San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-06-24
Western Correspondence.
PRARsAL, Texas, June IA. Il

PEARsAL, Texas, June IA, 1886,
En-. FREE PREssi-The most important
improvement now on foot at this place Is q
large mill aud gin, The drive wheel alone
weighs 1850 pounds, aud the forty'hoFse
power engine aud 36-inoh stone grist mill
look like business, The company will add
an ice factory to the enterprise. Ono large
two story brick house, bran new, looms up
opposite the depot MIR. W. q. Dougherty
has been trying sub'irrigation ON grape
vines, aud their growth has been increased
four-fold Plenty of water can DO had here
nc from 40 10 60 feet, but II has 10 DO
broken" for washing purposes, This Is
becoming farming community, but mas
passed through two hard years, and some
are almost discouraged. However, corn
often makes good crop and never an on.
tire failure. But cotton will do well, and
sweet potatoes aud melons are sure cropi
peaches and grapes also do well.
In what il known AZ Bigfoot and San Ma
gull communities the corn crop is said 10 DO
good. Cotton looks well everywhere, and
the recent abundant rainfall gives new life
TO everything. Rev. j. s, Abbott, formerly
of Hays county, is lecturing on temperance,
and the local option question is looming up.
Brackenridge's position ON the disbanding
of the Frontier Battalion is popular with the
people. Prohibition seems 10 take well IN
bee county. They have tried and still like
il. We met A. Heaton yesterday, who is
visiting his sons ut this place. Grand old
mani Dan Rice shows forth his opinion to-
night, He is said to be witty and chart
table man. All honor to him If he makes
the people laugh and helps to feed tho
poor. There are two newspapers IN this
town; one is for and the other is forgirst
local option. l am indebted to both for
courtesies in their sanctums and at their
homes Mr. f. Fink and his estimable wife
and daughter have made my stay doubly
pleasant; while n nice room at the Hotel do
Saunders has been rendered me free of cost.
The Presbyterians have built a beautiful
house, at o cost Of about $4,000, Their
pastor, Dr. Wright, is very excellent ana
popular man. Tho Baptists' house is not
so imposing in appearance. but quite COM
modious aud comfortable. Rev. Manning
is the pastor, and DIR. Hays its most affable
member. l witness 60 additions to tho
Christ an Church in Dimmitt county. Ad-
dressed the Sunday -school ut the Baptist
Church in the morning and at the Presby-
terrain Church in the evening; preached at
noon and at night at the Masonic Hall, and
will continue here on next Sunday. The
days arc hot and the nights are cool, but
the people are remarkably healthy and the
city is quiet and orderly, though tho stores
seem to be well stocked and reasonably
busy. send you copies Of the Sun, with
our old friend Nancy at the helm, and also
the News, edited by mine host, MIR. Roland.
There are five stores. one whisky and one
beer saloon. two corrections, one drug, four
hotels, one bakery, ono barber, one feed
store, one saddlery, one shoe shop, SIX
lawyers three physicians, one jeweler, 1000
inhabitants. Many of the residences are
elegant and we'll built, but little attention
paid to ornamental gardens as yet.
Fraternally,