The Globe-republican., 1895-02-01
THE GLoBE-RE PUBLI9AN,
The Gulf Country Of Texas.

we CuOSC d UCduthuA SAIo6OS ciUN0S~N
midway between Houston and Galveston
for point of observation, and have en-
loved our visit of the attractions here
about. A stream of fresh water lies
close by, and bays and bayous on the
east are contiguous, forming variation
in scenery and occupation conducive to
health and recreation. Fish, fowl and
wild ANIMALS abound in the recesses Of
stream and forest, and in the summer
seasons the positive mosquito is too nu-
merous to mention intruding his incisive
bill to the detriment and discomfort of
the pilgrim in search of wealth and
health.
This part of the state is just now in
the throes of one of those immigration
waves such as we enjoyed in the boom
DAYS of Western Kansas-only the Gull
boom is in the incipient stage, an embryo
state to be developed into full-fiedged ac-
tivity as the winter grows on apace, and
the energy and perseverance of the land
agent increases, relying also upon the re-
sources of the emigration wave. There
are, no doubt. many people who will be
drawn to this region as the emigrant Cir
cular has been diversely spread over the
north. Nebraska and Kansas have been
adding to this population, this immigra-
ton being induced by reasons unnecessary
to add here The new settlers have been
:. few months, some one year and some
two years. Some northern Texas people
are also being drawn here.
1t would be improper for me to tell Of
all the disadvantages of the country
which suggest themselves to me. Many
of these can be overcome, and some OF
The land lies low, about an average of 40
feet above the sea level. This low alti-
tude of the cOuntry's topography is COM
pensated by the elevation of the price Of
raw lands, which sell from about $40 to
500 an acre. Still there are purchasers
at these prices, many choosing to 20
balance Oh yearly payments. The land
produces abundantly, but one and two
years. are required to reduce the virgin
soil to proper degree of cultivation. The
soil on the Webster tract is A. feet deep.
and is OF IA black sandy loan, with clay
subsoil. Rains are plentiful. winter and
summer, averaging annually 40 inches.
Draining the land is the only solution of
cultivation here. 1t will be Necessary as a
means of promoting health, though the
country is ordinarily healthy under pres
ent conditions. But as see it., drainage
must be resorted to for every considera-
ton of the country's welfare. Cotton and
corn do we'll farther north in the state,
but land owners are throwing open the
gulf lands for the cultivation of fruits,
vegetables, etc. Sugar cane promises
we'll here. and many Of the northern set
tiers will devote their energies to its
propagation. Two crops of vegetables
are raised here each year.
Wild fruits of many kinds are found in
the woods skirting the creeks and bayous,
and every kind of fish abound in the
fresh and salt waters. The markets of
Houston and Galveston are supplied daily
with the finny tribe.
The climate is warm at all seasons, but
the daily gulf breezes temper the heat
of summer. and am told that the sum-
mers are delightful. the thermometer i'll
dicating the highest temperature at 90
with an average of $50 or less. The win
tiers are warm and pleasant, with con-
slant balmy gulf breeze. The nights are
always cool. Typhoid fevers are preva-
lent in some localities of the gulf coun-
try, bu: many people enjoy good and i'm
proved health from the start.
Probably an important question to con-
slider is the water supply. Good water il
found here in artesian wells. Webster
has three of these wells OH his tOwnsite
which throw about sixty gallons second
each. Water comes from depth of 5O(
feet. 1t is a common sight to see water
tanks or cisterns located Oh corners or re.
cesses of houses to catch supply of rail-
water, which is used by old-time Texans
for culinary and lavatory purposes. Tn
frequent rains afford an abundance of wa.
ter. Cisterns are not built underground
because of the porous character of tin
soil and the nearness to the underflow.
The fragrance of the flowers, the warn
and genial sunshine. the work in the gar
den indicates the southern winter in all Of
its elegance, purity. beauty and lowell
ness.
The commercial importance Of this re-
giOn is evinced by the rapid growth OF
Houston and GalvestOn-the one for it
increasing railroad facilities, the other TO
its rapidly developing ocean traffic. 1t i
one Of the events of the fnture-th,
growing up of this country and thei