The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-14
HISTORY OF TEXAS BY COUNTIES.

| UTOWlng interest manl1eStS 1CSel1
throughout the state in the work of
compiling history of Texas by coun-
ties. AS is already known, Mr.. Ed
win E. Overall is engaged in this in
teresting and comprehensive work,
and that THE STATESMAN has ar
rangements with this gentleman by
which the first publication of these
historical and statistical papers ap-
pear in its columns. The compila-
tions are to appear finally
in comprehensive shape in book
form, and when so compiled and pre-
sented the aggregated work will be
Invaluable to the people of Texas.
Already comprehensive papers, re-
lating to several counties, have ap-
peared in these columns. and the work
progresses with systematic movement
toward its conclusion, which, however,
owing to the magnitude of Texas,
must take years of untiring labor
That Mr.. Overall is capable in all
respects to perform the task before
him, that he is searching as well as
a most conscientious laborer, in the
cause he has undertaken, is rec
ognized by all who know him.
BY birth and association he is deeply
interested in placing facts before the
world, which will present a true reflex
of conditions in Southern state,
whose population is most largely
made up of representative people from
the entire South, while by interest he is
proof against neglecting nothingwhich
will depict Texas, the grandest of
Southern states, in its boldest lights as
well as in its necessary shadows. That i
all will be blinded under the i'm
pulse of an honesty that is admitted
is assured, presenting sufficient rea-
sons for the interest THE STATES
MAN has assumed in the matter |
Probably nothing could be said |
more commendatory Of Mr.. Overall, |
outside of what his own works say |
for him, than what is contained in the |
following letter:
To Edwin E. Overall, Kaufman, Texas:
Dear Sir-I am glad to know that |
the great and growing state OF Texas |
has such an energetic and able friend |
to portray her present attractions and |
prospective grandeur. If she ret aims |
her territory undivided, your prophecy |
as to her becoming the empire state of |
the union will, verify believe, be full
filled within the time stated by you. |
1t is a severe labor to collect data by |
travelling over the counties SeVerally |
as you are doing, and the accuracy of |
your reports, which will be antici- |
pated by those who have known you,
will carry conviction with them, by |
that pervading consistency which |
truth only possesses.
With best wishes for you and yours, |
am your friend,
- JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Mr.. Overall is now engaged in COM
pilation regarding Kaufman county, |
and through correspondence with him |
it is believed that, in the general |
grouping of matters pertaining to
that county, biographical sketches
of many of its citizens will be
given, whose records should form
part OF the annals of the State.
There are heroes of marked worth in
private life, who have not been
brought forward to the notice of the
world. Many of their lives teach les
sons which are invaluable to the rising
generation, and teaching by example
is profitable in all vocations of life.
Texas will grow greater than she now
appears, when all her advantages are
made known and the character of her
people portrayed.