The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-23
lAMpAsAs COUNTY.
An ACCdbST or ITS RESOURCES,
SOIL AND CLIMATE,
Together with an Extended Notice Of
its Principal TOwn-the city Of
Lampasas, the Queen City OF
West Texas and the Sara
tOga Of the SOnth.

rCompiled and written by our special cores
pOndent, William 4. Franklin.
The county of LampaSas IS situated
in the central part of the state, and
lies on the elevated plateau on the di-
vide between the Colorado and the
North Fork of the Lampasas river.
In a few portions are mountains of
low elevation, and in many sections
are high hills; at the foot of these
spread out broad and fertile valleys.
The whole of the county is situated
at SO great height that chills and
fever and kindred diseases are never
known, while the many beautiful run
ming streams water the fields and val
leys so well that agricultural pursuits
are carried on with grand results.
RIVERS, STREAMS AND SPRINGS.
This is one of the best watered
counties In the state, having Il boIInti-
full supply the year round. Among
its living streams is the Colorado
river that forms the weSternbOundary
of the county, North Fork OF Lam
paSaS river which runs the entire
length of the eastern portion of the
county, and Sulphur Fork, Antelope,
Elliot's, Emery's, Lynch's, Schere,
Lacey's, Mesquite and Sims; most of
these are never-failing streams and
many are tributary to the two great
rivers.
THE SOIL
ON the plains and mountains coves
is black waxy; in the valleys a rich
ailuvium; and in the high table lands
u chocolate-colored loan These
mountain coves and slopes aud the
wide valleys afford fine pdsturage, and
the sedge and mesquite grass grows
so abIndantly as TO keep the stock al
ways in good condition. Stock cattle
and horses are raised on the open
range the entire year, but work ami
mails and sheep require some winter
feed. The stock Is rapidly being
graded up, but as yet is mostly of the
common grade, Cattle and horses
are always healthy; the sheep some
times suffer from scab, but the disease
yields readily to treatment.
TIMBER.
The county is we'll wooded, sever
III varieties OF trees being found,
among which are dense growth of
pecan and walnut, elm, blackberry.
post oak, Spanish oak, live OAK. mes
quite, and an immense growth of
shin oak. which is excellent food aud
shelter for stock in the winter. Con-
siderable fine timber for building plif~
poses is found. while fence timber
grows densely.
ROCK FOR BUILDING.
Many fine quarries of granite, mar
ble and limestone rock are found. eS-
pecially the latter, which is au excel
lnnt ofnnn fnV ht1flAircr
THE INHABITANTS
throughout the county are Intelligent
and Industrious and will compare ia
Vorably with their fellow citizens in
any part of the state, as we'll as with
those of any state in the Union. Re
alizing that their country is as yet
undeveloped, they welcome all emf
grants with cordiality and are glad to
help the Industrious emigrant, no
matter from what state he may come
or Of what nationality he may be.
THE SCHOOLS
are in a good condition and the at
tendance is large. There are twenty
four school districts, and the
scholastic population is oyer
1900. Besides the district schools
there is ar academy in the city
of Lampasas and also number of
private institutions of learning in
other parts OF the county.
THE RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS
are all represented; the Methodists
and Baptists predominate in point of
numbers. Church edifices are as yet
few and the cOnveniences hut fairly
good, but the atten dance very large.
RAILROADS.
The only railroad at the present
time is the Gulf, Colorado and Santa
Fe, which has it's western terminus
at the city of Lampasas. 1t is coni=
IDENTITY expected, though, that the ST.
Louis and Texas, as well as the Mis-
souri, Pacific, will soon lay their rails
through the county. and ii the expec-
tation is realized. it must necessarily
greatly enhance the val lie of lands.
VALUATION, ETC.
Figures obtained from the asses
sor's roll show that the ass 'sSed val
esati0n of. county lands on the LIST of
January. 1882, was only $769, ,349. and
this on an acreage of over $4,000;
since that time these lands have rap
idly increased in value in many in-
stances over 100 per cent, and still
continue to increase, thus the capital
lists will see the Importance of imme-
diate investment, and the immigrant
of moderate means the profit to be de-
rived by quick action. Tha rate of
Gaxation is but So cents on 500, and
the county debt that on January l,
1881, was $11,961, is now nominal.
The increase in the value of property
in this county for the last year is
about S1.O00000.
LANDS.
Unimproved land can be bought from
81 to So per acre. and improved from
So to SIS, according to extent of i'm
provements. Considering the health
ful climate. the rich soil, the mex
haustible supply of water, the luxuri-
ant grasses. the valuable stone, the
dense growth of timber, and the medic
!. inal springs, no section Of Texas Of
fers more inducements to the capital
! list, the laborer and the invalid than
4ampasas county.
LAMPAsAs,
bhe county seat, is situated at the
terminus of the Gulf. Colorado and
Eanta Fe railroad. The city sits in a
beautiful valley and enjoys the shade
f it's numberless liveoak trees, is
lurrounded by group of low range
knountains, which wavily retreat
ing attain a high altitude. from
which can be seen a grand and diver
sified landscape. The city in area is
over mile square and is built up
principally of stone and brick. A
person is greatly surprised to behold
so many costly and commanding
buildings. The population numbers
over 1860 souls, intelligent and cult
waited, the business men being among
the most enterpr;sing in the country.
ever ready to aid a cause that pro-
saotes the welfare of the city The
city enjoys the privilege OF being the
saetrepoiis for counties extending
Hundreds of miles west of it, and also
of being health and pleasure resort
OF q national reputation.
THE CELEBRATED MEDICINAL
SPRINGS
Contain wonderful curative properties
and have restored to health many an
invalid.
THE HANCOCK SPRING"
Is situated conveniently within the
city limits. amidst beautiful grove
and on the Sulphur Fork of the LAM
pasas river. There are two springs
used for bathing purposes. one dis
charging 1000 gallons and the other