Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-06-21

SlludIeu Ill NOItu StHIldl 1Choo' 1uo olCt'
is 900 square miles, and in 1880, according
to the census, had a population of 80, ,4sS;
of which 4,958 were colored. With one eX-
ception, it had the largest population of
any county in the State. Much of the area
of the county is high, rolling prairie. The
Elm and east and west forks of Trinity
river, and Mountain creek, about equi-
distant from each other, flow in from the
westward and unite their waters near the
centre Of the county, forming the main
river, which passes out near the southern
corner. Along and between the forks Of
the river and on the main stream, is found
several varieties of oak, cedar, pecan, wal
nut, hickory, bois d'arc-known in York
county as Usage orange-hackberry and cot
ton wood-the latter species of poplar-and
other varieties suitable for fuel, and which
can be used for fencing purposes. Fen
Of posts, plank and barbed wire, the usual
fence of one plank and only two wires,
costing about 1925 per mile. Pine lumber
is worth from $40 to $22 per thousand feet.
The prairies are generally Of black, te-
nacious, Waxy soil, and on walking over
places where there is no grass, when the
ground is wet, the soil sticks to the shoes
like wax or tar, and is about as difficult to
remove. Where there is timber on the
upland prairies, the soil is a light sandy,
and in the river and creek bottoms it is a
dark loan. The black-waXy soil and the
soil Of the bottoms are very productive.
With favorable seasons and proper cultiva-
ton, the yield per acre is, of cotton, one
third to three-fourths Of bale; corn, 80
bushels; wheat, 15 to 20; oats, 40 to 60.
Unimproved land is quoted at from s. to
$50 per acre, according to location and quail
ity TroafS with norton in a1ltiIyo tim
and the necessary buildings, range in price
from SIS to $50. The rental value of cult
waited lands is from 50 to s. per acre. Farm
laborers command from SO to $l5 per
month, and are difficult to obtain. Work
horses range in price from $50 to $50; mules
from $50 to $780, Water can be obtained
from wells at a reasonable depth, but cis-
tern water is much preferred and generally
used. -.
The city of Dallas, is the county seat of
Dallas county. 1t was first settled in lS41,
and named after Hon. George M. Dallas, of
Philadelphia, who was vice-President in
1874. In 1850, the census of the city showed
less than 1900 inhabitants. IN 1870, the
population of city and county, was 1884
but now, the population Of the city alone, is
estimated at 10000. 1t is eligibly located on
the east bank Of Trinity river, which is
spanned by substantial bridge belonging
to the county, and its use is free to all COM
ers and gOers. ,..
The city has quite a number of large and
imposing structures, embracing churches,
public buildings, substantially built business
houses and handsome private residences.
The immense wholesale and retail dry goods
house of Sanger Brothers, with its army OF
salesmen, clerks and attaches, would attract
attention in any of the larger cities of the
United States. In the way of manufactures,
there is one of the largest cotton seed oil
mills in the State, the capacity of which is
5000 gallons of oil per day the Dallas Car
Works, for the manufacture of railway cars,
wagons, carriages, and furniture, with a
capital of $3.50, 900, and employing IS men
an iron and brass foundry, doing a business
of $500 per annum two soap factories
an ice manufactory with a capacity of f20, 900
pounds per day; besides many other man
ufactories of less note. Water works, owned
by the city, is in successful Operation. There
are five banks in the city with an aggregate
capital of nearly 81, 100000. The estimated
wholesale and retail trade in general mer-
chandise, is estimated at $50 100000. The
Houston and Texas Central the Texas and
Pacific the Dallas and Wichita the Tex
as Trunk Line and the Chicago, Texas
and Mexican Central Railways, all centre
at Dallas.
Collin is the next county on our route.
passes nearly centrally through the county
from south to north. The area of the county
is SS4 square miles. The population in 1880
was 25 ,9S3-7s per cent. colored. This coun-
ty, excepting those in which are located
large cities or towns, is probably more dense
ly settled than any county in the State; at
least, the rural settlements are thicker than
any county through which we passed. 1t is
estimated that three-fourths of the area Of
the county is rolling prairie, in some places
rising into hills of considerable elevation,
in others gently sloping down into wide val
leys. The east fork Of Trinity river in this
county and its tributaries, are fringed with
belts Of timbermore or less wide. The lead
ing varieties of timber are the several spe-
cies of oak common to this section of cOun-
try, including ash, elm, pecan, blackberry,
Usage orange, etc. There is but little tim
ber in the county suitable for building pur-
poses. In many places along the line OF the
railroad, there is a succession OF pastures
and well-tilled farms, both enclosed with
wire fences. Much of the area presents a
continuous surface of black WaXy, tenacious
soil, without any admixture of sand, and Is
quite productive. The crops of corn and
cotton in this and Dallas counties, presented
better and more uniformly flourishing
condition than any counties through which
we passed on our entire route. We were in
formed that the usual yields per acre, Of the
principal crops, under favorable conditions,
is, of cotton ree-fourths of a bale; corn,
80 bushels; wheat ID bushels; oats, 40 bush
els. Unimproved land is quoted at from 81
to SIS per acre, the highest priced being TOR
prairie, for the reason that achen 1t Is fenced,
it is ready for cultivation. Farms are gen.
orally fenced with posts and rails, or wire
and planks, the cost being from $l5O to ;2o0
per mile. Pine lumber is worth from ~ to
S25 per 1000 feet. Improved farms, with
necessary buildings, range from $40 to $50
Der acre, according to location and tt e value
of the improvements. Improved land is
rented at from 50 to $3.50 per acre. In dry
seasons the streams cease to run; but water
is generally left in the depressions in the
beds of the streams. Water for domestic
purposes can be obtained from springs in
some sections of the county, and from wells
at a reasonable depth but cisterns are pre-
ferred and are in general use.
Mckinney is the county seat of Collin
county, and has population of about 1000.
In it are a number of substantial and hand.
some buildings, notably the courthouse and
the "Foot House," the principal hotel. we
were informed while there, that the court
town is growing rapidly, and is the market
for a considerable section of country. The
East Line and Red River Railway (narrow-
gauge) forms a junction with the Houston
and Texas Central Railroad at this place.
Grayson county adjoins Collin, and is the
next on our route. It lies on Red river,
which separates it from the Indian Terrific;
ry. 1t has an area of 968 square miles, and
in 1880 had population of 3S, ,10S. Grayson
is the most populous county in the State,