The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-01

corner. Tributary to each of these
are large number of smaller but I'M
| falling streams, well distributed for
| convenience of water for stock and
general purposes. Where streams are
not at hand, artificial tanks are easily
constructed, which retain water in the
dryeSt seasons. Owing to the slight
inclination of the underlying strata,
there are but few springs, but, for the
same reason, water is easily obtained
by wells, and OVERLOOKING artesian
wells, in the opinion of competent
judges, may be had by boring to no
great depth.
The bottom lands, frequently for a
mile or more in width, along all the
water courses, are covered with a
forest growth, consisting of hickory,
pin oak, pecan, cedar, and cottonwood.
Mesquite is scattered extensively over
the prairies in some portions, and post
oak and blackjack are found in con-
siderable abundance on the sandy up
lands. Cedar, large enough for fence
posts and telegraph-poleS, is plentiful
in many of the creek bottoms. 1t is
estimated that one-fifth of the area is
covered with timber.
county belongs to the chalk formation.
The strata are thin aud slightly in
cllned to the southeast, and being COM
posed of successive layers of soft lime
stone, sandstone, clays and marls,
give rise to variety of soils. Lime
and organic remains abound in the
original deposits which, being well
mingled by the action of the elements,
render the soils generally very fertile,
while the different belts partake of
distinct qualities which adapt them to
different products. The black lands,
which are generally prairie, predomi-
nate, and are considered best adapted
to cotton, grain and the grasses, and
the sandy post oak uplands to the
products of the orchard and garden.
Nearly the entire area is susceptible
of profitable cultivation, and farms
range in size from Is to 200 acres. The
county is well adapted, both in eli
mate and soils, to diversified farming,
and the average yield of cotton, corn,
wheat, rye, barley, oats, millet, hay,
sorghum, potatoes, melons, and all
kinds of vegetables common to the
latitude, is up to the best standard of
the state. Peaches, pears and grapes,
especially the first named, yield album
dant crops of superior fruit. The
mean annual rainfall, as registered at
Corsicana, from September Is, 1874, to
December 81, 1881, was 1896 inches,
and it was generally well distribu-
ted throughout the year. Along the
Trinity river are extensive groves of
pecan trees, which bear heavy crops of
valuable nuts. Improved agricultural
implements are used very generally,
and with great saving of labor to the
farming interests. The land, being
largely open prairie, is easily reduced
to cultivation, and fencing with
wire and one plank, on mesquite,
cedar or postoak posts, costs from
$175 to $3.50 a mile. Unimproved
prairie land can be bought from SO
to $40 an acre, and timbered land from
So to $50. Improved farms, of from
70 to 200 acres in extent, are held at
from $40 to 500 an acre. From So to
So per acre is generally paid for rent
of land in cultivation.
Notwithstanding that the pasturage
has been somewhat impaired by rea-
son OF the range being over-stocked,
and by occasional burning off of the
grass, there is still sufficient open graz
ing ground to render stockraising an
important industry, though it is found
to be more profitable In enclosed pas
lures. The ordinary prairie grass is at
present most abundant, but the mes
quite grass is spreading rapidly, and,
with the Bermuda, which has been
introduced, and is highly esteemed for
its nutritive properties, promise, in
few years, to supplant all other grasses.
Stock generally keep fat on the open
range for eight months, and manage
to subsist tolerably well for the re-
mainder of the year, but thrive better
with some feed and increased atten-
ton in severe winters. According to
the assessment rolls of 1882, there are
in the county 1926 horses and mules,
39,774 cattle, 1900 sheep, H.
1877 hogs, and 158 goats. Work horses
are worth $40 to $50; mules, $50 to
500; oxen, $50 to $50 per yoke; beef
retails at from to 10 cents per pound;
mutton, 10; pork, 10; bacon Is to Is;
corn, 81 per bushel; flour, S. per hun
dred pounds. Domestic fowls are
raised in great numbers, and with lit
tie trouble or expense. Large game
is scarce, but prairie chickens,
plover and jack-rabbits are numerous.
The many kinds of fresh wa
fish are moderately abundant in the
Trinity river.
The Houston and Texas Central
railway, running north and south
through the county, and the Texas
and st. Louis railway marrow guage),
running east and west, form juno
ton at Corsicana, and there are, be-
sides Corsicana, eight stations in the
county, three on the former and four
on the latter.
Corsicana is situated on gently roll
ing, well drained ground, in an ex-
tended prairie, about five hundred
feet above the sea level, and contains
about 5000 inhabitants, and is in every
respect a prosperous, progressive
city. Its aggregate trade, much
amounts to about $780, 900; large
quantities of goods being sold
to dealers in the many vii
lagos and trading points scattered
throughout the county. Corsicana
has a handsome stone courthouse,
two large and commodious public
school buildings, nine churches, many
of them spacious and tasteful
in structure, and a number of
substantial business houses. Rice,
Dresden, Kerens, Spring Hill, Pur-
don and Blooming Grove are thriv-
ing rural villages, surrounded by
prosperous farming communities.
There are postoffices and one or more
stores at Chatfield, VAUDEVILLE, Rural
Shade, Birdston, Eureka, Pursley,
Richland, Angus, Navarro Mills,
Cross Roads, and Bazette, the local
dealers usually purchasing their stock
of goods in Corsicana.
The county has large and increas-
ing county school fund, besides the
amount of the state school fund an
nually apportioned, and there are
about ninety free schools in operation,
for a total scholastic population of
1888 pupils. The city of Corsicana
has assumed control of the schools
within her limits, and levies tax of
one-half of one per cent ad valorem
for their support in addition to the
state and county fund. Excellent
buildings for vsite and colored pu-
pills, separately, fasrfo;aeen erected, and
| the daily attendas lis something
more than five hu-ldred In Corsi-
] cana, the Methodist, Cumberland