The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-03-06
AFFAIRS AT ABILENE.
CAPITALIST INTERVIEWED.
:. Capttyated with West Texas GEN
orally and Abilene Particularly
railway Projects Reviewed
ether Local Notes.

: Ia II
,,roALp correspondent this morning
-,at Col. VIM, II. Johnson, an Illinois
nar,talist, who has been investing heav-
y in landed property in west Texas,
"a asked him as TO his opinion of the
el,nrs NJ Abilene. "The best answer that
I Inan give to your question:" said the
e innsl. after thinking for a moment, is
.Sn TACT that ] am, as you SEQ, putting |
tno o INTO substantial buildings in the |
~, 7 have land in nearly every town |
cii'y the Texas Il Pacific, in several |
F t3em much more than | have |
o. Abilene, but have carefully |
iaode nv calculations, and some |
tina back became convinced |
hat Abilene would grow into an inn
Variant center, and possibly become the
largest city in west Texas outside OF Ell
Paso. The city is surrounded Tor count
las miles in all directions by we'll
catered and fine farming country.
ronntrv capable of producing the
oereals and all kinds of fruits and
vegetables with but little attention as
coinnared with the amount of energy
and attention required in some of the
Sanselv peopled farming districts of the
north. The country is rapidly filling
nm now and the years are not many
when it will be as thickiy settled as
The progressive and populous farm
ING territory around the city OF
Dallas. When the country gets in this
condition, Abilene beng the natural
commercial center, will be greatly ben
sdted and grow rapidly in population.
This has been my principal reason for
turning my attention to building in the
citv. Int have other reasons also. Alb
Hene lsa long distance from any
Mace of size, Fort Worth being
he nearest town that Is much of a CEN
ter for business. She already has a trade
that extends over hundred miles both
north and south, and her position on the
man of Texas clearly indicates, in my
mind, that she will become a railroad
|, center.
now pointing in this direction from
tbe southwest will reach here in the
next two wears? interrupted the scribe.
Yes, said the enthusiastic colonel, l
have no doubt OF it whatever. The
Austin & Northwestern, aud the Gulf,
Colorado Il Santa Fe, are beth pointing
ibis way from the direction you named,
and am confident that, in less than
two wears, one or the other, and posi-
bly both. win reach the city.
Col. Johnson gave other reasons for
his confidence in the future Of Abilene,
and said further that he believed, be-
ginning at Dallas and moving west to
The Rio Grande, Texas presented the
best field on the continent for the in.
yestment of northern capital, He also
expressed the opinion that the dull times
we're over, and that a boom would soon
strike the state. Col. Johnson also con-
puplates investing in factory enter
prises in Dallas.
The Union Sunday School convention
assembled last Sunday afternoon at the
Baptist church. The meeting was held
under the auspices of the Presbyter ian
Sunday school, and was as is
usual, attended by u large
audience of tho religious and best ele
ments of the city. Mr.. w. \. Winter
superintendent Of the Presbyterian
school, presided, and in opening deliv-
cred some touching and exceedingly i'm
pessive remakrs on the effect for good
that these meetings did in bringing the
Young and old together and
In extending and sealing the
the bonds of amity and social relations
Mr. Dock Pegues, one of the solid bust
ness men of the city and the much be
loved superintendent of the Baptist sun
| day school, then arose and in his usual
ly impressive and deeply religious man
ner addressed tho assembled young OF
the subject, GLOW best to promote tn,
growth of the Suuday.scnoOl interest
| At the conclusion OF Mr.. Pegue's re
marks, which were roplete Throughout
with original aud thoughtful religious
SUGGESTIONS, the choir sang a suggestiY'
and suitable hymn. Judge Evans, on
Of the pillars of the Presbyterian
church, and Col ChaGin, OF the Meth
Odist Sunday school, and Others
then followed with timely ant
impressive remarks. The convention
was occupied for some time afterward
with propositions to enlarge the field o
usefulness of the Sunday schools. Tn
Young Peoples association of tn
Church of the Heavenly Rest me
Monday night at the residence of Post
master Harden, and after much tim
devoted to religious discussion spen
the balance of the evening in music
conversation aad general moment.
II Judge Dick Maltbie, of Mckinney,
In the city this week, the guest OF Mp.
Parker. The Judge owns much pro-
uty in Abilene, and will commence th
erection of several brick residences o
Pine street, shortly.