Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-12-11
. For the SPECTATOR.
Interesting Letter from Dallas, Texas.
DALLAS, Ten

DALLAS, TEXAS, Nov. 10th.
DEAR SPE CTATOR 1T has now just
been one year and twenty days since l
first planted foot on the soil of this new
State, and during that time have trav-
eled extensively, and spared no pains to
inform myself correctly in regard to the
character, manners and habits of the
people, the nature and capacity of the
soil, the climatolegy of the different lat
itudes, the diversity Of productions and
whatever else, even down to the small
minute of social life, might prove of
general or special interest. Of course, /
cannot in single letter discuss all of
these topics, but can at least give you
some idea Of the city in which I am at
present sojourner and of the SURROUND
ing country.
Dallas city is located on the northeast
bank of Trinity river, and contains a
population of twenty thousand inhabi-
tants. Five years ago, it was an incon-
siderable town, not one. fifth of its pres
ent dimensions, and its sudden and eX-
traordinary growth can only be explain
ed upon the principle that we are living
in an age of steam and locomotion; and
in all the appliances of civilized life,
perhaps the most advanced age in the
worlds history. The intersection of two
great systems of railway is beyond doubt
prominent factor in its growth, but its
location which makes it the objective
pointsof all that vast tide of emigration
whiehis constantly streaming in from
the North and East, and the healthful-
ness of the climate and unexampled fer
tility of the soil constitute the real Sc
cret of its wonderful growth and pros
perity..
Thel minds of the people seem as yet
bent upon the useful rather than the Or
namental. Street cars have been intro
duced and the water works are very
complete, but the fine aesthetic tastes of
: our nature have not been INDUCED, in
the way Of elegant and costly architec-
ture. The Courthouse, which is the
only building, whether public or pri-
vate. of any special Importance, is a
plain. social structure of stone, without
any very striking embellishments, and
one hundred thousand dollars. The
private dwellings are built solely with
view to comfort and convenience
They are mostly neat frame cottages,
one story high, with more or less of
ground in front, protected by white
washed palings, and ornamented with
shrubbery and flowers. The business.
blocks are chiefly of brick, usually two
stories high, but gradually assuming
larger proportions, with more tasteful
efforts both at outside and inside adorn-
ings.
The amusements of our people are
such as are common in most of our
Southern cities. One of the chief is
Varieties Theatre, open every night at
zen cents admission fee, with an ample
stage and many suggestions hanging on
the walls, ballet girls in abundance,
dancing, singing, testing. and lplays, if
not to suit, at least calculated to create
y vicious and corrupt public taste, and
bring into disrepute that severe republi-
can morality which is the strongest bull
wark of our freedom. Baseball and
croquet are games practiced by the boys
and girls of the better classes. but horse
racing, cock fighting, gambling, liquor
drinking, and other vicious indulgen-
ces still maintain their hold upon the
public mind. To restrain these abuses
are spiritual teachers, pastors and mas
tiers in Northumberland churches. too,
wherein the tares and the wheat -four
ish together, awaiting the great day of
final reckoning, when He that searches
the rei,as aud heart will Judge between
them. So much for the city, the main
elements of which are American and
German, but which is thoroughly cos
mopolitan in character, having repre-
sensations from every nationality on the
surface of the earth. A word now as to
the surrounding county. etc.
Dallas county occupies central posi-
sition as to the great cotton and grain
growing region of the State. The soil
is black alluvial, very rich. and the sea-
sons so favorable that ample crops can
he relied on with absolute certainty.-
James A. Crawford, of Augusta, with
whom you are doubtless acquainted.
owns few hundred acres near the CITY,
and is making the land crack with his
1.ft-handed plows The general appear
;.lce of the country is that of great
rolling prairie, well watered with tribu-
lary streams, everywhere dotted with
comfortable farm houses and cultivated
rms, here and there clusters of trees,
which give shelter to the cattle, horses,
and sheep, which exist in large num-
bers, and many other signs of civilized
life and modern comforts. The princi-
pal staples are cotton and the cereals
But the soil is generous to fault and
vii! produce almost anything in lavish
profuslon. have also seen fine crops
OF corn, wheat, cotton, potatoes, all
growing together in the same field, and
seeming to outvie each other in the lux
nriance of their growth. I ask the
question, can this be done in any other
quarter of the worldo The rains are
plentiful, good springs of pure limestone
water gush from the rocks, wells are
e"sy to obtain, the climate is cool and
b racing in the summer, mild in the win
I {, delightful at all times, and the
1.ealth of the people excellent.
Now in spite of all these advantages,
there are certain classes of men, whom
under no circumstances would [ advise