Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-04-09
SHOW TEXAS AS
LAND CRABBER
Maps Give It 1875 Miles That
Don't Belong to II, Says
GeologiSt.
NO PROPER STATE MAP MADE
Texas System OF Land Survey inner
tied From Mexico and Spain
Current Maps Made by Many
Indlvlduals.

Austin. Tex.-AccOrding TO DR.. Rob
ert L. Hill. former state geologist, who
has just finished study of the topo-
graphical features OF Texas and 10
making report ON the subject for the
United states geological survey, until
recently all existing maps give an In
accurate ideu rs To the geography of
the state, particularly with reference
TO the courses OF the Rio Grunde on
the South and the Red River on the
north. Mr. Hill says that all current
maps OF Texas locate the Rio Grande.
which has always been accepted as the
boundary between this country and
Mexico, inaccurH,rly. The maps In
clude IN Texas II strip of territory av-
ernging 20 miles In width and IS miles
IN length (nbout 1875 square miles),
which does not belong TO II. Until the
World war. when special surveys OF
the border were made by the War de-
partment. nothing was known Of the
Rio Grnnde district These maps. since
published by the department. revealed
the mistake In current maps.
No Proper State Map.
There is no map published showing
even approximately the physical fea-
lures of the trnns-pecos section. the
mountainous portion OF the state. Many
of the ranges and peaks are entirely
omitted and others are located mac
curutely. Doctor Hill has made II spe-
cal study of these sections of the state
and will make known many inaccu-
racics through the maps he Is prepar-
Ing for the government.
The Davis mountains. we'll known to
Texas residents, are not included on
any map. They form one Of the prin-
cipul range districts In the state. To
the west of these mountains is II long,
narrow strip of desert country. low
lying valley plains about 200 miles In
length, running along the Rio Grande,
northwest into New Mexico. These
valleys nre not defined on any map
published
The Dablo country consists OF un-
sizes and kinds, extending into the
Sacramento mountains of New Mexico.
The railroad follows a valley secured
out of the vast plain. extending north.
west into New Mexico and southwest
into Mexico. The traveller from FL
Hnso to the New Mexico line is always
either upon or In sight of this plain for
about 80 miles. The surface is so
smooth, except where IL Is broken
rarely by peaks. that II seems rs level
as floor. The plain Is Inclosed on
all sides by wall of higher mountain
ranges But none of these features
has been placed on map.
Based on Settlers Notes.
The county and state maps of Texas
are inferior Ia those of other states,
Doctor Hill said. because of the differ
ent systems of land survey used In
Texas In other states the land has
been accurately surveyed and divided
into townships ana sections. The sur
veylng WAS done and field notes made
under United States supervision, as
maps of the country We're always nee
esSHry to acquire land The Texas
systems We're inherited from Mexico
ana Spain. Scrlps or warrants were
issued 10 individuals. who went out,
took some natural object for II corner,
measured of Il block of acres called
for In the shape and direction chosen.
and sent the notes 10 the land office
Current maps We're compiled from
these notes. made by many individuals,
ana the topographic information sup
piled was nearly always meager.
Up To 1860 when the geological sur
vey began In Texas. there was only
one point In Texas with Its exact loca-
ton on the earth's surface known
This was n monument To David Crock.
eft, near the old land office, on the cap
itol grounds AT Austin. II was located
by the United States geOdetic survey.
About 1880 some women were giving
II bazaar for patriotic purposes In Aus
tin. They desired some souvenirs TO
sell ~ the baZaar and NJ their request
the old monument, was broken into
pieces and taken Ia the bazaar. Thus
persisted the only point In Texas def.
nitcly located on the earth's surface.