The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-15
BROWNWOOD.

BROWNWOOD.
ITS LOCATION, HISTORY, BUSINESS,
PROGRESS, ITS INSTITUTIONS OF
LEARNING, MINERAL WATERS AND
PETROLEUM WELLS, ITS SOCIETY,
SPEEDY RECOVERY FROM THE FIRE,
FINE RAILROAD PROSPECTS.
The county seat is luckily situated
in the historic Horse Shoe Bend of
the Pecan bayou, upon health
full immlnence that commands
q view a broad and
diversified landscape. Less than a
decade since this site was the sporting
place of the deer, and the favorite
hunting ground of the red man. But
a noble civilization has transformed
the scene and now promising city
echoes to the voices of industry.
Judge Greenleaf Fisk, first and
braveSt among the early pioneers, now
greatly endeared to the citizens of
BroWnwood, made the handsome do
nation of 160 acres, the site of this
thriving town. This venerable citi-
zen erected the first house, and filled
with honor six county offices. He
was stock-raiser, farmer, and gen.
eral land agent.
The lamented w. w. Chandler,
kindly remembered by grateful COM
munity, was the first merchant, and
the Rev. Father Childress, of the
Methodist denomination, under bush
arbor first proclaimed to the few
hardy pioneers of this place, the glad
tidingS of salvation.
The largest, and by far the most
useful house Of the first twelve built
in Brownwood, was one-and-a-half
story log and rawhide house; dimen-
sions, 10 by Is. 1t was used as a court
house, church, postofice, county and
district clerks office, county treasurer
and surveyors Office, calaboose and
jail, town hall and lodging house
for the way-faring traveller, and
depository for the archives of the
county.
The first paper published in Brown
wood was on November II, 1875, "The
Pecan Valley Eagle
The present population numbers
over 150O-intelligent, enterprising
and thrifty. The town is admirably laid
out, with broad streets, adorned with
imposing business houses, and resi-
dences Of modern design and archi-
tectural beauty.
The sales of merchandise annually,
exceed $750,0O0, and there was shipped
from this point last year, 10000
pounds of wool and 1000 bales of cot
ton. Upon the advent of one or more
of the already promised railroads, this
must be commercial center of great
Importance, and the banner city of
West Texas
RAILROADS PROPOSED AND SURVEYS
MADE
To this place are, the Texas s. st.
Louis narrow gauge, guaranteed
within one year, the extension of the
Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe, the Austin
81 Burnett narrow gauge extension,
west branch of the Houston & Texas
Central, and the Fort Worth s. Brown
wood narrow gauge. For this latter
S45, 900 have been subscribed, and for
Gen. Gordon's proposed road
from Aransas Bay to San An
tonic, thence to Brownwood
the citizens of this place subscribed
in thirty minutes $1,000. Thus
Brownwood will soon become rail-
road center of much note, greatly en-.
hancing the value of all property,
mutually aiding in the general dsvel-
opment of the country and bringing
remote sections into permanent and
profitable relationship.
MINERAL WATERS AND PETROLEUM
WELLS
Are noted features in this town, some
of the waters being strongly impreg-
mated with sulphur and magnesia, and
are highly recommended for dyspepsia
and kindred diseases. Two petroleum
wells have been worked with good re-
suits, the oil being sold in the crude
state for 60 cents per gallon.
THE FIRE FIEND
But one short month ago laid waste
the principal business portion of the
| town, but as if by magic imposing
structures rose out of the ashes and
trade continued almost without o lull
PUBLIC ENTERPRISE
And genuine hospitality characterize
herein named. To these citizens is
due the rapid growth and healthfuI
development of this prosperous town
and county, and to them we are large
ly indebted for the publication Of thi.
writing.
! COGGIN MALE AND FEMALE INSTITUTE
This popular institution of learning is beau
tifully located in charming oak grove in th'
| suburbs of the town. Prof. j. A. Z. Summers
late president of Summers Institute, and TO
thirteen years superintendent over SCHOOLS ii
| Hannibal, No., and Prof. Carl Vincent, lat
| school commissioner OF Missouri, and for 81,
| wears city superintendent of schools in Fulton
| Mo- both professional educators OF life tim
| experience, are the princi pals. The course Q
instruction is emlnently practical and thor
| ough Attached to the institute Is Norma
Department" for the training OF teachers
| which offers super advantages TO person
who desire to qualify themselves for the pre-
fession of teaching. The music department
of high order, and under the control OF Mls
| Mamie Porter one of the most accomplshe
teachers q the South. The mercanuIe lepar,
ment is of high standard. Parents who de
| s re to place their sons and daughters IN mrs
class school, the best in the county, ana equa
to any in West Texas, cannot do better tina
send them to Coggin Institute.
III THE RANKIN HOUSE
is an imposing structure, centrally located an
conveniently arranged for the special accom-
, mediation of guests. Its numerous Sleepin
rooms are ample, airy and elegantly furnishes
1t has spacious and well ventilated dintn
. room and commodious sample rooms for con
| mercial travellers. The tabels are abundantl
supplied with the choicest In the market, an
all the apartments EN- . are under & the person,
. Kin. who has the happy faculty Of making tn
| house both comfortable and homelike. Majt
John Y. Rankin. the proprietor, is well an
courteous aud cultured gentleman, and W,
r one of the pioneers of the town, being head
one OF the six memorable families that fe
years since constituted the population OF tn
/. | and every citizen a soldier, and is also one
! the leading spirits In aiding public enterprise
!. and to him is largely due the credit Of shapir
: the now thriving town OF Brownwepd.
I