The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-01

as agent. He is also agent of the
Texas Express Company and tele.
graph operator. Sam Houston, col
ored man, built wagon and black
smith shop, which is being worked by
another colored man, Jack Robinson.
AS no town could long exist without
a physician, Drs. Eldridge and John
son migrated there. and now have a
neat and tastefully arranged office,
and being the only physicians, cannot
help succeed. The town of
Bertram gained admittance into
the United States postotfice
department as postoflice on the Sd Of
January, 1888, with p r. Weston rs
postmaster.
The citizens Of the town, looking
forward to the education of their
children, are completing suitable
school building, the first floor of which
is to be devoted to school purposes,
and the upper one for Masonic lodge
purposes. Building lots cannot now
be bought for "a mere song," as at
first, those In the business portion
measuring 30x120 feet selling for $50
to S75, while those intended for resi-
dences, being 120 feet square, sell for
$50 to $50, and by addressing 7. b.
Vaughan the reader can obtain. all
other information respecting the til
ties, etc.
Farming, for radius of from eight
to ten miles adjacent to the town. is
carried on proftably-the "staple"
coming forward with $500 bales last
season from Bertram. Among the
residences we find that Mr.. j. d.
Riley built the first one in
the town. He was followed by
Christian Wolf, which is now occupied
as ahotel. Then came F. Peterson,
boot and shoemaker; next came John
Z. Walker, who is now agent OF the
"Grange Store% NJ. B. Lockett then
built, with w. &. johnson next in or
der; then J. w. Bailey, closely fol-
lowed by r. G. Pool, proprietor Of the
steam mill and gin. Then the con-
gregatton of the M. e. Church, South,
added beauty to the town by building
parsonage, occupied at the present
time by the Rev. J. S. Turnell, who
breaches through this circuit once a
month. A lot for a church has been
secured, and substantial edilice will
soon grace the grounds. The next in
turn to build were Messrs. J. F. Lii
lard, j. II. Vaughan and S. II. Slaugh-
ter, each of whom erected neat, sub
stantial and cosy residences.
The old town of Bertram, known as
South Gabriel, was Established as
postoffice nelrly twelve years ago, and
took its name from r. Bertram, of the
firm of Bertram, Brueggerhof & Noel
Ter, of Austin. Mr.. Bertram is at
present one of the directors of the
road. With the additions to the town
of Bertram which are anticipated, the
future of the place is established.
MILITIA AIRY RECORD OF CAPT. CHRISTIAN
D0RBANDT.
Capt Christian Dorbandt, one of the honor
ed veterans of tie Mexican war, joined the
United States service at its commencement
in 1916 and served to its close, enduring the
hardships and sharing the glories Of its bril-
liant victories. At the battle of Vera Cruz
and Cerro GOrdo, 18th\o April 1947. by re-
cOmniendation Of the commanding officer, he
dent of the Ufiited States, which under a pro-
vision Of an act passed by congress, allowed
him additional pay Alter PEsslIig uhseartned I le
and Chaputtapec he enjoyed the DIS
ing the City Of Mexico and the
bandits regiment had the distinction of captur-
ing the carriage of Gen. Santa Anna, valued at
$780, ,000 on his retreat from Ctrr0 tsOrdo also,
his wooden leg. After the close OF the MeXl- A-
can war, his command was ordered into the
service of the Texan Rangers, in protecting the
frontier, when Capt. Dorbandt was discharged
by special order from the service OF the United
States Gen, Twiggs, then stationed at San
Antonio, i'll command OF the Texas depart
ment, desired Iim To remain in service with
rank of commission officer, but iip preferred re
turning home and lead the life OF private cit
iZen with his family in Burnet county. capt
Dorbandt was born i'll 1878, will be slXtv-iive
years old December IL. 1888, is hale and hearty.
lives half a mile from Bertram, engaged in
farming and stock raising, is kind and hospit-
able-lOng may he live endeared by bis family
and honored by his countrymen.
awarded CAPTAIN Dorbandt, for gallant CON
duct in the army Of the United States
Know all men whom it may concern, That
Private Christian Dorband5 of Company X,
Second regiment of dragons, having dis;
tinguished himself in the service of the United
States, on the 18th day of April, 1S47, in the
battle Of Csrro Gordo, on the recommendation
Of Col. w. s. Harney, the commanding officer
of his regiment, do hereby award to the said
Private Chris ian Dorbandt this certificate OF
merit.
Given under my hand, at the city of Wash
iDgton this the 25th day of November, in the
year Of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
and forty-elght.
President of the United States.
w. L. MARCY, Secretary OF War.
Thanks are returned to the local
press of Burnet, and to citizens gen
orally for polite attentions and valua-
BILE information while the writer was
engaged in preparing for publication
history of the town and county.
Especial thanks are rendered to Gen.
A. r. Johnson for the use of his
splendidly lighted and well ventilated
land office, with maps and other refer
ences at hand to facilitate the work
now before the public.
NoTE.-Bell county will next be
visited by the writer in the same line
of work. Years of patient labor and
industry will be required to travel in
detail over the state. But the object
in view is to furnish reliable informa-
tion, serviceable alike to the people OF
Texas and to those abroad who con-
template becoming citizens and plant
ing themselves in counties best
adapted to promote their welfare and
happiness. The advantages of each
county will be represented according
to its worth. based on personal exam
nation of its resources. The infor-
nation will then De made public as
rapidly as possible.
The address of the Historian of
Texas Towns and Counties, is Aus.