San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-03-01
From Dallas.

About daylight on Saturday, 18th instant,
snow began to fall in large and rapid flakes,
which, although the ground was very wet
soon covered the earth TO the depth of three
inches. II has now all melted, but the
weather Is unsettled. The roads are almost
impossible, and farmers are not happy. But
Notwithstanding this, note trade and busi-
ness in every department in the city to be
active. The clerks in every line Of trade
are busy, especially 80 in the wholesale
houses. This is an immense and growing
business in Dallas.
In addition to the crossing of the two
grand railroads of the State, the Houston
and Texas Central and the Texas and Pa-
cific in Dallas, we have the st. Louis and
Wichita running northwest. the Grand
Trunk running southeast, and the Gulf,
Colorado and Santa Fe running southwest.
Competing lines from Galveston and st.
Louis. and each of which feeds large pop
ulation from Dallas A rapid continuance
of the Grand Trunk road TO its destination,
Sabine Pass, would open direct trade with
New Orleans. and the lumber trade alone
would be immense. It would be difficult to
even family describe the beauty and grand
eur of the lumber forests Of the southeast
ern belt of counties, and quite as dificult
to picture the extent and richness OF the
northwestern portion of the state, which 10
be converted into rich gardens and lovely
farms, only wants the lumber OF the south
east
We are moving in the matter of shops
and foundries, bur not as rapidly as would
like to see. We have one oil mill, working
from rs to 100 hands. The engine never
cools, and the cotton seed from large ter.
ritory is being rapidly converted into oil
and meal, and the chaf or hulls even are
cashed at the mill and fed to cattle. We
have several Touring mills, planning and saw
mills, wagon and buggy factories, door and
sash factory, an iron foundry, and the ma
chinery is being placed for the manufacture
of asphaltum for street paving, sidewalks,
and for pipe for drainage. This is new
thing in Texas. 1t is thought the material
for paving and draining can be made at
cost which will warrant every town and city
in having cleanliness and comfort. But
sir. we want both cotton and wool factories
We have the material at our doors, machin-
ery and labor almost as cheap as IN the
North, yet we pay freight to and from the
mill, and good per cent. to the factory and
merchant. While I write wonder where
this paper is made, and ask why grand pa
per mill is not started at the rise of the San
Marcos river. A grander or more favorable
site dare say cannot be found in the United
States, if even in the world. The material
and labor are abundant and cheap.
Our people are too busy to talk much
about politics So far as / have heard an
expression, the first steps of Gov. Ireland
are approved and admired. Men with half
sense, without regard to political thought
could not approve the legislation and ad-
ministration of the government for the
last four years. For instance, the giving OF
5000 900 acres of land to have house
built in Austin paying 81 40 on the dollar
for state bonds not due till 1904; selling
valuable school lands at nominal figure
when the money can only be invested in
United States bonds, bearing only per
cent, or state bonds. which cost q $l.4O on
the dollar; and many other things, not the
least of which was disposition to make the
state government family affair. Now that
the old man has downy bed and life pen
sion, let him rest
The many old time friends of Capt. Josse-
lyn were glad indeed to learn that Gov. Ire
laud had given him place in the executive
office.
Some anxiety is felt as to what the legls-
lature will do in regard to school land and
convict labor
A commission for the purpose, last week
selected site for government building In
our city for the Postoffice and Federal
Court, which will add much to our place, as
are the many private improvements. The
carpenter's saw and hammer is heard from
''early morn till dewy eve," and the ma
sons trowel and painters brush are never
idle. Lots which could have been bought
when came to Dallas for $40 and Sl5, are
now being cashed at $40, 900 and $l5, 600. 1t
looks unreasonable, but. sir, Dallas is yet IN
her infancy. J. W. Lattimer, who started
the 'Dallas Herald in 1S48, and who, by
the way. has never had an equal in the state
as n writer, said in long editorial in 1886
that Dallas. in twenty five years, would have
populatlon of %, 900 and be in railroad
communication with all the world. 1t IS not
necessary to tell you he was joked and ridi-
culed. Then our trade was with Houston
and Shreveport, La. by ox-wagons, and 1t
took from four TO six weeks to make trip.
Not stalk of cotton in the county. Corn,
oats and wheat were the farm products.
JoHS.
IL