San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-07-23
SAN ANGELO.
A Rising Young city OF the west-.."A
Second Fort Worth - In Prospective.
SAN ANGELO, Tex, July Is, 'S5.

ED. FREE PREss:-Noticing that you
always take pleasure in publishing
letters from your friends, take this
, opportunity to give you a few dots
about the most noted Town of the
West-San Angelo. This, the coun-
ty-seat of Tom Green county, is stu
ated in the eastern part OF said coun-
ty, on the north bank Of the North
Concho river, near its junction with
the Main Concho, in latitude 81 deg.
90 min, and longitude 20 deg. 10
min. west of Washington, and 1883
feet above the level of the sea. It's
site is just broken enough to give
picturesqueness to the city, and the
soil on which it stands being some
what sandy, tie natural drainage is
perfect.
Three years ago this place con-
sisted Of but few adobe buildings,
but in 1882 the destruction of Ben
Ficklin, the former county-seat,
opened the way for San Angelo to
begin her successful career, and to-
day her population numbers between
$500 and 1000. Its position, the
adaptability of the country for great
distance around it to pastoral, agri-
cultural and manufacturing indus
tries, afforded by its almost unlimited
water-power, point to San Angelo as
the best situated town in West Texas.
But brief year or two has passed
awcy since this was one of the widest
Of frontier posts, the resort of the
border ruffian, gambler, and all such
as drifted away from the restraints
and decencies of civilized life, who
love to flock on the ragged edge of
the advancing tidal wave of immigra-
ton, as it surges ever on toward the
wild West Now, the first surf and
foam have passed, and the deep, quiet
waters swell around. The sound Of
the church-bells has silenced the
squeak of the Sunday morning fiddle,
and the voice of the brawler is hushed.
Crowds of elegantly attired people
resort to the shrines of Christian wor-
ship. Music, lectures, sermons, news
paper enterprises-all ofuncommonly
high grade-are numerously repre-
sented and literally patronized. All
the ferment and hustle that show the
new leaven of young American life
and civil enterprise, abound. Some
people think San Angelo has seen her
best days-but not so. Men OF wealth
are rapidly gathering in, and are de-
termined to make this q second Fort
Worth. We have now eight rock
business houses going up, and several
have just been completed. Our new
Jail is finished, the cost of which was
$4,000. Our court house takes
the cake. 1t is now nearing COM
pletion, and when finished will cost
$4,000. Our $4,000 rock school
! house is being capped with a beauti-
full cupola, and when completed will
bear comparison with our court house
and business blocks. The newly fin
ished brick block of Messrs. Harris 81
CARTRIDGE, the cost Of which was $780,
900, is well furnished The upstairs
is now occupied as hotel, and con-
Quoted in such manner as would be
an honor to any city. The new houses
that are being erected now, and those
that are to be in the near future are
too numerous to, mention. l can safely
say that there is more business done
here than in any other town of its size
in the state. We have three substan
tial banks. Often the San Angelo
National Bank does as much rs $780,
900 worth of business in one day.
The post Office money-orders since
Jan. l. 1885, amount to S14,S0l.03.
Stamps sold since January l, 1905,
S1,659.S4. We not only have the
wealthiest town, but county in pro-
portion. Its facilities as stock
country have long since been known,
and rs farming country it is being
rapidly developed, and will soon be
known as the best part of Texas for
grain and fruit. At last sale by the
county surveyor, June 26, there were
SIT sections bought for actual set
tiers; 34Sf sections, or 223, OiO acres
leased ut cts. per acre, which gives
the state S13,3S2. 40 per year, regard
less of the hundreds of thousands
that were already leased in this
county.
Stockmen are again in high spirits.
They meet to-day to endorse the ac-
ton of secretary Lamar in opening
the trail through the Indian Territory
and Neutral Strip.
Commissioners court met on Mon
1. l. ..--,-., 1s,nn1