The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-03-24
FROM texas.
Interesting Letter from DR..
j. O. Harris.
WACO, TEXAS, March 18th, 1877.

/ Waco, TEXAS, March 18th, 1877.
MgssRs. EDITORS: As darkey preacher re-
marked the other night, use got heap to say
about Texas, "shuah's you bo'n," but the trouble
is to know how to begin, and what is best worth
writing.
| As alfording an idea as to time necessary to
reach here, will say that, leaving Ottawa at $40
p. NJ. Tuesday, I had to wait at Aurora till ll45
p. NJ. for the train, and arrived at Hannibal at 10
A. NJ Wednesday, Sedalia at $40 p NJ, and woke
up in the northern portion OF the Indian Terri.
tory the next morning--the train reaching DIAL
las about r. NJ. same day.
The Indian Territory, as seen from the car
windows, is alternately timber, but not very
heavy. and prairie-some as beautiful and fertile
land as one would wish to see, and much that
appeared to be too poo; to be worth cultivating.
The towns seen were very primitive, indeed,
and residence in any OF them would seem to
me perpetual torture--a lingering death, I'M
less, as with trader at Muskogee. | could sell
$4,000 worth OF goods per year! Think could
endure that
Going through the Territory / made the ac-
quaintance OF an editor Of a paper at Eufala,
who gave me some items of interest.
Among other things, he said the pious and
unsophisticated Indian Agents had in some in
stances, when cmigrants having good outfits
were going through the country, caused bottle
OF whisky to be placed in the rear Of wagon,
when he would swoop down upon them, find the
whisky, and maj C h the whole crowd to Fl. Smith,
Ark, where the property would be cOnhscated,
the agent receiving a share, and the emigrant
shown the beauties Of free government and OF
honest officials.
Mr.. Lo--one OF 'cm-one day saw q white man
shoot wolf, which he at once claimed as his
dog and made the white man pay well for the
said dog. The next day he brought the skin in
to the agent and obtained the bounty on wolf
skin A nice little transaction for the poor
Indian with untutored mind" and shows how
rapidly he is receiving the benefits Of ciyilza-
ton!
did not stop long In Dallas, nor obtain many
facts, but intend to make something OF stay
there on my return, and will then give you the
result Of my observations.
The city has decided air OF newness perva-
town than a southern one. | presume 1t ordi-
narily has southern climate, but at the time OF
my visit this had gone south to get out OF the
way OF q severe "norther" which followed us
down, and only left last Sunday, in time for pco-
Pile to go to church.
Fires were scarce, rooms at the hotel cold and
chcerlcss, and went about shivering under a
heavy oycrcoat. tried TO fancy that | was in
"thc Sunny South" but my Imagination, usually
active was powerless this time, and the very best
could do was to think OF pleasant % sleigh
ride, with the mercury below zero, or a walk
along the lake in South Chicago in winter.
There is undeniably vast amount OF enterprise,
energy and business capacity displayed at Dal-
las-croakers say, all in vain; but others say I'VE
will double our population in five years"
Good, unimproved lands can be had In Dallas
county at from s5 to s15 per acre; improved at
from SIS to S40-the smaller figures being for
lands distant from market
OF course, there are tracts near the city held
at fancy prices, ranging from $500 to $500 per
acre, but it is not probable that any will be fool
ish enough to pay such prices; only, you knew.
it sounds well, TO some, to ask these prices.
From Dallas | went to TT. Worth, 81 miles
west The county seat Of Tarrant county. Here
found live, active, busting town, reminding
me much OF SIeGtor, AS IL was say three years
ago, only that there are more buildings OF brick
and stone, more freshness about il than at
Strcator. The population is nov between 300
and 6,OO0-has doubled within six months
TT. Worth is the present terminus west of the
= ID ID
trade in cotton, wheat, hides, &c. which many
predict will in great measure be lost as soon
as the railroad is extended beyond Others are
more sanguine and give evidence Of their faith
by building substantially OF brick and stone 4
hotel company will erect "A hotel building this
year, at cost Of $4,000; the county is building
good, substantial stone court house, aud other
buildings are in progress.
Rents are enormously high, but as the mer.
chants get good prices and seem to have good
trade, they appear to be content.
Wheat was selling Mt sl.i0, corn 81 TO Zoe: saw
one load sold for feed, shucks and all, at 45c i
oats 25c. wood S. -four 50, beef &c, &c, &c.
4 Wages OF mechanics are about the same a:
with us, and not in demand, as every train south
goes loaded with cmigrants, to say nothing o.
the thousands Of teams of movers from Kansas
Missouri, Arkansas aud states east Several me
chanics have told me that they had to wal
weeks for a job. and then only got less than a
home. Still believe there are many places il
Texas where master builder with sufiieien
I capital could double his money In three years.
Hays x filum, q real est2te firm Of excellen
4 reputation. quote uuimproved lands at 81 TO q
5 improved at from ere TO els, in Tarrant county