Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-04-09
Letter rom Texas.
Correspondence of the Alexandria GA;


WACO, Texas, April 4-This is one
among the numerous live cities of Texas,
situated on the Brszos River, near the centre
OF the State. OnIy twelve years ago its
population was about 1000, to day it mum.
bers 25000 a few years ago the Waco
Indians occupied this beautiful site with
their rude wigwams. Il is now built up
with imposing structures for commercial,
manufacturing and educational purposes,
many beautiful and home like residences,
aud numerous hotels. This city possesses
the only woolen mills in the State; numer-
Gus other factories are doing paying busi-
ness and thera seems 10 be general prospsrl'
ty. o. tbs many dne schools here, L would
mention the Baptist Unversity, which cost
$500 600; Catholic, 100000; Methodist,
500 600, end others of less magnitude. The
eight large public schools aggregate cost
Of 500 000 The city handled over So OOO,-
| coo III cotton the past season, and nearly
5000 600 10 wool, and largely OF other farm
| products. TIE have numerous very large
stores in every line, and several mammoth
| wholesale grocery houses The arteslan
| water is very nice and does not require
| 'sDiking" like many waters in Texas. Ihere
are three large cotton congresses here, ano
Waco is getting TO be an important rstlroad
centre. Fer over two monthe l have been
iourneyiug from place to place over this
grand old State, and l can tiuthfully say
| that Texas is on BOOM" Thousands of
settlers are coming into the State every
week almost every train from every direc-
ton. north and west, bringsite load of sterl-
ing workers with their families. Some OF
tbs BEST lands 10 some sections, say few
miles from railroads, can be purchased from
| s. to SO per acre aud not pound OF ferti-
liZer would have to be used for 81 years. In
MANY places where land sold some years
ago for $3.50 to So per acre, IL is now worth
from 500 to $50. In fact, property In Calves
| ton has advanced within three months over
| so per cent. Houston over 25 per cent; San
Antonio, about Is per cent. Austin, 10 per
cent. &c, sc. Towns are being built up on
prairie lands where two years ago, the cat
tie roamed wild, and railroads are be-
| lug extended in every direction. No
/ better people car be found-kind heart
cd, generous and chvalrous, and the thrifty
settlers from my clime fud homes, happi-
| ness. prosperity aud security within the bor-
ders of this State, and her 175 ,00O,0 600 acres
will, in few years, be covered with lntelli-
gent and industrious patrons OF the soil, who
will make the fertile fields bloom like the
rose. Cotton now ia the great staple. The
crop of the past year was enormous, in sew:
eral sections being beyond the capacity of
| the labor at command to secure it properly.
| Il is pleasant to see the thousands of csttle
in splendid order contentedly browsing over
! the beautiful fields. All along the coast sec.
| tion fruits. berries and vegetables flourish,
and large interests in that line are now be-.
| ing developed and products ehipped North
and West at renumerative figures. The
capitol building st Austin i5 magnificent.
| 1t is built ofgrauite qnsrried in the State and
cost over $3,000000. Texas has grand fu-
lure with resources sufficient to make her
people wealthy, wise and happy.