The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-07-11
From Lockhart, Texas.
JUNE 25th, 1873.
Mesas. Editors

Messrs. Editors
1 have delayed longer than intend
ed, to respond to your clever request
to freshen the memories of Lang
Syne" by a communication through
the columns of the Bulletin, but the
fact that l cannot in these latter DAYS
claim to be even an occasional con-
tributor to the public prints, viii [
hope, he partial excuse for such de-
lay. Twenty-fveyear ago, or nearly
so, q can hardly realize it,, I left
Hardeman county, to seek a home in
this, the then far distant State of
Texas. Suggestive as it may be, [
have not time nor space to moralize on
the many changes that have been
wrought in all the phases of govern
mental and social conditions during
these two and a half decades. My
present purpose Will be subserved by
giving you few items concerning our
section and State, as the subject is
especially pleasant one to US here.
[ will state that in the farming line,
we are having an abundant season.
Corn is yielding a heavy crop, future
prices placed at Is to 20 cents per
bushel, wheat (now generally produc-
ed throughout the State), in our county
the average will be about 81 bushels,
a friend near to us reports his crop at
81 bushels, in many other counties
West of the Colorado, the estimates
vary from 80 to 40 bushels. Oats and
barley in ike proportion. Cotton is
also very promising, it is a gratifying
fact that our farmers are weakening the
culture of cotton to the exclusion of
other products, finding that they can
realize more clear profit by a judi
cious divisions of crops. The stock in
terests having for the most part reced-
ed to more distant counties out west,
our prairies which were once a vast
stock range, are now being enclosed
and cultivated, and yielding a rich re-
ward to the enterprising and industri-
Gus husbandman; however there are
many pastures, some enclosing large
acres in which selected herds of Lon. +.
horns are kept to be improved by
Durhams, Attorneys etc., and which
are already remunerating their owners
in shipment and sale. 1t has been
fully demonstrated that the soil of the
black HogWallow prairies is as well
adapted to the growth of cotton, and
of corn, wheat, and other cereals of the
alluvial bottom lands.
With regard to emigration to our
State, the general tide has been until
the last few years to the Northern and
Northwest portions, but as railroad IA
cilities have been extended in our direc-
ton, the population of the Southwest
has been steadily increasing.
As it may interest some of your read
ers, Will give the following statement
from reliable source showing in some
measures the progress and resources of
State:
Texas had population in 1870 of
818, 899, it now contains an estimated
population of 100000, with an
annual emigration of $50, 900 to 30O,-
900; about 700, 900 bales of cotton an
nually produced value $30,000,000
annual exports of cotton estimate val
ne $4,000, 900; wool 81, 800, 900,
hides 81 100000, beef in barrels and
cans, $2,000,000; and other produc-
tions SO, 100000 two years ago, 4, )
900, 900 bushels of wheat were shipped
from the State" The present year the
export of wheat will be double or treble
above amount.
Our general election takes place in
November next for State and county
officers, and is already the all absorb
ing them. For county Offices Legion
will properly designate their number
and style, consequently the honest
yeomanry will be interested of course,
with many button-hole chaps inter
spersed with pa thetic appeals, etc.,
from the aforesaid selfsaerihcing pa
triots, until conventions or the cleo
tions decide their fate. I notice that
you also have a canvass in your State,
and that Hardeman county has its full
quota of aspirants. Give the cand.-
dates, my old friends (Democrats) my
best wishes, and bespeak for all OF
them "a happy issue out of all their
troubles" A ''fellow feeling" (you
know makes US wondrous kind.
Messrs. Editors | have already taken
up too much of your valuable space,
and Will close with the hope, though
lacking in style and general interes',
that this communication viii at least
act as a kind remembrance to the
friends of my old home Yours truly,
S. J. P. Mcdowell