San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-08-13
THE BEST DESCRIPTION
or San Marcos aud Hays County

IL conceded by all well-informed per
sons 10 be that issued in nm Extra OF
the FREE PRRss in October 1888. Ii
has been widely remarked upon as q
sort OF wonder in its way, because OF
its entire TRUTRUINEss, and the alb
sence OF all exaggeration, so common
in matters OF its kind. Besides that,
il is altogether the most COMPLETE. 1t
gives full view OF the town in all its
attractive features, comprising Mollie
Il. Mooro's classic poem on the San
Marcos River, Bishop Doggett's de-
scription Of the river springs, and
other similar matter; also, accounts
OF the fine scenery Of other parts OF
tho county.
We have yet about 100 copies Of
this Extra on hand. Its only def
ciencies are in the fact tat it is be-
hind with the record of the progress
of our town and county. These we
propose in our present issue to at
tempt to briefly supply, so that by
purchasing copy Of that, with the
Extra, a more complete view of the
matters treated Of may be had, and
undoubtedly the best and most truth
full which can be had. We invite the
attention of our Summer visitors and
others to this matter. Both papers
will be supplied at five cents each.
We will proceed at once to bring
up our statistical and other points OF
progress. The present population of
Hays county is about 5000; of San
Marcos, 1000. The increase in tax
able values in 1854 over '83 was some
S195.000, but for the last year is only
about $33, 200, owing to the removal
of cattle The increase in taxable val
ues in San Marcos during the year,
past foots up S111,77O-a very cred
table showing.
The school population of the county
is 2,236, of whom 473 are colored.
Our share of the free school fund is
$3.50. And the town hns just taken
charge of the free schools, with the
view OF building up creditable sys-
tenn.
The following estimate of the mer-
camille business done in the town OF
San Marcos is for the year 1884, n
hard year for the farmer and mer-
chant, and of course presents largely
decreased volume of business under
what would generally be done in the
town of u fair crop and business year,
Amount of sales of dry goods and
groceries for 1885, 100000.
Blacksmith, wood, wagons. saddles
and harness, $4,000.
Business done by the San Marcos
Waterworks Go. for 1854, $4,000.
Cattle, goats, hogs and sheep
butchered in the town for 1884, 1900
head.
An apiary in this place in the last
few month, mas had shipped to this
place 10000 pounds OF gums and bee
fixtures, and the business gives prom
Use of rapid growth.
Number of lies of cotton of II fair
crop year, shipped from this point
(Sln Marcos) $1,000.
Number of carloads ofgrain, includ-
ing corn, oats, wheat, etc, $50.
Wool, 70 600; hides, 1900 pounds
Horses and cattle, 100 car loads.
Lime and cement, 6 carloads.
Total taxable values inside the cor
poration, 100000, being less than
half real value,
The subject pr a branch railroad to
intersect the Sunset at Luling is be-
ing agitated, and it's completion is
oniya question of n little time.
In general we may add, that since
1883 there have been many fine
buildings and other improvements in
town, and the work of progress in all
respects has been steady and decided,
and this, too, during n period of great
financial depression.
We shall at an early day publish a
full list of the business houses and
people of our town.