Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-08-06
CORYELL COUNTY.
The History Of It's Growth and Some of
Its Natural Advantages.
Gatesyille - Her Railroads, Churches,
Schools and Hotels.
A Lively Town.
A Lively Town.

Correspondence Of the Gazette.
GATEsvILLE, Aug. l.-Coryell coun-
ty was organized in 1854 and has an
area of 900 square miles. 1t is esti-
mated that two-thirds of the county is
prairie which is high and rolling.
The Leon river flows through the
center OF the county, and the Cow
House through the western portion,
both of them in southeast course.
The Middle Bosque runs through the
eastern part Of the county. These
streams and their tributaries make
this well-watered portion of the
state. In fact we have seen no part OF
the state so well watered as the east
ern section OF this county, the beauti-
full. clear, cold springs which flow over
gravelly beds reminding us of those in
Eastern states.
The advantages which the county
has In grass, timber and water, added
to Its rich valley lands, make 1t de-
sirable section in which to live and en-
gage either In farming and stock-rais-
Ing, or perhaps what is better, in the
two combined. Until quite recently
but little attention was given to farm
Ing In this country, the energies of the
first settlers being directed to stock
raising, but now agriculture Is perhaps
the most important industry in the
county. IL is safe To say that one-tbird
of the area of the county can be madd
available tor farming purposes, the
a
fine loamy soil that is easily cult
waited, and the high prairies The still,
fertile soil that has given Texas its
worldwide fame.
Coryell enjoys her share of the rail-
road advantages that were 80 suddenly
thrust on the state few years since.
The Gulf, Colorado 81 Santa Fe rail-
road runs through the southwestern
part OF the county and has one depot
surrounded by an exceedingly pictur-
esque region of hills and valleys. The
main line OF the Santa Fe runs paral-
lei with and near the eastern line of
the county for about twenty miles,
giving the people living In this por-
tion OF the county good railroad facil-
tiles. Gatesville, the county seat, is the
western terminus of the Texas a. st.
s'''st t"''ibtu, NNltO.
III. The entire length OF this railroad
IL more than seven hundred miles.
more than three hundred OF which are
In Texas. While other portions of
the state look to Jay Gould, the Santa
Fe,builder and others who have brought
their railroad advantages, the people
of Gainesville and surrounding country
recognize in Col J w. Paramore of
st Louis, the leading spirit in the
railroad that has done most for the
development of this section. Col,
faramore twho won his title on the
field of Mars) has been actively en-
gagged since the war in the deyelop.
ment OF this great country, and now
has all his interests in the Texas & 81.
Louis railroad.
While the road Is temporarily i'm the
hands OF a receiver those who are in.
terested most In the enterprise con.
iidently look TO the time when il will
not only be relieved of the present EN-.
barrassments but will reach lts far
western goal. the Rio Grande.
This road was completed To Gates.
Vile in the first days of November.
lss2, and from country town of 800
or 600 Inhabitants it has grown 10 be a
splendid business place OF about 1850
inhabitants. The square Ia rapidlv
Milling on all sides with substantial
stone buildings, The town Is pleas
antiy located about one-half mile from
the eastern bank Of the Leon river. i'm
the timber belt that skirts the stream.
me gravel ands and make the streets
pleasant, and while the town is suffer
ing Inconvenience Just now from want
OF rain, they will have advantages
over some places when the long rainy
spells come.
There sasplendld iron bridge over !
tue Leon here which WAS built u few
Years since at "a cost Of 81, 600 This Il |
y great convenience To the citizens of 4
'ne western portion of the county. and
gives the town access 10 the splendid
quariles Of rock which thew use in
building their business houses.
The Baptist aud Methodist denomi-
nations both have churches here. the
former an elegant new building ali.
iated IN desirable portion of the
own. Is one Of the most attractive
'hurcbes that We have lately seen
udgiDg from what wa have seen here
y the citizens We would take them 10
= an average church-guing people,
me tasteful residences speak we'll for
ne citizens, and we would suppose