The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-11
1862

Assessed value of taxable
property in 1881. ..... 1,l49.OIt
Assessed value of taxable
property in 1882 .... 1913. 10:
Assessed value of livestock
in 1851 ...:....... 421,91(
Assessed value of live stock
in 1852. ............... 1876, 70;
The greater part of the county i!
marked by wooded hills and noun
talns, between and at the foot o.
which are narrow, level, sandy plat!
or daleS, with u mellow, rich soil. Tn,
mountains, i'll many places, are com
posed OF solid granite, and rise int
lofty peaks; and from the top of ont
OF them-Dancer mountains view
Is obtained of the whole OF Llano anC
part ot seven surrounding counties
The scene presents panorama ol
mountain, plain, valley and dell, anC
Is highly picturesque and attractive
y scattered growth of live oak, post
OAK, cedar, pecan and elm is found il
nearly all parts Of the county, and il
some places the mountain sides art
covered V5th dense cedar brakes. The
timber is, for the most part, short
aud scrubby, and suitable mainly
for fuel and fencing, but is used fol
the building OF log houses, and some
OF it is valuable for mechanical pur
poses.
The Colorado river bounds the coun
ty on the east. The Llano river, a
bold stream OF pure, clear, unfailine
water, runs nearly centrally through
1t from west to east, and Sandy creek
lows across the southern portion
Cold, Honey, Little Llano, San Fer.
ndndo, Johnson's, Pecan, SiX-Mile
Elm and Hickory creeks flow into
the Llano river, and Coal, Silver.
mine, Pot, Walnut, Comanche, Crab
apple and Cedar creeks into Sandy
Many OF these streams are FED
by bold springs, from which
water for domestic purposes is gen
orally obtained, though wells and els
terms are used i'll some parts OF the
county. The mean annual rainfall, as
registered at the United States signal
service station at Mason, in the ad-
joining county on the west, is 24.9U
inches, and Is SO distributed as to in
sure abundant crops OF small grain,
out crops maturing In late summer i'll
same seasons require irrigation, for
which the facilities are ample and
convenient on many OF the streams.
The lands most esteemed for farms
ARE the valleys or FLATS" at the head
vi the streams and at the foot OF
che hills and mountains, which,
1t Is estimated, comprise about
One-ntth OF the entire area, anu
the soil of which is light,
rich, friable loan. Until within the
last tive years this WIS exclusively d
stock county, but agriculture is as
considerable Importance. In
1913 wheat yielded ~ bushels to the
acre, and in 1881 the cotton crop was
about 2OOO bales. Cotton, corn, oats,
melons and vegetables, i'll favorable
return a heavy yield. Late
vegetables sometimes require irrIga-
ion. Peaches and grapes are success
ully grown, and ribbon cane OF large
'iZe has been raised, and the finest
quality OF syrup made from it. The
;rop of pecan nuts is large and gen
rally more abundant On alternate
ears. Wild land, suitable for farms,
;an 0e bought for from 81 to "a per
ere, and cultivated land, with I'M
Tor from % to 81 and
ne latter rents for one-third the grain
nd one-fourth the cotton. Ordinary
all fencing costs about $40 per mile
line lumber, from $50 to S4U per
wv feet.
The stock interests of the county
re represented by 1888 horses and
mules, 81, 100 cattle, 1858 sheep, 1861
oats and 1912 hogs. The abund-
nee OF post oak, pecan, and other
1aSt renders the use of grain in fat
enlng hogs unnecessary In most sea-
ons. Mesquite and burr grass are
bundant, and the rich pasturage, and
he protection afforded by the noun
aims and woods against the north
rs" enable stock to keep in good
onditiOn the year round on the open
ange. Sheep are fed more or less in
evere winter weather, and work ami
1als only when in actual use.
he price of work animals, and also OF
eef, mutton, pork, and other articles
t food, Is low. Deer, turkeys and
uail are found in large numbers, and
atiish, perch and buffalo are abund-
mt in the larger streams.
Silver ore has been found.in several
and gold in the bed of Big
andy creek, but neither in paying
Quantities. Competent judges, how
yer, express the opinion that the sur
ace indications of rich deposits are. in
ONE parts of the county, very
trong. Extensive beds OF iron and
nnnnP nXIGf N GAUnrnl TNsartG of
he county. Specimens Of the former,
rom Iron Mountain, are said to con-
ain 80 per cent of pure iron, equal in
.uality to the best Swedish iron; and
pecilnens of the latter from Owens
nine, on the head of Pecan creek, as
aged $500 worth of metal to the ton.
This mine is now being worked with
machinery. Limestone,
marble, steatite and other
'aluable stone, exist in immense guam
tiles, but owing to the lack OF rail-
Dad transportation, no quarrying has
'een done, except in a small way for
Iome use.
Llano river, more than 100 miles in
ength, and with fifty miles within
he county, and Honey creek both
uIhlSA ll1O NdOCl-pOWCI, nllCA LIDS
'een utilized ahd applied to number
# Touring and grist mills and cotton
.ins.
There is a high school at Llano,
which is fairly well sustained, and the
'ublic free schools are provided in the
ounty for scholastic population OF
143. The Methodist Episcopal, Prot
slant Methodist, Episcopal, Chris
ian, Baptist, and Cumberland Pres
'yterian denominations each have
large number of members
n the county, and convent
noes for religious worship are mod
rately good. Moral and social inn
has kept pace with the in
rease of population and wealth, and
aw and social order prevail. Llano,
he county seat, is beautifully located
n the south bank Of Llano river, and
as about 500 inhabitants and good
peal trade. The county levies tax
f 20 cents on the 800, and has small
eating debt. The mean summer tenn
erature is about 50 degrees, the win
er about As degrees; the mountain air
, bracing and pure, and the county is
oted for the salubrity if its climate.
The Strong Drink Problem.
livery Evening, Wilmington, Dell
The fact that so many suggestions |