The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-08-31
MASON, TEXAS, August 81, 1915.


Editors Democratic Statesman As yau So
licit county contributions, l will hazard a
word from Mason. Mason, l believe, has
not been done by the ''knights of the
quiil' since she d, fled her martial robe and
assumed the garment of peace. And not
being myself Bohemian singer of ink,
will not promise you anything spicy.
THE TOWN OF MASON
occupies almost central point in the
county. 1t consists of eight or ten busi-
ness houses, including two Ioomy and
thriving hotels. The town is not very COM
pactly bull (; indeed, at first sight, might
appear to a casual observer Ms being the
work of chance. But its arrangement,
moie refeciivcly considered, manifests not
only an evidence of design, but of struc-
turr, admirable for its elbow room, for its
uninterrupted ventilation, and for its af-
fording for frolicksome children beautiful
grass spots, by no means as small AS ordi.
nary soup plates. II is surrounded by tim
ber, and has plenty of excellent water; is
situated on the south bank of small stream
bearing the savage and somewhat poetical
name of Cnmanche. Comanche is tribu.
tary of the Llano river, TO which it
courses its tortuous way in south
cas- erly direction, and forms juno
tion with it eight miles from the town
South Of town, five OF six hundred yards,
Oh sharp little eminence, stands old Fort
Mason, commanding a sweeping view of
the town and country. The old fort. al
most regret to say, bears some resemblance
| TO Mark Twain's description of the ruins
| of Baalbec; yet its very dilapdation is
only simple proof of the rapid advance
ment Of civilization. 1t rose a warning to
the savage to recede and beacon to the
civliz TO advance. rs aspect shows il
in the trite simiIitude it suggests, of an
| old garment that has served its time, and |
been cast aside as useless. Only two of |
the old quarters now are habitable-one |
| occupied by white, the other by col |
ored family. OF the remaining, some are |
demolished partially, Others totally. Be- |
tween the town and the post is mill situ-
ated on winding brooket that fl rws into |
the C"manche only few rods distant
sToCKRAIsING
is the chief pursuit of the people. 1t pays |
handsomely-the country being we'll adapt |
ed to the purpose, having an abundance of |
water and rich pasturage. The principal |
men engaA Led in the business are re-
ducing 1t to system that promises fruitful |
results. They are enclosing large pastures,
containing hundreds of acres, in which they
are concentrating all their cattle as fast
as they can be gathered IRON the range.
manency to stockraising in this country
but enables the propretors to keep all their
marks and brands under their absolute con
troll at nominal expense. Besides it will
ult mately dispense with that wretched
practice OF promiscunus "maveriCking,"
and give one certainty Of possession and
ownership when his brand Is applied 1t
will also enable them to make calculation
for the annual market, aud for fu 'ure pros
poets generally, with no slim margin of
correctness. Another good feature in the
arrangement. Is its facility for improving
the stock for which purpose the d irham
is being introduced with favorable effect.
FARMING.
NJ ison has its share of Immigration.
Hence farming is by no meaus tagging.
The soil is generally productive and suited
to most varieties of agricultural growth
Where proper pains and labor are bestowed,
crops yield richly and prove highly remun-
eratlve. Cotton does well. Experiments
in that line the last two years gave perfect
satisfaction. The climate and water Deed
no comment. Their wonderfully healing
influence on patients suffering with all sorts
OF diseases, specially liver, kidney and pull
MINES.
Well, mineral - the Monte Christie
mineral of Mason county-yes, l must
say word about the mining,
but you Can go to G. Johns d
Co. and learn even more. Apropos, the
other day we had fresh sensation in the
way of bonanza amidst the scenes of the |
gold fields. | am told upon what is con-
sidered good authority that @. X. Johns u |
Co. have struck a lead (gold) that will |
compare favorably, if not surpass in rich
ness, the famous Comstock lead IN Nevada. |
Ny informant further stated they had sus- |
pended operations, but retain the hands at
full pay until machinery can be gotten up
on the ground, which they expect to &C
| comphsh in thirty days This is hearsay.
Nv private conviction is that c. r. Johns
& Co. have struck something that will
pay, and | trust that the development Of
events may not too greatly disparage the
correctness of the report.
PEACE &ND ORDER.
| Since Mason got rid OF Its turbulent
characters, it has nestled down amid the
sweet smiles of peace. Its serenity is al
| most proverbial-so calm, so quiet, so
cheerful. Business has resumed its wonted
ten n the little birds, unmolested, chirp
their daily carols; the farmer or ranchero,
in his purchase, leans over the Counter
with an air oi composure that precudes
any token of an innate fear Of volcanic
explosion of firearms in his ear. The
| merchant preserves CioohAS osSp
and stereotyped gait without exhibiting
any sign of being on the alert, or Of en-
deavoring to keep dove lurking trePida-
ton from an apprehensi' Of sudden
concussion of six shooters in q street epl-
sode. The old men of the place frown
down any intimation of more trouble in
future, as when some more tinid mind ven
lures the rather philosophical observation,
''there might be a storm after calm, as
the rice UersG is q settled axiom, and it's q
poor rule that won't work both ways" In
fine, everything is lovely and the good peo-
pie exceedingly hopeful. Their hope, l
dare say, is not without foundation. Their
peace and happiness at present glide in q
smooth, uninterrupted channel, aud not
without some warranty in its nature OF be-
ing lasting. l entertain the belief that the
town and county of Mason have just reached
} the goal Of dawning pr sperIty. Stuck
raising being brought under q well-dehned,
- ,,s S.6 a p a 390aN4tSe a4S
from present indicatfsSns will yfefa' sSsan'
S ty harvest Farming is e success; 1t prom
o ise. for the future not only competency
TO the producer, but surplus enough toi
home C, nsumption. The Influx of popula-
ton will compare favorably with adjoining
counties, and the number of permanent set
tiers exceed the average OF most frontier
s counties. bEhNETrE NoNFis'
s Dangers Incident 10 K~P'Dg Dog
about House.