The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-02-19
LETTER FROM TEXAS.

HFather Prince writes A2alH-He
Talks About the Soil, the Climate.
the People and the Products of the
Lone Star State-This Letter, He
Says, All Friends Who Requested
Him to Write Them Will Accept as
a Personal One.
NACoGDoCHEs, TEX, Feb. 9. 1903.
FRIEND Neutrality-suspicious. takes
it's name from a tribe OF Indians who
probably were located here when La
Sale made his toilsome and dangerous
journey from MatagordO Bay to the
Arkansas river more than two and
quarter centuries ago. 1t was an old
Mexican town, though but few old land
marks remain, one frame dwelling, fast
going to decay, being the only building
of Mexican construction that | have yet
discovered The ground where Sam
Houston's adobe law Office formerly
stood is now occupied by a bakery, and
the old stone fort was removed about a
year ago to give place to modern brick
block The Plaza, or public square con-
tanning about one acre still remains in
tact.
The town proper is situated on pla-
teau about 90 or go feet above Banlta
Gair woman) creek on the West and
Neches creek on the East, which within
a short distance below, the streets are
generally narrow and not well kept, but
this is partially Offset by the numerous
fine residences with spacious and beauti-
full grounds, very few even near the CEN
ter of business containing less than one
up to or ) acres A plentiful supply Of
hi
a little more than mile away. There is
also a sewerage system and electric light
ing and telephone service.
Among the people all the States are
represented There are few Mexicans,
and perhaps one-sixth of the population
are colOred. Two railroads intersect and
cross here, one from Houston to Shreve-
port. La. and one from Beaumont to
Dallas All branches of industry except
cotton factories are carried on here, an
oil mill and cotton compress being among
the number.
South of this latitude the soil is a gray
sand and timber, principally pine, lum-
bering being the chief industry, almost
eveey railroad station having large saw
mills getting their supply of logs from
| considerable distances by tram roads.
At this point the soil changes to red,
sandy and gravelly loan with clay sub
| soil, fertile and producing fine crops ofall
kinds adapted to the climate, and with
| out the use of fertilizers. The timber is
| worthy of the hardwood variety. In
| riding about the country we find Occa-
| siOnally an old farm house surrounded
| by fields clear of stumps but as a rule the
| settlements all seem to be new.
In the stirring and exciting times be-
fore, during and for some years after the
| Republic" but little attention was given
| to the cultivation of the soil, consequent
ly agriculture is a long ways behind the
| older sections of the Union, but now since
transportation facilities have increased
the farmers are turning their attention
| to fruit and truck. Tomatoes and early
potatoes will be largely planted this year.
| The National Department of Agriculture
is testing the lands in Southeast Texas
for the growing of Cuban tobacco with
prospects of success.
| Some stock is raised here, mot in large
herds as farther West) horses, mules cat
tie. hogs and sheep, not forgetting the
| Texas pony, a little scrawny, illshapen
beast. tough, wiry, and often vicious;
useful under the saddle but not of much
value anywhere else. The average Texan
| seems to take greater pride In his saddle
| than in his horse, the reason being prob
ably because the saddle represents double
the money. The people are very hospit-
able, giving a hearty welcome to all well
disposed new corners. The wild and reck-
less element for which Texas was notO-
rious in times gone by, has died out, and
we doubt the stories we have heard and
almost think the written history some
what exaggerated.
How about the climate? Yes, came
near forgetting that and can say but lit
tie ahnn1t it, as only three weeks nxpnri
ence would not be worth much. Hyacinths
and some other flowers have been in
| bloom all the time and Oleanders stand
unframed in the open ground. The ele-
walton here is lower than Henderson. We
have had several "Northers' so I am
told, but if they were genuine have ex-
perienced hundreds in Vance county. A
slight white frost this morning.
| Begging your pardon for spinning this
out so long and hoping the many friends
who requested me to write them about
Texas will accept this as personal let
| ter am as ever.
Yours to command.
| NJ B. PRINCE.