San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-09-21
Letter from an Old Texan.


Eprron FREE PRESS Would you like to
have description of the Christmas we San
Ia Fe prisoners passed in Zacatecas, Mexico
Oh when 1 compare Christmas days in my
boyhood in Germany, where all was joy and
glee, for my parents were in good circum-
stances then, and the sad ones passed af-
forwards. my heart aches, and hardly wish
to dwell on them.
If any of my children had to pass through
the sufferiugs and danger passed through,
would rather see them dead in infancy
My life, if written by good writer, would
be melo drama, intermixed with great
deal of tragedy and suffering.
My children never can know, nor appre-
ciate the toll, labors and dangers l passed
through, nor the energy, economy and in
dustry it required, and perseverance, to raise
myself to my present comfortable position.
But my life, though romantic and excit-
ing, is not particularly distinguished from
other Texans, only in this that I write Incl
dents of Texas, and they do not. I cannot
persuade Texan to give us details (by writ
ting) of most interesting incidents, even
some of them who have good education,
but even now listen with interest to Incl
dents related by them of times of the Re-
public of Texas.
There never was more daring, chivalrous
and hospitable and honest people, than the
first settlers of Texas. After nearly one
half century, it gives all us Texans pleasure
to grasp hands, for we remember the trials
and hard times we passed through; we were
band of brothers, each aiding one anoth-
or against the warfare of Mexicans and In
dams. We were then unselfish and band
of brothers-hospitality was unlimited-and
garments of buckskins, covered heart alive
to sympathy for his neighbors.
may get too sympathetic, but you know,
that mother who hasa weakly child, nurses
it with the utmost care, and it is the darling
above her stouter, ADLER children; and SO it
is with me. Texas was feeble and poor, and
take a special delight to dwell on her pros
perity, for was here when Texas had no
strength, no credit abroad.
Do not chide me if am infatuated with
love and adlA |ation for my adopted land
and country, Texas, which I saw in adver-
sity, forget all my former sufferings, be-
cause my heart swells with pride at its arriv-
ing at manhood. What will it be in quar-
ter of a century? 1t will develop its strength
and maturity.
am getting old now-I am not afraid of
death-I am in good circumstances. only
wish to live longer to see my beloved state
in state of advancement, that even the
most sauguine person could not have proph-
esied or hoped for. Yours truly,
C. ERHARD.
z. S.-Cotton bales come in so fast here,
that merchants can't get it hauled out of the
way of our railroad station. and decline to
buy at present Cotton brings here from
lOf to 10t cents. Had heavy rain yester-
day.
forgot to mention in my last, that when
our farmers got only 6 cents for cotton, they
also got only cents per poundfor bacon de-
livered at Houston, and for goods only, no
cash.
The Colorado river here was about - feet
above low water mark.
Your paper contains many interesting ar
,icles. Our editor is too indolent to give such,
though this is more populouS and veal
TIMER county than Hays.
lie never took the pains to give a descrip-
ton Of orr county, to show how well it was
gaterei and timb,rcL and what fine cotton |
lands we have, lands cheaper than in From /
Ter counties in proportion to intrinsic value.
&c
Exhausted and enfeeb,ed constitutions /