The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-07-31
TRAVEL IN THE WEST.
Inklings by the Wayside-A Trip to Llano.
Mason and Lampasas.


LAMpAsAs, Texas, July "a. - Leaving
Burnet at 1 o'clock on YER
liable old fashioned stage coach
drawn by four horses bound for
Llano tthis line by the way is now under
the management of Mr.. M. X. Lancaster a
very pleasant, affable gentleman,) about
half mile from town you pass
by an old government post which before
the war was under the command of General
Lee.
The general aspect of the country be-
tween Burnett and Llano is very broken and
mountainous and III some sections
only small portion of the
two counties is capable of beng Guilt
waited, but there are valleys here and there
that are exceedingly fertile.
The scenery is beautiful in the extreme,
great boulders of granite cropping out
above the surface and the long lines of bills
present a grand imposing sight. About
four miles from the main road just before
you cross the Colorado river is silver
mine which is now being prospected, and
the present indications are that it will
develop into valuable mine.
After crossing the river you emerge into
Mano county, the great iron district of
Texas. The general appearance OF this
county is very much the same as Burnett.
Just as the god of day was gently lowering
himself behind the the western hills, and
his last lingering rays were playing hide
and seek among the hills and valleys as if
10th to leave such a beautiful sight, you
hear the clear waters of the Llano ripping
in the distance.
The city of Lano is nesting among the
hills on the right banks of this b. autiful
stream, in the center of the iron fields, and
more desirable location for a town could
not be found, though you seek the length
mountain is about twelve miles from town,
the ore from which essays II per cent
or 80 per cent more than the Birmingham
mines and all that is necessary for an to
do to complete the work of nature is to eX
tend the Austin and Northwestern to
Llano, thence to Mason and ere long Biz
mingham, the iron mines of Missouri and
Pennsy lvania will be tradition.
Mason county is more suitable for Guilt
walton than either of the other two coun-
ties; that is, there is more land that is till
able. The mineral resources of this county
lie principally in the northern part, ana,
by the way, the finest specimens of iron ore
which have been found were picked up in
the northern part Of this county.
1t is an all night ride from Lano to
Mason, leaving the former place at p. M,
arriving at the latter at $50 a. m, and at
this season of the year it is not a
very pleasant one, | assure you.
On account OF the dry weather the dust is
awful, and according to that portion of
scripture which says cleanliness is next to
godlness | was verify an ungodly creature
when / arrived at Mason.
This is very lively little place and com
paratively cool on account of its elevation.
1t is 1867 feet above the sea level, or 400 feet
higher than Llano.
The country between Burnett and Lam
pasas is mostly level or rather undulating
praires, well Watered by running streams;
and it is on one of these streams, ten miles
from Lampasas, that nine years ago lone
highwayman held up the stage COM
ing from Austin and relieved the occupants
of about $500 in cash.
At 6 clock p. IN. you arrive at Lampasas,
that paradise of health seekers. 1t is a lovely
place of about $500 inhabitants the prin-
cipal attractions are Hancock and Hama
springs. The bathing facilities are I'm
surpassed The prinCipleingie dient of the
wafer is sulphur, with which the air is com
pletely impiegnated. The poet tells us that
it is useless to attempt to paint the lily or
add one hue to the rainbow. More useless
would it be for my humble pen and Limited
vocabulary 10 attempt to describe the
beauties of Lampasas.