editor of the Morristown Gazette:

DALLAS, 1EAAS, hpIll OOy lOIO.
To the Editor of the Arorristown Gazette;
Having emigrated to the Lone Star
State from my native State, East Ten
nessee, and having promised "a great
many friends to write them, Z thought
would give them general letter through
your paper.
I left Rutledge on the gath of April.
Had quite pleasant trip to the city of
Knoxville, cheered along the road by
the growing of roosters, and the occa-
sional gobble of certain old turkey,
the only one on the train. Left Knex-
vile Wednesday morning, and reached
Chattanooga for breakfast, where l met
an East Tennessean whom his friends
supposed to be dead But he is still
alive, and says that he is neither dead
nor sleeping. Nothing of interest trans
pired on my trip more than our engine
ran off the track on the Memphis and
Little Rock road, the road being in a
desperate condition at this time, but the
managers speak of repairing it soon.
Arkansas, along the line of road, is one
vast wilderness and swamp, and looks as
though man would necessarily have to
boat it through. don't suppose any of
my East Tennessee friends would like
to emigrate to that locality, for even the
frogs were packing up to leave, for fear
of the chills and mosquitoes, the latter
being very numerous and of large statue
f,,I
steer, and then fly up in tree and pick
their teeth with their horns.
From Texarkana, Texas, to Wills
Point, the land looks thin, but seems to
be very fine for cotton, corn and oats
After you leave Wills Point you strike
one of the most beautiful prairies that
1 have ever beheld; just as far as your
| eyes win reach the prairie extends, and
a smoothe as needs be, and covered over
with grass, looks as though the Lord
had seen fit to carpet the whole thing
most beautifully. 1 saw a great many
horses and cattle on the prairie, all fat
and sleek, as though they were stallfed
| Corn, cotton, beans, etc., are up, and
have been worked from one to two
times, and look fine. Oats are headed
out.
This, in nay estimation, is the country
for emigrants Land is good, climate
mild, health fine and everything looks
lovely, though some complain of hard
times even here. But hard times here
are better than in East Tennessee, and
they don't care to throw you out the coin
for change. don't want to say anything
that would be calculated to induce any
one to come here on my say so, for they
might become dissatisfied. l have met
with some parties who are leaving Texas
because they say they can do no good
here. The reason is, they came here ex-
pecting to have only to shake the first
bush they came to and gather dollars to
last life time. Such is not the case
here nor elsewhere am informed that
man can get very good wages in the
country. The emigration is very large
now. A great many from all the States
are coming in. As have not been here
very long am not as competent to give
positive information as cid residenters.
Should any want further information,
will try to give it hereafter.
Very respectfully, r. B. G..