The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-10-19
FROM VIRGINIA TO TEXAS.
A Description of Some of the Towns on
the Route.

Ed. ENTERPRIsE.-l left Lynchburg,
Va, October for this point, first stopping
at Big Stone Gap, Va, town with pos
sible great future before tit certainly
has not much present greatness and still
less past, although it has very attractive
surrounding and pleasant situation for
city of considerable proportions.
II has been doomed by capitalists, and
corner lots two years ago sold for fabulous
sums. Now these lots furnish pasturage
for the cows and goats of its present citi-
zens. The town site is level plat of 600
acres apparently surrounded by high |
mountains on all sides, and to the lover
of the picturesque in nature, is indeed |
finely located, The Louisville & Nash
Vile, and Ohio & Atlantic railroads furn-
ish communication with the outside |
world. But the purest Of water from the
mountain springs and a bracing air are
the most agreeable adjunctS to this city.
My next stop was at Middlesboro, KY,
very similar in all respects to that of Big
Stone Gap, excepting that more money
has been expended in this city for public
benefit and more fine buildings were
built by the English syndicate, which
built the larger portion of the town.
From Middlesboro l went 10 Knoxville,
then Chattanooga, making no stop until l
reached Meridian, Miss. This city is an
old town built on the loose, fine sand so
common in this part of the south, is simp-
lY cotton market for the surrounding
country.
Our next stop was Vicksburg, city Of
hills, indeed, and sand hills at that. But
little traces of Notifications built during
the war can now be seen. Since the war
the Mississippi has made a new channel
several miles to the west Of the city. Our
train was taken across the river by Jerry
the approaches to the river being made
by truck that is adjustable to the stage
Of the water in the river.
From Vicksburg our course was nearly
due west across the state Of Louisiana,
which is low, fiat and level, but is now
yielding good crops Of cotton. The tim
Der is yellow pine, some oak and cypress.
We reached Shreveport, La, on the Red
riyer, at midnight and, taking the train
before daylight the next morning, cannot
say word about that point
A tedious ride Of six hours brought US
TO Nacogdoches, the principle town In the
county Of the same name. This is mar
ket for cotton, and II is now coming In at
the rate Of $50 bales per day. It's most at
trsctive feature is the old stone fort, which
Is reported TO have been built in 1918; II
is certainly an ancient structure. 1t Is
about sixty feet long by thirty feet wide,
with walls about eighteen feet high and
three feet thick and stands in the center
Of the town. 1t is supposed 10 have been
built by the French as tn outpost during
the earliest occupancy by them Of this
portion Of the territory near the gulf.
Politically the state is seriously divided
on the gubernatorial contest, as two dis
tinct democratic tickets are In the field.
So opposed to protection are the people Of
this state that through Gov Hogg they re.
fused to receive the cent bounty on
sugar produced by the state upen the
state farm which is cultivated by convict
labor. This bounty would approximate
1000 annually, all Of which is lost TO
the state.
Today is to be a great day here, as
Judge Clark, Of Waco, one of the demo-
cratic candidates, is to speak on the issues
Of the day which interest the citizens Of
Texas. Vehicles Of all sorts, kinds and
descriptions are coming into town.
This is certainly an immense state, with
ample opportunities for furnishing homes
for many millions Of people. II is gener-
ally productive oi all cereals and fruits
and vegetables usually grown In this lati-
tude. The present temperature Is decid-
edly hot and dry with very cool nights,
which is very trying to the health Of a
northern man.
find people bere from all states in the
union and even Mexico is fairly represent
ed. Hotel accommodations are not very
agreeable, while the prices are higher
than In the north.
In many respects prefer residence in
Ohio TO one In Texas. Possibly the op-
portunities for profitable business are bet
ter here, but social advantages are below
par Transportation facilities are fair,
and being rapidly improved In all direc.
tons. Land Is cheap and q very large
still virgin forest Of pine north, % to %
per acre. When cleared, II will produce
two or three crops Of cotton and is then
abandoned, TO grow up with a dense
growth Of pine In few years. Good hard.
woods do not flourish In this kind Of soil.
nb1 r. L. FRENCH.
| ra.-a..A.. M roA>h.. 4 foO0