San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-11-22


MOUNTAIN CITY
And its envrons, lying in the direction
Of Austin, ranks among the very fore
most DIVISIONS OF the county in oil that
is naturally lovely and desirable, and
also in improvements and good citizen
shid. The pencil Of the finest artist
would fall far short Of doing justice to
the loveliness Of the >cerery, while the
broad cultivated farms, inclosed BY
stone fences, aud the tasteful dwellings
bespeak the industry, thrift, and pro-
gress of the citizens. Here are .
church, school, and a large surrounding
population. A sort Of adjunct to this
settlement are the farm, mills. shops,
eto. all maintained in regular old
Southern style--of Maj. Nance, who
has also built handsome school and
church edifice. His ranch Of 10000
acres in one body with 6,000 acres in-
closed, surrounds bis homo, where
health, peace and plenty pcrennially
reign.
Elm Grove and Onion Greek settle'
ments are like unto Mountain City. with
variations. They lie nearer Austin.
PECAN SPRINGS AND SCIENCE HALL
Represent one Of the very finest farm
ing regions Of the county, lying on the
boundary Of Caldwell. Pecan Springs
is the name of the homestead Of Col.
Sedge, in sight Of Kyle. His residence
is in beautiful natural grove. in which
the springs are situated. They are per-
.nnial, and afford an abundant supply
OF pure water for man and beast. and
6ll a fish pond below. The colonel pos>
sesses princely estate surrounding bis
residence, consisting Of 5000 acres. OF
which 5000 are inclosed, II embraces
portion Of the valley Of Plum Creek. Of
vast fertility, than which we have seen
no finer view in Texas. or elsewhere.
Col. Sledge is Mississippian Of
prominent and wealthy family, bnt came
to Texas with only $4,000. He came
here from the Brazos, and has only boon
| in the county some half dozen years.
He is now the heaviest taxpayer in the
county, and is prominent in all efforts
At improvement and progress.
Live Oak Springs is similar place
near Kyle. the proprietor ofwhich is o..
B. Donaldson, one Of our best and most
euterprising farmers. Our reporter has
never had the pleasure Of, visiting his
place, hence cannot 10 into details.
Science Hall is the name ofA noted
academy in this part Of the county,
which has proved especially beneficial
10 the community. ta. tihir
DOWN THE RIVER
From San Marcos extends another por.
ton of the country Of vast fertility and
wonderfu beauty, also tbickly settled.
Unfortunately, however, we cannot 60
many miles in that direction without
getting beyond the limits of the couns
~. But portions Of Caldwell and Qua.
dslupe-the Martindale and Jennings
neighborhoods, etc. naturally, by bust.
ness, and socially. belong to Hays.
They once applied to be annexed to
us, and would have been but for the To-
reference Of political aspirsnts, and We
think. upon just principles Of local self.
government" ought to be. If We could
swap" some Of our mountainous region
for these rich and populous portions Of
our sister counties, il would bo Q very
good exchange.
The Mountain Region Of Hays County.
In view Of the fact that fully two.
thirds of our county lies iu the noun
tains," 10 rather rocky region. Of mod
crate altitude, SO called) some account
Of Il seems indispensable in paper OF
shis kind. As the main stock range Of
the county it is by no means the least
important part OF il. And farming Is
also successfully followed in some Of the
valleys Of this section. Our space will
only permit brief reference 10 some Of
= the more important points.
The towns and hamlets Of this region
will be found noticed under their ap'
propriate head, so are omitted here.
Some Of the small fertile valleys are de.
voted to farming, but the great body ol
Of this region il . stock range, being oc
cupied by ranches great aud email
Perhaps the largest OF them 10 that o.
! HutchisOn 4 Good. lying between SsI
T Marcos aud Dripping Springs. and oon
} prising sbOu. 1900 acres.
Much Of the natural scenery Of thi
region has been noticed IN other con
neetioss, but there are some OtheI
} features worthy af mention. Anon
these are various caves. some OF then
: Of cossider,ble extent. They are hunI
, With beautiful stslsetites. sBd eoverse .
. bottom vith bat gusso. There are ale
re~srksbls ehssns or gulehes. One .
; thess. ksOvs s Dsueh's Gulch.
e sbout oss hundred isei 10 depth. vitl
. prscip,tou, side.. ssd sppresehes tb
= sabine. Devil. Bsetbose.- jus
Q ,bave Psrssiosy Sprinss. 10 you ests
4 Blspco eousty. 70 The nsDs Gvs. . ssri,
. 81 hrrs bills rkieh ore ssS!se ssd IN