Class— Book— ^W The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway reaches all the important trade centers and the rich fe sections of the great Southwest. / sctioh^ TEXAS THE' MKIi ^ An illustrated description of present conditions in the Lone Star State "With comparative tables showing the marvelous growth and exceptional advantages offered to the prospective investor or homeseeKer. jZ? j& j& jz? 'Ye little stars hide Your diminished rays." — Pope. Compiled from information gathered by the PASSENGER TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT, MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS RAILWAY SYSTEM, 'l SAINT LOUIS, MO. Fr^Si INTRODUCTORY. THIS somewhat meagre description of Texas is not intended to be a history or even a complete description of the great Lone Star State, but rather present, in a concise form, re- liable information about that part of Texas traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, and reached by its principal connections. The data has been very carefully collected and com- piled by a representative of the passenger department of the M. K. & T. Ry., who personally visited every section and county described, and with the assistance of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Texas Agricultural Department, the State and County officials, secured the information. Texas is developing very rapidly and shows a wonderful increase in wealth and pros- perity. The Census Report of 1900 shows an increase of over 800,000 in population from 1890 to 1900. In wealth and taxable property the increase was even greater. Texas boasts of a per capita wealth greater than any other State. The people are pros- perous and progressive. Texas lands, rich and productive, can be purchased at a lower price and under more favorable terms than the same quality of land in Northern or Eastern States. The climate is healthy and most favorable for farming and stock raising. A greater variety of crops can be grown and better prices secured than elsewhere, owing to the exceptionally fine home and foreign markets. The educational and religious facilities are equal to any State in the Union. The school fund, realized from sale and rental of property owned by the State, is the boast of every Texan. Truly has it been said that Texas is the "Empire State of the South." Present conditions presage a wonderful future for this State, so rich in natural resources. TEXAS. HISTORICALLY, Texas is one of the most interesting states in the Union. In 1686, LaSalle landed at a point near the present town of Matagorda; and in 1691 an attempt was made by the Spanish to settle Texas. San Antonio, the oldest European settlement in the Southwest, was founded in 1693. The foundation of its celebrated Alamo, the cradle of Texas liberty, was laid in 1744. For 161 years Spanish domain held sway, and it was not until 1822 that Texas owed allegiance to the Mexican Government. In The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas. Erected in 1744. 1823, Stephen F. Austin, with a colony of three hundred families, settled at San Antonio. From this time a desire for liberty and a free and independent government lived, culminating March 2, 1836, in a declaration that the Republic of Texas would thereafter main- tain a free and independent government. This declaration brought on hostilities with Mexico. General Santa Anna, the Mexican Presi- dent, with a large army, invaded Texas. The decisive battle of the war was fought on April 21, 1836, at San Jacinto, about twenty miles southeast of the present city of Houston, resulting in a decided victory for the Texas forces, commanded by General Sam Houston. The Mexicans discontinued hostilities, leaving the Texas Republic in the hands of the valiant pioneers who fought so nobly and strenu- ously to victory against vastly superior numbers. As a Republic, Texas flourished from 1836 to 1845, in which year it was admitted to the Union, forming the twenty-eighth star added to the galaxy of States. Since the admission of Texas to the Union, there has been a tremendous increase in population and wealth, bringing the State rapidly to the front. Texas occupies an unique position, and with the wonderful resources within its boundaries, can truthfully be said to be an Empire within itself. Border ruffianism has long since passed away, and the Texas of today is up-to-date and very wide- M. K. & T. Ry. Bridge, Red River. awake. The State is settled by progressive, industrious and hos- pitable people from all parts of the Union, making the State, as a whole, very cosmopolitan. Texas has the largest permanent school fund of any State in the Union, amounting to the enormous sum of $44,800,000, expend- ing annually for educational purposes five dollars per scholar, while the average for the remaining States is but one dollar and thirty- five cents per scholar. The world's religious organizations are represented in nearly every community, and in the cities handsome church edifices are fitting monuments to the religious fervor of the people. The latest report from the Attorney General's office shows that the laws are better enforced in Texas than in any other State, ex- cepting Rhode Island. Location and Area. Extending from the twenty-sixth to the thirty-sixth parallel, north latitude, and from the sixteenth to twenty-ninth meridian of longitude west of Washington, D. C, Texas covers a greater area than the combined area of the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and Indiana, comprising about one-eighth of the total area of the United States. Altitude, Climate, Health. Its altitude ranges from sea level on the Gulf Coast to nearly seven thousand (7000) feet above sea level in the western portion. The climate is one of the chief attractions of Texas. The extremes of heat and cold are less than in any other section of the United States. The hottest days of mid-summer are less oppressive than in the Northern States. The summer days are pleasant, the nights delightful. This is at- tributal to the Gulf winds which blow across the State after passing over the cooling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In winter the difference in tempera- ture between Texas and the North is still more manifest. The thermome- ter rarely registers below freezing point. It can truthfully be said that Texas has the most uniform, equable and mild climate of any section of the country. Southwest Texas has long been recognized by lead- ing physicians as possessing superior climatic conditions for the relief of persons suffering with pulmonary trouble. The climate of the Gulf Coast country is beneficial to persons suffering from asthma and other bronchial and catarrhal affections. The records from the Department of Health are more favorable than those of any other State except Rhode Island. Population. The population of Texas (United States Census Report) in 1900 was 3,048,710, as compared with 2,225,523 for 1890, showing remarkable increase for ten (10) years of 823,187, or more than thirty-seven (37) per cent. 7 Residence near Denison. How Texas Ranks. As compared with other States, Texas ranks first in area, second in railroad mileage, fourth in per capita wealth, seventh in popula- tion. It ranks first as producer of cotton, cattle and horses. In 1900 it produced more than one-third of the cotton crop of the United States, and more than one-fourth of the world's cotton crop. Total number of farm animals more than twelve million. The State is now in the second place in the production of hogs. Texas Also Has More prairie land than Kansas, more fine timber than Michigan, more oak than West Virginia, more iron than Alabama, more marble than Vermont, more granite than New Hampshire, more corn land than Illinois, more wheat land than the Dakotas, more rice land than Louisiana, more fruit land than California, more tobacco land than Virginia. Business Prospects. Texas holds out greater inducements and business prospects than any other section. The cities are in a flourishing condition Fine Cattle and Hogs, Wichita County. and growing rapidly. With the cheap fuel oil now being produced in the great oil fields of South Texas, marvelous growth in indus- tries is promised. The visitor or investor from other States marvels at the development. The cities are well and modernly built, having electric street railways, economical and modern system of lighting and of water supply, splendid school systems, beautiful church edifices, fine public buildings, and large and solid business insti- tutions. Emigration. Emigration to Texas during the past few years, as will be observed from the figures presented herein, has been enormous, and the trend of travel is still Texaswards. The wide-awake homeseeker, farmer and investor has his eye on Texas and is buying lands there. The Growth of Texas Has Been Marvelous. A comparison of the population, the farm products and the assessed values of the State for the years 1870 and 1900, shows the wonderful advancement Texas has made. in 1870 The population was 818.579 The cotton product in bales was 350,628 The corn " " bushels was 20,559,538 The wheat ' ' The oat " " The total assessed valuation The total railway mileage The total value of farm products 415,112 762,663 $170,473,778 200 .$ 49,186,170 In 1900 3,048,710 3,536,506 81,962,210 23,395,913 28,2 8,232 $916,320,258 11,500 $333,679,389 Increase 2 230.131 3,185,878 61.402,672 22,980,801 27,515,569 $775,846,480 11,300 $281,493,219 Look at the Maps. - The close observer of the maps herein will notice that the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway System reaches the most im- \ ! wi ■ ■ y*M'^ Live Oaks and Spanish Moss, South Texas. portant cities and towns in the State. It follows that it traverses the most productive section, as the wealth and growth of these cities depend upon the prosperity of the country surrounding them. Soil- Texas has a great variety of soil of wonderful fertility. Land which has been under continuous cultivation for many years does not show any appreciable loss in productiveness, but yields, in crops, as much per acre as it did when first planted. The principal soils are classified as black waxy, black sandy loam, red sandy, and alluvial lands of the river bottoms. The black waxy soil, so called from its color and adhesiveness, is the richest and most durable. It constitutes a large percentage of the prairie section, and is best adapted for the growth of grain and cotton. One of the largest and richest bodies of black prairie land in the world extends from the Red River, in North Texas, in an irregular shape, a dis- tance of nearly four hundred miles to the south, varying in width (approximately one hundred miles), embracing nearly twenty-six counties. The prairie soil of South Texas is best adapted for the growth of rice and cotton, fruits and vegetables. During the past few years Vineyard and Garden, North Texas. the cultivation of rice has developed on a very large scale, and is proving a most profitable crop. The sandy loam soil of the timber belt of East Texas is best adapted for fruit culture, containing the proper element of soil fertility necessary to fruit development. There are splendid oppor- tunities in the line of orchard and truck farming. The alluvial soil of the river bottoms produces large crops of cotton and corn in the north section. The bottom lands of the v Trinity, Brazos and Colorado rivers, in the southern section, are the best sugar-producing lands in the United States. Texas has a greater acreage of sugar lands than all other Southern States combined. It is not extravagant to say that Texas 10 has a larger body of virgin soil, never touched by the plow, than all other Southern States. Texas has such a large variety and range of soil, together with favorable climatic conditions, adapted to the raising of such a variety of agricultural products, that it is difficult to enlarge upon them without tiring the reader. In North and Central Texas, cotton, corn, wheat and oats grow side by side. In South Texas, sugar cane, rice, broom corn, and every variety of fruit and vegetables, are profitably grown. Farm Work can be Carried On Every Month in the Year. Unlike other sections of the country, the Texas farmer can utilize every month in the year for planting, cultivating and har- vesting. Wheat is planted from September 1st to December 20th, Harvesting in May in Central Texas. and harvested during May. It is pastured during the winter months, which pays for the planting and harvesting. Corn is planted in February and March, oats in October, and cotton in April, May and June. Educational and Religious Facilities. Education in Texas is represented by a great number of high- grade schools and colleges. The State has the largest permanent free school fund of any State in the Union, something over $44,800,000; of this amount, over $22,200,000 is in cash, bonds and land notes; the balance of the fund is in lands. The State distributes annually $5.00 for each school child, while the average for the United States is but $1.35 per capita. 