The Ottawa free trader., 1877-09-08
From Texas.
WACO. Texas. Aun

, W AGO, ltAUS, aug, !, ICi -
: Edttors Free YradG-Our little city wa
again the scene Of that terrible monster fire,
few nights since; in the burning Of two stone
, houses on IIuster's avenue near the McLcl
land Hotel The fire originated in mystic
rious manner, as IS usually the case when in
surancc companies have to foot the bill. The
fire company responded promptly to the alarm
but too late for arresting the fearful flames
that had well nigh devourcd prominent dry
goods establishment, and made insurance
Iagents put on a sad look; yet they saved, by
their grOgan-lkc efforts, untold thousands for
other parties. Loss estimated at 100000
covered by 100000 insurance from several dif
icrent companies.
Business continues rather dull, and the
prospects for Il revolution is more gloomy
than usual at this season; as the cotton worms
are destroying partially, and in many places
totally the crop throughout the state; and cot
ton is the great motive power that drives the
wheels OF commerce in the south. The plant
was never finer, nor a better prospect Tor a
crop until the caterpillar began sweeping it
of so the farmer, after toiling all the year
has to yield passivey to its merciless ravages.
But the grain crop is very good, and cheap
supplies will be hcralded with pleasure to the
emigrant coming among us. Our central city
stlll continues to improve though the financial
pressure is very great; the erection Of a new
court and market house adds greatly TO the
appearance, and cotton compress is in course
Of construction which will command greater
! trade in the flcecy staple, But Waco has one
great drawback to its progress, and that is a
discrimination " the Central railroad on
freight rates, which has been monopoly
against her interest for several years, For in
stance, you can ship Il bale Of cotton iromkDal
las to ST, Louis cheaper than ono rah be ship
ped from here to Galveston, and other pro
ducts lD same ratio,
The border counties along the line OF MeXi
co continue TO suffer by Mexican marauders
| in despite Of the late policy toward that repub-
| lie. A few days since Il squad of fifteen men
from the Mexican side came into Rio Grande
confined in Jail, uncercmoniousy shooting
the jailcr and district attorney, then made their
escape into the interior. General Ord dis.
Ipatchcd to General Bcnevldcs, the command,
ing officer in Mexico, in reference to the crimc'
who responded, saying that he thought the
marauders beyond reach, but would do all in
his power to capture them, and put down
crime along the line Thus il is and so IL has
been for years back out there. Citizens mur-
dered their homes plundcred, and their stock
driven off in open daylight by hordes Of MeXi.
can gtcascrs, who like the Hans Of old, sub
sist by stealing and robbng. But Cooks pO
liCy OF 1870 now having been ratified by Pres
idcnt Hayes, will doubtless ere long prove q
barrier to these daring banditti, and the weary
western settler can rest from his continual
warfare,
4 small fight occurred at Lampasas Spring
Ireccntly, in which two men were killed and as
many wounded. II seems the difficulty first
Originated between two men about some cattle
when each ones friend took sides, till some
ten or fifteen took part in the battle; after fir
ing some fifty or sixty rounds they Were quiet
ed and Major Jones with his rangers summon
ed to arrest them Everything is quiet now
and the campers who came from far and neai
TO he benefited by the mineral water, can rest
without the alarming roar Of muskcty The
parties still remain hostile to each other, and
though civil authority has the asccndency on,
Oft them has been waylayed and shot
Land commissioner Groos and some Others
of Austin have got themselves into Il dirty
muddle by issuing fraudulent land titles thai
will swindlc the state out of thousands OF acres
of her public domain Who will answer tn,
charge is uncertain for public officers have
grown lo bc very shrewd sharks OF late.
little TEXAN