Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-01

that is necessary is to be active with
the branding iron and herd the
cattle. The Legitimate profit OF
the increase is not less than 80 per
cent. per annum. Fortunes can be
made in a few years by a proper at
tention to bushes, but it is a wild
life usually, unless a man settles in
a town, and hires somebody else to
look after the cattle. This is often
done with satisfactory results. I'M
proved breeds of stock are being
introduced, and it is predicted that
the old-fashioned, broad-horned
cattle will almost entirely disappear
in less than twenty years. The
country just spoken of is sparsely
timbered, but the trees seen are
mostly covered with a long, sweep
ing gray moss, which gives the
landscape a peculiar mellow and
sombre appearance. There is q
scarcity Of water also in this
and many parts of the State,
and just how the want is supplied
it would be rather difficult to tell
There are some beautiful running
streams, and cisterns have been in.
troduced of late years for private
use.
Houston is a pivotal point in the
railroad system of Texas. 1t is an
old town, claiming a population Of
26, 900, and was the first capital OF
the State. Houston is a growing
place of great commercial import
ance, and at present Is tbeport and
gateway to the interior Of the State
from the Gulf of Mexico. Here
we were met by Hon. James L. D.
Wilson, mayor Of the city and presi-
dent of the First National Bank.
1t happened, owing to the
peculiar and central situation
of Houston, that the Memphis
excursioniSts in their travels
touched at this place five different
times, and each time they were
met at the depot by Mayor Wilson
and treated with marked consider
alton and p~oliteness. He is a Ken.
tuckian by birth, a gentleman Of
the highest type of the old school
Although well up in years, having
been a citizen Of Texas over forty
years, his tall form does not stoop,
his hair is only iron-gray, and he il
as active as a young man and dis
charges his multifarious duties
public and private, without appa.
rent fatigue or difficulty. Sucl
men are rare nowadays, and ht
will long be remembered by eacf
one of the Memphians who
shared the generous hospitali
ties bestowed at his hands
Through his courtesy the party wa.
met upon returning from CALVES
ton with carriages aud escorted tx
the Hutchins House, a hotel KEEP
by Mr.. j. P. Harbach, formerly
superintendent of the Chickasav
club rooms of Memphis, and he Sc
cured for us many other attentions
Hon. Mr.. Groesbeck, president Of
the Agricultural State Fair, ther
in progress, was unremitting in his
kindness. We we're furnished
tickets to the fair, badges for thu
Jockey Club race-course, and ten.
dered the Inequalities and freedom
of the city at large. The display.
in all the departments were highly
creditable, though we have no
space for description. The peopl,
are evidently giving much atten.
ton to improved breeds Of stock
and in the course Of time viii
make ashowing equal to Tennessee
Kentucky, Or any of the older States
During the day we witnessed
some good trotting, and a splen.
did competitive drill between five
military companies. The prize was
won by the Washington Guards o.
Galveston. The attendance wa
very large and perfectly orderly
The people are highly intelligent
very polite to strangers, and tn.
day at the State Fair was one 0
the most pleasant of the whole TRIP
Many OF the ladies were very beau
tiful and elegantly dressed. TIL
younger members of the party los
their hearts, and the older one
, l,,o1 r. IL