11 1 — Creamery. 2 — Class-room. 3 — One of the Main Buildings. 4 — Cattle Barn. 5 — Cutting Sorghum. The total amount expended for schools for 1901 amounted to nearly four and a half million dollars, an increase over the amount expended during 1900 of $462,043. In addition to this vast sum, each city and county has a special school tax that increases this amount very considerably. Separate schools are maintained for white and colored scholars. The State School Superintendent's Report, November, 1901, shows : The number of State schools 12,092 The number of teachers employed 14,814 The number of school children 739,400 Amount paid teachers $3,866,454.00 Amount expended for schools $4,469,015.00 Value of school property $9,166,550.00 Higher Institutions of Learning. The Universities and Colleges of the State are fine institutions, with expensive buildings and attractive grounds, all doing excellent work, and having a large enrollment. Among these are: The State University, located at Austin. Agricultural and Mechanical College, at College Station. State Medical College, at Galveston. North Texas Normal, at Denton. Southwest Texas Normal, at San Marcos. Besides these, there are fifty-six denominational private schools and colleges in the State, having an attendance of over 12,000 pupils, with building's and grounds valued at $2,250,000. From an educational, social and religious standpoint, Texas compares favorably with any of the older settled States. The religious denominations are represented in every community, and all the cities and towns have many handsome and expensive church edifices. THE WEALTH OF TEXAS. Assessed Values. The total property assessed in the State for 1900 amounted to $946,320,258, as compared with $782,111,883 for 1890, showing a re : markable increase of over $164,000,000. Taxes. Texas has the lowest rate of taxes of any State in the Union, the State taxes being only thirty-four and two-thirds cents on each one hundred dollars' valuation; all property is assessed at about one-fourth of its value. 13 State Treasurer's Report, September, 1901, Shows: Cash, bonds and securities on hand aggregate $43,026,400. Texas' Public Buildings and Grounds Are valued at $11,608,500. The State Capitol, built of Texas granite, at a cost of over $3,000,000, is a handsome and imposing building. It is the seventh building in size in the world. Texas Banks — Texas Leads In New National Banks. The Comptroller's report shows that from March 14, 1900, to March 31, 1902, there were one hundred and nineteen new National banks organized in Texas. Texas has altogether 501 banks, with deposits (statement, Octo- ber 14, 1901) amounting to $211,489,460; being $70 for each man, ruafiATYfLYER "The Katy Flyer." The Crack Train of Texas. woman and child in the State. A very flattering showing, although at the time, this statement was made the State was in the midst of the marketing season, when the reserve of the banks was in active use, moving the large cotton, grain and other crops. Railroads. Texas now has the best of railroad facilities. In 1870 there were only 200 miles of railroad in the State, while in 1902 there are over forty lines operating over 11,500 miles of road. In order to tap the rich agricultural regions of Texas, the railroads have 14 penetrated the country in every direction until the great common- wealth is checkered with railroads. For the past two years Texas has led every other State in the number of miles of new roads constructed. Markets. Besides the best of home markets, Texas is brought, by rail, in close touch with all Northern and Eastern markets, while through the several deep water ports Texas products find their way all over the world. The proximity of the world's markets materially increases the value of Texas products. As for example: Wheat sells for more than wheat grown in the Northern and Western States. This holds good of the majority of the varied products. Manufacturing and Industrial. With its vast products of raw material, large deposits of nearly pure iron ore, large tracts of fine merchantable timber, and the vast quantities of oil, affording the cheapest fuel in the world, Cotton Seed Oil Mill. the exceptional shipping facilities by which the manufactured goods of Texas reach all the markets of the world, the Empire State of Texas is destined to become at an early date the field of the greatest industrial activity ever witnessed in the history of the country. Census Bulletin, Showing Texas' Marvelous Advance in Manufac- tures in Ten Years — The Number of Industries Doubled — Manu- facturing Capital Increased Almost 100 Per Cent. Washington, Jan. 7. — The manufacturing industries of Texas, according to the census preliminary report for 1900, issued today, have an aggregate capital of $90,433,882, an increase of 93 per cent; and total product, including custom and repairing, valued at $119,- 414,982, an increase of almost 70 per cent. 15 The number of establishments is 12,289; average number of wage-earners, 48,152; total wages, $20,552,355. The aggregate mis- cellaneous expenses were $6,144,924, and the total cost of materials used $67,102,769. There was an increase of 7,000 in the number of establishments, nearly $40,000,000 in the amount of capital invested, nearly 14,000 in the number of wage-earners, $41,000,000 increase in the cost of materials used, and nearly $50,000,000 increase in the value of products. While Texas by no means boasts of being a manufacturing State, her chief strength and glory being the vast product of raw materials, at the same time she is far and away ahead of any Southern State in manufacturing, and purposes within a decade to take high rank among the great manufacturing States of the North. States like North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, famed as manufacturing States, are away behind Texas in the number of establishments, cap- ital invested, cost of material, and the value of output. Timber. The total wooded area of Texas is 64,000 square miles, or 40,960,000 acres, being twen- ty-four per cent of the total area. The eastern portion of Texas is a true forest region, covered with dense and almost continu- ous growth over an area whose extension north and south is about 300 miles, and whose maximum width is 150 miles. It is a dense pine forest, inter- mingled with a great variety of other woods, including oak, hickory, walnut, pecan, maple, gum and magnolia. These forests, owing to the density of growth, size and quality of the trees, are very valuable. It is estimated that in the forest region there are some seventy billion feet of standing timber. Texas has some of the largest and best equipped saw mills in the country. Long Leaf Pine. 16 Cotton Factories. The manufacture of cotton goods is rapidly increasing in Texas, and has been found very profitable; the raw material being fur- nished much cheaper (about $8.00 per bale) than it can be shipped East and manufactured. There are already factories located at Denison, Sherman, Dallas, Waxahachie, Itaska, West, Bonham, Hills- boro, Corsicana, Cuero, Gonzales, Galveston, Tyler and Waco, rep- resenting an investment of several million dollars of home capital, and giving employment to a large number of people. The products of these mills find a ready market throughout Europe and the United States. Flouring Mills. Texas has one hundred and thirty flouring mills, with a daily capacity exceeding 24,000 barrels. Flour made from Texas wheat is of superior quality, and is in demand for export, as it is better for sea handling than any other. HISTORY OF TEXAS OIL FIELD. I T has been known for many years that oil existed in Southeast Texas. Tests resulted in proving the existence of oil long before Captain Lucas began drilling on Spindle Top Heights. The Well that Made Texas Famous. January 10, 1901, at 10:30 a. m., the well that made the Texas oil field famous burst forth in a volume of water, sand, rocks, gas and oil, that sped upwards with such tremendous force as to de- molish M;he derrick, and scatter timbers and well-casing hundreds of feet in all directions. When finally controlled, it was shooting a tower of thick, black oil quite two hundred feet in the air, and spouting in wanton waste seventy thousand barrels of oil per day. Report of the United States Geological Survey on the Texas Oil Field. Robert T. Hill, petroleum expert of the United States Geological Survey, in his report on the Texas oil field, says* "The successful completion of a well on January 10, 1901, by Capt. A. F. Lucas, near Beaumont, Texas, whereby an enormous flow of oil, estimated at 75,000 barrels a day, was obtained, marked a most important economic discovery and initiated the successful 17 exploitation of a new and practically unknown oil field of the United States. "The first seven wells opened at Beaumont will alone produce over 90,000,000 barrels a year, or one and one-half times as much as the Russian oil field. The vast quantity of oil so far known ex- ceeds that of any other oil field ever discovered. "The fact is established that there is an oil lake at that one point, which is anyway forty feet deep. After oil was struck, the borers permitted the pipe to sink until it struck bottom, which it did at a depth of forty feet. "Oil will be found in many places throughout the coastal prairie, especially in the southern extension. There is no doubt that the source of the Beaumont oil is in the tertiary strata, which outcrop in the interior and throughout East Texas timber region. The oil will be found at increasing depths at the rate of about seven to ten feet per mile along a line drawn from Beaumont to Oil City, in Southern Nacogdoches County. "The importance of this oil field is far greater than at present can be described. It means not only a cheap fuel supply to the largest State in the Union, but, owing to its proximity to tide water, it is suggestive of pos- sibilities of an export trade such as now ex- ists nowhere else in this or any other coun- try. "The discovery of oil in the Beaumont dis- trict is to Texas the dawning of an era teeming with magnifi- cent possibilities. With her vast domain of iron ore, 40,000,000 acres of pine, cypress, wal- nut, oak and cedar; annual agricultural products worth $200,000,000; hogs, cattle and sheep, and with the strong arms and brave hearts of her unterrified citizenship, Texas is ready at one bound to take her rightful place at the head of the great sisterhood of American States. Let the problem of cheap fuel be permanently solved, and on her hillsides and on her valleys will be found factories and mills yielding products as varied as are her boundless resources, and Union Station, Galveston, Texas. II within her limits the elements of prosperity will be so mingled that her greatness will be the greatness of an empire, and her strength the strength of an industrious people." RICE CROWING IN SOUTH TEXAS. NEARLY all of the Gulf Coast country of Texas is adapted for rice growing. The large prairies are easily put into culti- vation. The water supply from canals, artesian and surface wells makes rice a most profitable crop. One man with four good horses can handle from 100 to 150 acres. $10.00 per acre covers ex- penses. The average yield is twelve barrels per acre, worth $3.00 per barrel, making a net profit of $26.00 per acre. The rice industry has developed rapidly during the past few years, the crop for the past season of 1901 being 700,000 barrels, valued at $2,100,000. Cultivation. It is an erroneous impression that marsh or swamp land is best for rice growing. On the other hand, it is best to have high, smooth, well drained land. The land is plowed as for wheat or oats, with an ordinary sulky or gang plow; the sod cut with a disc harrow, and sown with about one-third of a barrel of rice to the acre, with press drills. The land must be as dry for sowing as any wheat land. Levees are made around twenty or forty acre fields, to hold the water. These are simply constructed by plowing along the levee line about twelve furrows wide, the dirt being thrown up to the middle with a scraper about one foot above the level of the land. The levee lines should be so staked out that there is no more than Threshing. 