Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-05-20
SHACKELFORD COUNTY.
Soil, Climate and Resources Of an In.
wiling New Country.
Albany, the Zenith City of the Illimitabl,
Prairios.
Its Business Men aud Facilities for sun.
plying Demands of Trade.
A Visit to the Tonkawa Camp Habits of
Primitive People.
speeIal correspondence OF lne enzotle.

ALBANY, May l9.-It was only by
chance we We're permitted To visit this
fast developing region, and to pen our
agreeable surprise at finding the great
inroads to fortune would be task we
feel our futile pen unequal to, but to
give few facts, figures and features
will be the pleasant work of the
writer. The figures used in this
brief sketch are furnished by the gen.
tlemanly deputy sheriff and collector,
and our article can be relied upon
as correct
ORGANIZATIONS OF THE COUNTY.
In the year 1860, Shackelford county
was attached to Palo Pinto county for
judicial purposes by the legislature.
Again in 1874, change was made to
Jack county for similar purposes. But
the inconvenience Of riding eighty
miles to attend court at Jacksboro, the
county seat of Jack county, soon be-
gan to be felt, and the people put their
heads together to organize Shackelford
county. The move was q harmonious
one, and in 1874 Shackelford county
determined by ballot to manage its
own affairs and elected its
| offices. The commissioners court
of the newly organized county
held their initial session at
Fort Griffin, September % 1874. this
being the temporary capital by proc
lamation of eX-Gov. Coke. As tex.
celsior" was stamped upon the banner
| of the new county. every public mind
was turned to the development of
this sleeping region of fine lands un-
surpassed, ii equaled, in this or any
other state for fertility. Accordingly.
the usual election to decide
upon n suitable place to
build the permanent courthouse
WAS held Two places as candidates
were enrolled. Fort Griffin, with her
wonderful growth and prosperity. Ia
bored zeslously for the choice. when
nature alone, scarcely assisted by man,
nointed finger to Albany, and to-
day the courthouse that now
adorns the public square in that city
would be an ornament to city of
larger nretensions, to say nothing of
Identifying the properties now sleep.
ing and waiting the onward march of
Shackelford county in the great con-
test of development.
For years past this. section of the
country was supposed to be wholly at
the mercy of the Indians and scape-
goats from all the states until the gov
eminent saw fit to send n number of
soldiers in these parts TO protect life
and property, and up to the time of
the organization of Sheckelford coun-
ty it had no prominence and was
scarcely known to the outside world.
There was no lack of inducements
which kept the settler out, but on the
contrary, the county being in some
Instances subject to the invasion of the
red man, few people would venture to
settle here at their mercy. nor would
many venture even an investigation.
All who did venture are now living in
the shades quietly watching their
herds or busily tilling rich and pro-
ductive soil which belongs to them, us
they could buy land in this county
cheaper than they could rent similar
lands in other counties. Hence the
slow growth for a timeuntil thorough
test proved this to be safe and
pesceable country, and having the
protection of United States
| Sbilio'l bhtii tlit ScltltIS COuIu take
care of themselves in case of an inya-
sion, when the troops were withdrawp:
since which time there has been little
or no violence in the county. and tie
criminal calendar of Shsckelford
county is as spotless as anv youny
county in the state, having good com.
petent officers who discharge their
several duties with credit to themselves
ana honor to the county. When we
consider the many hardships the first
! settlers had TO endure, having to 20
eighty to one hundred and ten miles to
court each term without having
the advantages of churches, schools.
railroads or even market for their
produce, we are ut once convinced of
the true types OF manhood, which
started Shackelford county upon its
road OF prosperity, and the courthouse
that adorns the public square at AL
nany VIII be lasting monument to
their memory, and their names will
ever be engraved upon the hearts of
an good law.abiding citizens, and the
GS, amgSaaggs ,., Of o,o the mechanics
memories of their names.
CLIMATE.
High, and dry, with bracing breeze
| 49,. n \. naming lniS Inc
most delightful country in the world.
ana rest can at all times be had here
as many travellers express themselves
as being entirely captivated by the clj-
mate. and especially enjoy the n,lre
cool breeze at night, which promnts ns
70 reprint the old song, and add our
answer:
I've ,,. roamfd through manga weary round
I've wandered East and West: '"""u'
ppi ,,e IN every cline I've found
10 the one who has sought in win
LOT rest and health giving air. we can
30 nJ' 700 well recommend this delight
Luz ana healthy climate, mingled With
riches, and supported and epioyed hu
an enlightened, proud race of peonls
nospltable and religious, educated and
renhed, enjoying these BLESSINGS not
seihshiy, but wisely. and ALWAYS glad
20 welcome good honest peonle 7nto
sheir midst, and Offering to share their
ao'unes with the new conner, so long
as honesty Is their guidance and plnck
IS their watch-word. AN p'''A
m, SOIL.
me surface of the soil undulate,
rom east TO west, and in MANY nlaces
rises 10 such eminence as to be calied
mountainous. The valley lands are Of
a rich sandy loan. yerv nrod,,ctiva
a," easily titled, while the table or
msner lands are of much lighter
nature anu better adapted to the rails.
lug VI sninii grain, AS wheat, oats, bar