Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-04-12
Knox AND KING COUNTIES.

Yesterday What-Not met the affable and
courteous county judge Of Knox county,
Judge j. ]. Truscott, and learned that Knox
county is improving rapidly; immigration,
however, being greatly retarded by the liti-
cation Of the land certificates of the county,
now tied up in the supreme court in the
cause entitled Adams i Leonard vs.. the
Houston and Texas Central railroad. The
judge states that the people Of Knox county
located the lands under title from the Hous-
ton and Texas Central road, and they are
uneasy about the result. It appears that
the Houston and Texas Central company
first located its certificates in Knox county:
but owing to improper surveys the Dallas
and Wichita Valley railroad company,
through its promoters, Adams and Leon
ard, afterwards located its certificates on
the same surveys. The matter was carried
through the lower courts and judgment was
rendered in favor Of the Houston and Texas
Central but some legal technicality re-
manded the case. The case again went
through the lower court, the plaintiffs,
Adams and Leonard, secured Judgment,
and the ease now awaits the action of the
higher court. This litigation has had a de-
cidedly depressing effect upon the settle
ment of Knox county, and many acres of
magnificent land, which would have
tied up. Speaking Of his county, Judge
Truscott said: ''Our county government is
progressing nicely. Our scrip is worth
par, and the commissioners court recently
authorized the issuance Of SAC, 600 in bonds
for courthouse purposes. We contemplate
the erection of stone courthouse, which
can be constructed at less cost than O brick
building, and this will give an impetus to
the town Of Benjamin. Our county has a
population of about 2500, and 500 votes were
polled at the last election-all Democratic
We have ten schools in the county that are
in session eight months in the year and
some Of them ten months. We expect to
secure the extension Of the Houston and
Texas Central tap from Albany, and also
the Brazos Valley road, now terminal at
Seymour. Our soil is as fine Us In any
county in the state, and as wheat country,
has no peer. l have lived in that section
for fourteen years, and have never known a
total failure Of wheat and corn"
What-Not-"How about King countys''
Judge Truscott-'King is very good
county and there is some fine agricultural
land there; but as yet it is unorganized.
There was recently an attempt to organize
the county, but 1t resulted In tie and
the county will probably remain attached
to Knox for government for some time The
Louisville land and cattle company owns
nearly all Of the land in the county and
has about half Of 1t fenced. This company
IS opposed to county organization and at
present has the power to prevent the
move. However, a town was plated near
the center Of the county, and there is an
element that viii continue the agitation of
organization; but at present the county
really lacks the required number Of inhab-
itants, and this will block the path of the
organizers. The legislature recently made
shoestring district Of all the counties
west from Baylor to the border and we
have excellent court advantages, which
eliminate the necessity Of county organi-