19 three inches of fall from levee to levee, so that if the water is three inches deep at the upper end of the field, it will not be more than six inches at the lower end. When the rice has grown about six inches high, water is turned on it, and the field kept flooded for sixty or seventy days. When the rice is ready to be harvested, the water is drained off. It is harvested, staked and threshed in the same manner as wheat. Rice is planted in March and April and harvested from July to October. Austin, Tex., December 20. — The records of the Secretary of State's office show that during the year 1901 there were twenty-two companies organized in Texas for the purpose of growing rice on an extensive scale. The capital stock of these companies aggregates $1,972,000. In addition to these companies, there were two com- panies organized, each with a capital stock of $50,000, for the purpose of milling rice. Many of the companies which have been formed dur- ing the past few weeks for the purpose of grow- ing rice will not begin active operations until next season. It is esti- mated the rice acreage in Texas will be more than trebled next year. In addition to the corporations which have gone into the rice-growing business, a large amount of private capital has been invested in that industry. A number of companies which were organized primarily for the purpose of developing oil on lands in East Texas, will also cultivate rice. None of these companies are embraced in the above list. Rice an Advantageous Crop. There is no crop in the growing of which improved implements can be used to so great advantage as rice. The land is, to begin with, free from obstructions, uniform in texture and nearly level. In preparing the land, plows and harrows of greatest capacity can be used. Planting can be done with the greatest rapidity. This done, there is nothing but the flooding requiring attention until the harvest, when more rapid working machinery may be used. But Harvest. 20 suppose the case of a man being unable to buy costly implements, and the heavy teams required to draw them. Here the natural characteristics of the rice plant come to the rescue, and the farmer can prepare his land, and plant his crop, with the cheapest tools and a good pair of horses or mules. The farmer may begin the prepara- tion of his land early in the winter, and have four or five months to do the work. He can begin his planting in April, and have full three months to get his seed in the ground. When the crop begins to ripen, he can cut the entire crop with the cradle. He will have full three months to do it in, for the rice will ripen in the order of planting, and nearly as slowly. One man, with tools and teams, can handle all the land he can plow and harrow, and plant within the time specified. Therefore, we conclude that there is no staple crop wherein one man can make as much money as in growing rice, if he has the land, the teams and tools, and industry. Threshing Rice, South Texas. 21 DEVELOPMENT OF FRUIT CROWING IN TEXAS. Item by T. V. Munson, of Denison, Texas, one of the Leading Horticulturists of the United States. IT used to be said "Fruit cannot be grown in Texas." Persistent experimenting has developed that a large variety of peaches, plums, apples, grapes, strawberries and blackberries, are suc- cessfully produced. The most successful varieties in the market today are those originated in Texas in recent years. It is only necessary to mention the following: Strawberries, the Parker-Earl, the Michel, Lady Thompson, the Splendid, and Hoffman; Blackberries, the Dal- las, Robinson, Mayes, Dew- berry; Grapes, the Headlight, Brilliant, Rommel, Beacon, Wa- pannka, Manito, Carmen, Gold Coin, Capitan, Claeta, Muench, Lauessel, Fern, Marguerite, Augusta, Kiowa. Of plums, there are several of the Japa- nese kinds, and hybrids with natives, such as Gonzales, Clif- ford, Wotan, Whittaker. Of peaches, there are the Sneed, Ray, Mamie Ross, Texas King, Carman Family Favorite, Elberta, Superb, the Bequet Free. Of apples, Red June, Summer Queen, American Summer, Mrs. Bryan, Jonathan, Ben Davis, Gano, Kinnaird, Shirley, Texas Red, and others. • ^jg Apple Orch North Texas. Fruit growers are en- abled to begin shipping strawberries and vegetables from South Texas in March, from North Texas in April, followed up with blackber- ries, plums, peaches, apples and grapes until October, be- sides supplying the local mar- kets during the entire season. The experimental stage of commercial fruit growing has passed in Texas: the business has assumed a commercial char- acter. Within the past few years fruit and truck growers' associa- Strawberry Patch. 22 tions have been organized and chartered, with officers who make arrangements for shipping and marketing in the northern cities. Train loads of melons, vegetables and fruits, shipped northward, bring profitable returns. The Texas product rates first quality and commands the best prices. There is splendid opportunity in Texas for profitable invest- ment in horticultural pur- suits. The Famous El Berta Peaches. Fruit Culture in East Texas. Fruit growers agree that East Texas is truly the "Fruit Belt." The red soil and the sandy loam soil, with deep clay sub-soil, are spe- cially adapted for peach cul- ture. Peaches grown on them are perfectly colored, rivaling the famous fruits of Delaware, Maryland and California in size and in quality. There is great opportunity for orchard planting and vegetable growing for commercial purposes. Fruits and vegetables ripen from four to six weeks earlier than in most any other section. Being with- in easy reach of northern markets, they find ready sale and top prices. Five years ago truck and fruit growing in Texas was of no consequence. In 1900 there were 6,500 cars of truck and fruit shipped out of Texas, yielding $1,- 787,500 for this crop alone. More than 48,000 acres are in cultivation this year (1902), being less than one per cent of what Texas can profitably grow. At Pittsburg, Texas. Members of the Fruit and Truck Growers' Association are pre- paring to plant a larger acreage in fruits and vegetables than ever 23 - __ _ ' * X" - : . / 3^ - _ !* L'' '/< ; ' ■- Loading Watermelons. before. The Association has purchased 75,000 peach trees to plant on 750 acres of land; they will also plant 100 acres in tomatoes, 100 acres in Irish potatoes, and 100 acres in cantaloupes. What Is Thought of the "East Texas" Country for Fruit Growing. Prof. T. V. Munson, the Grape Specialist, of Denison, says: Picking Peaches. "The soil throughout that section is just what the fruit growers need to grow the finest character of fruits." Prof. F. W. Mally, State Entomologist and ex-President of the Texas State Horticultural Society, says: "No section in the country presents such a rich and fertile soil, a soil so well adapted to the growing of fruits and vegetables." Mr. J. S. Kerr, Fruit Grower, of Sherman, says: "The red land belt of East Texas cannot be excelled for peaches. The specimens exhibited at the State meeting last July were as fine as I ever saw from any country." Mr. E. W. Kirkpatrick, of the McKinney Nursery Com- pany, says: "Too much cannot be said of that section as a fruit and vegetable country. The soils and topography are all that heart could wish. I regret that I did not discover this country earlier. Yes, sir, for fruit growing it is a veritable paradise." Mr. E. P. Stiles, ex-President of the Texas Horticultural Society, and a large fruit grower, says: "The country will grow as fine fruits * Cabbages are Profitably Grown. 24 as any country on earth. I was surprised at its richness and gen- eral topography." Prof. J. H. Connell, Director Texas Experimental Station, says: "These soils cannot be excelled for fruit and truck growing, and 1 feel sure their adaptability to these crops will soon be generally understood." Prof. B. C. Pittuck, Assistant Professor of Agriculture of the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, says: "This section throughout is a fine fruit country, and orchard planting will some day take hold of the people." The Following Reports, Furnished by the United States Department of Agriculture, Show the Immense Wealth of Texas and the Wonderful Possibilities of the Future. Texas Herefords. LIVE STOCK FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1901: Beef Cattle, Including all except milch cows. Texas leads all other States in number of head and total valuation. For the year ending January 1, 1901 4,887,795 Valued at $85,510,022 Thus Texas owns one-sixth of the total number of cattle in the United States, worth one-ninth of the valuation. Value of beef cattle marketed (1900), $30,000,000. 25 Milch Cows. For the year ending January 1, 1901 763,173 Valued at $19,270,127 •* Milch Cows. The value of the milk and butter consumed at home and mar- keted, $18,732,338. Swine. 2,418,032 head, valued at $11,256,020 804,508 head marketed and consumed at home 6,838,318 Sheep. 2,657,393 head, valued at $5,097,469 Wool, 7,972,178 pounds, valued at $1,195,826 Mutton 1,972,179 Annual total production. $3,168,005 As a sheep-producing State, Texas ranks seventh. Horses and Mules, to January 1, 1901. 1,238,209 horses, valued at $25,858,147 286,618 mules, valued at 10,082,645 1,524,827 head, valued at $35,940,792 Jacks and Jennets. 14,565 head, valued at $402,168 Texas owns one-twelfth of all the horses and one-eighth of all the mules in the United States. 26 Recapitulation. A (o Number of Head. Value. 4,887,795 cattle $ 85,510,022 763,173 milch cows 19,270,127 2,418,032 hogs 11,256,020 2,657,393 sheep 5,097,469 1,238,209 horses 25,858,147 286,618 mules 10,082,645 14,565 jacks and jennets 402,170 12,265,785 total farm animals $157,476,600 Total annual production for 1900, $58,732,338, sold and consumed (does not include horses and mules). Texas ranks highest in number of farm animals, producing more cattle and horses than any other State. While the average value of the live stock is not as high as in some States, the stock is being graded up and will soon be among the first in quality as well as quantity. Stock is raised at a very small expense compared with the cost in the Northern States, very little feeding being required during the short winter. For the year ending January 1, 1901, Texas had One-sixth of all the cattle in the United States. One-eighth of all the mules in the United States. One-twelfth of all the horses in the United States. One-eighteenth of all the hogs in the United States. One-nineteenth of all the sheep in the United States. One-twentieth of all the milch cows in the United -States. FARM PRODUCTS FOR 1900— GOVERNMENT REPORT. Cotton Production for the year 1900. The cotton crop of 1900 shows an increase of 1,046,738 bales over 1899. The crop of 1900 was more than one-third of the cotton 27 raised in the United States and one-fourth of the total grown in the world. 7,040,848 acres, producing 3,536,506 bales, valued at $159,148,770 1,768,253 tons of cotton seed, of which (esti- mated) 1,000,000 tons were man- ufactured into oil, producing 37,000,000 gallons, valued at 12,950,000 Other products 7,500,000 Total value of cotton crop for 1900 $179,598,770 Picking Cotton. Corn, 1900. 4,553,495 acres, producing 81,962,210 bushels, valued at $38,522,568 Wheat, 1900. 1,271,517 acres, producing 23,395,913 bushels, valued at $14,973,384 Marketing Oats. 28 Oats, 1900. 744,164 acres, producing 28,278,232 bushels, valued at $8,483,470 Rye, 1900. 3,917 acres, producing 64,630 bushels, valued at $43,302 Barley, 1900. 2,049 acres, producing 50,504 bushels, valued at $36,292 A WONDERFUL TOTAL. Total acreage in cultivation, 1900 18,060,421 Total value of farm products $274,947,051 Production of farm animals for 1900 58,732,338 Total value of farm products for 1900 $333,679,389 This is one-twelfth of the total wealth produced on the farms in the United States for 1900, being nearly one hundred dollars for each man, woman and child, while the average for the United States for 1900 is less than fifty dollars per capita. Hay, 1900. 304,933 acres, producing 548,879 tons, valued at $3,732,377 Rice, 1900. 125,000 acres, producing 1,250,000 barrels, valued at $3,750,000 Corn Scene. Fruits, Vegetables, Sugar, Tobacco and other products. 1,000,000 acres, producing products valued at $25,000,000 29 Potatoes, 1900. 14,798 acres, producing 916,918 bushels, valued at. duction Profit in Potato Raising — One Texas Farmer Made $880 on Seven Acres. That there is money to be made outside of cotton raising in Texas has been clearly demonstrated in thou- sands of instances. J. B. Richardson, a tenant on the Randolph farm just south- west of Sherman, this year gathered 1100 bushels of Irish potatoes from seven acres of land, which he sold at 80c per bushel, aggregat- ing $880, or about $125 per acre. On one acre he got 237 bushels. He used no fer- tilizer on any of the land, and attributes the large pro- on the especially prolific acre to its excellent drainage. A Bountiful Harvest. 30 HOW TEXAS IS SUBDIVIDED. For descriptive convenience, Texas has, by general custom, been divided geographically into five sections — Northern, Central, South- ern, Eastern, and Western Texas. By referring to the sectional map, it will be seen that these different sections are outlined as above described. A description of each of the forty-eight counties ' traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway is given. The crop reports have been compiled from statistics furnished by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Texas Agri- cultural Department, and from County Records. A comparison of the assessed valuations and the live stock re- ports for the years 1895 and 1900, gives a good idea of the rapid development. The decrease shown in number of live stock in some counties is accounted for by the pasture lands being put under cultivation and the replacing of the larger herds with graded stock of greater value. Union Station, St. Louis. 