The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-06-30
Bolton. Texas.

The travelling reporter of the STATES
MAN took a trip to Bolton last Monday,
leaving Austin at 1880 A. NJ. for Milano,
the junction of the International and
Santa Fe railway. At P. NJ. he arrived
at the junction and found the passenger
train for Bolton ON time, and in few mo-
ments call aboard" was sounded and the
reporter taking a seat in one of the ele-
giant passenger coaches of the Santa
Fe was soon gliding swiftly and
smoothly on his way to Bolton.
From the junction to Cameron the
route is through timber country, but
from Cameron to Bolton it is open and
as far as the eye can reach on either side
the scenery is grand, the newly cut grain
and waving. corn presenting TO the eye
a panorama of unsurpassed beauty.
The last station between MilanO ana Bel
ton is Temple. The NJ. X. Il II. crosses
at this point, and the Santa Fe has
branch from here to Fort Worth, which
is completed and in running order for %
miles, and still going ahead at the rate oil
over a mile each day. On the 18th great
sale of town lots will occur at this place,
and the Santa Fe is having erected
building 20Xl20 feet as banquet hall. A
grand free barbecue is to be given, and
splendid time expected. Parties who
buy lots will be carried free. At half-past
five the city of Bolton was reached, and
the reporter was soon comfortably stored
away for the night. The next morning he
started out to take a look at the city and
capture a few subscribers for the STATES
MAN. He was surprised to find business
brisk, and to see the large number Ofsub-
slant al improvements being made. Bolton
has q population of about 5000, which is
\ a
pletion of the Santa Fe X. X. 1t contains
about seventy-five business houses, many
OF them carrying large stocks. Seven
very neat churches stand in different por-
lions of the city and are well attended. 1t
is the county seat of Bell county and is
situated very. near the centre of the coun-
| ty on holland creek. Bell county is one
| of the most desirable counties in the state,
being healthy and containing large
amount of the finest prairie and bottom
| lands. Salado creek runs through tie
county furnishing the best of water
power for ali purposes. This stream is
| supplied by large number of the finest
| springs in the state, some of which are
nearly large enough to run mill where
the water rises from the earth. There
| are five flourishing water mills within a
1 space of seven miles on this stream and
| one in the city of Bolton, own
\ ed by Wear. Lee e Co., under
| the management of Mr.. W. a.
| Wear. This is a large stone mill, run
| ming four sets OF burrs, and was estaD-
lished about three years ago The engin-
eers-of :he NJ. x. Il L. railroad have COM
/ pleted survey from near Temple station
/ to Bolton. This survey will be extend
| ed westward 10 the iron regions.
1.-THE prospect of getting this rOadto Bel
4 ton has revived the spirit OF improve
\ ment and more than dozen substantial
buildingsare now under way and num-
4 Der of others under contract. Property
/ in Bolton is cheap in comparison with
/ other cities of Texas. 1t has taken no
| sudden boom in prices, but has steadily
/ increased in value ever since the war.
/ There are now six fine stone store houses
/ under construction, which will be ready
| for occupancy by the first of September.
| Some of the business men have made for
\ tunes within the last few years, and all
that the reporter talked to say that they
have had a very fair trade and have no
4 desire TO hunt u better location. Bolton
| is blessed with several good hotels and
4 the weary and hungry traveller will lind no
better any where than the City Hotel which
l is situated on the west side OF the square.
/ Mr.. N. NJ. MethOin, the polite and atten-
tive clerk, Will be pleased to see you, and
will do all in his power to make you feel
at home. Bolton can also boast of several
fine liyeFY, feed and sale stables, but none
of Georgetown. These gentlemen have
a large number of good horses and bug
| gies and have charge of the express and
transfer business. An omnibus and car
rage run to and from the depot for the
accommodation of the travelling public
These gentlemen make trips to the country
| n speciality. The reporter met large num-
Der of the leading men of the city, among
whom are the following: Messrs. Hole
man & Boyd, j. S. DuPree, Russell Il Ed.
wards and c. B. Saunders and many others
all lawyers; DR.. VIM. Sherman, one of the
/ leading capitalists Mr.. j. II. Miller, the
popular banker, and Gen. w. FL. Edwards
one os the leading merchants (; Mr.. +. S
Bowman, nephew ofthe Hon. T. II. Bow.
man, secretary of state. Mr.. Bowman
Is the proprietor of the finest shoe store
in the city, and on the first of July viii
open in his. new room near the pOstotice
the largest stock of boots and shoes eyel
seen in Bell county. Mr.. j. H. Weataers
bee, the tax assessor /; Mr.. w. Il. Hall, the
tax collector, and Mr.. A. NJ. Montieth
To these gentlemen the reporter i:
under many obligations
The following merchants are doing {
good trade and are looking forward to /
rush in business this fall. Trigg & Co.
dealers in family groceries, Julius Tob
Ter, jeweler, j. j. Robertson, stove anC
tin dealer and proprietor of large Hege
table garden, three fourths of a mile iron
the court house; L. B. Webb, brother o.
the Webb Bros, of our city. Mr.. Webb
has an extensive trade, and sells hardware
and agricultural implements far and near
Tip Mcdowell. late of Austin, furnishes
the thirsty with cool refreshing drinks
The reporter also met many other bust
ness men whose names have escaped him
After two days spent in looking over the
, city and surrounding country, and secur
ing a large list of subscribers to thu
STATESMAN the reporter returned to thu
capital well pleased with his trip. Bel
county is all o. k. for the university a
Austin.