Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-04-15
Abilene, Texas.

received many inquiries in regard to
this section of Texas, please allow
me space in the LEDGER to answer.
Location. Abilene is on the Texas
and Pacific railroad. 455 miles from
Ell Paso and 341 miles from Marshall,
so that we are in Central Texas in-
stead OF Western Texas, as is gem
orally stated.
Health. As the altitude is about
1,800 feet, and there are no fiat or
marshy lands or stagnant water, there
is no local cause for sickness. In
fact many who come here in very bad
health are very much improved, and
some become very strong and robust.
Soil. There is a variety Of soils,
from sandy to black-waxy, and nearly
all is very rich and productive.
Water. Taylor county is finely
watered, and its streams abound in .
variety of fine fish. Water can usu-
ally be found in wells at from Is to
25 feet.
Lands. Lands are worth from 81
to s5 an acre, according to quality
and location. Of course those at 81
are some distance away. Bear in
mind, however, that as good lands
can be bought here at from So to s3
per acre as in Missouri or Illinois at
from $40 to $50.
Products. Corn, cotton, wheat,
oats, barley, rye, millet, ETC., and all
kinds of fruits and vegetables grow
finely. Last season (1885) wheat
produced as much as 40 bushels to
the acre and oats 100. Watermelons
have been produced weighing over
100 pounds, and those weighing SO
to Is pounds are net uncommon.
In fact from residence of twenty.
six years, and a fair acquaintance
with every section of it, I can say
confidently and emphatically that ]
am sure this will prove to be decid-
edly the best for all kinds of small
grains. fruits and vegetables.
Progress. In 1878 the population
of Taylor county was about 500
now (Aprll, 1867 it is about 10000
In 1878 the assessed valuation was
about l$500'00, now 1t is about 49,,
000, ,0Ou.
People. The present population
will compare favorably with that Of
any section, new or old. And wher
our location, health, fine and cheaf
lands and varied products are con
sidered there cannot be any doub
that we will in the future, as in th.
past, receive the best class of people
1t may be stated that less than 5 pei
cent. of the population are negroes
| Churches and Schools. Abilen,
has seven church organizations anl
five church buildings-Presbyteri
Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal ane
Cumberland Presbyterian. We ais,
have public free schools with eigh
teachers and from 400 to 500 students
In the country there are schoo
houses in almost every neighborhoe,
and religious services almost ever,
Sabbath.
| abilene Abilene is just FIVE year
old; FIVE years ago there was not
house within mile of the site of th
town. Now we have a population o
about 5000 and growing.
| Future. One of the greatest Rev
olutienary statesmen said on a grea
and memorable occasion that s'ther
is no way of Judging the future bu
by the past Apply this to Abilen
and Taylor county. Where is til
county that has increased 1000 pc
cent. iu eight years? What will tn
future bring forth? Why if Taylo
county only increases 500 per cen
in the next five years we will hay
the largest population of any count
| in the state.
| DR.. j. L. Gartrell, of Mexico, Mo
is one of the founders of this liv
town and still owns valuable prop
erty here. He can give any of you
readers reliable information abou
this or any other portion of Texas.
Parties wishing more particular ir
formation will get it by addressin
Col. j. I. Berry or Capt. L. C. Wis
land agents, Abilene, Texas, of cours
enclosing stamp for answer; or be-
ter still, "Come and see for you
selves. Yours truly,
| p Fl CARTER