31 THE MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS RAILWAY. ITS RELATION TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. THE MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS RAILWAY SYSTEM, with more than twelve hundred (1200) miles of line in Texas, reaches, with its own rails, the more important cities and towns of forty counties in the State. Its main line in Texas is from Denison to Galveston, with branches to Wichita Falls, San Antonio, Mineola, and to Shreve- port, La. At Denison it connects with the main line from St. Louis, Hannibal and Kansas City, Mo. It has ex- cellent passenger and freight train service, and offers the most con- venient route for the traveler or homeseeker enroute to or from Texas. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- way is and has been for years an important fac- tor in the upbuilding of Texas, and the Texan points with pride to the "Katy" as one of the solid institutions of the State. One of the "Katy" Dining-rooms. "THE KATY" DINING STATIONS. First-Class Service. The Dining Stations on this line at Sedalia, Nevada, Parsons, South McAlester, Muskogee, Denison, Dallas, Hillsboro and Smith- ville, are the property of the Company, and are under the imme- diate supervision of Mr. F. E. Miller, Superintendent of Dining Service. These dining stations are not operated for profit. No expense is spared to supply the tables with all the delicacies of the season, prepared by "chefs" of acknowledged ability and experience. 32 NORTH TEXAS. "THE RED RIVER COUNTIES. -\ Grayson, Fannin, Cooke, Montague, Clay and Wichita Counties are located on the northern border along Red River. The general surface is rolling, with wide level valleys along the numerous streams. The bottom lands along the Wichita and Red rivers and their tributaries are well wooded, with walnut, bois d'arc, elm ^-— -^ and pecan, while in the eastern S \ counties of this group, notably in Fannin and Grayson Counties, are large tracts of hickory and oak. The soil is admirably adapt- ed to agriculture, and all stand- ard grains and vegetables are grown profitably. In the bottom lands along the streams the soil is a deep black loam. In other localities it is of black sandy, chocolate and sandy loam. In the central and southern parts of Fannin, Grayson and Cooke Counties, the soil is principally what is known as the black waxy soil, a soil that is rich and productive and capable of the most trying cultivation. These counties are well watered by numerous streams, by wells, at depths from 25 to 50 feet, and artesian wells from 600 to 800 feet in depth. Fannin, Grayson and Cooke Counties are noted for their enor- mous crops of small grain, cotton, corn, oats and hay (alfalfa is also grown very successfully), and fine stock (the hog industry is large), while Clay and Wichita Counties are noted for their large wheat and oat crops, and the big cattle interests. Realization. 34 COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT. COUNTY ASSESSED VALUATIONS TAXES LIVE STOCK 1895 1900 1895 1 900 No. of Head 1895 1900 VALUE 1895 1900 Cooke Montague . . . Clay Wichita $10,049,775 17,118,025 7,858,120 3,897,000 4,603,598 4,299,000 $10,890,345 19,597,702 8,573,030 6,718,930 4,940.319 3,469,430 $ 99,864 *67,089 83,146 46,931 46,251 40,196 $101,997 182,665 82,247 62,335 58,206 42,225 71,479 23,823 56,883 68,963 62,450 12,584 73,839 89.871 68,046 77,200 67,326 25,718 $828,080 88,841 526,900 114,410 619,160 145,545 $ 914.460 1,408,645 818,570 1,081,863 779,260 377,070 GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT, 1900. COUNTY COTTON CORN WHEAT AND OATS Fruits, Vegeta- bles and Other Products Total Value of Bales Seed, Tons Value Bushels Value Bushels Value Products Fannin Grayson . . . Cooke Montague . Clay 101,027 63,430 18,751 31,483 7,760 50,514 31,715 9,376 17,214 3,830 1 $5,152,383 3,224,930 956,307 1,758,900 395,760 3,100,000 2,750,000 2,010,000 75,000 100,000 100,000 $620,000 400,000' 714,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 641,700 3,250,000 2,375,000 250,000 815,000 3,200,000 $ 108,755 1,437,500 881,250 125,000 377,500 1,700,000 $365,000 437,600 401,100 120,000 167,750 140,000 $6,246,138 6,400,030 2,952,660 2,033,900 981,210 1,833,600 35 GRAYSON COUNTY. Area and Population. This county, organized in 1846, has an area of 613,708 acres, of which 409,000 acres are in cultivation. The soil is very productive -_ and has been brought to a high state of cultivation. . f- _^. The county has a population (1900) of 63,661, an increase of 10,450 over the census of 1890. Schools and Churches. There are 152 public schools and colleges, receiv- ing from the State school fund the sum of $69,750, ex- Corn, elusive of the appropriations allotted to the city schools for their support. There are 125 churches of leading denominations, with handsome and expensive edifices, in Denison, Sherman and other towns in the county. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated at $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands $10 to $25 per acre, according to quality, improvements and location, and may be bought on favorable terms. Banks. There are fourteen banks in the county, with deposits of over $4,797,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and several other lines traverse the county, affording easy access and the best of shipping facilities. Towns and Cities. The principal towns and cities located on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway are: DENISON, the northern gateway to Texas, is located three miles south of Red River. It is a modernly built, attractive city of 12,000 inhabitants, with good waterworks system, electric car lines, sev- eral large wholesale houses, an ice factory, a cotton mill, cotton gins. At Denison are located the large shops of the Missouri, Kansas & 37 Cultivating Cotton. Texas Railway, with a monthly pay-roll exceeding $100,000; several foundries, flouring, planing and knitting mills. In addition to the exceptional railway facilities, there is coal, ore and raw material of various kinds near at hand, which offer the most favorable inducements for the location of manufac- turing plants. The church and school facilities are of the best, the city having ten large brick school buildings and over thirty church organizations. SHERMAN, the county seat, is an important lumber, grain and cotton center, with a population of 11,500. Sherman, one of the important educational centers of the State, has nine colleges and a fine system of public schools. The city has a system of electric street railways, connecting the city with Denison. The water sup- ply is obtained from numerous artesian wells. The industrial enterprises consist of five wholesale houses, two cotton seed oil mills (one the largest in the world), two oil refin- eries, three large flouring mills, a cotton mill, several pressed brick plants, a packing house, several planing mills, two ice factories, two collar factories, one broom and three cigar factories, all doing a profitable business. Other Towns in the County, Whitewright, with a population of 3,000; Van Alstyne, 3,000; Whitesboro, 2,500; Collinsville, 1,000; Tioga, 750; Pottsboro, 500; Bells, 500; Sadler, 200, are all prosperous and thriving towns, with good schools and churches. They are located in a rich farming and stock country, with the best of railway facilities. Tioga has natural mineral springs, the waters of which possess wonderful curative properties. Dairy near Denison. 39 1 — Residence. 2 — Business Block. 3— Cotton Mill. 4 — Fannin County Court House. 5 — One of the Many Churches. FANNIN COUNTY. Fannin County Cattle. Area and Population. A Red River county, organized in 1838. Contains 570,240 acres with nearly 380,000 acres under cultivation, producing very large crops of cotton, corn, wheat and oats; fruits of all kinds do well. The fine stock interests are growing rapidly. The population is 51,793 (1900), an increase of 13,000 over the previous census. Schools and Churches. The schools are high grade, receiving from the State $4.75 for each school child. There are a number of colleges and business schools. All the religious denominations are represented, with many fine church buildings. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands $15 to $30 per acre. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway has recently extended its line from Denison to Bonham, the county seat, and in connection with one other line affords good transportation facilities. Towns and Cities. BONHAM, the county seat, is a progressive business city of 6,500 inhabitants. Grain, cotton and live stock shipments are large. Cotton and Corn near Bonham. It has a fine system of public schools, a number of colleges, ex- pensive churches, and handsome residences. Leading industries 41 1 — High School. 2 — Business Block. 3 — Sanitarium. 4— Hotel. 5 — Flouring Mill and Grain Elevator. 6 — Cotton Compress. are: Flouring mills, an ice factory, cotton seed oil mills, a cotton factory, planing mills, several cotton gins, and a furniture factory. Bonham is located in the heart of a rich and productive agricultural district. Other Towns. Honey Grove, with a population of 3,500; Ladonia, 200; Ra- venna, 200; Leonard, 200, are rapidly growing towns. COOKE COUNTY. Area and Population. This is almost exclusively a farm and stock-raising dis- trict. The county was or- ganized in 1849, and contains 597,120 acres, of which 300,- 000 acres are in cultivation. A Bountiful Oat Harvest. There are over 2,000 farms in the county. The population, as shown by the census of 1900, was 27,500. Schools and Churches. A fine system of 105 public schools receive from the State and County fund the sum of $32,053; and in addition, there are several colleges and business schools. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated at $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands from $10 to $25 per acre. Banks. The three National banks have deposits amounting to $1,124,492. Railway Facilities. The railroad facilities are good. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway traverses the county from east to west. Towns and Cities. The principal towns and cities located on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway are: GAINESVILLE, the county seat, an up-to-date city of 8,500 popu- lation, located in a rich farm and stock country. It has four large 43 flouring mills, cotton seed oil mills, cotton compresses, ice factories, foundry and machine shops, and is an important jobbing center, with several wholesale grocery, drug, hardware and implement houses. The city has fine schools and colleges, and a number of handsome churches. It is well built and is equipped with waterworks and electric lights. _ t The Other Towns in the County. Muenster (population 600) is a very prosperous German settle- ment. It is a thriving town, with all lines of business represented. This community has recently built a $40,000 church building. Val- ley View, with a population of 400; Myra, 300, and Lindsay, 200, all have good school and railway facilities, and are surrounded by a good farm and stock country. Registered Short Horns near Gainesville. MONTAGUE COUNTY. Area and Population. The county contains 583,566 acres, of which about 350,000 acres are in cultivation. The population (1900) was 25,000, an increase over the previous census of 7,000. The county is located in what is known as the "Upper Cross Timbers," and is about one-half prairie and one-half timber land. There are 4,600 farms in the county. The county was organized in 1848. The principal industry is farm- 44 ing and stock raising. Considerable attention has been given of late to fruit and vegetables, for which the soil, a sandy loam, is especially adapted. Schools and Churches. One hundred and eight schools, with a State school fund of $31,050, assure good educational advantages. There are more than 200 church organizations. Cost of Lands. Lands are cheap; improved lands costing unimproved lands $4 to $6. to $20 per acre; Banks. The county has four banks, with deposits amounting to $800,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway traverses the county from east to west, touching the principal towns, and affords ample shipping facilities. Towns. The principal towns are: St. Jo, Ringgold, Nocona, Bowie, Bonita, and Montague, the county seat. There are large deposits of asphalt near St. Jo, which are rapidly being developed. All the towns are well supplied with good business houses. Several cotton seed oil mills are scattered throughout the county. Sheep Ranch, Montague County. 