The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-03-07
From Texas.


Winter is 10th to give up his icy grasp
to the softer touch of spring. February is
often noted as spring month in the histo-
ry of Our country. But when the Geld
northern breath sends the mercury down
from five to ten degrees below the freezing
point, the average Texan thinks We have
been changed around TO the north pole, or
else old Sol is losing some of his natural
heat. All nature looks as bare as in De.
cember Farmers are busy sowing oats.
Pretty much all of the fall crop has been
frozen out, and in many instances wheat
has suffered seriously. Stock men have
suffered heavy losses from the intense cold.
In one instance man lost 1000 head of
sheep. A CREST many went into win.
ter quarters wholly unpreparcd for such
severe weather which was one cause Of
the sad result. Large numbers Of our PEG.
pie have gone to the Crescent City, to view
the great worlds fair. The president OF
Waco University. DR., Burleson. with sew.
eral of his students, has gone on a special
excursion to attend Mardi Gras, as well as
to take in the sights.
Our Solons, with Gov. Ireland at the
helm, are in session ut the capital, and
judging from some Of the bills introduced
they seem to be graphing with the great
issues Of the day in a manner highly cred.
table to themselves.
Among some bills proposed AND likely to
become laws wotlld note one making it a
felony to gamble, which il it becomes o
1 law would doubtless go far towards sup
pressing that terrible evil But the sport
ing knights Of the green garter have their
sharp manipulators at work to 50 clip and
shear the bill that ii would be A stranger
to its original framing should II pass An
other one is 10 disband the ranger service,
which has been kept up at the states ex-
pense for the defense of our frontier. But
our frontier has become OK rather is getting
SO dense!y populated that they no longer
need s military force for their protection.
A commission has also been appointed TO
settle the long disputed territory Of Greer
county by comforting with national com.
mission recently appointed by congress for
the same purpose. The above named
county is a fine section of country, laying
in the pan handle. and long since supposed
to belong TO Texas. until recent survey
of lines gave it TO the United States. And
las, of all, | an glad 10 see them taking
steps toward the preservation of the Alamo
II would doubtless be shame to let the
sacred fortress within whose walls Travis
with his little Spartan band gave up their
lives for Texas liberty, crumble unnoticed
TO dust, or be defaced by the ruthless hand
of strangers.
Our little city is III quite Iurore over
the coming election, which takes place in
April. The leading issues among candi.
dates seems to be, bonded city for thor.
ough drainage system, or city free of
debt with little or no sanitary precaution.
Cotton shipment to date footS up 10000
bales. with 10000 compressed and re,ship-
ped from this point OF all the late i'm
provements proposed and going on within
our city none created such a stir Is the an
nouncement that Uncle Sam had decided
beyond a doubt TO erect a 100000 court
house A committee has been appointed
to select location for the building, but up
TO the presen, no site had been decided
upon.
The st Louis and Northwestern L. Il. is
TO be sold out soon The Houston and
Texas Central are TO move their shops,
round houses. &c, from here To Walnut
Springs, town on their line. Its thought,
and very reasonably too, that the different
roads TO New Orleans will again reduce
their rates. after the MardiGras festivities
are over. LITTLE TEXAN.