The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25

Climate OF Texas" by A. w. Spaight, Com |
missioner OF Statistics. etc.
ELLIS COUNTY.
This county lies on the west bank |
of the Trinity river, in north central |
Texas. Waxahachie, the county seat, |
is 29o miles northwest of the port of |
Galveston, by the line of the Houston |
and Texas Central, connecting with |
the Galveston, Houston and Hender- |
son railway. Area, 946 square miles. |
Population in lS70.... -. 1914 |
Population in 1880 az per
cent coloreO. .......... 1924 |
Assessed value of taxable prop
erty in 1870. 81, 81, sos |
Assessed value of taxable
property in 1881. .... S6,371, 1888 |
Assessed value of taxable
property in 1882 ........ S7,211,O13 |
Assessed value of live stock
in 1882. s59,552 |
Its general surface is high, rolling |
prairie, of which 80 per cent is well |
adapted to agriculture, the only ex-
ceptions being the brakes along the |
creeks. Indeed, there is good author |
lty for the statement that scarcely |
hundred acres in body can be found |
which IS not fairly good farming land.
About one-eighth of the land is in
cultivation, in tracts averaging eighty
acres to the farm. Three-fourthS of
the county, embracing the portion
west of the Houston and Texas Cen
trail railway, is characterized by a
black waXy soil, and one-fourth lying
east of the line named, by deep, dark
loan, both soils being very fertile.
The timber, which is mainly confined
to the bottoms of Trinity river, on
the eastern border, and of the eight
creeks which flow through the county
from west to east, on an average of
four miles apart, covers about one
tenth of its whole area. Along the
| Trinity river, the timber is abundant,
and of large growth, and on the creeks
it is reasonably sufficient for all pur-
poses. The principal growth is pc
can, elm, blackberry, ash, cottonwood,
| boiS dare, red oak, and walnut.
Bear, Red Oak, Grove, WaXahachie,
Onion, Chambers, Hog, and Mill
creeks are mostly large running
streams of clear water, separated by
elevated ridges, which afford good
drainage, besides conducting much to
| the general healthfulness. Springs
are found in some localities, and good
well water is obtained at depth OF
| from IL to "a feet. Cisterns are also
used to considerable extent, and are
| growing in favor.
Under ordinarily favorably condi-
tiOns, the yield per acre of the several
crops is, OF cotton in seed, 800 pounds;
corn, 25 to 80 bushels; wheat, 10; oats,
40; Irish potatoes, 80; sweet potatoes,
200. Melons and vegetables of every
| description are raised in great abund-
ance. Peaches, pears, apples, plumS
and apricotS all do well. The native
grape grows along the wooded
streams, and pecan nuts and walnuts
are plentiful in the same sections.
The wild lands produce fine pasturage,
| but the best ranges are being rapidly
converted into farms, and stock is
more proftably raised in enclosed
pastures.
Unimproved lands sell at from So
to $40, and improved tracts at from
$40 to $50 per acre, according to loca-
ton. The average rental of cultiYa-
ted land, with necessary houses, is
from $3.50 to So per acre, or one-fourth
of the cotton and one-third of the
grain. When the landlord furnishes
everything to the tenant, except fam
lily supplies, he receives one-half of
the crop. Improved farming imple-
ments are in general use. The mean
annual rainfall is 38 inches, and, as
rule, is distributed with sufficient uni
formity to insure fair average of
crops from year to year. Bots dare
hedges have been tried to some extent
and with such success as tOinduce the
belief that this method of enclosing
farms may be generally and advant-
ageously adopted in the near future
The Houston and Texas Central
railway runs north and south through
the eastern part of the county, with
the following stations: Ferris, with
about 800 inhabitants; Palmer, $50;
Garrett and Ennis, the latter with "a
population of 1000, and an annual
trade of 100000. The Texas Central
and Northwestern railway, at present
IN operation from Garrett to WaXa-
hachie, is projected westward through
the county, and the Northeastern
branch of the same road extends from
Garrett to Terrell on the Texas and
Pacific, and the Chicago, Texas and
Mexican Central railway passes
through the northwestern corner.
Waxahachie, the county seat, has a
population of 1000, and an annual
trade of about 100000.
The number of live stock, as as
sessed in 1882, is, cattle, 81 ops; horses
and mules, 1875; sheep, 2183; goats,
ITO; hogs, 8289. Work horses can be
purchased for about $45 per head;
mules, $3.50; oxen, $45 per yoke.
For scholastic population of 4244,
there are eighty-five public free
schools organized and in operation,
with an average attendance of 1888
children. The town of Ennis has as
sumed the management of its public
schools, several of which are of l1ign
grade. Marvin college, at WaXa-
hachie, has 290 pupils, is conducted as
a free school, and teaches thorough
course.
Church buildings are found in al
most every neighborhood, and are
generally commodious and -subStan-
tial, if not elegant. The Methodist,
Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catho-
lie, Episcopal, and Christian denomi-
nations are largely represented.
The ger eral surface of the county
being well drained, and exposed to the
uninterrupted play of the Texas trade
winds, few or no local causes of sick
ness are present. The mean maximum
|, temperature is So degrees, and the
mean minimum winter temperature is
|, 81 degrees.
Whilst there is no great wealth in
the hands of individuals, there are few
or no communities where the people
are more generally good for their con-
tracts, or among whom prevails a
higher respect for law and order.
DAUK IN DDICAE