The Springdale news., 1907-01-11

News and the friends back home. We notice The News says Tt is a mighty hard matter to keep up with Jim Craig since in Tex as. . We'll, I believe 1t was said of the immortal Stonewall Jack son that No moss was allowed to grow under his feet. And l assure you that no moss has grown under our feet since in Texas, and by the way, we do not intend to let any of that other kind grow either, which they generally call ''mossbacks.' But-well, well, we are here in Devine, Texas, not Divine but must say that this is about as near divine town as any we have seen Tn Texas. There are some 1000 inhabitants and six churches and not saloon or blind tiger in it. There seems to be a splendid moral or religious sentiment controlling 1t. A splendid high school building made of brick, which cost S10000, completed two years ago, and they claim a splendid corps of teachers. The town was laid out very awkwardly which hurts the development, and until they can get 1t differently arranged will not grow as 1t ought with the farming country 1t has to back 1t. This is about the best developed farming section we have been in. The soi, ranges from a light sandy to black, sandy loam. The black soil Is as rich as any I have seen in Tex as, and IS fine tor cotton, corn, hay, cabbage, onions etc., but the light sand Is the ideal fruit, watermelon, potato, beans and tomato land. It has red clay subsoil, and from what I have seen In the way of trial orchards l believe there IS no question but 1t Is the coming fruit country oi the Southwest, so far as peaches, plulns,, pears, apricots,, figs ber- ries of all kinds and grapes are concerned. They claim that the above mentioned fruit do not l fail on the light sandy land once in five years, but I'll know more about 1t in another season, as have purchased a tract of land and shall watch the conditions closely and If 1t proves o. K.I I.shall transfer all my fruit grow ing to Texas, except the big, red lapple which know cannot grow here.
 We are 5 miles southwest of San Antonio on the l. X c. N. K. R., in Medina county. This seems to be very healthful climate. All our health is about the same as when we left home. We were badly out with this country for awhile as 1t was so rainy and foggy, 1t actually showed some-but the past two weeks have been ideal weather.
 But, Oh. pshaw. how we did want to be home Christmas. I know they had grand time. I could III my imagination see Jack Phillips smacking his mouth after bathing his lips in that delicious well 1t is too much to think upon. And could hear Charlie Renner calling 17651 while each one was holding his lucky ticket elenched tight in his fingers waiting to get that fine piano And. l could see Judge Melton standing around in that fine Christmas suit, which Santa Claus brought him of course, and l could hear Jack Hewitt still boasting ho" he worked his rab- bits foot on the Hot Springs con vention when he usurped Gov. Dav1s' chair in the reception room and came so near stealing the nomination from Jeff. Rut those "reminiscences make me home sick so I'll ring off for fear we get started back to glorious old ATkansas before we get our visit out. But We do want 1t dis tinctly understood that If we should come piking in before yon are expecting us that there must be no laughing as 1t Is very sentimental thing being So far away from home, especially dur ing holidays. Wishing The 1 News and all our friends a baDnv