Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1878 — The Happy Land of Texas. [ARTICLE]

The Happy Land of Texas.

(Special Correspondenceof Thk Uniox.) Avingbk, Cass Co. Texas, Feby 19.—Au great many have desired mo to writ*, apif. tell them wlint I thought of Texas. I think it best to write to you that the letter may. be published and have more extensive circulation, I left White county, Indiana, the 28th day ot January; passei through’ Arkansas in the night, and saw only about, forty miles of that slate which is ft low. swampy looking country. Arrived at Jefferson, Texas, February Ist where I remained two days. During the time 1 took dinner with an old Texan named Hill,. whose family 1 found to be as nice peophsas I ever met. A great many peopl# at. Qie. North fear Texas because of its dreadful) reputation ; but that is n wide mistake j I. find as nice people hero as I over met any-_ where. The land in this portion is good, fertile, sandy, the soil being about two fectj deep, under which is firm red clay. Good freestone water. I have seen fine cattle, here. People who wish to bring cattle, with them from the North should do so in the fall season, as they are less subject lo eontracTdisease, and they should be kept from contact with native .stock through the first winter. The houses are generally not very good. The people livo modem!elV well, having plenty of hog nr.d hominy. Mnny dislike the style of Texas living, but I have enjoj ed life as well since I have been here as 1 ever did in any state. I think the climate is fine. Farmers are preparing their ground for planting. Some have already sown their gardens. 1 havy Sebn lettuce large enough lor the table. Wild plum Decs are in bloum. 1 would , advise young men who hire out not !o come to Texas until they get money enough to buy land of their own, ns labor is cheap cr here than in Indiana. I shall remain. here until July, when I shall start to hunt Out a good location for a colony iu Western Texas. Land is worth from $1 to $lO an acre. These fond scrips belong to s railroad company, and those who pureliafo.. may apply them on any vacant land in the, siato. The vacant lands belong lo the stale of Texas, not to the United Stnes.

W. D. M. STEPHENS.