Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-08
MOUTH OF THE BRAZOS.
A DEEP WATER OUTLET FOR
KANSAS PRODUCTS.
Interesting Interview with Mr Frank
Lerch Concerning Velasco-The
New Texas Port Famous.
Arkansas citv Kan.) Traveller


Mr.. Frank Lerch. "the land agent,
representing the Brazos river channel and
dock company was met yesterday by re-
porter of the Traveller.
Has deep water been actually secured at
the mouth of the Brazos, as claimed by the
Texas state press?
Yes, sir. deep water is an accomplished
fact.
Was this new harbor secured by the ex-
penditure of government money!
No, sir. The gentlemen VINO contracted
with the state of Texas for the building of
the magnificent state house of the Lone
Star state became so impressed with the
wonderful resources of the Southern
empire, as well as the importance of,secur-
ing as speedily Us possible dep water
harbor on the Texas coast, thagthey EN-
ployed E. L. Corthell of ChicaS6, an engin-
eer ofgreat emidence, well hd favorably
known as connected with ne building Of
the M sissippi jetties, t9Eseiect the most
feasibiA point on the exas coast for
deep Der harbor A1er "a thorough ex-
animation Mir. CorthS recommended the
mouth o. the Bra1s as the point where
deep wateffould be/ho readily obtained.
lmmediatelAa company was organized con-
sisting of SeAtog Farwell. Col. Abner Tay
lor of ChicagoNM. d. Lee of Kansas,
George II. AngRof Texas, ana others. The
company was q kered under the laws of
Texas and by 1T % congress. the BraZos
river channel md dodk company, and was
authorized tofconstru6t jetties and make
such other in provementSsas might be re-
guired to prk lure a deep water harbor on
the Texas q asst. The company, in pursu-
ance of this act. commenced work in 1889.
While othet cities and towns We're holding
and CAUSING to be held, conventions through
out the We tern states for the purpose of
urging the General government to concen-
trate itselfRpon some one point on the gulf
coast, the Brazos river channel and dock
company q fetly proceeded with its work.
The company expended over one and a half
million of dollars under the direction of its
engineers. The result has been better than
anticipated. The jetties extending about
one and one-fourth miles from the shore
line were practically completed last June.
The depth of the water on the bar at the
commencement of the work was four and
one-half feet. The depth has been increased
by the building of the jettieS 1to seventeen
feet at low water. The scour of the river
is constantly increasing the depth of water
on the bar. There is no doubt that within
a few months the depth of the water will
be twenty feet.
Private capital, private energy and enter
Use have in the short space of two years
-. Creat Northwest The distance to
tide -, Y from the great distributing cen
tiers OF re trans-Mississippi states has
been shortened from 800 to 500 miles. Rates
of transportation for articles OF eX-
port will be cheapened from 3D.
to so per cent. The farmers of
the great Mississippi valley will doubt
less appreciate this, and ere long the North
and South road will be the carriers of the
golden grain of Kansas to the great ships
waiting for it at the wharves of Velasco,
the only deep water port west Of the Mis-
sissippi.
The company, in keeping with their
policy, have laid the foundation of the city
of Velasco broad and deep. The site Sc
lected is about four miles above the mouth
of the river, located on the bank OF the
largest river of Texas, the only deep water
port on the Texas gulf coast, beautified by
magnificent oaks and elms, Splerdidly
drained by the river on the west and east,
Union bay on the east, hemmed in by the
richest agricultural lands in the world.
No better site for the great commercial
center of the West could have been selected.
The company has begun the construction of
the Brazos and Northern railroad, the
first section of which, connecting Velasco
with Chenango, point on the International
and Great Northern railway, will be com
pleted on or about November |. This will
give Velasco direct rail connections with
Houston, a distance of fifty-ive miles, and
place at the disposal of the merchants in
the new city the thirteen railroads enter
ing in Houston. The company have COM
pleted hotel equipped with electric lights,
sewerage, waterwOrks, scosting $4,000.
They have partially graded the streets of
the new city and contracted for the build
ing of a railroad of three miles connecting
the city with the beautiful sea shore
suburb, Surfside. Commodious wharves
have been erected and liberal inducements
are offered for the location of wholesale or
establishments.
The influence of Velasco will be felt for
good throughout the farming regions of the
West. The fortunes of Velasco and the
great West are inseparably linked, the
of the one conditions that of the
other