Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-12-09
"PHGyIx" IN TExAs.
Gcneral Description. -- Educational Mat.
tors. Two I'ionians Meei.-ihe
Only Nooilen MIL Magnificent
Artesiap Wells. Etc.

Texas IA supposed TO have derived
It's name from "rehas," given by DE
Leon to the Nassouite Indians. on
account OF their friendly disposition,
~ In their language the word signihed
"friond."
The history, settlement, revolutionary
wars with Mexico and organization a.
an independent republic, are subjects
well understood by all students Of
Uuited States history.
Texas has an area OF over two hun
drcd and seventy-four thousand square
miles. Its extreme length from north
west 10 to southeast In over eight hum
dred miles and It's greatest breadth
from east to west Ia about seven hun
bred and and iity miles.
On the Goth Of December 1885, this
vast area was annexed to the Union,
aud since then Congress has made
liberal appropriations for it, develop.
ment. Its present population Is over
three millions.
Texas Is by no means the barren,
desolatc region which many conceive
II TO be. The fertility OF Ia soil, min.
erai wealth, increasing population and
vast extent Of territory will yet place
II In the front rank Of States. The
general aspect Of the country Is that Of
an inclined plain gently sloping from
the Mountains 10 the Gulf Of Mexico.
The upper and lower cross timbers
are two belts Of timbered lands, ex-
tending soVthward from the Red
River In the north. 10 the Brayos
River. These timber belts vary In
width from eight to twenty miles. The
state contains every variety OF timber
In abun dance.
The principal rivers flowing through
the State are the Ncch.s, Brnzls.
Trinity, Colorado, Guadalupe, and
Nueccs. nil flowing into the gulf.
ATt,sian water Ia being obtained In
great abundance In various sections
which will he described In connection
with some Of the cities.
Texas can boast Of H. mild climate,
bat the sudden changes requires the
traveller 10 be PREPARED for heat or
cold.
Gulf breezcs from the south ar,
quite refreshing during the heat OF
summer anu the complaining tourist IL
often told TO "wait for norther''--A
cold wind which often makes fires
aud overc0hts necessary, but IL T.
usually Of snort duration. Several Of
these "northera" have been ex-
pefienced lately, but they have passed
over and the weather Ia now delight
iul.
Permit n short reference 10 the ex-
cellent provision made for the public
schools by the founders Of the Ropub.
lie. Texas can afford TO he
proud Of u. princoly endowment
or education. The permanent free
chool fund consists Of Interest BEARING
bonds, land notes, ETC., amounting 10
nearly twelve million dollars. In ad-
dition TO this there still remains unsoid
Of the original land set apart, nearly
thirty thousand acres. As this land ~
sold this school fund Will increase hnd
In course Of time educational facilities
VIII be second 10 none.
About eighty miles south Of Fort
Worth Is the city Of Waco, which IL
the county seat Of McLcnnan county.
II " pleasantly situated In what Ia
known n tho BrazoA valley. Here
your correspondent had tho pleasure
Of meeting another representative OF
Utah In Brother ID. X. Brown, Of
Nephl. A curious group were waiting
nj the hotel, as Brother Brown
had awakened considerable Interest in
"M0rmonlsm" and visit from another
member Of the much maligned Church
was evidently notable event 10 some.
Many Interesting conversations enaued
which will undoubtedly result Ia good,
or, Mt any rate, will tend 10 allay the
prejudice previously existing.
Waco IA q fine city OF about twenty
thousand inhabitants and can boast OF
possessing about fifty manufacturing
establishments.
Of Texas IL located here and
the year round, employing several
hundred hands, and pays out over four
thousand dollars per week 10 the en-.
ployes.
The cotton industry fourishes In this
vicinity, and II IN estimated that this
years shipment from Waco will reach
1890 bales. Cotton factories have
been established here over thirty years.
The people are lust beginning 10 APP
preclRte Alfalfa and are cultlvatlng Il
ON the Brazos bottom lands. by SOW
ing Il Ia November with oats the
young alfalfa IL protected until good
stand Ia secured.
The pride u Waco are her mSgnih.
cent arteslan wells, which are known
far and Wide. II Is often called the
Geyser City, as these wells are said TO
resemble the spouters OF Yellowstone
Park. There are ten OF these wells
within the city limits, and mains are
laid In all directions, thus giving the
residents an abundant water supply.
The average depth II $500 feet, and II
IL estimated That n fiv.-inch well will
yield 10000 gallons per day. When
the water reaches the business portion
Of the city, the force Ia great enough 10
throw stream 90 feet vertically.
The educational advantages OF Waco
are second to none In the State.
Amongst the deuOmlnational schools
may be mentioned the Baylor Uni.
vcrsity which has pledged endow.
men, fund OF half million hollars.
Paul Quinn College Is " very fine In.
stltutiou for the higher education of
the colorcd youth Of Texas. The city
schools are uuder excellent manage.
mont aud the children OF both races
are well provided for.
LII