46 CLAY COUNTY. Area and Cultivation. Organized in 1873, Clay County has a population of 9,231. It contains 718,080 acres, 40,000 acres under cultivation in its 800 farms. This is a fine stock district. Wheat is grown on a large scale, and the condition of the farmers and stockmen is flourishing. Schools and Churches. There are 41 schools, receiving from the State fund $20,807. There are 28 church organizations of leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are sold at $6 to $20 per acre, and unimproved lands $4 to $10 per acre, according to location and quality. Banks. There are three banks in the county, with deposits amounting to $460,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway runs east and west through the county, affording good shipping facilities. Towns. HENRIETTA has a population of 2,000. It is a promising town, with good stores, schools and churches, and is quite a cattle and grain center. Several other towns in the county are growing rapidly. Clay County Wheat Ranch. 48 1 — Flouring Mill and Elevator. 2 — High School. 3 — Panhandle National Bank. 4 — City National Bank. 5 — Victor Flouring Mill. WICHITA COUNTY. Area and Population. A county of 376,960 acres area, with 95,000 acres under culti- vation. The population is 5,806. This is one of the noted wheat and stock counties of North Texas, the soil heing especially adapted to the growing of grain. The level surface of the country enables one man to handle as much as 400 acres. Wheat growing, with stock raising, makes this a very profitable country for the farmer. The Red and Wichita River Valleys are fine corn producing lands. The county is especially noted for its fine stock. Schools and Churches. The county has twenty schools, receiving from the school fund $17,602 each year. At Wichita Falls is located a fine high school building, costing $40,000. The church organizations number twenty- six, representing all the leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are for sale at $10 to $20 per acre; unimproved lands from $4 to $10. Banks. The county has three banks, with deposits of $640,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and two other lines traverse the county and afford adequate shipping facilities. Towns. WICHITA FALLS, the county seat, has a population of 2,500. It is one of the important towns of this section of the State, and is well built, with good business blocks, a $40,000 high school building, fine church and school facilities, and handsome residences. The industries are: Three large flouring mills, ice factory, a large wholesale grocery house and a number of large implement houses. The city has recently installed a fine waterworks system, in connection with a large irrigation plant, to water more than 10,000 acres of land contiguous to the town. Iowa Park is another good town, surrounded by a good agricul- tural country, having good schools, churches and good business houses. 50 Near Wichita Falls is located the town of GERALDINE, a new townsite and colony recently founded by the American Tribune Colony Company, of which Mr. P. H. Fitzgerald, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, fame, is president. The colony, which is being rapidly settled by people from Northern States, contains about 120,000 acres of very fertile land. An excellent start has been made, and the colony bids fair to become a very important one in a short time. The new town is accessible either from Wichita Falls or from Holliday. A railroad line direct to the town is contemplated, and the rapid growth of Geraldine will make such a line a necessity within a short time. A large percentage of the shareholders are prosperous farmers from Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, etc. H. Specht's Ranch, Wichita County. 51 CENTRAL and SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS. "THE BLACK LAND COUNTIES." The "Black Land Belt," traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, embraces Hunt, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall, Dallas, Johnson, Ellis, Hill, McLennan, Bell, Williamson, Falls, Travis, Caldwell, Hays, Comal and Bexar Counties, the rich prairie section of Texas, between the Red River, North Texas, and the Gulf Coast counties. It is the largest rich body of prairie land in the world. The soil is especially adapted for raising corn, cotton, wheat and oats. Com- mercial fertilizers, so commonly used in the Northern and East- ern States, are not used at all. These black waxy lands, which have been in continuous culti- vation for more than thirty-five years, are today producing as large crops as when first put under cultivation. Good water is easily obtained, and in the towns and cities artesian wells furnish the water supply. The Brazos and Trinity rivers, and several other streams, flow through a number of the counties. The river lands are very rich and productive. Considerable timber along the streams furnishes an abundance of lumber for local use. In addition to the immense quantities of grain and cotton, this black land section produces large numbers of hogs and fine stock. Wheat Field. COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT. Showing Increased Values and Live Stock. COUNTY ASSESSED VALUATION 1895 TAXES 1895 1900 LIVE STOCK Xo. of Head, 1895 1900 VALUE 1895 1900 Hunt Collin Denton Tarrant Rockwall . . Dallas Johnson Ellis Hill McLennan.. Falls Bell Williamson Travis Caldwell ... Hays Comal Bexar 5 8,822,725 10,135,930 7,546,060 18,878,786 1,861,710 33,326,080 7,562,600 12,182,111 10,447,150 22,072,755 7,916,980 12,462,380 12,081,420 13,455,320 3,752,804 2,559,560 2,198,636 33,173,237 $ 9,814,435 13,036,960 7,721,065 19,895,250 2,821,590 34,097,790 8,965,650 14,857,795 10,801,165 23,147,161 8,893,040 13,050,120 13,163,220 13,854,950 4,645,390 2,938,400 2,442,203 35,183,002 > 96,262 $ 99,733 118,969 118,693 85,879 86,845 176,405 210,189 24,780 29,456 356,097 310,479 83,740 92,768 97,706 155,826 124,890 128,361 192,846 207,400 85,780 96,085 118,760 129,561 108,021 110,187 55,637 56,440 34,183 51,860 22,120 38,463 22,886 23,647 395,259 370,551 61,747 89,296 69,383 51,564 12,081 59,779 18,159 47,557 69,753 81,500 53,943 71,371 87,495 75,785 25,120 25,977 18,335 35,632 89,689 103,458 74,806 60,643 17,557 83,593 60,221 82,120 83,892 73,692 55,514 82,442 94,610 51,746 29,408 29,138 19,829 40,549 i 621,983 1,045,123 715,568 723,125 278,315 917,960 189,106 580,561 1,072,210 993,631 664,840 696,772 981,345 624,261 299,635 207,855 141,895 315,439 > 853,720 1,321,340 707,090 727,980 324,730 1,169,705 910,468 1,148,135 1,246,685 1,148,579 791,754 1,043,505 1,192,000 406,785 417,030 356,750 146,460 398,785 GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT, 1900. COUNTY COTTON CORN WHEAT AND OATS Bushels Value Fruits, Vege- tables and otherProducts RalA« 1 Seed, Bales | Tons Value Bushels Value Value Hunt Collin Denton Tarrant Rockwall Dallas Johnson Ellis Hill McLennan Falls Bell Williamson . . . Travis 83,752 70,963 40,000 30,868 22,202 59,970 42,790 126,134 85,660 86,447 61,450 66,276 104,761 71,899 41,876 35,482 23,000 15,434 12,000 29,985 21,395 63,070 42,830 43,224 30,725 33,100 52,380 35,950 $4,271,352 3,618,119 1,890,000 1,574,300 1,132,300 3,058,470 2,182,290 6,432,840 4,368,660 4,508,800 3,133,950 3,379,600 5,342,805 3,667,000 3,345,690 3,750,000 520,000 2,121,900 875,000 3,200,000 1,300,000 1,500,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,894,675 2,100,000 2,420,000 870,000 $1,672,845 1,500,000 170,000 848,700 340,000 1,280,000 520,000 750,000 1,200,000 800,000 947,330 840,000 968,000 435,000 670,000 1,425,000 2,500,000 525,000 1,200,000 3,400,000 1,500,000 1,340,000 2,000,000 1,220,000 223,500 1,380,000 280,000 410,000 $ 199,000 637,500 3,100,000 185,400 435,000 1,175,000 825,000 578.000 850,000 450,000 182,500 690 000 93,000 130,000 $ 463,700 961,200 660,900 442,800 360,000 1,038,800 620,000 1,065,000 750,000 780,500 340,000 580,000 270,000 610,000 53 HUNT COUNTY. Area and Population. This county, organized in 1846, contains 557,715 acres, of which 446,100 acres are in cultivation. The population in 1900 was 47,295, showing an increase of 16,400 over the last census. This is a fine farming county, the lands being rich and productive, and the fine stock interests are large. There are over 3,700 farms in the county. Schools and Churches. There are 156 school houses in the county, receiving for their support the sum of $68,745. In addition to the public schools there are a number of fine colleges and private schools. The churches number 80, of the leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands $5 to $15. Banks. The county has six banks, with deposits amounting to $1,230,000. Railway Facilities. In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are six other lines, giving exceptionally good shipping facilities. Towns and Cities Located on the line of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, are: Near Greenville. GREENVILLE, the county seat, with a population of 7,500, hav- ing a fine system of public schools, also six colleges and normals, 54 1 — Cotton Compress. 2— High School. 3 — In the Residence District. 4— M. K. & T. Ry. Depot. 5 — Flouring Mill and Grain Elevator. and several handsome church edifices. It is a well built city, and an important business center. Among the leading industries are two large cotton seed oil mills, an oil refinery, cotton compresses, a cotton mill, four flouring mills, two hardwood factories, and a creamery. Other Towns. Celeste with 2,000, Kingston with 200, Wolfe City with 2,500, Commerce with 2,500, and Lone Oak with 1,500 population; all are good, industrious towns, in the midst of a rich agricultural country. COLLIN COUNTY. Area and Population. The county contains 566,420 acres, of which 550,000 acres are in cultivation. The population has increased very rapidly during the past few years. In 1900 it was 50,087, an increase over the previous census of 13,351. The farm lands are in a high state of cultivation, producing large crops of grain, cotton and alfalfa. It is a good stock country, shipping large numbers of hogs and cattle annually. Schools and Churches. It is well supplied with schools and churches, having 160 schools, employing 225 teachers; receiving for their support $69,348. There are in addition to the public schools five high schools, six colleges, several business colleges and academies of music. The churches are represented by some 200 organizations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated from $40 to $60 per acre; unimproved lands from $12 to $30. Banks. Eight banks in the county have deposits amounting to $2,050,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and four other lines afford the best of transportation facilities in all directions. Towns. The county contains a great many small, progressive towns, all situated in thickly settled farming districts. McKinney, the county seat, is a thriving city of 4,500 in- habitants, located nearly in the center of the county. It has fifteen 56 22 cCO U.CO I I O (J) *£ = ° i.E — -M o OO 1 I = 12 fine church buildings, a complete school system, with several large colleges and academies of music, a fine court house, a large packing house, three flouring mills and elevators, waterworks and electric light plants, two wholesale grocery houses, one wholesale drug house, and a number of other industries. Farmersville, with a population of 2,000, has several steam cotton gins, a flouring mill, a number of good church buildings, a high school, and many mercantile establishments. Collin County Hogs. DENTON COUNTY. Area and Population. A county of 581,760 acres, 290,000 acres being under cultivation. Organized in 1846, it has a population of 30,000, an increase over the census of 1890 of 9,711. Large crops of corn, wheat, oats, cotton and alfalfa are produced. The county is noted for its fine stock. Schools and Churches. The county has 96 public schools, receiving from the State and County over $35,000 for their support. At Denton is located the "North Texas Normal," and several private schools. The churches are well represented by over 100 organizations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $20 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands $10 to $25 per acre. Banks. There are seven banks in the county, with deposits of $1,088,500. 58 oCC H £* Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway traverses the county with its main line and with the Dallas branch from Denton. There is one other railway in the county. Towns. There are a number of good towns in the county, among which are: DENTON, the county seat, with a population of 4,300, is a most attractive city, with fine school and church facilities, cotton seed oil mills, ice factories, several flouring mills and elevators, an excellent system of waterworks, electric light plant, several brick and tile plants, canning factory, and a planing mill. The business Feeding Cattle near Denton. houses are substantial buildings, and there are many beautiful resi- dences. The court house is a very handsome structure, costing $132,000. Large shipments of flour, grain, hogs, cattle, brick, tile and pottery are annually made. Other Towns. Pilot Point, with a population of 2,000; Lewisville, 1,200; Au- brey, 500; Roanoke, 300, are all good towns doing a thriving busi- ness, and showing a steady growth. 