Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-07-29

and Woodlands or nearly al sec.
tions that came within the scope OF
] my visit. II seems to be a tradl.
, tion with some, that these insects
go deep enough TO reach water, and
that consequently wells of water
may be found at n depth not very
} great, by digging Beneath their
mounds.
The tarantula is large ferocious
looking spider, whose bite IL re-
garded as being very poisonous
sometimes producing death.
The centipede is an ugly looking
jOinted worm with many sharp
pointed feet, each of which contains
poison sufficient, (as was informed)
to cause the flesh OF person TO de
cay wherever 1t is touched by one
of them. Their sting, however, Is
not regarded so dangerous to life as
that OF the tarantula. / saw one of
these, which was regarded as unu-
sually large, whose longth was be-
tween z and 8 inches, and about 3
inches around the body. / saw at
San Antonio an insect In the form
OF an oblOng black bug, termed the
Vinagron, which Is said to he the
most deadly poisonous insect in
Texas. The stinging lizard, or
scorpion, from 2 to inches in
length, whose sting, ii was said,
about equalled that of the wasp or
or bee, but not more poisonous, are
numerous. The harmless horned
frog, which l suppose nearly every
one has heard OF, and various In
sects not named, including those
that are common in this State, aru
plentiful. Copper-heads, black,
chicken and rattle snakes, includ-
ing various other kinds, are nu-
merous in some of the unsettled
sections OF the State.
The water supply in some see
tious of the State Is fully ample for
all necessary purposes, but in others
it is very deficient, especially dur
ing dry seasons. There are a num-
ber Of beautiful, bold running
streams, including rivers, creeks
and springs, that run the entire
year, but there are others that quit
running during the dry seasons,
and many that become entirely
dry. Artificial ponds, Tor tanks, as
they are called In Texas, are made
in many sections, though these can
not be relied upon for long dry
spells. Well water Is found by dig
ging from 20 TO 60 feet, and this Is
used very much for both drinking
and stock purposes, but as il Is
generally hard, 1t is not regarded as
being good for washing. Cisterns
are also made In many of the towns,
and in some sections Of the country,
but neither the water of the els
terms, the wells, or the springs, have
that cool refreshing taste, nor is il
near 80 cold as that of our own, un-
less aided by ice. / suppose tho
temperature of the earth Is much
warmer there than here, aud there
fore both well and cistern water
are very naturally effected.
The climate is mild with but
short spells OF snow and ice I'm any
portion of the State. Northers, as
they are termed, are sometimes
very severe, but generally they do
not continue but a few days. Tho
summers are long, and during tho
day, the sun shines very hot, hut
the nights are nearly always cool
and pleasant. The greatest draw
back, (and that Is very serious
one,) Is the irregularity OF the sea-
sons. Sometimes there are long
wet spells that seriously interfere
with both the planting and cultiva-
tion of crops, and then again ex-
tended dry seasons, that somo-
times blasts the fairest prospects for
crops, and dries 10 a crisp nearly
everything in the shape OF vegeta-
tion. This, however, is not by any
means, an every year occurrence,
and was informed that rs the
country was being settled up the
seasons were becoming mucn more
regular.
The educational facilities, in the
thickly settled portions of the coun-
try, and in the towns and cities arc
generally good, and in some In
stances first class. Nearly all the
religious denominations have
churches, more or less in the vari-
ous sections OF the state, and Sun
day is most generally, strictly obs
served.
The Homestead law exempts
from execution, or forced sale OF
any kind, except for the purchase
money, or for taxes, 200 acres OF
land and the improvements thereon,
This homestead cannot be mort.
gaged for any purpose, even with
the consent OF both husband and
wife, except for purchase money
due on the land, or such as may bG
expended for improvements there
on. Besides this homestead, there
Is also exempt from execution for
the use of families, nil household
and Kitchen furniture, all inple-
ments of husbandry, all books OF
any kind, all tools belonging 10 any
trade or profession, 8 milk cows,
and calves, 2 yoke of work oxen, 2
horses, 1 wagon, carriage, or bug
gy, gun, 20 hogs, 20 head of sheep,
all provisions or forage on hand for
home consumption, and all saddles,
brides and harness necessary for
the use Of the family. The consti-
tuition provides that all property of
the wife, owned or claimed by her
before marriage, and that given
her after marriage, shall be her
separate property, and cannot be
taken for the husbands debts. The
voters OF any county, precinct town,
or city, may by majority vote
prohibit the sale OF intoxicating
liquors within the prescribed linn
its, II they so desire. The legal rate
OF Interest is 8 per cent. but may
be IL per cent. by special contract.
The State tax at present IL 40 cents
OH the 800 and In no case can II
exceed 90 cents, except for use In
paying the public debt, which does
not exceed -, 900, 900. And no city,
county, or town, can make levy
OF more than one half Of the State
tax, except for the payment of
debts incurred before the date of
this act, or for necessary public
buildings, and then not 10 exceed
the State tax. I...
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The Stale OF Texas may be jusliy
proud Of her vast extent OF terri
Tory, her genial climate, her rich
soils, her cattle upon a thousand
plains, her kind and hOspitable
people, her industrious women, her
big hail storms, and her ilerce
nOrthcrs, but In my opinion, there
IL nothing that she should be more
proud of than her financial condi-
ton. Her entire public debt Is
about 5000, 900. which Is a mere
nominal sum when compared with
her vast resources, and besides she