The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-02

They seemed to consist Of that energetic !
American element which makes US power
among our nations neighbors and no small
factor in the councils of the world.
AT Harrisburg again embarked on a
train, on the Harrisburg, Houston and San
Antonio Railroad, and for several hours rode
over a vast plain thickly covered with high
grass, and dotted, here and there by herds
of cattle. Here approaching night caused
my observations to cease, and was soon
lost in sleep. On awakening on the follow
ing morning my impressions were begin
ming to change, for the country was gradu-
ally becoming more sterile and barren, as
VIC rode along; and upon nearing San An
tonic, that desolate appearance which since
then has never changed, presented itself
The vegetation consisted mostly of cactus and
mosquito bushes with plots of grass scarcely
intersperscd. The cactus often grows to the
height of seven feet and even the grass has
its pricks to torment one. How | sympa
thize with the soldiers OF Taylor's army,wbo
had no shoes to protect their feet from the
heat and thorns Of Texas
From San Antonio to Bracket travelled
by easy stages and in daylight which allow
ed thorough inspection Of the country.
But, what was to be seen /? With the ex
ception Of two or three small valleys the
country presented that same desolate ap-
pearance-a vast undulating plain, covered
with thorn-bushes, cactus and stunted mos
quito trees. Thousands of emigrants had
travelled the same roNd before me, yet the
number of dwellings which can be seen on
or near it with the exception of three or
four little hamlets, situated near creeks) can
be counted on my fingers and digit or two
will remain.
Going further west the aspect is the
same. The soil is very thin whilo the
lack of rain, as well as the extreme heat of
the sun makes it entirely useless for agri-
culture. Irrigation has been resorted to but
even that with its great expense sometimes
fails, and in evidence can be seen vast
plains, which in more northern latitude
would be worth thousands of dollars, lying
waste. One fiat comes to my recollection
which had been irrigated-the canals dug
cpd water gas quietly flowing through
them-still after all the expense had been
incurred it proved failure, and money was
lost, not through lack OF energy or good
management, but simply because the climate
and soil were not adapted to cultivation.
North and northwest from this place the
country is similar to that which have en-
deayored to describe. This l cannot say
however with any authority, but hearsay,
still write it with the full assurance that
it is absolutely true.
My reader, whose patience have proba-
bly, worn out already, may inquire: How
do the people manage to live? if such is a
correct description of the country. I an
swer, using phrase much in vogue here
abouts: "They don't live, they just stay"
The principle occupations are sheep herd
ing and cattle raising. The former is ON
the advance, whilo the latter is rapidly on
the decline, for what reason am unable to
say. Both afford decent profit, though
sheep owners profits in successful year ex-
coed cattle raisers twenty and thirty per
cent
The Mexican population cultivate the soil
in the valley of the Rio Grande. Corn is
the chief product. 1t sells we'll, and forms
the staple article of food. The white popu-
lation, too live, almost entirely, on corn
bread and bacon, which their lean and Ian
tcrnjawed physiognomies fully indicate.
A well-to-do cattle owner iu Western
Texas does not enjoy the comforts of an or
dinary laboring man in one of our Northern
cities.
A word more, there is a portion of Texas
which is described as one Of the most profit
able farming countries in the world, where
water and wood, grass, grain and vegetables
are in abundance. Since have not seen
this portion will not try to present its ad-
vantages.
To any one who is tired of his Eastern
home and wishes to emigrate, would give
this advice; Don't come TO Texas.
am now in what is sometimes called the
"banner county of western Texas" yet were
the entire county offered to me as gift, on
condition that should live and die here, !
should be constrained to say: No, thank
you, gentlemen, not any.
A LEHIcHToN Boy.