The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-01-19

result is that quite number have lost
the money they paid on the land, Tho
money put in implements and their time,
and hnally decided the land back TO the
original owner.
Eight years ago there was nothing NJ
this station but the side track section
house and wind mill Land al that time
and Tor three years Or 50 following 6as
sold to actual settlers for $500 20 s.
an acre. 4 very good price, considering
the fact that It cost the owners from
30 cents to 81 per acre, on the strength
OF securing s few settlers and they oy
their work and energy. assisted by M
ture furnishing the rain and SUNSHINE.
demonstrated thct some kinds OF cross
Would be grown and that people eoulc
live here. Land was then raised to SO
[ ana Sl2 rer acre This OF COURSE
checked the settlement and development
Of the country and prevented the few
settlers already located from having
neghbors good schools and better MARI
kets (tho more you bave 30 sell at a.
station The better the markell. and dis-
appointment naturally took the place 81,
hone. Ns
There Is an excellent class OF people
located here, both in country and town,
aud were Il not for the high priced lana
the work OF these people, notwitnstano-
ing the boil weevil aud other Drawbacks
would have attracted hundreds. PES. thou-
sands Of others TO this section OF coun-
try. In speaking of the failure OF the
farmers and business men 10 the differ
cut counties and sections OF the coast
, country one generally hears but one side
of tbs story. The trouble Is all laid at
the door OF the boil weeWl the drouth
or the Hood, nothing is ever said in
: print about the unNusiuesslike way OF
handling lands, the high pItces, She
h gh rate OF interest etc. The country
: has not yet been found TINT IS not visit
. ed occasionally by ne0ta NJ some KIM
too much rain or not enough. I consider
Il due the people and country ana to the
interest OF all concerned that tho facts
y In the case be given and that we do
not expect too much Of the country aud
-, a few settlers. IT'S better to recognize
u the fact that the building up Of tn
w country, towns and cities depends large
" on those who own the lands and how
they handle them
Please keep in mind that what | have
Ie said of this town and section and lane
IL owners will apply to other sections
counties and land owners In tho coas
country OF Texas, and don't forget thu
J. fact that these facts presented to yol
,r accounts for Houston not having a
least 100000 population today.
Tho growing OF rice, sugar cane AM
ID better stock is now being talked OF b.
the coast country people, and some feV
T., are preparing the ground for rice an
u sugar cane putting down deeS wells
Z making canals and putting In pumpln
a.. plants. Fact is hope is fast taking tn
~ place of disappointment.
~ Were it not that lands are owned Z
81 such large tracts by few men who won
o. do a thing but mark UP the priIo as
y few people OF moderate means, and IN
va railroads bring in the prospectors fo
81 homes, we would progress much faster
n ! have seen a few business men an
ca large land owners combine against tn
actual settlers by raising the prices {
lands out OF all reason and also by low
eripg the price paid for farm products
simply because the farmers We're NJ
les able to hold for better prices This kin
OF business in due course OF time hrouSl
about hard tines for business men an
ne land owners as we'll as farmers, ana the
,ar everybody went to ''cusSing" the cour
try. Good management and fair trea'
a. ment to the producers is necessary
lld the settlement OF new country. tn
o. country has too many farmers for
yin long range stock country and not enoue
~ people to make a farming country out
'ne H. and lands are held too high 10 eNpe
AL moro farmers to come in unless tho'
ply who own the lands will put in syste
no. OF drainage and good woads. Yours 4
yas the upbuilding OF tho coast country
we John Howard.