Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-08-08
WEATHER AND CROPS.
The Rains Continue TO Fall, and the
Dark Clouds Of Adversely Begin
to Pass Away.
run Reports Of the Condition Of Crops
from ThrociSmorton, Tom Green,
Hood, aud other Counties.
tom GrEEN COUNTY

-- ffHtN NNENhNtN uRNn lhlUlilV lllk
year In Western Texas, without irrlps-
ton, finds himself a victim OF misplaced
confidence, for even In the bright lex icon
OF the Concho country there is such n
word as failure, that stands cut In prom.
inent type when nature boards the prom.
lsed blessings OF early and later rains
Regard for an established reputation for
truth and veracity compels the admission
That on the nplands the crops have been
a signal failure, while Il is equally true
That the gods have not failed TO help
those who helped themselves; and The
irrigated farms lie like green Gases In
parched desert, promising an abundant
yield. Wagon-loads of alfalfa, oats and
melons raised In the vicinity OF San An.
gelo are daily seen on our streets, and il
Is not improbable that more graia and
forage will be raised In Tom Green
county Than in any preceding year, for
the reason that the area sown in irri-
gated farms is greater and the many sue.
cessful experiments heretofore made in
farming without irrigation were simply
In the nature Of an experiment, and
though In the main successful, did little
to Increase the aggregate production.
Personally know OF no one who left
the country on account OF the drought.
and inquiry has failed to learn of any who
have done so. | learn OF trustworthy aa-
thority that farmers on the highlands of
Lipan Prairie, who were not disheartened
by the spring drought, but sowed again
later, will make over half crop Of sor-
ghum and other forage plants.
Though the rainfall thus far In the sea
son has been much below the general
average, the Conchos continue to ti1w and
the painting kline resort TO the rlppllng
streams, and the grateful shade of the
pecan trees that line their banks. The
gloomy accounts from other portions Of
the state do not apply to the Concho
country, though for In radius OF five
or SIX miles from san Angelo the drought
Is distressingi beyond that area there have
| been recent aud oopious rains. Wster /,
standing in pools ON Lipan Prairie, and
on the divide between the North Concho
and Colorado rivers. There have been
good raius on Middle Concho and It's
smaller tributaries, as well AS up) South
| Concho river. In the upper valley of
North Concho grass Is reported high
enough TO NOW, and is reported as OF ex.
cellent quality on the upper waters OF the
Middle Concho.
Times ina monetary sense have never
been so hard in San Angelo as during the
present year. This Is the result of several
| separate causes all combinIngat one time
to produce the same effect.
| l. The unusually severe drought Of the
spring prevented cattle from fattening In
consequence Of VIII CHI the principal
supply Of money from the sale OF cattle
was almost entirely cut off,
2. The heavy disbursements OF money
for building and public improvements
that have given impetus TO trade for the
past two years, have to very great ex
tent been discontinued.
3. immigration TO the county has been
materially checked by the exaggerated re
port of drought and consequent distress
in West Texas.
4. The heavy drain upon the monetary
resources OF the Concho country for the
payment of purchase money aud interest
on the purchase OF school lands by actua
settlers, aud the payment of lease money
by stockmen. For the payment Of inter
est on the purchase OF school lands IN
this county about $4,000 per annum is
required. | have not calculated the
amount required for lease tribute, but the
amount Is very large.
There have been very few forfeitures Of
school lands, and have not heard Of q
single bona flde actual settler who has
failed to make his payment.
! The range generally throughout the
Concho country Is fair, and cattle are rap
| idly improving, and there is a great de.
mand for beeves, so that unless some un.
anticipated calamity overtakes the stock
men they Will be enabled TO make heavy
shipments this fall, and stock cattle will
be in good condition TO stand the winter.
lnclosed please find number Of clippings
from the San Angelo Standard OF the 3lst
ult., respecting cattle transactions Of the
pr, cedlng week.
The sentiment of the people respecting
the future outlook for this portion OF the
country is that there Is no ground for de-
spondency, and this sentiment Is manifest
ed by the many transfers OF real estate al
advancing prices, and the promptness with
which the banks and business firms have
met their obligations. The people seem
to regard the droughtas one of the vlclssi-
tudes Of fortune liable TO be met in any
country and TO be borne with Christian
resignation, or Pagan stoicism.
| San Angelo, OF course, IN common with
other towns. has its full quota OF chronic
croakers and prophets OF evil, whose mis-
sion IN life seems TO be TO exert a re-
straining influence upon enthusiasm, but
fortunately for our town they are still
waiting for favorable opportunity Co
say, al told you So" The banks don't
burst, the merchants don't fall, the dry
weather has not oecasloned general con-
! Migration to sweep the town, the cattle
do NOT perish on the range nor the people
starye, but continue TO eat, drink aud be
merry, with no unusual Sign Of celestial
dlspleasure resting upon them. Conse-
quently the croaker IL not happy, and has
fellow-feeliDg for Jonah on account of
their prophetic failure. There has never
been an entire cessation of building in
San Angelo since 1t began 20 assume i'm
portanee ~ town, and at present two
| story business house, q tiOuTng-mlll, two
elegant residences aud au iron bridge are
under construction IN addition TO minor
improvements In the way Of renoyating
aud remodeling old buildings ana tearing
down abo1es tnat disigure some Of the
avenues. The heavy disbursements At
the fort that readily dad their Say into
the channels OF trade give the town an
appearance Of thrift not observed Ia less
fortunate cities.
There have been several purchases Of
lsnd made during the past week, made
Dy new arrivals from private parties with
view OF settlement School lands are
not looked upon with IS muck favor as
they we're 4 year ago. The Pnrchasers
are aware that the price ultimately paid
Is much higher than lands OF similar quail
;ty can be purchased for from indsYldnels,
and the uncertainty BY Whicn they are
LA ouyfno IN the conataut liaiftitV TO