Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-08-12
R. M. Carpenter in Texas.
cHEsrERv111E, Colorado Co., Texa

OHESTERVlLLE, COlOrauO Co., 1exaS.
August Z, 1897.
ED. JoURNAL:-A trip to the south
country is worth something at this
time if for no other purpose than to
enjoy the influence of the gulf breeze
midst of the hottest days that have
been experienced here for years, and
yet find the heat much less Oppres-
sive than it was in Iowa when I left
there on Tuesday, August 8. 1t is
stated that. there is no part of Texas
where the climate is not modified by
the gulf breeze, but that it has Won
derful effect in this locality is fact
of which am assured by practical
test. Entering the State Of Texas from
the north the "cotton and the corn"
are discovered to be rivalling each
other for kingship, and the same is
true of these two staple products clear
to the gulf. The face Of the country
is nicely diversified with natural and
artificial groves, and the numerous
streams are heavily bordered with for
ests. The prairies are rolling much
after the manner of Northern Iowa
lands. This section is an inclined
plane rising gradually from the gulf
to d height of more than one thousand
feet. The soil is dark sandy loan
underlaid with a porous clay sub-soil.
1t produces all kinds of vegetables and
fruits and is as perfectly adapted to
cotton culture as any territory in the
south. The corn crop is now full ripe
and good crop. The cotton is indeed
fine and the picking has now COM
menced. Stock raising has been neg
lected, but many herds of good cattle
and horses are seen. Hogs are eat
home" here and an Iowa farmer with
the opportunities that are afforded here
can get rich on hogs and cattle in five
there is in cotton raising. The cotton
is yielding something over bale per
acre. This at SC per pound would
Ike 100 per acre, and after deduct
ing literally for expenses, it will net
from $1,000 to $500 per acre.
| have been unable to see any par
ticular in which society here is not
equal to that of the north. have not
heard an oath uttered since entering
the state and in all relations the peo-
pie here are courteous and hospitable.
Texas is peculiar in relation to the
mingling of the races. The whites
and blacks do not associate together
and they are furnished with separate
railway coaches and waiting rooms in
this state. Taxes are very low and at
the same time the greatest attention is
shown to schools and all public inn
provements. No state in Che Union
has made such ample donations for
school purposes as Texas. In passing
through the thrifty towns of this state
the large costly buildings of stone or
wood that you see are the the public
school buildings. Churches abound in
both town and country, and in all re-
spects Texas seems to be abreast with
spirit and progress of the times.
The territory which was:so FORTUNE
ate as to visit is in Colorado county,
some fifty miles west from Houston on
the San Antonio & Arkansas Pass Ry.
The Southern Colonization Co. have a
tract of fine land here that is fourteen
eight miles from east to west. Near
the center of this tract, on a beautiful
site, has been plated the town of
1 Chesterville, which will be our head
quarters during our stay. 1t is ex-
pected that this will make great
trade center, owing to the richness and
extent of its territory tributary, and
the further fact that the company is
pushing the town. The rich growth
Of blue-joint that covers this territory
and the general lay of the land remind
me of the best portion of Northern
Iowa. The prices and terms on which
these lands are offered seem to me to
combine to make it rare opportunity
for the man of moderate means to pro-
cure home. At any rate persons 90.
ing south would lose but little time to
stop off at Wallis, eight miles east, and
see for them selves.
I will probably furnish the Journal
readers with more minute details as to
soil, climate, etc., in later letter.
Very truly,
r. M, CARPENTER.