The Russellville Democrat., 1883-05-17


Editor Russcllviilc Democrat:
At 800 q. m. of the 18th inst, the
DEMOCRAT correspondent, after hay
ing partaken of the exhilarating
waters Of the famous Searcy springs
tor few days, left that quiet little
city to take in the excursion to Mex
leo, rendered 10 the Press associa-
tion Of Arkansas.
The south bound train being six
hours late, your correspondent did
not reach Malvern till after 5 o'clock.
About three hours afterward the
special train from Hot Springs ar
rived, bringing the members of the
association who were going on the
excursion.
Two elegant sleeping cars were
placed at the disposal of the excur
sionists, of which they at once avail
ed themselves, and all being in read
mess, the tram pulled out from Nal
vern at 3:45 a. M, Saturday. The
run from Malvern to Texarkana was
soon made. arriving there for break.
fast at 8 o'clock. Remaining half an
hour, we left Texarkana and entered
the great state of Texas. This be-
ing my first visit to the Lone Star
state, / resolved at once to take in
the whole situation as 1T was pre-
scented. The country between Tex
arkana and Paris, is somewhat di.
versified, wood md and prairie al
ternating. At l1if past ore we ar
rived at Paris-''twenty mix es fol
dinner" Paris is said to be good
town of several thousand inhabitants,
but as the town proper is situated
off the railroad, ! could not judge as
to its Importance. From Paris te
Sherman we pass through beauti-
full region-not only beautiful but
fertile and productive as well. This
is mostly prairie land, the famous
black wnxy land, of which everyone
has heard so much. 1t is in this
region that it is said no living man
ever made track--when the land is
dry you can't drive nail into it, and
when it is wet you take your track
along with you. While this country
may have its drawbacks, it is wen
derful country nevertheless, as is ev-
idenced by the immense farms, the
substantial farm houses and Other
evidences of prosperity visible on
every side. In this part of Texas
farming operations are rather back.
ward, as they are in Arkansas
owing to the late season.
We arrived at Sherman at $40 p
m. This is a city of considerable
pretensiens, claiming eight or ten
thousand population. It's substan
tial brick blocks, several stories
high, its street car lines, It's omnibus
transfers and the inevitable hote
crier, all indicate live, progressive
town. Passing ON we again enter
the prairie. Here is presented some
as beautiful landscapes as human
eye ever rested upon. The almos
boundless prairies clothed in theil
coat of fresh green grass and beauti
full flowers, dotted here and Their,
with clumps of shrubbery, forms
picture which any artist might bt
proud to copy.
We did not arrive at Fort Wortl
till nearly midnight, and having re
/ tired for the night, am not able Il
speak thereof. We pass Waco jus
at day light Sunday morning. Thi.
is big town but / did not get t.
see it. After passing through some
more of the rich black land, on which
the growing crops look fine, the
Young corn from one to two fee,
high and cotton in some place.
worked out and having four or fiv,
leaves, we reach Taylor, town o
probably 1000 people, where We
take breakfast, after which we pro
coed to cover the remaining thirty
one miles to Austin, where we stor
at IL o'clock. The majority of oul
party are at the Raymond house, {
first class hotel, where we were serv
ed with an excellent dinner, from
special bill of fare prepared fo tht
occasion; all for fifty cents.
Austin is c;g of about 5000 OF
10000 inhabitaa.s, is the capital o.
Texas, and here are located Tie asy
lums for the insane, the deaf ant
dumb and the blind.
A new state house is IN course o
construction, to cost 100000.
came near forgetting to mention
that the Dardanelle Knight of Honor
band accompanies the excursionists
They enliven the trip with some ex
cellent music.
Will give you list of the excur
sionists in my next.
We leave Austin for San Antonio
at s o'clock tomorrow morning.
j.