The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-14
LIFE IN TEXAS.
A State So Cosmopolitan that the GOVERNOR
Message Is Printed in Four languages

- 1eoSO ~ bGhob bAO
Message Is Printed in Four Languages.
Houston Letter.
This State differs so materially from her
sisters that everything concerning her must be
interesting. Vivid contrasts meet you on every
side, arising from the varied elements of the
population. Of course. the English or Anglo
american race Is predominant The Germans
are numerically second, the Spanish or Mexicans
third, and the Bohemians fourth. So we'll rep
resented are the three nationalities last named
that the Governors message and State laws are
printed In four languages, in about this ratio: 30
00G copies in English. 10, 900 copies in German.
5000 each in Spanish and Bohemian. Hence
four tongues are legally recognized. and there
are four distinct styles of living to be studied on
the soil. Add to these the Dagoes. an entirely
separate nationality. They are Italians and Mi
koreans, who are almost exclusively engaged in
fishing and in the oyster and fruit trade. They
make a strange largon out of our vernacular, to-
tally dissimilar, but quite as queer as the pigeon
English of the Chinese. These last, sparsely
represented, copfne themselves to the occuna-
ton of laundering, with the exception of a few
laborers on the railroads. Yet in spite of their
small number. so rapidly does vice gain ground.
their presence has worked evil, for in every large
city of Texas the police have had to raid upon
opium dens.
The Mexicans scattered throughout the towns
are thrifty and industrious, and generally quiet
and we'll behaved. They can live on a mere pit
lance, and are contented as long as they can
nave UueiE cigarettes anu CCu06. Md0Y or them
earn their living by making and selling Tam
ales" and Chile con carne," two modes of pre-
pairing meats which are appetizing in the ex-
IRENE. They manufacture, too, a delicious can
dy-'Nueces Dulces"-out of pecans and sugar,
which they sell upon the streets and from door
to door. Their homes and habits are rich in the
picturesque, and would present some rare sub
jects for the painters art. The old Dutch mas
tiers would have loved to perpetuate this scene:
A low-roofed wooden shanty, a bare pine
H. nI 10~. 1911 -.
sthree noted politicians, taking an evening
lunch, and connecting plans for the dear
peoples benefit! One is fair-skinned and ruddy-
haired, showing his Irish blood; one a lyrical
American. the third a French-C Canadian. Each
has a steaming platter of 'Chile con carne.Y
Behind him stands the Mexican host-tall. dark.
diguiied and grave, yet watchful. They are
four perfectly contrasting types. Over them
flicker the dim rays cast by an oil lamp, deepen
ing the shadows, throwing half lights into the
obscurity of the corners. A tiny hairless Mex
lean dog sits motionless on the doorstep. while
the sign, written in both English and Spanish.
swings creakingly above his head. Outside the
darkness is pierced by long shafts of colored
light that stream through the stained windows
of the Jewish temple, and by the pale glimmer
Of a lamp in the street. car waiting at a switch.
Houston is an anomaly, even in Texas, for Won
hear no grumbling about taxes, while the people
allow themselves to be governed by ar:ng which
public opinion pronounces undoubtedly corrupt.
Au0y ohO % pWViOHb p0Oplo, cNlQ6Quy, ana an
energetic and progressive one as we'll Buildings
are being put up on every side, streets are being
graded and paved, and sewers and curbings are
being put down. So the city grows and spreads
herself in territory, and she already covers a
vast space.
This is the principal railroad center 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 interesting operations
Of sugar and syrup making, A third and fourth
wend through a cattle country, sparsely settled.
where the cowboy reigns supreme. Still another
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 Canadians, or Maine
men than like Southerners. Along another. the
Central. are found thriving villages and towns
differing little from those in other Western
States. The international passes through a
sandy, pine woods country. settled in most part
by Georgians, Alabamians and Tennesseeans,
agriculturists all, leading lives about as hard
and bare as do other new settlers on new lands.
On this road, about forty miles from Houston,
a colony of enterprising Bostonians have located,
laid off a town. sold the lots and named it Cen
tire. They expect to make this the most thriv-
ing place 10 the county, which is one of the old
est in the State and is thickly settled. AS Centre
really deserves its name. geographically, its
inhabitants are trying to have the county-seat