60 DO I I in id ifc ns OI + 1 v. o.t: OLO I I 00 <* ^O I J, TARRANT COUNTY. Area and Population. This county dates from 1850, and has an area of 556,000 acres, of which 190,700 acres are in cultivation. The population is 52,376, showing an increase over the previous census of 11,234. It is a fine farming district, and considerable attention is paid to fine stock. Schools and Churches. There are in the county 104 public schools, receiving for their support from the State and County $28,736. In addition to the county schools, Ft. Worth has twenty modern school buildings, a fine high school, five colleges, and a number of private schools. There are 120 church organizations, with many handsome edifices. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated from $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands from $10 to $25 per acre. Banks. The county has nine banks, with deposits of $5,000,000. Railway Facilities. Besides the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are eight other lines traversing the county, affording the best of transpor- tation facilities. Towns and Cities. Ft. Worth, the county seat (population, 28,000), is one of the principal cities of Texas; Arlington, with a population of 1,600; Mansfield, 1,200; Grapevine, 1,200, are the principal towns. There are a number of smaller towns, baving good schools, churches, and rail- way facilities. FT. WORTH Is an important railroad, live stock and commercial center, having a population of 28,000, with fine business blocks, large office build- ings, 42 handsome churches, 15 commodious public school buildings, the Polytechnic College, St. Ignatius Academy, Ft. Worth Uni- versity, fine law and medical colleges, several business colleges, many miles of paved streets, extensive electric car lines, makes Ft. Worth an attractive city. A Few of the Industries are: Six wholesale grain firms, three grain elevators, four wholesale grocery houses, two wholesale furniture houses, one wholesale drug 62 house, one wholesale dry goods house, twelve wholesale and retail hardware houses, one wholesale hat house, nine wholesale lumber firms, five ice factories, large packing houses, two large flouring mills, daily capacity 1700 barrels; cotton seed oil mills, two whole- sale crockery houses, and a number of other industries. Ft. Worth has nine banks, with deposits exceeding $5,000,000. It is the most important packing house center southwest of Kansas City. Two of the large packing houses of the North are here, and extensive improvements are now being made. The milling interests are large, and vast quantities of flour are exported; the same is true of the packing house products. Many Fine Buildings. The Tarrant County court house, built of Texas granite, costing $400,000, is among the finest of its class in the United States. The Federal building, costing $175,000, built of red sand stone, is a most attractive building. The Carnegie Library building is one of the points of interest in the city. The vast buildings of the breweries represent an investment of over one million dollars. The New Union Station is the finest south of St. Louis. The many lofty office buildings, numerous business blocks, fine hotels and many handsome residences, compare most favorably with those of any city much larger than Ft. Worth. The Ft. Worth Board of Trade takes a most active interest in • the city's welfare, and has been the means of locating many large industries. There are nine railway lines, including the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, centering in Ft. Worth. Tarrant County Cotton, 63 ROCKWALL COUNTY. Rockwall County Wealth. Area and Population. This is the smallest coun- ty in the State, having an area of 96,000 acres, of which 76,000 acres are in culti- vation. The county was, population of 8,531. The farm organized in 1873, and has a lands are fertile and productive. Schools and Churches. The schools number 26, receiving from the State and County fund the sum of $12,000. In addition to the public schools there are two high grade colleges. The religious denominations number 30. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $40 to $60 per acre; unimproved lands $15 to $25 per acre. Banks. Three banks in the county have deposits of $300,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway affords the county transportation and shipping facilities north, east, south and west. Towns. ROCKWALL, the county seat, with a population of 1,500, is the largest and most important town, having good business buildings, fine schools and churches, two cotton seed oil mills, several grain ' elevators, and many attractive residences. Royse, with 1,000, and Fate, with 600, are the other principal towns. Harvest Scene near Rockwall. 64 DALLAS COUNTY. Area and Population. There are 572,249 acres in this county, of which 430,000 acres are in cultivation. It was organized in 1846, and now has a popu- lation of 82,726, an increase over the previous census of 5,684. It is the most populous county in the State, and among the first in tax- able values. Schools and Churches. There are in the county 152 schools, receiving for their support the sum of $123,086. In addition, there are four colleges, two medi- cal schools, and a number of fine business colleges. The county has 225 religious organizations, with many handsome and expensive churches. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $10 to $20 per acre. to $50 per acre; unimproved lands 65 Banks. The banking facilities are the best. There are seven banks, with deposits of over $7,800,000. Railway Facilities. In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, eight other lines traverse the county, affording transportation facilities in every direction. Cities and Towns. Dallas, the county seat, is one of the most important eities of Texas. Lancaster, with 1,200, and several other towns, afford good home markets. DALLAS. One of the most important manufacturing and wholesale centers in the Southwest, with a population of over 70,000. It is a modern, thriving commercial center, with exceptional railroad facilities, and located in the center of the richest and most thickly settled portion of the State. Its churches, fine business blocks, office buildings, big mercantile and manufacturing establishments, elegant resi- dences, paved streets, and electric railway lines, make it one of the most attractive cities of the Southwest. The educational facilities are of the highest order; twenty private schools, sixteen public schools, several business colleges, convents, medical colleges, and conservatories of music, are included in the list. There are 48 church edifices, many of them handsome and expensive, repre- senting all the different denominations. A Large Wholesale Center. The volume of the wholesale trade of Dallas is estimated as follows: Agricultural implements $15,000,000 Groceries 6,000,000 Hardware 1,250,000 Dry goods and clothing 3,000,000 Leather, saddlery, harness, etc 3,250,000 Tobacco and cigars 1,000,000 Drugs and liquors 2,500,000 Coal 2,500,000 Meat, packed 1,200,000 Boots and shoes 600,000 Miscellaneous 300,000 Total $36,600,000 67 3 3 CO £0 I I o £° 3 4) OX Q.+ 1 I I ■D+J x ra \-< I J, Dallas is the second largest distributing point for agricultural implements in the world, and ranks first in the United States in the manufacture of saddlery and harness goods. There are five banks, with deposits exceeding $6,500,000; also a number of loan and trust companies, affording an abundance of money for all enterprises. Factories. The Government Census Bulletin, issued January, 1901, shows Dallas has Per cent 1900. 1890. of inc. Number of establishments 373 312 1.6 Capital $6,897,015 $6,250,118 10.4 Wage-earners — average number. . . 3,756 3,556 5.7 Miscellaneous expenses 665,954 595,257 11.9 Cost of materials used, including the custom work and repairing 6,270,870 4,354,769 44.0 Value of products 11,480,499 9,054,766 26.8 Among the most prominent are:. A hat and shoe factory, two large packing houses, a large cotton mill, brewery, oil refineries, trunk, cigar, saddlery and harness factories. The Dallas Commercial Club, an organization composed of the prominent business men of the city, takes a most active interest in the welfare of the city, and has done much to make Dallas a great wholesale and manufacturing center. THE GREAT TEXAS STATE FAIR. Is held at Dallas each Fall, and is conceded to be the largest combined Fair, Exposition and Race Meet in the United States. Since its organization, fifteen years ago, it has paid out more than $750,000 in premiums, purses and attractions, and more than a half million dollars for buildings and permanent improvements. Its grounds contain 200 acres. It has a full mile regulation trotting track, and seven-eighths of a mile running track. Its grand- stand will seat 5,000 persons. It has six miles of gravel drives and walks throughout the grounds, protected by shade trees and adorned with ornamental shrubbery and beautiful flower beds. The Exposition building contains 70,000 square feet of floor space, Machinery Hall contains 30,000 square feet, and the Imple- ment and Vehicle Departments have more than 80,000 square feet. The Poultry Department has room for 4,000 birds; the Live Stock Department has stalls for 500 head of cattle, 300 head of exhibition 69 horses, and 750 head of hogs; the Racing Department has 580 box stalls for the flyers. The magnificent Music Hall has 3,300 opera chairs, besides the immense seating space of the balconies and galleries. The Ladies' Art, Textile and Culinary Department Hall is a model of comfort and convenience, with floor space of 26x400 feet. The new Floral Hall has more than 6,000 square feet. The Farm and Mill Department, having 21x300 feet of floor space, is where the products of Texas are displayed for the home- seeker. The purses of the Racing Department amount to over $30,000 each year. The outlay for the "Attracting List" will be equal to this amount, and the premiums in the Live Stock Department are as large as those of any other State Fair in the country. The Exhibition Kennels, 60x150 feet, are for the use of the Bench Show, and have room for more than 400 dogs. The large exhibit of fine stock is one of the prominent features of the Fair, and the stock is as fine as can be seen in any State. JOHNSON COUNTY. Area and Population. This county, organized in 1854, has an area of 462,122 acres, with 230,000 acres in cultivation. The population is 33,819, an increase of 11,506 over the census of 1890. It is a fine farming and stock county; the lands are rich and productive. The fine stock interests are very important. Schools and Churches. The county has 96 schools, receiving $44,795 from the State and County school funds. There are six colleges and private schools, and 125 churches in the county. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $20 to $40 per acre; unimproved lands $10 to $15 per acre. Banks. Five banks in the county have deposits amounting to over $1,250,000. 