San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-05-11
From San Marcos 10 Houston and Gal
weston and Re turn. via. Eastern and
Middle Texas.

. day light" wa concluded TO 60 TO Houston
by the International. never having trayeleS
that road further than Hearne. That triI
was made from Austin on Christmas da,
1873, the air chilly with snow aud slee'
Now the scene was much more pleasant
even Hearne looked trihs less repulsiva.
There wore indications Of progress a
Rockdale and Taylor. The two thousan'
aero farm in the Brazos bottom, at the cross
ing OF the railroad, was fine sight.
Arriving at Palestine q little after nigh
We stopped at Storns's hotel, very nice
quiet, clearly house. The neIt morning w
had time before the departure Of the trair
for Houston, TO take hssty stroll through
the city. We found Palestine q good deal
more Of town than we had anticipated
II consists mainly Of substantially built brick
buildings, soma of them rather imposing in
their character. The brick here appears to
be first -class-the first We had seen since
leaving Indiana 1t is so hard that it makes
beautiful and durable pavements. The
natural indications all showed a marked
change Of elimats and productions a. CON-
pared with the latitude Of San MarooA Tho
live oaks anil Spanish moss had disappeared,
the country was sandy aud rather level, the
forest trees taller, with new varieties, indica-
tive of oouatry blessed with more frequent
rains. The fruit trees showed healthier
growth, and we saw once more on the street Is
the beautiful soft maple, the favorits shade.
tres Of Northern cities.
Lssving for Houston at s: 30 our route
led through portions of Anderson, Houston,
Trinity, Walker, Montgomery and Harris
counties. comprising q considerable porto
of EASTERN Texas. a region to US previously
unknown, save by reputation. Ia reading
up tbs different portions Of Texas. before
coming to this country, We were at one
time almost persuaded" to locate in Polk
or Walker counties so We were naturally
in seeing what sort of a country
this part of the State is Aud we confess
we found it better than wo expected from
some accounts we had heard. BsinS ma
tive of wooden country" it did not i'm
press US unfavorably. On the contrary we
wore really delighted again to look upon
-sa! moods, approaching somewhat in stateli-
a,ss those of our native Onio valley, and
more of the same varieties than
ire to be found in Western Texas. The
ACE Of the country, too, is much more like
ho timberod regions of the North, and the
"clearings," log cabins and worm
encss reminded us forcbly of some of tho new
portions of Indiana. The pine woods too,
hough new to u,, interested VI greatly,
rom the largest, ''fit to be the mast Of sons
lugs admiral" down to the infa atile speci-
mems which grew in clusters from q few
inches high upwards Taese little natural
nurseries, first of pines and thea of oaks,
vsre really very interesting.
Leaving Anderson county Wa entered
1ouston. almost AZ large rs Rhode Island.
We passed its county seat. Crockett, AMI
,ere struck with the proprioty Of the asso-
iation of two pioneer Tenne'se aus of sim
or character-ons, however, having ths |
lvantagss of education, of which the other
,as deprived-the main difference, perhaps.
ouston-Crockett very god And ths
ouutry of their location is of the kind thsse
mighty hunters" delighted in.
In Trinity aud Walker we again cams into
10 live oak region, anl aim ost smultsne-
usly. again recognized tho delightful Calf
reeze which We hal failed to n let further
ack. Atalmo,t every station wsrs huge
.w-mills aud lumber yards. Tho crops
'oked promising, AMI everything wore a
opsful appearance.
We crossed the Trinity bottom on an i'm
,ense trestle-work- The ground was thick
covered with growth of young pllmlt-
,s Continuing through somewhat better
improved region we at last rssch,d the wide
vel prairie which encircles Houston.
Speaking of timber, and early woodland
,sociations, Wa were told that there are beech
,ees in Polk county. We think Wa shall
ave TO make a trip over there to get q
ght of them again.
Upon the whole Eastern Texas lis not to be
leezed at" We think taere is probably
lore real old style home comfort there
nan in some of the more slightly portions of
he State at the west Aud certainly rsr,
ould be bad or without her timbered
vision.
At Houston we were assigned by her hos
table people to the fremont House, g very
,mfortable hostelry of the Teutonic per-
lasion. Having written up the city last
sar, and noticed the doings Of the coven-
on last week, we pass on TO the Island