San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-11-15
HAYS COUNTY,
A TRUTHFUL PEN PORTRAIT.
Prom tho n,,r. pn.. rn.n.-Rsrl.sa.

From the hxra FRnn Pnres.-kevltod
The article descriptive Of Hays Coun
ty which we formerly published, beinl
out Of print, to meet general demant
we propose preparing another, with re
visions and additions. We shall sup
plement the beat and most authentic in
formation wo can obtain, by our own OBJ
servations during over ten years past
and shall make it point not to indulge
in the oxaggerations, pro or con. 81
common to writers concerning new 70
gions Of country. We believe grea
wrong has been done by unsorupulou'
and interested parties giving false ideal
Of Texas-wrong to people who have
been led to come to the State by suot
misrepresentation, and wrong also tC
the State. which has sufficient merits
to induce immigration without resort
ing to false pretenses.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The history of Hays county natural
ly begins with that OF San Marcos
The bursting forth Of the river, full
formed. from the foot Of mountain
near by, and its peerless beauty and pu-
rity, conspired to make the spot mark
cd ono by nature. According to q
writer in Scribner's Magazine for Jan.
uary, 1874, as early as 1923 the Right
Reverend Fathers. forming the College
of Santa Cruz Of Querstaro, were
thorized to found three missions on
the San Marcos, but the order was af-
terwards resoinded in favor of San An
tonic; but for which San Marcos, in
stead Of the Alamo City, might have
been the metropolis Of Western Texas,
A place thus remarkable by nature
Of course was destined to become the
site of an Anglo. American town, A
DR.. Merriman appears to have beeu the
first settler. in the fall Of 1916, bu,
others may contest the claim. For in
stance We are told that VIM. Moon
who still resides in this county, BULL
the first house in San Marcos, and it is
still pointed out to the curious observer.
T. G.. McGehee. we belieye. is conced-
ed to have been the first settler of the
Immediate vicinity. at the place whore
he lately resided, few miles down the
river.
Hays county was organized in 1848,
through the instrumcntality Of General
Burleson, then member Of the State
Senate, and was named in honor Of Col.
Jack Hays, the noted Texas Ranger.
Prior to that date il was part Of Travis
and Bastrop counties. The Antonio
Veremendi League was purchased by
Gen: Burleson and William Lindsey,
and $40 acres appropriated for town
site. They paid for it partly in cash
and partly in cattle. Each settler re-
oeived a building lot free. Henry No.
Cullough was stationed here with o
company Of rangers, and log house,
used as commissary department, and
q bar-room in tent, constituted the
settlement up to April, l847. The first
election was held in August, 1S48.
The years 1857, SO and so were
seasons Of terrible drought. particular
ly the first named, when there was
total failure Of crops. The war soon
followed, continuing the period of dis
tress. Afterwards for some years there
was little immigration or progress. The
first awakening was caused by the en-.
terprise Of Prof, Hollingsworth. in
causing to be erected large stone build
ing on O commanding site. called Coro-
nal Institute, and starting a successful
high school in it. This induced per-
sons to come and settle in the town.
From that time to about 1874 the course
Of San Marcos was onward, till from a
small hamlet of few hundred inhabi.
tants. the population had reached in
1880. 1892. that Of the county 1855,
with indications Of far more rapid
growth in view of the advent Of railroad
communication. The population of the
county is now no doubt fully $500, aud
that OF the town 1900.
AREA, LOCATION, ETC.
Hays is one of the smallest counties Of
Texas, containing only about $50 square
miles. Tho 30th parallel of latitude
and the 98th of Longitude both pass
through it. About two-thirds of tho
county is occupied by rudimentary
mountains. and covered with timber Of
various kinds, such as cedar, live TAX,
Spanish oak, elm, pecan, mesquite, and
several other varieties Of inferior quail.
ity. This mountainous section is also
partially covered with grass. aud inter
spersed. though at distant intervals.
with creeks and rivers. sffording fae
opportunity for stock raising. The re
naming third Of the county i ckie;-
ly prairie. Of hDe soil, and will produce
perhsps ss great variety Of crops a.
aluosi any country 10 the world. The
fsce of the country i beautiful and pie
iuTasqas 10 tie extreme. We have
-eeu many Of the GEsst portions q tie
Mi-.i-i-ri r.llsr. h.t hare n.-cr loot