Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-02-04

of the State. The settlements along
each of her ten lines present a different
and distinct phase. One route gives
you to perfection the negro element of
the population. Another traverses the
rich sugar lands, with all their interest
ing operations of sugar and syrup-mak-
ing. A third and fourth wend through
a cattle country, sparsely settled, where
the cowboy reigns supreme. Still an
other leads straight to the great cotton
plantations of the Brazos, the center of
wealth and refinement before the war.
Two more open up the timber lands,
with their population more like Cana
dams or Maine men than Southerners.
Along another, the Central, are found
thriving villages and towns differing
little from those in other Western
States. The International passes
through sandy pine woods country,
settled in most part by Georgians, Ala
bamians and Tennesseeans, agricultur-
lists all, leading lives about as hard and
bare as do other settlers on new lands
On this road, about forty miles from
Houston, a colony of enterprising Bos-
tonians have located, laid off a town,
sold the lots and named it Center They
expect to make this the most thriving
place in the county, which is one of the
oldest in the State and is thickly settled.
As Center really deserves its name geo
graphically, its inhabitants are trying to
have the county seat removed there
from its present site, and they have a
most excellent show for success
The Sunset road invites us, but before
leaving Houston it will be well to say a
word as to its appearance. Its people
love to call it a city, and such it should
be, with it's many railroads, much
wealth and $4,000 inhabitants; but its
appearance is very much that of an
overgrown country village. 1t covers
much ground, but is stragglingly built
Shanties and fine dwellings stand side
| by side. The best paved streets lack
| crossings, and the need of a cleaning
brigade is deplorable apparent. 1t has
no parks, no public squares, no pleasure
grounds, no drives, want that might
be supplied by some of its wealthy citi-
zens if they were only sufficiently public
spirited. The principal business part of
the town is disfigured by swinging signs
and awnings, which, however comforta-
BILE they may be in this summer land,
certainly detract terribly from the beauty
of the fine buildings that front Main
street.
Vivid contrasts are perpetually recur
ring, and the Mexican life, which gives
variety to the community in which it is
found, presents some pretty eXamp Piles.
For instance, in a low-roofed, dark
shanty lives family of candy-makers.
A young man-slim, 1.-THE and dark
browed-sits on the raised threshold,
cracking and picking pecans. Behind
him another stands at stove stirring
great kettle of boiling, seething syrup,
the while a smooth-faced lad draws an
inspiriting dance tune from the strings
of his banjo, and a good-looking, brown
skinned woman rocks lazily to and fro
in her wide, low chair. and sings softly
in unison. Ont on the sidewalk three
girls dance gracefully and joyously to
the spirited measure, while circle of
negro children, with whom mingle two
or three ragged whites, stand around
admiring the gay movements of the
dancers. Two fiaring gasoline lamps
light up the scene, which is within the
very shadow of the handsomest hotel in
the State, and adjoining the most fash
ionable promenade in the city.-Hous-
ton (Ier.) Cor. N. Y. Sun.