Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-11-12
rExAs-pRLAYRp LErfRR.

6
FoRT WoRrH, TKxAs. November Z. 1871.
So much has been said and written OF
this great State that the task Of saying
anything new has become delicate, il not
difficult and impossible. would say to
people of limited means and sensitive
nerves, accustomed to the society and
comforts Of old communities, that q
iaunt over Texas at this time Of the year
will tone down the Texas fever if it exists.
Too many people come to this State
upon the r~ose-eolored descriptions Of
land agents and the ford word paint
ing of circulars and pamphlets scattered
over the poor old States Of the South.
When once here they cannot get away,
and add but little to the real wealth and
prosperity Of the State But people are
pouring in here by the thousand every
month, and there is room for ell. Many
of them have means to buy land, which
is still cheap; buy improved machinery
and agricultural implements a. set
themselves up comfortably. 1t is
surprising how soon 8 man becomes
a Texan. If he lives through the first
tvoor three years he would not exchange
with any other country in the world. 1t
is q State of magnificent distances as
well as prospects, and the people are
Justly proud Of its extent, geographical
position, varied soil, climate, productions
and resources.
Leaving Memphis two weeks ago, |
missed the connection at Little Rock,
owing, however, to no fault Of eitherroa
The railroad war is over, but travel Is so
heavy that the Little Rock and Iron
Mountain roads are taxed to their utmost
capacity to do the business. 1t is moth
ing unusual to see ten or twelve car
loads Of emigrants bound for Texas
The average per day, south of Little
Rock, must be at least ten carloads. AT
Texsrksns, WhereI again happily missed
the connection and camped for twenty
four hours, the stream Of emigration
divides over the two lines Of the Te1sl
and Pacific railroad. North Texas, that
is the country from Paris and Sherman
down to Dallas, Fort Worth, Weather
ford, Clsbourne, etc is the destination
Of the great body Of emigrants this year
and it is rapidly filing up with good
substantial people, though many who
expected TO find bowers Of ease anC
pots Of money at the end Of a gorgeouI
rainbow, are returning to the old place
where they recently shook the dust from
their restless feet. A great many Of tn
emigrsnts are exceedingly poor, and vii
suffer this winter, but this is always tn
case ia new countries, aud perhaps "a
less the case than formerly existed in th
colder States Of the frozen NorthwesI
Texsrkana is really a growing tSwn, {
some $500 inhabitants, and is rapidly in
proving; has two newspapers, one j
Arkansas aud one in Texas; hi
churches, schools, hotels, beer saleol
and other evidences Of progress aud CT
ilization.
At Longview the International al
Great Northern railroad, which 90,
south, gives the emigrant another chan
to choose routes and branch of. A gre
many are going to the country abo
Palestine, which is healthy and has mai
attractions, especially for the people
Mississippi, Alabama aud Georgia. J
Palestine there are again two roads,
the l. and G. N. goes both to Houst'
and Austin, and from there south the ii
Of immigration is not so heavy. HoU
ton is 80 good a city that l miss
the connection there without speci
regret, aud had to remain from Saturd
until Monday. From there the Houst
and Texas Central railroad, starting
salt water, reaches up through the cen
of the State to the Indian Territory
Deunison, besides having branches
Austin, WAGE and other imports
points. 1t carries the great bulk Of
cotton crop Of Texas, and does a
ntnse business. The wharf at Clint
Just below Houston, is covered with c
ton, and it still comes faster than th
lines Of ocean steamers, running to n
Orleans, New York and Liverpool.
carry it away. The road, includ
branches. is sos miles long. Hous
has nine railroads and iS a splendid
tributiug point. The people coufder
predict that this will be the great city
Texas, and give many good reasons fol
From Houston to San Antonio,
miles, the trip is made over one road,
Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antol
therefore thsre is no opportunity TO n
the connection. This road was ell b
bv one man. Mr., Pierce, O Boston CT