The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-05-31

LII IlAO JuoGACOO anu Ctl1
other inferior courts two hundred and
thirty-four persons have been con-
victed of petty misdemeanorS. Two
precincts in the south part of the
county, embracing one-fifth of the en-
tire county, have adopted the local
option law. Here the commission of
petty offenseS are few.
SOCIETY
over the entire county is very good.
The various churches distributed over
the county all have comfortable
church houses and large member
ships and are well attended. In num-
ber of churches they are about as
follows: % Methodists; s Baptist
(missionary); 4 Baptist (primitive); 2
Presbyterian (old schooD; 4 Cumber-
land Presbyterian; other denomina-
tions have organizations in the coun-
ty, but no houses of worship. Sunday
schools are regularly kept up at most
of the churches and at school houses.
Most of the
SECRET ORDERS
are well represented and convenient
ly situated for the members. There
are seven Masonic lodges, all having
desirable, well furnished buildings for
Hodge rooms. The Odd Fellows have
two lodges with excellent halls. The
one situated at the city of Henderson
has, belonging to the orphans fund,
one house and lot and $40 acres of
land. The Knights of Honor have
seven lodges with total membership
of 21O, and several other orders are
organized, but we did not ascertain
their status.
- In addition to several colleges and
many private schools, this county per-
haps has the best
ORGANIZED FREE SCHOOLS
in the state. There are one hundred
and sixteen public free schools
organized, for 1916 children within the
scholastic age, being the largest pro-
portion of children to total popula-
tion exhibited by any county in the
state (this speaks volumes for the
health of the county): the free school
fund is immense. This year $22,-
474.8o was apportioned. This gives
about five and half dollars for each
child and will enable the schools to
average about five months term,
and in some instances ten months
term will be taught. OF the sum dis
posed, $21 ,613 came from the state,
the balance were sums not used last
year and interest on property belong
ing to the countyIschool fund. This
county owns about 14,70O acres of
land for free school purposes, which
is situated in the counties of Hunt
and Shelby. The three thousand
in hnx
for about $4,000, and $496720 of the
principal and interest has been paid
to the county. There are about twen-
ty school houses in the county belong
ing to the state and they worth
over $1,000; private col
leges and school houses in the county
are WORTH about $4,000. All are
provided with necessary furniture.
Hereafter we will refer more particu-
larly to the private schools which are
taught ten months in the year. We
are indebted to the county officials
for much valuable statistical infor-
Their names are: A. j.
Smith, county judge; j. E. Smith,
district clerk; b. c. Dickinson, county
clerk; w. J. Graham, county attor-
ney; w. 7. Brewer, sheriff; H. r. L.
Parker, tax collector; w. F. Richards.
tax assessor; J. T. Maddox, treasurer;
j. M. Wooley, surveyor. Several
railroads are projected across the
county, and will o doubt soon be
bull making the
RAILROAD FACILITIES
Equal to any in the state. Already
the International and Great Northern I
runs through the northwest
corner of the county, and from Over
ton a branch extends the distance of
sixteen miles to 5
THE CITY OF HENDERSON,
and is a monument to the enterprise
Of it's people. This city dates its or
ganiZation back to 1874, since which
time it has steadily advanced
in all the essentials that tend to
make it permanent and prosperous.
Its population now numbers about
two thousand. Situated near the
center of the county, upon the summit
of the ridge that divides the waters of
the Sabine river from the Angalina
choice situation. From either side
creeks, their rippling waves furnish
ing constant Accomplishments to the
WarblerS, and their pure,
sparkling waters extending a per-
petual inviting retreat alike to the
cheerful youth, the weary philosopher
and the thirsty beast. The center of
the public square is adorned by a
beautiful and substantial brick court
house that lends dignity to the i'm
posing business structures of brick
and wood that greet the eye on every
side. Nature, it seems, as well as
art, vested this position with the
legacy of an .~
COMMERCIAL CENTER.
And it has determined to claim its
own. Recently a railroad project has
been set on foot which may result ere
long in the construction of a narrow
gauge road from the city of Marshall,
and eventually connect north and
south with the Texas and st. Louis
and the Bremond roads, insuring
sharp competition on freight rates.
When we consider the extent and fer
tility of the surrounding county, we
are prepared to accept the fact that
the annual sales of merchandise of
this city amounts the round sum OF
81 100000, and the. export of cotton
alone for last season amounted to
10000 bales, worth $1,500,OO0. This
accounts for the treasure
that has SO recently attracted the
eagle eyes of Palmer and Bremond,
he narrow gauge railroad kings. 1t !
juStifieS the financial foresight of the
ten or'twelve gentlemen who contem-
plate erecting a block of new brick |
stores this season. |
1t gives glimpse of the resources
that enables the fifty business houses
here representing all the various
of trade to prosper and build |
up. 1t enables two ably conducted |
to extenda circulation far |
md wide. These publications are the |
FINES and the News. They repre-
tent the progressive sentiment and |
rive the news of the county, and nom
'esidents desiring to keep posted in
he progress of events here would do |
we'll to order these excellent papers |
;ent to them regularly.
In this city there are five hand
iome, elegant, well-furnished church
louses, whose pulpits are filled
)y gentlemen distinguished alike for
heir piety and their intellect
1al attainments. These churches are
he Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,
Cumberland Presbyterian and Primi
i've Baptist. -}4.sl
1t also boasts male and female
college which was chartered in 1870 |
IS the Henderson college, and is a !
,redit to the enterprise of its prOjec-