The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-02-27
Correspondence Baltimore County Union
LETTER FROM TEXAS.
D,onv Februarv Dad. 1886.
BUcKHoRN, AUSTIN COUNTY, TEXAS

February 18th, 1885.
Messrs. Editors III have been thinking recent
ly that line or so from this place might be Of
some interest to you and the readers of the good
old UNION, that have often perused with much
pleasure before left "My Maryland" This place
is situated on an open prairie which contains an
occasional oak tree standing alone, or sometimes
two together, looking though they had been
placed in that particular spot by Nature to serve
as mark or guide'post to travellers. The village
is made up by store, cotton gin house, black
smith shop, shoemaking establishment, post
Office, school house and about one dozen private
dwellings. The town is about half way between
the Texas Central and Santa Fe Railroads, being
seven miles from either road. So you see am
almost out of reach of the sound of locomotive
whistle, though it can at times, when the wind is
in the right direction, be distinctly heard. The
most commendable feature about the location is
its healthfulness 1t lies high and dry, five miles
from the Brazos river.
Thu waatbor at thia writing 10 worry Emo On d
farmers have commenced planting their summer
crops, principally corn and cotton, although wheat,
oats and other grains raised here to a eonsid-
cradle extent. The season for sowing oats is the
early spring or about the first of February. Wheat
is generally sown in autumn. The land here.
abouts, generally speaking, is rich and produces
abundantly. In color it-the best-is almost let
black.
The greatest scarcity we have in any article of
food is fruit In some places peaches are raised
and do toleraby well, but have not seen a single
apple tree since 1 have been here, though that
fruit is shipped in large quantities to all portions
of the State from the Western States. So you
see We cat apples here if we cannot grow them.
The prairie here, not in cultivation, affords pas
turage for hundreds of cattle, sheep and horses,
and cattle and sheep raising are extensively in
dulged in and is o lucrative business when well
established and thoroughly understood.
Wild geese and ducks, perhaps the same that
you often see flying high in the air over Maryland
towards the South, settle themsevs on these lands
and appear to enjoy much the green grass as it
makes its appearance in early spring, and swim
on the beautiful clear creek as it winds its way
Through the valleys and helps to swell some larger
stream. Countless swarms of small birds live all
winter on the grass seeds, the most numerous of
which is that class known as black birds. ] have
often seen focks of these birds apparently mile
and as often wondered where they find pIaess to
build and rear their young in such vast numbers
think they emigrate to the Northern States in
the spring. The English hooking bird seems to
be perfectly at home here and often perches unon
the top Of a farm house when the moon shines
brightly and sings for hours, pouring out note
after note as if he would burst his little throat
lie builds his nest in rose bushes and other shrub
berry near the house.
From all accounts you have had winter In the
fullest sense of the term. The deepest snow we
had here was about half an inch, but there was
plenty OF ice. Water froze in one night to the
depth of ten inches.
win my best wishes to you and all your readers
l ciose. 1ours, &C., RoAMER.