The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-05-03
From Texas.

Bic SPRINGS, Texas, April ~.
To THE EDITOR:--l have not thus far
observed very much in Texas not noted In
previous letters that would interest your
readers. though ! am learning something
new about this wonderful state every day.
Since my visit in January last there have
been numerous farms opened, thousand
of acres fenced and much OF the fertile
land along the line Of the T. ~ p. Ry. Is
being cultivated and assuming the appear
unce Of Illinois few years ago.
The cheap land, genial climate, low
| taxes and other considerations are attract
! ing immigrant, by the thousand; cabins,
! fences, farms and ranches are making
their appearance in every direction. The
cattle kings and festive cow boys no longer
! hold supreme sway over these broad and
beautiful prairicS, but are now sharing
them with men who with moderate means
engage in sheep raising or mixed farming
| Having spent more time here than at
any other place since left home, my oh
seryatiOns have been mainly confined 10
western Texas and the staked plains As
| to farming 50 far west the great question is
as 10 rain fall, which certainly j, much less
than in the eastern half of the state.
Enthusiasts believe this is in the great
wheat belt and that il will surely be SO
demonstrated before very long. They re
fer to the well known fact that successful
farming is now being carried on where
five years ago this was thought impossible,
and point to the farming communities in
Crosby county and at Marientcld, while
cow men sheer at the idea or pity the fool
ishness of men who attempt to make liv
Ing by Cutivating the soil. Both classes
are doubtless honest in their convictions;
time alone will determine who are right.
1t has been definitely settled that farming
can be proftably conducted in the eastern
half of the state, and as far west perhaps
as Abilene; the question is yet an open
one here and must be determined by the
logic of events"
There can be no question that western
Texas is pre-eminently healthy, and were
this fact generally known many poor in
valid would come here to be restored to
perfect health---a far more successful quest
than that of the old Spaniard, who vainly
sought for the fountain of youth.
The altitude here is about $500 feet
rising to 1900 feet at Midland, forty miles
west, and gradually decreasing towards the
south The land is mainly rolling
prairie, with here and there hill some
times called mountain rising to the
height Of perhaps 600 feet, and nothing in
the way of timber except mosquito bushes,
which have been stunted by repeated
prairie fires.
The winds, AS will be seen, have clean
sweep over the prairies, but they are from
the south mainly and are not laden with
malaria, and are peculiarly pure and in
MIGRATING, increasing the healthy action of
the heart and lungs, toning up the whole
system and giyins nature chance to build
up what has been impaired by disease or
overwork, while to crown all the nights are
invariably cool, thus insuring sound and
refreshing sleep. If u personal reference
be pardonable in this connection, | may
say that at the time left home my health
was materially impaired, much more so
than | imagined. ! had no appetite, did
not sleep we'll, and Il walk even from my
office to the postoffice was "a task to be
dreaded. Now all this IL changed.
have strong appetite, my strength Is re
turning, sleep sound and refreshing.
feel rs though | were breathing tonics at
each inspiration and growing youn ger
every day. The change would have been
greater were il not that have sole charge of
the town of Midland, which am working
up, attending to the surveying plating,
building, advertising--the whole business
in fact pertaining to the starting Of new
town, with more or less travelling, 80 that |
have not had actual rest and have not re-
ceiyed all the benefit from the climate |
might otherwise have done. My case is
not at all exceptional nor nearly so marked
rs quite Il number of others that have
come to my knowledge, but | will not
weary YOU with details
have made the acquaintance of the
Earl of Aylsford, who is "a genial, pleasant
gentleman He is well liked by those with
whom he Is acquainted, and that includes
nearly the entire community and any mum
Der of COW boys, all of whom call him the
Judge" and treat him as familiarly rs they
would one of their own number. His
brother Hon Daniel Finch, is much like
the Earl, and does not stand on dignity to
any great extent, rs | this morning heard
him answer the salutation of Danny, my
boy, how are you?" with the response,
DANNY, my boy, is all right How are
youW
The weather for the most part has been
mild and pleasant, the thermometer rang
ing from so to 30 deg-average, $50 deg
warmest day, 1873 deg; coolest day, $3.50
deg One rain, but rs | have no rain
guage ! cannot say how much fell, but less
than half an inch probably.
Rancho men say the grass Is good and
stock in fair condition.
Sheep shearing has commenced and
wool Is just coming on 10 the market,--but
this letter is quite long enough. H.
E,,@x,, T0otnx,t