The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-01-11
GOOD TIMES AT WACO
a TEXAS TOWN THAT NEVER HAD A
BANK FAILURE. .>

! BANK FAILURE.
Energy and Enterprise Have Worked Won.
ders This Land of Cotton-Artesian
Wells Brought wealth--Glance at the
Observation-Disclosures and Schools.
Waco is situated in rich agricultur-
nj Ix:untry, said to be the best cotton
section in Texas. It is one of the most
healthful cities Of its size in the world,
the death rate being little over eight
to the 1000 inhabitants. The Brazos
river divides the city and county, and
no section is better or more naturally
drained. The elevation of the city is 72O
feet above tide water of the gulf of
Mexico. 1t is one Of the prettiest towns
in the state.
Its streets are very broad, running
from 80 to 100 feet; they are straight,
run at right angles and are splendidly
macadamized. There are many hand
some business houses and beautiful resi-
dences. 1t is city, too, Of surprises
none greater than its magnificent nata-
forums. It'll town Of probably IS, 900
people It vies with Sherman as the
Athens Of Texas. Socially and CONNER
cially it is most admirable city. Waco
has bonded debt of $623, 300, taxable
values of $40, $780, 900 and tax rates of
81. 20 on the 500. Itscotton receipts are
100, 900 bales year. The goods manu-
featured here amount to $1,000, 900 per
annum. This includes products of COT
ton seed, wooden goods, products Of wood,
iron and brass, ice, donr, mattresses,
brooms, soap and cabinetwork.
Into Waco run the Texas Central,
Houston and Texas Central, the Waco
and Northwestern, St. Louis Southwest
ern, the NJ, K. and T. aud the San An
tonic and Arkansas Pass railroads All
Of these roads have extensive terminal
facilities. The Waco and Northwestern
has its roundhouse and shops here, and
the Texas Central has selected site for
similar buildings. Waco has one central
high school and 10 district schools, in
addition to the Baylor university, Acad-
envy Of the Sacred Heart, Waco Female
college, two commercial colleges and
many others on, smaller scale. It is
known, too, as city of churches, hav-
ing three synagogues and % Christian
temples.
The jobbing business Of Waco is enor-
nous. Last year it did So, 5O0,0 900 il
dry goods, $3.50, 900 in drugs, 81, 900, OO0
in groceries, 100000 in lumber, 3d.
600, 900 in agricultural implements, 3d.
600, 900 in furniture, $500, 900 in prod
uce, eggs, chickens, butter and the
like, 100000 in jewelry, $500, 900 in
hardware and $1,000 in musical in
struments. The water supply is OBJ.
tanned from twenty odd artesian wells,
which yield over 1000, 900 gallons per
day. The average depth is 1890 feet,
the average pressure 81 pounds. The
temperature Of the water is 103 Fahren-
heit. The cost to an average family Of
six persons ia So year. It is absolutely
pure, and most delightful for bathing
and drinking purposes.
Waco has never known hard times.
It has never had bank failure, and
there was no serious depression during
the financial troubles of 1898. 1t has a
fire department on half pay, with six
companies, three steamers, one chem
.ical engine, one hook and ladder, five
hose companies, 20 head Of fine horses
and a complete electrical alarm system.
Over 5000 men are employed in the
different manufactures there, and the
weekly pay roll is about $50, 900.
The weekly and monthly bank clear
ings Of Waco are phenomenal. The an
nual amount Of bank clearings of the
last five years ranges from $62, 900, 900
to $75, 100000.
Waco can boast probably the largest
mercantile house in Texas. It did q
business last year estimated at $9,0O0,-
600. It also has an immense harness
and saddle mandatory, whose business
extends to the states Of Arkansas, Louis
lana, Mississippi, Colorado, Kansas, and
Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and
the republic of Mexico; also whole
sale and retail dry goods house known
all over the state. Waco was once the
proud possessor Of the Texas Cotton
palace, but the immense building burned
In 1894. There is now 8 movement on
foot to rebuild it On a still grander
scale.
The discovery Of hot water in practi-
ca1ly inexhaustible quantity opened up
new era for Waco and has increased
it's wealth, growth, improvements and
population. The temperature of the wa
ter being SO nearly the degree Of heat
most beneficial for bathing, and the
mineral properties Of the water ascer-
tanned by analysis to be Of medicinal
value, a temporary bathhouse was soon
erected near the original we'll for bath
ing purposes. From this temporary bath
house have sprung two natatoriums and
sanitariums Of considerable magnifi-
oence.
AdvertisinE . Towns Good Points.
Many towns have suffered from the
inaction of their citizens in the matter
Of advertising their advantages. This
has particularly been the case in the
south. Now things have taken differ
emit turn, and towns in Texas and Lou
isiana are advertising in the great south
western dailies. They realize that to