The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-18

This county lies midway between
the BraZoS and Colorado rivers, in
north central Texas. Hamilton, the
county seat. is about I0Omiles west of
north of the capital of the state. Area,
977 square miles.
! Population in 1S70....... 733
Population in 1880 GA col
ore0* ................... $685.
mated =. ............... 800
Assessed value of taxable
property in 1882 .... 81, 2S3, 1924
| Assessed value of live stock
in 1882. .................. 1882
The general surface is high rolling
prairie, traversed by ranges of hills or
mountains extending between the
| larger streams, which flow in a south
easterlY direction. The Leon and
| BOSque rivers, and LampaSaS, Honey,
Mustang and Plum creeks, all large,
and many smaller streams, wide
| ly distributed, furnish an abund-
ance of good water through
out the county, while bold
| springs are numerous, and wells
are obtained at a moderate depth.
The forests, covering about one-eighth
of the area, consist chiefly of post
oak, live oak, blackjack, pecan, elm,
blackberry, cottonwood, and sycamore,
which, on the river and creek bot
toms, are of moderately large growth
and suitable for building and fencing.
while the timber on the uplands is
short and scrubby, and is valuable
mainly for fuel.
On the open range the sedge grass
grows luXuriantly and plentifully.
and the more nutritious long and curly
mesquite are found only in less
abundance. The live stock in the
| county, according to the assessment
(1SS2), numbers q, 230 cattle, 5645 hor-
ses and mules, 2l,S21 sheep, 423 goats,
and 5036 hogs. Little or no feed is
required. except tor sheep, to carry
stock through the winter months in
| fair condition. Increased attention
| in respect to food and shelter in
severe weather, to the manifest
advantage of that industy. Improved
breeds are being introduced, and the
result is seen in the gradual improve
ment in the quality, as well as in
crease in the average weight of fleece,
per annum.
Over one-third of the area of the
county is good farming land, of which
not exceeding one-tWentieth part is
| in cultivation, the average of farms
being about fifty acres. The river
and creek bottoms furnish an alluvial
soil of great fertility, and the up
lands are diversified by the well
known "black waXy" soil, and a dark
; loan with clay subSoil, both pro-
ductive; the one resisting the effects
of drOuth better, the other being
more easily cultivated. The mean
annual rainfall is thirty-Six inches,
and, us a rule, fairly well distributed
through the year. Under proper til
lage, the yield per acre, in ordinarily
favorable seasons, is, of cotton in the
seed, 800 pounds; corn, % bushels;
wheat, IL; oats, 90; rye, %; barley, 40;
sweet potatoes, 200; sorghum syrup,
-iJu ga1fonsy hIifies; Two TONS. Garden
vegetables and melons of all kinds are
grown in large quantities. OF cult
waited fruits, only peaches and plumS
have been introduced to any consid-
cradle extent, and they do well. Pc
cans, wild grapes, black and dewber-
rieS are theabundant and spontaneous
products of the forests. Wild lands of
good quality can be bought at from 81
to So per acre, and tracts with part
in cultivation at from So to $40;
terms, one-third cash and one and
two years time on the remainder,
with interest. There are four leagues
of Hamilton county school lands
located in the county, the most of
which is held at 81 per acre and also
a small quantity of state school land
of good quality, at minimum price
OF 81 and 81 per acre, according to
water supply. The money rental
of cultivated land, with ne
ceSSary houses, is usually So
per acre, but farms are more
generally worked on shares of the
crop. The customary price of hired
labor is $3.50 per month with board.
Improved agricultural implements are
used to limited extent, and are grow
ing rapidly in favor.
The Texas Central Railway crosses
the extreme northern corner of the
county, with one station, Hico, a town
of 300 inhabitants. Hamilton, the
county seat, has a population of about
AGO, and an annual trade of about
100000. Centre City, with 100 in
habitants, Indian Gap, with 80, and
Carleton, with 70, are the centres of
thriving settlements.
Five Touring mills, with all the
modern appliances, and five saw
mills, all driven by steam, are the
only manufacturing enterprises yet in
operation. Limestone of good quality
for building purposes is abundant and
accessible, and stone coal has been
found on the surface in many portions
of the county, but the quality and
quantity of these deposits have not
yet been ascertained by thorough
geological exploration.
The county tax is eighty-fve cents
on the one hundred dollars. For a
scholastic population Of 1918, there are
40 public free schools, which are
taught four and half months in the
year. The state school fund, supple
mented by the county fund, affords
to each pupil So per annum. There
are also number of private schools
throughout the county, moderately
well attended. The Presbyterian,
Christian, Baptist and Methodist are
the largest church organizations.
Church edifices are numerous, and re-
ligious exercises well attended. Soci-
ETY. presents the not uncommon eXhl-
bition of an old civilization trans
planted in new soil.
The general elevation is 1900 feet
above the sea level. the surface roll
ing, and, swept by the Texas trade
winds, few or no local causes of dis
ease are present, and good health is
the prevailing condition of the inhab-
itants.