70 Railway Facilities. The county has good transportation facilities in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and two other railway lines. Towns. CLEBURNE, the county seat, with a population of 9,000, and modern improvements, is a well built city, with fine business blocks and many handsome residences. The schools are the best. Cotton and Corn near Alvarado. The city has many expensive churches. There are a number of important industries, such as two cotton seed oil mills, cotton com- press, two ice factories, creamery, flouring mills and elevators, two wholesale grocery and dry goods houses. Other Towns. Alvarado, with 2,000 population, is an important business point, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, surrounded by a very rich and productive agricultural country. Grand View, with 1,500; Venus, with 800; Burleson, with 500, and Joshua, with 500, are all live, growing towns, with good schools, churches and business firms. ELLIS COUNTY. Area and Population. This is one of the richest farming counties in the State, having an area of 620,160 acres, of which 413,500 acres are in cultivation, producing annually large crops of corn, cotton and grain. A great deal of attention is given to fine stock. The county was organized in 1850. The census of 1900 shows a population of 50,059, an in- crease over the 1890 census of 18,285. Schools and Churches. One hundred and forty public schools receive from the school fund the sum of $94,660. Five colleges, several private schools and academies of music, afford excellent educational facilities. There are in the county 135 church organizations of leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated at $35 to $60 per acre; unimproved lands $20 to $35 per acre. Banks. The banks number 14, with deposits of $2,370,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and four other roads, furnisn the transportation facilities. Towns and Cities. WAXAHACHIE, the county seat, is an attractive city of 6,000 in- habitants. It is a modern city, with fine business blocks and many beautiful residences. It is famous as the largest interior cotton market in the world, disposing, in one year, of 65,000 bales of cotton, the largest amount of cotton ever purchased direct from the growers. Many thousand head of cattle are fattened each year. During the year 1901 the farmers of the county marketed $250,000 worth of mules. The leading industries are: A $175,000 cotton mill, two large cotton seed oil mills, ice factories, flouring mills and elevators, and three wholesale grocery houses. The court house, built of Texas granite and red sand stone, cost $175,000. It is one of the most handsome buildings of its kind 73 in the country. The schools and churches are the best, and would be a credit to a city many times larger. Other Important Towns. Ennis, population, 7,000; Italy, 2,500; Milford, 2,000; Ferris, 2,000; Palmer, 1,500; Midlothan, 1,500, are all live, industrious towns, with substantial business firms, the best of schools and churches, and surrounded by a rich farming and stock country. Cultivating Cotton near Waxahachie. HILL COUNTY. Area and Population. One of the rich farming counties of Central Texas. Hill County has an area of 659,200 acres, of which 495,000 acres are in cultiva- tion. The population (1900) was 41,355, showing an increase over the previous census of 13,772. It is a very rich farming country, the principal crops being corn, cotton, wheat and oats. The live stock interests are important, and the hog industry has grown rapidly during the past few years. Schools and Churches. The county has 133 public schools, receiving from the State school fund $56,335. There are ten private schools and colleges, and at Hillsboro is located a fine Conservatory of Music. It has 135 church organizations, with handsome and expensive edifices. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated from $20 to $40 per acre; unimproved lands from $10 to $25 per acre. 74 1 — Hill County Court House. 2— M. K. & T. Ry. Depot and Dining Station. 3— Hillsboro Cotton Mill. 4— Cotton Seed Oil Mill. 5 — Bird's-eye View of Hillsboro. Banks. The deposits of the eleven banks amount to $1,350,000. Railway Facilities. The county has the best of shipping facilities; the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and five other lines traverse the county. Towns. HILLSBORO, the county seat, with a population of 7,500, is a well built town, with modern improvements. The business blocks are composed of expensive and costly buildings. The leading industries are: A cotton mill, several flour- ing mills, cotton seed oi'l mills, one of the largest cotton com- presses in the State, ice factory, broom factory, and two wholesale grocery houses. Hillsboro is a large grain and live stock center. These Little Pigs Go to Market. „ . ,, „ -, nrv ., During the year of 1901, over 300 cars of hogs were, shipped to California, and over 400 cars of horses, mules and cattle were shipped north. The schools are of the best, and there are many handsome churches and beautiful residences. Other Towns. Itaska, with 3,000 population; Hubbard, 4,000; Mt. Calm, 1,500; Abbott, 800, and Blum, 500; also a number of others. These are all important trading centers, located in a rich farming country. Farm near Hillsboro. 76 Mclennan county. Area and Population. Situated in the center of the black land belt and about the center of the State, this county has an area. of 693,120 acres, of which 460,000 are in cultivation. It is a rich, productive county, with a population of 59,772, showing the remarkable increase over the census of 1890 of 20,568. The county was organized in 1850. Schools and Churches. McLennan County has 137 public schools, receiving from the State and County school fund $129,823; seven fine colleges, several private schools and two business colleges. There are 140 church organizations in the county, having many large and expensive edifices. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $25 to $40 per acre; unimproved $12 to $15 per acre. Banks. The deposits of eleven banks amount to $3,500,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, in addition to eight other lines, traverse the county, affording exceptionally good rail- road facilities. Towns and Cities. WACO, the county seat, is one of the important cities of Texas. It has a population of 22,000, and is an enterprising, progressive city. All lines of business are represented on a large scale, and an enormous business is transacted. It is the Athens of Texas, having a fine system of public schools, seven large prosperous colleges, several business colleges, and a number of private schools. Other Towns. Moody, with a population of 1,300; McGregor, 1,500; Crawford, 550, and West, 900, are thriving towns, doing a large business; with fine schools and churches, and good railway facilities. 77 WACO, THE CENTRAL CITY OF TEXAS, Is one of the important commercial and educational centers of Texas. The volume of business in 1901 amounted to over $30,000,000. The Census Bureau Bulletin, issued January, 1901, shows Waco has: Industrial establishments numbering 166 Capital invested $2,096,741 Wage-earners, average number 1,227 Total wages $ 469,129 Miscellaneous expenses 222,381 Cost of material used, including custom work and repairing 1,477,642 Value of products 2,693,907 Waco has 166 factories, among the most important being: Iron, wood, awning and tent, mattress, ice, brick, wagon and buggy fac- tories, one, alone employing over 500 hands. The other industries are: Flouring mills and elevators, two large wholesale houses, cotton and woolen mill, wholesale shoe house, cotton seed oil mills, packing house, wholesale dry goods house, nine implement and machine houses, wholesale saddlery and harness house, four cotton compresses. The Educational Facilities are Unequaled. A fine system of public schools, with a good high school; Baylor University, Add-Ran University, Academy of the Sacred Heart, Saint Basil's College, Paul Quinn's College, three business colleges, Conservatory of Music, twelve private schools, and ten ward schools. Waco has many handsome and costly churches. Railway Facilities. Thirty passenger trains every day leave and arrive. Ten rail- road outlets, including the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, afford the finest shipping facilities. Many Improvements Are Being Made. During 1901 the amount expended for new buildings exceeded $1,000,000, including a new court house, a new suspension bridge (eighth largest in the United States), a packing house, Baylor Uni- versity building, Saint Basil's College, an ice storage plant, the new $50,000 depot of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, grain ele- vators, etc. Waco has one of the finest Natatoriums in the country; a fine system of waterworks, supplied by 23 artesian wells; fine electric 79 street car service, two electric light plants, and one gas plant; the largest auditorium in the State, with a seating capacity of 5,000. Waco has two active and efficient organizations for promoting commerce, manufactories and industrial enterprises, the Waco Business Men's Club and the Young Men's Business Club. . ■ * j flf * Cattle and Corn near Waco. BELL COUNTY. Area and Population. A Central Texas black land county, with an area of 656,000 acres, of which 430,000 acres are in cultivation. The lands are very- productive. Large crops of grain and cotton are raised. The live stock interests are given much attention. The population is 46,000, an increase over the census of 1890 of 12,663. The county was or- ganized in 1850. Schools and Churches. The country has 144 schools, receiving for their support the sum of $83,465. At Belton there are five large colleges. The churches number 185, with many handsome and expensive edifices. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $30 to $10 to $25 per acre. 80 per acre; unimproved lands 1 — Bell County Court House and Opera House. 2— Cotton Seed Oil Mill. 4— Methodist Church. 3— Baptist Church. 5— M. K. & T. Ry. Depot. Banks. Eleven banks in the county have deposits of $2,000,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and another line afford good shipping facilities. Cities and Towns. BELTON, the county seat, has a population of 4,500. It is one of the important educational centers of the State, having a fine system of public schools and five large colleges, several private schools and schools of music. Belton has a $100,000 cotton mill, a cotton seed oil mill and several flouring mills. Temple, the railroad center of the county, has a population of 6,000, a fine system of schools, and many handsome churches. The jobbing interests are large. The town does a large cotton business. Railroad shops, located here, give steady employment to a large number of men, as also does the cotton compress and an oil mill. There are a number of other thriving towns in the county, among them: Holland with 500 population and Troy with 250. ^Ira^ff^A- *^~ Sheep Ranch, Bell County. 82 WILLIAMSON COUNTY. Area and Population. This is among the richest agricultural counties in the State. It was organized in 1840, and contains 766,080 acres, of which about two-thirds is in cultivation. The surface of the county is undulating, with a wooded area embracing about a fourth of the county. The soil of the prairie is the stiff, black, waxy kind, producing heavy yields of cotton, corn, wheat and oats. Fruits and vegetables are grown to per- Of Good Breeding. fection. Stock raising is profitable. The county has many herds of fine stock. The census of 1900 gives the population as 38,072. Schools and Churches. The educational facilities are good, the county having over one hundred and fifty public and private schools. The appropriation received from the public school fund is $43,286. The Southwestern University of Texas, one of the finest schools of its kind in the South, is located at Georgetown. The religious organizations are represented by many costly church buildings. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $20 to $5 to $15 per acre. per acre; unimproved lands Banks. Ten banks in the county have deposits amounting to $860,000. Railway Facilities. The county has two railroads. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes, from north to south, through the center of the county. Towns and Cities. TAYLOR (population, 6,500) is the principal railroad and com- mercial center of this section of the State. It has a number of large 83 1 — Fine Horse Ranch near Taylor. 2 — Flouring Mill. 3 — Public Square. 4 — Farm near Taylor. 5 — Main Street. wholesale jobbing houses, cotton seed oil mills, a cotton factory, cotton compresses, ice factories, electric light and power plants; a fine system of public schools, colleges and private schools. Its churches are expensive, and the city is beautified by a large num- ber of handsome residences. It is a modern city of progressive busi- ness men and growing industries. Other Towns. GEORGETOWN, the county seat, population 3,500, has good pub- lic schools, colleges and many costly church edifices. Here is located the Southwestern University, and the Texas Chautauqua grounds, which, each summer, brings a large number of visitors to the city. A large volume of business is transacted annually. Bartlett, with 1,000 population; Round Rock, 1,000; Hutto, 1,500; Liberty Hill, 1,000, and Lelander, 800, are the other important busi- ness towns of the county; all progressive, pushing towns with a future. Near Taylor. 85 FALLS COUNTY. Area and Population. Situated nearly in the center of the State, Falls County, or- ganized in 1850, contains 496,640 acres, about one-third of which is in cultivation. The popula- tion (1900) was 33,342. This is distinctly a farming coun- ty. The bottom lands are exceedingly fertile and adapt- ed specially to the growth of cotton, corn and fruit. A large part of the fruits grown in the State come from this county. About half of the county is black rolling prairie land; the remainder, in the Brazos bottom and brown sandy upland, is covered Cutting Clover. witll timber. In the county are several large flouring mills, two cotton seed oil mills, cotton gins and cotton compresses. Schools and Churches. The county has one hundred and ten public schools, receiving from the State school fund $41,605. There are one hundred and fifty churches, representing the leading religious organizations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $8 to $15 per acre. to $40 per acre; unimproved lands Banks. Four banks, with deposits of $550,000, do the banking business of the county. Railway Facilities. Three lines of road traverse the county. