Democratic messenger., 1893-04-08
4 Wore ester COllntian's Impress
SiOnS of Texas.


To say that have seen Texas not
withstanding the fact that have travel
ed almost daily and making at times
more than 200 miles between stopping
points-would be representation
which you can readily understand. When
| state the fact Of which most people are
not aware. that the state, in round figures
is more than 900 miles from east Ia
west, by 500 from north to south, and is
divided into about $50 counties-and 10
m ore fully emphasize this point during
the past week while the terrible blizzard
prevailed in the Norihen States-in the
extreme northwestern part of Texas the
snow was reported 12 inches deep and
freezing cold. Whilst at San Antonia it
was as mild and balmy as May day in
Maryland no fires windows and doors
all open and everyone seeking verandas
and gardens for comforts.
| entered the State at the Northeastern
part-at Texarkanna visiting the princi-
pal towns along the northern border and
adjacent To the Indian Territory. and as
far out as Quanah, in what is called the
Panhandle. These town. i. g.. Paris,
Sherman. Denison. Gainesville, Wichita
Falls and others. are all prosperous. hust-
ling towns, drawing great deal OF trade.
from the Territory. The quality of the
soil hereahonts is excellent lin fact il is
the exception to see any poor land in
Texas Cotton and wheat are the staple
products
Thence went into the panhandle"
country-which the Fort Worth and
Denver II. r.. has recently opened up
and got my first correct impressions of a
prairie-aD almost boundless expanse I:
utterly devoid of timber, excepting oc-
casional patches. musqui,o bushes, with
luxuriant growth of natural grass. i'm
mense herds of cattle aud horses grazing
and in better condition than the average
Worcester county farmer winters his.
This Panhandle country, in my opinion,
offers superior inducements to settlers
over any other part of the State. Lands
are cheap-thcre beiug yet many millions
Of acres -of school land which can be
obtained at a small cost to actual settlers,
although know Of sales that have been
mad c. by parties who homesteaded this
land seven years ago at $1,000 per acre,
and bought it for farming purposes
strictly. The soil is very productive
principally adapted TO growth of wheat,
and yield Of 90 10 % bushels per acre is
not unusual. Corn and oats also do well
OF course all the improved methods of
farming, in the way of machinery. etc.
are adopted, as the people are progressive
in all respects-and with the aid of the
sulky plow. large drills. etc. one man
can cultivate as much as 200 To $50 acres;
with probably 100 acres Of this in wheat :
the remainder in corn, oats and rehum;
and all the extra help lie will require will
he in harvesting the wheat Wages are
high-consequentiy every known method
of economizing labor is resorted too
The average of lahoring man are from
| $3.50 10 81 80 per day and cooks com
mand anywhere from SEQ TO $50 per
month. and hard To get at that The tide
of emigration Stems To lie turning this
way. Nearly every train brings its quota
Another thing luiic noticeable, Is the
small proportion Of foreigners, among
them and the decided prcponderance of
Southern born people and their respecta
hilhy-very few coming without the
means to make decent start in life: at
the same time. | have met quite num-
bcr of prospcctDrs and actual settlers
coming from the extreme Northern
States. driven from them by the severity
Of the winters To eek n more haltable
and congenal cline
| Leaving the Panhandle country behind
me. came South To Fort Worth and
Dallas. both handsome. thriving cities.
stopped off day at lIilsboro, county
seat of Hill County and the home of
Judge Abbott, who represents his district
in the House Of Representatives., and who
is very favorably known 10 many of our
Worcester people. Judge A bboit stands
high i'm the estimation of his constituents: ;:
he is typical Texan-brpad- -shouldered
and big hearted, and, by the way. his
name is prominently mentioned for the
Guhernatorial nomination, 10 succeed
Gov. lIogg was especially struck by
the appearance of the handsome Court
House here. one of the finest in the State.
costing $l00,OO0 with a Court Room,
which for convenience and siz. | never
saw surpassed. all giving evidence of the
wealth of the county. Waco. is one Of
the most wide awake and progressive
cities in the State, here had the pleasure
of meeting an old Worcerter Couniian
who has many warm friends there whose
genial. hearty manners cndears him to
all. refer To Hon. Edwin Sturgis. He
was one of the pioneers of Waco. start
Ing business there after the Civil War,
on small capital and has amassed
very handsome fortune. "The Mayor" is
very enthusiastic on the subject of Texas,
frequently declaring that there is no
place ON earth TO compare with it, but
noticed that in introducing me To his
innumerablc friends, Ned always added
proudly "he is from my old home
Maryland" and ] smiled audiby when,
after we had been discussing old times
and old acquaintanccs, he broke forth
enthusiastically with the remark. "By
zounds il (Berlin) is the hest place in
the world, and expect To go there to
spend the coming summer and hope To be
able 10 make pilgrimage there every
summer AS long as live" To all Of
which sincerely SAID Amen
fear that have already made my
communication 10 lengthy-so shall brief