The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-11-15
MARTIN COUNTY.
A Farming Country.


the level Of the sea. The whole county is
situated on the Staked Plains, and is the
country offering the greatest inducements to
the immigrant farmer. A fair and satisfactory
test has been made in said county, in and
around the town of Marienfeld on the line of
the Texas & Pacific Railroad which town at
the recent organization Of Martin county was
settled upon and voted the permanent county
site of Martin county.
The farming tests have been made for the
last two years by colony of about one hun
dred sturdy, energetic German farmers, all Of
whom settled and founded this community,
led by Rev. 7. A. Peters, the German catholic
priest, who is live, energetic kind of a man,
with business qualifications and unsurpassed
ability in knowing how to locate colonies and
develop new countries They have solved
the problem that Martin county is the best
farming belt of country in West Texas; at
best west OF the Brazos river. Mr.. p. A.
Peters, who is better known in Texas as
Father Peters, colony consisted Of about one
hundred Germans with their families, who
came from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois
and Indiana, all Of whom as quick as they
reached their new homes selected for them
selfes what land they could buy and pay for
and have money enough to improve, and
went to work and the result of their energies
to-day speaks volumes for them. Two years
ago one could see nothing but the naked
prairies though covered by fine nutritious
grasses and beautiful flowers, which sights
would remind one that he had got into floral
garden. To-day nice little town OF some
fifty houses, all Of which are nicely built with
good material, comprises the town of Marien-
field; representing all classes of trade, such
as dry goods and grocery stores, blacksmith
shop and gun store, etc., with nice little
hotel run by Mr.. ,Somers, who sets an excel
lent table, and supplies his house mostly
with products that are grown in and around
Marienfeld.
The farms extend out about six miles on all
sides of the town; and on them can be seen
fields similar to those found in the best farm
ing districts of Illinois and Indiana. Good
comfortable farm houses, barns, stables, wind
mills, ETC., are to be seen on every hand with
horses, cattle, hogs and sheep that keep fat
on the range during the entire year. Farm
products are corn, oats, barley, wheat, millet,
sorghum, broom corn, potatoes, (both Irish
and sweet), cabbage, beans, tomatoes, and
other vegetables and all growing to perfection.
Corn yielded forty bushels per acre; the
average Of wheat was eighteen, on one farm,
where extra pains were taken in preparing the
land, the yield reached thirty bushels per
acre. The yield Of other cereals was good
Watermelons weighing sixty pounds, swee,
potatoes weighing over five pounds, and very
large, delicious Irish potatoes were among the
great abundance Of splendid products. A few
acres Of cotton were planted, and gave salts
factory returns. Fruit trees were planted by
mn If tha and
indicate that two or three years hence the
visiting. prospectoI will be greeted with a
view Of as fine, thrifty orchards as can be
found in any newly settled country.
This entire belt Of county is devoid Of tim
Der of any kind, though it is evident that at
some time in the past there was considerable,
as the abundance Of roots found in many
places indicate. These same roots constitute
the larger part Of the fuel and require only the
slight labor of digging to obtain an abundant
supply PSy ,.,,,. .o.,,,, ,... .,.... ,.,,. G.,
burning stone coal. Good coal can be bought
in car load lots at seven dollars ton, delivered
in Marienfeld, and by having such short win.
tiers in Texas, the coal bills are not extravaganl
or astonishing large; and in fact the living
all the way through is about as cheap as in
any vi Ulc eaStCIn Vi uOItneIn states, anu u
especially so in Marienfeld, where general
farming is carried on and all kinds Of vege,
tables are grown.
A new era is dawning for Marienfeld and
Martin county. It has just been organized
with set Of energetic business men as il,
officers to manage the financial and bushes.
affairs Of the county, Hon. Frank Lester
formerly Of Colorado, and who proved him
self to be worthy and energetic citizen, being
the county Judge. MIR. Lester held severa
offices during his residence in Mitchell county
having been the first mayor Of our city. ant
afterwards county attorney for three years
lie also owns the largest interests in the towr
site Of Marienfeld, and the writer understand,
that the lots will be sold to parties that ma,
wish to engage in business and will cree
substantial buildings. The town will b,
extensively advertised throughout the country
and no doubt large excursion trains vii
be run to Marienleld from the northern
States.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
The town has one good school building an,
one church. Father Peters has built up
good congregation and will In the near futur
have the largest Catholic institution in II,
State. He will have large residence for tn