The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-02-13
From Texas.
Gen. West. Pass. Agent.

WACO, McLennan Co., FEB. 4, Sc.
EDITORS TRADER: Once more, after a
long silence, again offer few items from
our section January came and went with
all the turbulent storms and cold OF west
ern blizzard, the thermometer at one time
registering zero, a thing almost unknown
In the history of Texas. All of the winter
oats persisted from the cold, and in many
instances wheat was seriously injured.
Little or no farm work has peen done since
Christmas. Some are now venturing TO
SOW spring oats, but as | write the mercury
Is down in the teens, so work is suspended.
If the cold continues much longer the oat
crop will be materially damaged, as March
will be too late for oats. Stock on our
western ranches have stood the weather so
far pretty well, as it has been principally
dry cold. Our little city is soon TO have
electric lights Some of the candle appa-
~ Jus has already arrived and the wolkmen
wEll commence Immediately placing things
In order. So, with her new fire depart
ment and increased water facilities, she
will doubtless be better enabled to protect
herself in time of danger and accident.
Austin has been lately the scene OF one
of the most horrible murders ever commit
ted. The victims, three in number, had
their heads crushed with an AK or some
blunt instrument. No clue has ever been
found leading to the discovery Of the per
petrators. Some attribute it to an escaped
lunatic from the asylum.
We are soon to have new postmaster
Mr. Leland, the present incumbents, time
expires within few weeks, and Judge
Gerald, the recent appointee, takes his
place. Many of his opponents doubtless
feel little chagrined at tleir failure, and
think Cleveland might have made a wiser
choice. The present postmaster has had
the office for many years, and has given
general satisfaction. But every dog has
his day, and Turn the rascals out, is still
the great cry that goes VI from the mighty
host of hungry Office seekers.
The Farmers Alliance is creating quite
hustle among the agricultural classes Of
our country. 1t SENS to be a good thing if
It can be carried out Farmers as a class
seem to suffer from rings, monopolies and
corporations more than any others, but their
diversities of opinion and conflicting inter.
ests seem to place them as a boy more
unwieldy than any other set of men.
The consolidation of Waco University
with that of Baylor, and locating the same
at Waco is creating quite stir within the
business circles and property owners. The
school requires donation of $4,000 for
coming here, and to get up the required
sum is no little effort; yet to lose the
school, with all its financial influence upon
the city, is too great loss for our business
men to sustain.
The idea and custom of leasing out our
conyicts from the state prison to private
parties is growing more obnoxious to the
people every year, and doubtless the next
legislature will look after this allimportan,
question, for scarcely month rolls around
but some convict either escapes or is killed
in trying to get away from his guard.
Candidates for county and state officers
are springing up like mushrooms all over
our land. Only six are cut for sheriff
General Ross seems to be gaining ground
in the race for Governor. The present in
cumbent, Gov. Ireland, will not be candi
date. so the race in the convention will
lay between Ross and Comptroller Swain
and the nomination of man for Governor
by the Democratic party means his cleo
ton or rather has been SO since their &C
cession to power. More anon.
LITTLE TEXAN.