The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-07-12

of water of the Colorado river above the
black rock dam, stretching off south &c
deg. west for about mile
gradually turning iu a curve
around a cultivated farm to the northwest
Then the ears recognize the full, heavy
roaring sound like that which Is heard al
our gulf shore, produced by the river
pouring its great volume of waters over
the black marble rock and rushing down
over and through the rocks below. Soor
We catch the sharper sound of another fal
few hundred yards further
down, and still another as
the river presses its rapid, dash
ing stream into narrow channel between
two mountains whose rock walls stand
erect. one or two hundred feet high, facing
each other, apparently not more than one
hundred yards apart at their tops. Look
ing across the river just below the falls
we see standing = mill that grinds grain
for large scope OF country,
extending down to the Perdinalas,
in Travis and Banco counties.
From the waters edge on the south side
the ground thickly set with cedars gradu.
ally rises, forming a moanteia sweeping
around with the course of the river, be-
You'd which rises in succession other
mountains still higher until they seem to
meet the sky in the distance, where to the
south may be distinctly seen Round
mountain ten miles distant, and to the
west, Packsaddle mountain, twenty or
thirty miles distant; then the
vision falling, rests on what i'm
aginstion might picture as an
enormous iron rusted pot inverted and
standing far above the green trees of the
valley, the granite mound.
We arrived at the Falls about O'Clock D.
M, and were Hospitality entertained by
Major Harold and his estimable wife at
their residence on high ridge in the
eastern part of the city, where we were
furnished, at every meal, with fresh fish
right from the river, and everything else
demanded by the appetite, sharpened as
itwas by exercise in the mountain air.
One of the most delightful experiences
during visit of several days at the Falls,
was the cool, balmy atmosphere that
yelled upltrom the rushing waters, and
was waited over us both day and night.
And at night, instead of struggling to
catch little sleep amid the sharp bills
and tiny music of mosquitoes, we were
favored by the pleasrRt breeze ar d lulled
to sleep by the solemn sound of the flow
ing waters of the river.
Here is study for the geologist, who
will find that the granite rock is found in
a belt from north to south, aud east of it
a belt of black marble, as it is called, con-
stituting the drain of the river, and under
lying the town tract, and east of that a
ID hor ho tko,
which enabled what was once great lake
to wear channel through the mountain
into deep cannon just below the town
tract.
During the stay visit was made to the
establishment of Mr.. Dimelow, where were
exhibited his specimens of fire clay, fire
brick, granite brick and cement material,
prepared for use. These materials were
represented to be there in inexhaustable
amounts and of superior quality, whic h
from all appearances seems quite proba-
BILE.
A visit was also made with Captain
Badger to the tanning factory situated in
grove on neck of land between the
creek and river, to which an addition is
being made for an extensive shoe factory,
the machinery for which is expected to
arrive from Boston in few days. There
are already established several stores, a
saloon, barber shop and some residences.
Here and there can be seen quite num-
Der of tents stretched, where people are
camped eitherifor pleasure or for business.
For rural amusements where could a
better place be found? There are men
and women, boys and girls to be seen on
the rocks below the falls ishing during
the whole day, and tn, skffs may be seen
gliding upon the lake above the falls,
where they have run of mile and a
half upon still water.
At night, after supper, men, two or three
together, may be seen walking down to-
wards the river with towels on their shout
ders: The temperature of the water is
said to be refreshingly pleasant.
The city property belongs to an lncor-
porated company, of which Gen. A. R.
johnson, of Burnet, is president. 1t is
laid off with broad avenues and streets,
and liberal inducements are offered to
men of enterprise to help develop the
immense resources of the place.
The Farmers Alliance have contracted
for a strip of land on both sides of the
they design to erect and work factories
by water power. 1t lie, perhaps, the
greatest water power in the south; with
the peculiar advantages of being easily
applied and securely controlled at but
little cost, comparatively, without damage
from overflow or otherwise when once it
is properly put in operation.
The Farmers Alliance have a house
constructed on their grounds for their
meetings, ETC., and have appointed to
have great meeting of their members a t
the Falls on July IL, 1883, at which every
body has been invited for business or for
pleasure. A description of what has
been seen and felt reduced to writing
seems tame com pared to the reality.
Perhaps better conclusion cannot be
reached than by quoting an idea from
Mr.. Holland, farmer Of Burnett county,
in giving expression to his admiration,
that Dame Nature had passed around all
over Texas, lavishlys strewing her rich
hountie-, and upOn reaching the Marble
Falls she had opened wide both her hands.
Electric Bitters.
This remedy is becoming so we'll known