Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-10-01

others have visited their friends here or
have gone prospecting; aud even a. did
the Israelitish spies in days Of old, they
have brought back glorious tidings rs to
the fstness Of the land. And to carry the
idea further, it may be said with truth,
that numerous Claiborntes have gone
over to possess themselves of the country
and the richness thereof for very many
people from Claiborne and other North
Louisiana parishes are to be found in DIAL
las, Fort Worth, and along that other
portion Of the Texas aud Pacific X. X.
FROM Texarkaua to sherman.
Ia Dallas found numerous old friends,
acqnsintances aud relatives, and had
quite q number Of intelligent guides from
among their number to show me the city
from various points Of view.
In the October number Of Harpers
Magazine a writer upon Texas makes use
Of this expression: "A journey of several
weeks duration in the Lone Star State
revealed the fact that in the eyes Of every
true Texan the particular location where
he has taken root is the focal attraction
the garden centre Of the earth, while the
next town is the antipodes Of all that is
good great and prosperous" The bear
ing of this observation lies in the applica-'
ton Of it," a. Jack Bunsby would say;
and at this time it seems to me that the
idea applies with great force to very many
good people Of Dallas who are no, content
with letting their city rest upon it's solid
merits, hut would fnin swell its importance
by exaggerated praise or by refraining
from blame To- ~ great al extent a. Ia de.
clare that their town is faultless. Many
Of our good old Claiborne friends are
specially addicted to this fault. As for
instance, have been told since | reached
this place that if ! wrote home to the
GUARDIAN | must make no mention of the
dreadful dust, or il il rained during my
stay, not to alludc to the mud.
Now, the truth Of the business is, that
Dallas is a city of more than ordinary i'm
portance, and has many charms aud al.
vantagrs that will give it interest to
either the man OF business or pleasure.
In l-72 it WAS hut q small village with
some indications Of future prosperity, to
he brought about by the crossing of the
Texas and Pacific and fhe Texas Central
about a half mile east Of the Courthouse
These two roads crossed here Mt right an
giles. The further construction of the
Texas and Pacific was delayed for many
months, Thus bringing an immense trade
10 this place IA the terminus of the road
aud the future of Dallas was secured
| From l-72 to this date Dallas has grown
from city Of 500 inhabitants to one of
2O,O00, aud is now the commercial metro
polls Of North Texas.
l have not the time nor has the GUAR
pIAN the space for complete enumeration
of all the moral, social and commercial
advantages Of the Queen City" of Texas
! From an aesthetic stand.poin the city
/ IN 10y no means disappointment. In
company with some lady friends originally
| from Louisiana but now ardent Dallasites.
| have been driven over the principal
streets and several miles into the country
have had shown me the beautiful private
residences, the fountains, the statuary,
the flowers aud the lawns. have heard
silycry voices declare the beauties of this
earthly paradise, and have seen bright
eyes CLEAN with ironic scorn at any at
/ tempted comparison with any other local
| NY ou any one of the four quarters Of the
globe. A few miles from the suburbs
saw two and four mules drawing buggy
plows, and the unctuous black soil turned
over in readiness for the wheat, oats or
other small grain. | saw also farm ma.
chinery that must have cost hundreds of
dollars lying out in the fields bcing ruined
by the sun, the wind and the rains These
things | saw in my rides with my lady
friends, and can cordially join them in
their admiration of the best aud many Of
the humber private residences. The style
Of architecture is very attractive and
beautiful, and is beginning now to assume
some elements Of p-rmsnency.
With my old and tried friend, W. j.
Allen, viewed the city from q practical
point of view. With him saw the water
works, the oil mills, the cotton compress
the steam Touring mills, the jails, the
Courthouse, etc. With Mr.. VanSlyke,
who married Miss Sallie White formerly of
Claiborne parish, / went through the
largest grocery house in the city, and to
my great surprise saw q stock Of goods
that would be thought enormous even in
New Orleans
Now, that my visit is about concluded,