San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-07-03
HIco Waco

San Antonio, Houston or Galveston
a Nttlo slow in tho way OF i'm
proyoments, 1t is supplied with
water by artesian wells, some oi
which nro hot, hence il is sometimes
styled "the Goyser city" II has two
principal papers, the Day, morning
and the News, evening. They are
not we'll known abroad like tho jour
nails OF the other cities We have nam
ed, but wo were told are both pros
porous.
You tnko tho Central road for
Hico, and arc conveyed some dis
tance over Tic river to the depot.
This is q section OF tho Central with
which We had no previous acquain'
TANGO In the winter we were told q
separate passenger train is run, but
now We found only "miXed" trains.
Hico rs in Hamilton county, some
80 miles from Waco. The road
traversos picturesque and fine farm
ing and stock country, w0tered by
the Brazos and it's tributaries. The
soil ia generally sandy, and well I'D
opted to the growth of small gram,
vegetables and fruits.
Leaving Waco at 7 q. m. we did
not reach Hico till after 2 p. m.
Mixed trains progress slowly.
We found Hico place OF about
1000 Inhabitants, handsomely situat-
ed md doing good doal of business
1t boasts good roller mill, the pro-
perty OF Mr.. Fisher. There arc q
number of live business houses, one
rock building complete and another
being erected which rival any in San
Marcos. 5000 bales of cotton and
100000 lbs of wool were shipped
from Hico last season. This region
it will be recollected was the center
of the great drought of Sc and 81,
but it has fully recovered from its
effects, and is on the highway Of
prosperity and progress.
The town is about taking control
of its public schools, and will build
good now school building as soon
as possible. There is predominant
temperance sentiment, and but one
negro in the county. Hico also
boasts q weekly newspaper, the Cour
ier, G. G. Crews, editor.
In churches the placeis well rep,
resented by Baptists, PresbyteriNns
Methodists, Christians and Univer'
salists. The last named is novelty
in Texas but an important factor at
Hico. Tho church was organized
about 1885 by Rev. James Billings
who is still actively engaged in mis-
sionary work in Texas. Then
church edfco is a very handsome
one, in modern style, costing with
the lot over $4,000, and all paid for.
Services and Sunday school exercises
are held there every Sunday. DR.
Pingree, mayor of the city, Mr.. Gar
rett, Mr.. Fisher and other prominent
and wealthy citizens are among its
leading members. We had the
pleasure of attending services there
on the Sunday we spent in Hico.
Mrs. Billings, in tho absence of her
husband, occupied the pulpit and
led the services with grace, ability
and spiritual JUNCTION which We're in
accord with tho occasion. She was
originally of Hartford, Connecticut,
and her name occupies high place
on the literary and philanthropic
records OF our country. San Marcos
owes her hearty thanks for the ad,
mirablo description of our river
springs, to be found on our first
page.
In the absence Of Mr. Billings we
werea guest at his model home, which
we found Astounding in literary
treasures and all the evidences and
appliances Of cultured inmates. Mrs.
Billings was blest with the society
of visitor from her old home, Miss,
Fanny J. Skinner, and we have sell
dom seen anything more pleasing
than the congenial oompanionship of
these admirable ladies, to whose
cordial hospitality and kind atten-
tons we wish TO acknowledge our
great Indebtedness. We were also,
with them. favored with an invitation
to tea with Mayor Pingree, a very in
telhgcnt and esIimable gentleman,
and his two amiable young daugh-
ters who constitute his household,
hal found the occasion o very enjoy
able one.
We returned home with many
pleasant impressions Of persons and
scenes IL tic pastoral valley Of the
Busquc.