The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-04-05
From Texas.
WACO, March q, 1884.

WACO, March 81, 1884.
Although this has been very late spring,
everything is now putting on its beautiful
green garb with such a rapidity as to make
one forget the cold bleak winter that
seemed so 10th to leave. On every side
modest little flowers are springing up,
while the woods are quite fragrant with
plum blossoms.
Corn planting is pretty well done, with
large portion up to good stand. Many
have already commenced planting cotton,
taking their chances on the Easter trosts of
next month. Cotton, though vigorous
grower, is, whenyoung, Il very delicate, ten
der plant, and very little frost proves fatal
to it. Prospect for IN ont crop is very
gloomy, while wheat bids fair for Il good
yield.
Candidates preparing themselves for the
race in the November elections, are spring
ing up like mushrooms all over the land.
From the state executive down to Il precinct
officer may be seen pulling at the wires.
The democratic State executive committee
meets in Waco ON the eth, when they will
decide where and when the state conven.
ton will be held Some favor the holding
of two conventions, one 10 put out Il state
| ticket and the other To select delegates 10
the Chicago national convention. Gov.
! Ireland, the present incumbent, will proba-
! bly, be the next nominee, Since the Leg
islature adjourned fence cutting seems to
he on the decline. Whether the law en-
acted at its session awed the wire nipperS
into Il temporary calm, or they We're dis
gusted with the business, will be a prob
lem for the next Legislature to decide.
Work on the capitol building at Austin
goes steadily on. The stone used in the
| building is said to be the best in the state
! The quarry is located ten miles from Aus
! tin, where the stones are all dressed and
numbered, ready To be placed in the walls
when transported, Many of the blocks are
of such huge dimensions as to almost rival
those found within the walls of the pyra
mids.
| We have AT last got an all rail communi.
cation with the city of Mexico. The last
spike was driven few days since which
connects the great city of relics with our
country Already vast coal fields said to
produce the best bitumiuous coal in the
world, have passed into the hands of the
! Huntington system of Il. K. So ere long
we shall see II reverse of things in the coal
trade. As I'LL our coal now comes from
the North it would look little odd to see
! it come from the South Mexico is doubt
less rich in minerals and with ample rail
road systems to develop her resources, will
at no distant day fill our Golfers with her
| treasures.
San Antonio had very exciting SenSa-
ton the other day in the murder of Ben
| Thomson The noted gentleman desperate
of Austin, Thomson, had killed men al
most without number But his victims al
ways proved to be such characters as sOci-
ETY. is ever willing and ready to get rid Of
So he stood his trial and came clear.
But of late he drank freely and was doubt
less drunk on the fatal night when he en-
tered the Vaudeville theatre, II variety den,
where he was ridded with bullets, having
been betrayed into the hands of his enc.
mics.
The land board created TO let lease and
control the state and school lands, have adj
vanced the rental price per acre, on lands
leased 70 stock raisers The stockmen do
not take in this advance with as much sat
| isfaction as if it had been Il point or two on
yearlings but they will have 10 digest il all
| the same LITTLE TEXAN.