The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-05-03
LAREDO, THE GATEWAY TO
MEXICO.
Its Advantages as a Commercial and
Manufacturing Point, Etc.
lFrom Our Travelling Correspondent

lFf0n Our Travelling Correspondent
LAREDO, TEXAS, April q, 1883
l arrived here last Saturday, and
with the intention to stay few days,
in order to have an opportunity to say
something to your many readers con-
corning this thriving place and sec
ton.
Laredo is a city of about six thou
sand inhabitants, but, like most
western towns, claims a larger popu-
lation. 1t is the county seat OF Webb
county, which borders on the Rio
Grande river, is Stock-raising cOun-
ty, and embraces an area of about
1862 square miles. 1t is reached by
the International and Great Northern
railroad from the interior of the state,
and the Texas Mexican from Corpus
Christi. The assessed value Of the
county is about 100000.
The lands in Webb county are as
sessed at the rate of twenty-five cents
per acre. There are eight school dis
tricts, and educational facilities are
growing better. The county is water
ed by the Rio Grande and smaller
streams. Immense coal fields are found
in this county. Three railroads, the
International and Great Northern
railway, the Texas Mexican railroad
and the Rio Grande and Pacific rail-
road, cross the county, affording am
pie transportation facilities. The
Texas and st. Louis will also cross
the county at an early date and enter
Laredo, which is the diverging point
of five railways. and is naturally the
gateway to Mexico, into which repub-
lie so much American and foreign
capital is now flowing. The streets
of Laredo are narrow, but there are
several plaZas or public squares
Some of the residences indicate
wealth and taste. The courthouse is
a substantial brick building, costing,
with the Jail, nearly $4,000. There
are ward schools, private schools, a
convent school for girls, and one
Catholic school for boys. About one
hundred business houses make its
mercantile department, and besides
enormous quantities of merchandise,
over 100000 pounds OF wool are an
nually handled.
There is here a national bank and
opera house, an ice factory and cigar
mandatory, and a good system of
water works. AS a point for the
locating of wooden mills, machine
shops and foundries, Laredo offers
excellent facilities. owing to the
abundance of water, coal and raw
material. The city enjoys a vast trade,
not only from Webb and surrounding
counties but the republic of Mexico
as well. There are no less than three
newspapers, two American and one
Mexican. ] am under special obliga-
tions to Mr.. a. Wishart, editor and
manager OF the Two Laredos, tri
weekly, and to Mr.. j. S. Penn, of the
Times, weekly, both of which are
good papers and ably conducted.
l met among other prominent citi
zens of the southwest, Col. White
head, formerly of Austin but who is
now practicing law in this city. He
occupies an enyiable position in his
profession and is regarded with favor
for practice preferment in the near
future. made also the acquaintance
of A. l.. McLane, Esq, of the firm of
McLane Il Athlee, attorneys at law.
Mr.. McLane is certainly one of the
progressive men of this section and one
of Laredo's best friends.
The Wilson house, kept by MeSsrs.
Wilson g. Belcher, is the leading hotel
here, although there is fine opening
for new hotel. Agood building with
about fifty rooms, with good light and
ventilation, would be a paying invest
ment.
Last Tuesday, through the courtesy
of the officers of the Rio Grande &
Pecos railway company, | had the
pleasure of being one of party of
ladies and gentlemen visiting the coal
mines. some tWenty-eight miles north
west from Laredo. The company is
developing three extensive mines,
which will produce enough coal for
the states of Texas and Louisiana
combined, and the quality of the coal
is excellent. Among those present
were Rev. DR.. F. A, Shoupe. of Su-
vance township; Rev. Josephus John
son, of Victoria, Texas; Mr.. James
Craig and wife. Mr.. a. Trishart
editor of the Two Laredos, and wife;
Mrs. DR.. Arthur and children; Mrs.
Col. w. II. Hungerford; Misses Ag-
mes DeutZ, Mamie Runsjell, Emma
Craig and Belle Bracken, and Capt
B. G. Broadnate. had the pleasure
of meeting here Maj. ID. w. Jones, of
Austin, who expects to make a
lengthy trip through northern Mexico.
Mr.. Forster, a banker of Austin,
spent also a day here this week on his
way home from Monterey
In conclusion | beg leave to say
that the circulation of the DAILY
STATESMAN is increasing here as ra-
pidly as the weekly edition of the
STATESMAN, and that it is growing
in popularity every day.
GRAYANAP.