The Washington herald., 1909-07-11

Wagons, by Automobile, and On
HOrseback-Fine Springs Abound.
MenardvIle. Tex. July 1O.-sevsraI Of
the larger rivers and many smaller
streams Of Texas have their source with
IN a radius Of seventy-ave miles OF Men
ardville. The mountainous territory Of
the central western part OF the State en-
braces several hundred square miles. the
elevations ranging from 1,500 10 $500 feet
Il Is a region that Is little known. even
10 the people OF other parts OF Texas.
Its outer edges have been penetrated by
railroads. but no line has yet been built
across the rough scope Of country which
contains many beautiful and rich val
1eys hat are capable OF being cultivated
and made TO produce abundantly OF vari-
Gus kinds OF agricultural products. In
some of these remote valleys sturdy pio-
neers have taken up land and are max
ing homes for themselves. Even the
mountain lands are good for grazing pur-
poses. and several large cattle and sheep
ranches are situated around Menardville.
Ninety Miles to Railroad.
It IS ninety miles from the nearest
railroad point 10 some Of the little towns
in this mountain region. Swift running
streams OF pure water cross and recross
the wagon roads almost innumerable
times. These waterways have worn
deep canyons in the mouutains IN many
places. At the foot Of precipftious falls
limpid and deep pools OF water are 10
Gated. and where the valleys broaden
giant pecan and cottonwood trees rear
their heads.
II Is IN these shaded hooks along the
mountain streams that many summer
camps OF fishing parties and other peo-
pie who are seeking outdoor pleasures
are pitched. Some OF these campers
have driven overland for 200 to 800 miles.
The fishing in the headwaters OF these
streams is unexcelled in any part OF
this country. or course. this does not
apply 10 certain kinds OF fresh water
hsh. such as genuine trout and other
species that are found In the Northern
streams But when It comes to striped
bass. blue cat gasper-goo, goggle-eye
perch, and other kinds Of fish common
TO Texas streams, the sport OF these riv-
eTs and creeks cannot be surpassed. The
bass that are caught here are commonly
called trout. but they are misnamed. as
they do not really belong 10 that species
They are as large and gamey. however.
as the trout Of the Rocky Mountain
streams.
Fine Springs abound.
In the hills and mountains OF the
MenardviTe region are innumerable
springs which burst forth from the sides
Of cliffs. forming the headwaters Of the
creeks and rivers. The Concho. Sar
Saba, Nueces, Llano. and Guadalupe
rivers are all formed by the waters OF
creeks which have their respective
sources within a radius OF seventy-fve
miles Of Menardvi1le. These creeks radI-
ate in all directions. The source OF
Devils River, which emptles into the
Rio Grande is less than 100 miles from
here. II is one OF the best fishing streams
in Texas. although fits length is less than
ninety miles
None of these mountain streams have
been artifcially stocked with fish In the
days when the Comanche and other
tribes OF Indians made this region their
summer hunting ground and streams
were teenling with fish, and the redskins
derived great pleasure in the sport OF
catching them for use IN camp.
II was in this rough and wild part OF
Texas that the hostile Indians made
their last stand against the whites in
this State. They fought desperately
against being made 10 vacate the hunt
ing and fishing grounds which they had
used 50 long. The lack OF railroad
transportation has caused the rich valleys
and good grazing lands OF the hills and
slopes 10 remain 20 a large extent un-
occupied and the primitive wildness OF
the remote region is much the same as Il
was during the period when II was the
favorite rendezvous and hunting ground
for bands Of Indians.
Camp Life Very Pleasant.
Camp life in the Menardviue territory
contains many delights and pleasures
that are not 70 be found in any other
part OF the country The altitude tenn
pers the heat during the day and az no
time IS It too warm 70 exercise freely
in the sun At night the air Is so coo,
and inyigorating that IL is necessary foi
one TO sleep under a blanket 70 be com.
Portable. Although it is customary tc
take along tents on these outing trips
they are used mostly for the purpose q,
aT0rding protection 10 the commissary
supplies. They are not needed for sleep.
ing purposes.
The broad canopy Of heaven is the only
shelter that one wants in these noun.
tains. The bare ground forms the be-
for many OF the campers. but II IS prefer
able 10 sleep upon a cot on account OF
ants and other insects. IF the sleepins
place Is under the branches Of a tree. al
the better. The dew Is usually light, anC
even when II is heavy no discOmfitur,
IS felt on that account by the open ali
sleeper
That leading an open air life IN thi!
dry, invigcrating altitude Is capable o
effecting almost miraculous cures Of Ger
tain ailments and diseases has beer
amply proved in many instances. It 1,
natures Ideal sanatorium. Many peopl,
have been hauled into these mountain,
upon litters, and under the benign In
huences OF the pure air. cool. sparklin,
water. and the food Of fish and wild gam,
and the general tonic OF wild nature
they have soon become strong and we'll
The air itself seems 10 be a strengthen
ing food for the invalid
Camp life IN these remote localities &
not lonesome. The trees are filed witt
myriads OF song birds. The plumage o
some OF these birds is Of brilliant hue!
and they present q beautiful sight a.
they MT nom tree 20 tree. They pOu
forth a constant concert from their lii
tie throats from early morning until lat
In the evening Frequently the songs 0
the birds are intermingled with TIL
barks Of squirrels and the noises OF 9th
er wild animals. The pecan forest
along the streams are the habitat o
great numbers Of squirrels which feas
upon the harvest OF nuts produced eacl
year by the trees. The presence Of camp
Ing parties does not seem 70 frightel
them. They jump about among IN
branches Of the trees overhead and bari