The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-12-12
TEXAS LETTER.
CAMRRlDGE. CLAY COUNTY, Texas. !
November 2nd, 1871. }

CAMBRIDGE, CLAY COUNTY, lENAh
November 2nd, 1917.
Editor Herald:
Having Just returned from the upper
Red river and Wichsts country, where we
have been prospecting for ie" days,
concluded to give your readers the bene>
fit of our observations. This portion of
Texas is now being sought after more
than any other, and emigrants are ar
irving into this, the frontier town, by
hundreds. We find great many Ken
tuckians and Tenuesseeans in this local.
ity. SO much So in fact, we almost feel
like we are at home in old kentucky.
The lands on Red river from the mouth
Of the big Wichits, and up said stream
for forty or ifty miles are very fine. The
settlers in this part of the country make
COOL crops OF small grain every year
which commands very high prices, being
bought principally by the stock men who
own large ranches, south and west Of
these rivers. These men are realizing
large profits OF their investments in stock,
and are making great complaints on &C
count OF the country being settled mp so
rapidly. Among whom we would mem
ton the names Of Worsham II Stephens,
Wells Il Bro, Curtis II Bro and many
others who own large herds OF cattle in
this vicinity. Having travelled all over
the State, and taking everything into cons
sideration, we think this about a. deslra>
ble section as is to he found in the
State of Texas. for those who expect to
make it their future home
Timhered lands are very scarce all
along the Red river, until we arrive high
up in the counties OF Archer, Wichita
and Wibarger. These counties contain
large quantities Of minerals. such as iron.
copper and gypsum. They are yet unde-
veloped. but ia few years will prove a
great source Of revenue to the State
This county Clay was organized in 1873,
and now has population Of about three
thousand DR.. Eldridge, a very enter
prising gentleman founded it in 1871, at
which time it was almost impossible to
live, on account of the Indians lie IN
formed me that he haA night with them
O. tho present site of ths town. TO NOR
row they have Masonic procession and
perform the burial ceremonies over the
grave of brother Mason who was killed
at this place by the Indians in 1872
There are three dry good stores at this
place, a blacksmith shop and a splendid
Touring mill, Owned by johnson " Son,
which cost fifteen thousand dOllars; they
also have a saw mill and cotton Gin at
tached to the sane Buffalo meat, choice
selections, is worth eight cents per pound
and is the principle kind used. We faw
to-day, hundreds of fresh hide, placed on
the ground with the pitts up. in which
condition, hogs were turned loose on
them in order to eat out the pelts. There
are now about five hundred men in the
Pan Handle who do nothing but kill buff
falo for their hides alone. This voca-
ton Is very profitable one to expert
hunters, they sometimes kill as high as
forty per day. Deer, antelope and wild
turkeys are very numerous on the waters
Of Wichita and Red river. Soldiers are
stationed at Fort Sill, sixty miles north
Of this place, in the Indian Nation, and
it is believed by the settlers in this seo-
ton that they will never have any more
trouble with the Indians. The people in
this section are as social and hospitable
as are to be found anywhere in the older
States. They have several good schOols,
and are establishing them in different
localities as fast az possible. To our
many friends who are coming to this
State, we would say that we are confident
that they will be Satisfied with this Sec
ton. 1t 10 true that there are many dis
advantages that will be encountered here
by new corners, but after once becoming
established they will never regret having
made the move Will write you again
in few days. ~ C. TILFoRD