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes through the western part. Towns. • MARLIN, the county seat (population, 3,200), is one of the noted health resorts of the State. The waters have wonderful curative 86 1-2-5 — State University Buildings. 3 — High School. 4 — Post Office. powers for rheumatism. The hotel accommodations are excellent, and the bathing facilities unsurpassed. It is an important busi- ness center, with a large number of mercantile houses. In addition to the public schools there are several private schools and colleges, many costly churches and many attractive residences. Other Towns. •Groesbeck, population 1,500; Lott, 700, and Chilton, a00, are all progressive business centers. TRAVIS COUNTY. Area and Population. A county with 260,000 acres in cultivation out of a total area of 568,742 acres. The population is 47,386, showing an incref.se over the census of 1890 of 11,064. Schools and Churches. The public schools number 102, and receive for their support $49,000. At Austin are located twelve colleges, the State University and Law School, making this an important educational center of Texas. There are over 100 church organizations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands $5 to $10 per acre. Banks. The county has four banks, with deposits of $3,750,000. Railway Facilities. In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are three other railways in the county, affording excellent railroad facilities. Cities and Towns. AUSTIN, the capital of the State, with a population of 23,000, is the great educational center of Texas, having twelve colleges, among them the State University and Law School, a fine system of public schools, and many handsome churches. Here is located the- State Capitol, a very handsome and imposing structure, costing over three and a half million dollars, and being the seventh building in size in the world. The city has many important industries, is modern in every particular, and has numerous large, imposing busi- ness buildings and handsome and expensive residences. Other Towns. Manor, with 500 population; Merrilltown, 101), and New Sweden with 100, are growing towns. Angora Goat Ranch. CALDWELL COUNTY. Area and Population. Contains 338,239 acres, of which a third is in cultivation. The county was organized in 1848, and has a population of 21,765. The Clark Library, Lockhart. general surface is level; the black, waxy prairie soil yields large crops of corn and cotton, fruits and vegetables. Stock raising is carried on extensively all over the county. 89 Schools and Churches. Caldwell County has sixty schools, with an annual State ap- propriation of $27,460. The church organizations are represented by forty churches of the leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $10 to $30 per acre. to $50 per acre; unimproved lands Banks. The county has three banks, with deposits of $300,000. Railway Facilities. Three lines of road afford good shipping facilities. The Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas Railway enters the county on the east and passes through the north-central part. Towns and Cities. LOCKHART, the county seat (population, 3,000), is the largest town in the county. It is well built, thoroughly modern, with fine public schools, several costly churches, a fine public library, and many attractive residences. The leading industries are two cotton seed oil mills, two cotton compresses, one brick plant, soap factory, broom factory, ice and cold storage plant, and a large wholesale grocery house. Other Towns. Luling, population 2,000; Maxwell, 500; Martindale, 300, are all important, thriving towns. • \ Hfet ■^t" ^rfj$$wmMk* fe m 1 I T""* is - - • mlr ' - *' ' . ' *WS«H15 — -'--" • ., , ' *>*-^>^- Christian Church, Lockhart. 90 HAYS COUNTY. Area and Population. The county, organized in 1848, contains 436,120 acres, of which a fifth is in cultivation. The population is 14,142. The prairie lands are the black P B f"~ V "Katy" Scenery. waxy and very productive. The principal crops are cot- ton, corn, oats, fruits and vegetables. The county is well watered by the Blanco and San Marcos rivers. The San Marcos river, so fa- mous for its matchless beauty and wonderful springs, has its source near the town of San Marcos, and gushes from the mountain side a full-grown river. It furnishes water power sufficient for manufactories of large capacity. Schools and Churches. There are forty schools in the county, receiving from the State school fund $17,600. In addition, there are two large colleges. The leading religious organizations are represented by about forty-five churches. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $5 to $15 per acre. to $40 per acre; unimproved lands Banks. There are three banks in the county, with deposits amounting to $425,000. Railway Facilities. Two lines of road furnish good shipping facilities. The Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes through the eastern part of the county. Towns. SAN MARCOS, the county seat (population, 2,300), is the most important town in the county, and does a flourishing business in all lines. It is located in a rich farming and stock county, and 92 e= MQ CD. n has a large wholesale grocery house, two large cotton seed oil mills, a number of cotton gins, waterworks and electric light plant. Here also are located the U. S. Fish Hatcheries. The San Marcos river, passing through the town, fur- nishes power for a large num- ber of manufacturing plants. It has several public schools, also the M. B. Church College. The city has many costly churches and attractive residences. Other Towns. Kyle, population 1,000; Buda, 500, and Dripping Springs, are important business points. COMAL COUNTY. Area and Population. Organized in 1846, it contains 420,720 acres. The census of 1900 shows the population to be 7,008, consisting almost wholly of thrifty and industrious Germans. The soil is black waxy and very rich, producing large crops of corn, cotton, oats, fruits and vege- tables. Fine stock raising is given much attention and has proven a very profitable industry. Schools and Churches. There are a number of schools in the county, which receive from the school fund $7,647. Most of the religious organizations are well represented. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $40 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands $5 to $20 per acre. Railway Facilities. The county has good transportation facilities furnished by two roads. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes through the central portion of the county. Towns. NEW BRAUNFELS, the county seat (population, 2,100), is the most important town in the county. The Comal river furnishes ample 94 water power for extensive manufactories. The town has a large cotton seed oil mill, flouring mills, cotton gins, electric power and light plant, and a number of large mercantile houses, a fine system of public schools, many churches and attractive residences. Cattle Feeding near New Braunfels. BEXAR COUNTY. Area and Population. Situated in the heart of Southwestern Texas, this county ranks second in population and taxable value. It is one of the oldest counties in the State, being settled in 1689, and organized in 1838. It contains 752,000 acres, of which 160,000 acres are in cultivation. The soil of the county is a black sandy loam and black waxy. The principal crops are cotton and corn, fruits and vegetables. The stock interests are large. The county has a population of 73,367, an increase since the 1890 census of nearly 20,000. Schools and Churches. The educational facilities are of the best, being represented by 150 schools, several colleges, private schools and business colleges. The public schools receive from the State school fund $132,292. The church organizations number 95, represented by many hand- some and expensive buildings. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $20 to $5 to $10 per acre. 95 per acre; unimproved lands < ■am si O 10 8 s bo? D.9 Q . hi . c I I Schools and Churches. There are 107 schools, employing 204 teachers and receiving from the school fund $33,608. There are 120 church organizations with many handsome buildings. Cost of Lands. Improved lands may be purchased at $20 to $30 per acre; unim- proved lands at $5 to $15 per acre. Banks. Three banks have on deposit over $275,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, in addition to another line, affords good transportation facilities. Towns. BASTROP, the county seat (population, 3,000), has good schools, churches, and a number of large mercantile establishments. The town has a good system of waterworks and electric lights, cotton seed oil mill, and several other industries. Smithville, an important di- vision point on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, is the largest town in the county, having a population of 3,500. The shops of the railway are lo- cated here, giving employment to a large number of men. The town has a good system of public schools, fine churches, a Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation building, cotton seed oil mill, compress, and good mercan- tile houses. Elgin, with 2,000 population, is located in a fine country, and enjoys a large trade. It is the junction of the M. K. & T. and H. & T. C. Rys. All mercantile lines are well represented. The schools are of the highest order, and the leading religious denominations are represented by handsome churches. A Star Crop. 108 FAYETTE COUNTY. Area and Population. This is among the oldest counties in the State. Organ- ized in 1837, it contains 526,320 acres, of which 210,000 acres are in cultivation, and Has a population of 36,542, mostly in- dustrious German farmers. The soil is very productive; the crop report of 1900 shows the county produced 40,832 bales of cotton, valued at $1,837,340; of corn, 1,240,000 bushels; oats, 60,000 bushels; other products valued at $910,000; total value of farm products amounting to $3,289,840. Schools and Churches. The county has good schools, supported by the State public Jersey Cows. school fund, tions. The churches are numerous and of varied denomina- Cost of Lands. Improved lands are to be had at proved lands $8 to $15 per acre. to $45 per acre; unim- Banks. The county has five banks, with deposits of $450,000. Railway Facilities. There are three railroad lines, including the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. Towns. LAGRANGE, the county seat, is an attractive town, with a good system of waterworks and electric lights, fine schools and hand- some churches, and an imposing court house, a cotton seed oil mill and a compress. All lines of business are well represented. Other Towns. West Point, Flatonia, Schulenberg, and Fayetteville, are grow- ing towns, located in good farming sections, and have the best of school, church and railroad facilities. 110 Q z. < 2 £C o °£ O -M O £ COLORADO COUNTY. Oat Field. Area and Population. Colorado County has an area of 614,400 acres, with 120.000 acres in cultivation, and a population of 22,203. The principal pro- ducts are cotton, corn, rice, fruit and vegetables. The rice crop has proven very profitable, having been developed in the last few years. The acreage for 1901 was 15,000 acres, produc- ing on an average 40 bushels per acre. The rice companies have an extensive system of canals, taking water from the Colorado river. Artesian well irrigation for the farmers operating on a smaller scale has proven profitable. The county also produces large crops of sugar cane, the yield being as high as 20 tons per acre, worth $4 per ton. The live stock industry is an important one, stock being raised at a small expense. Schools and Churches. The county has 126 schools, employing 140 teachers. It re- ceives from the school fund $30,000. There are 150 church organ- izations in the county. Cost of Lands. Improved lands on sale at $15 to $20 per acre; unimproved lands $6 to $15 per acre. Banks. There are four banks in the county, with deposits of $450,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, the Cane Belt Railway, connecting with the "Katy" at Sealy, and two other lines, afford good transportation facilities. Towns. COLUMBUS, the county seat, one of the oldest towns in the county, has good schools and churches, a fine court house, and a number of large mercantile establishments. 112 Eagle Lake is growing rapidly, being the center of the rice and sugar districts. It is well built, with the best of shipping facilities, good schools and churches, several large mercantile houses, a rice mill, sugar mill, and a number of other important industries. Rock Island is a new town of Northern people, with good schools and churches, business houses and attractive residences. Rice is being grown extensively in this section. Garwood, another new town, is located in a good country, and is developing rapidly; rice growing being the leading industry. Chesterville, located in the eastern part of the county, has made a splendid record. AUSTIN COUNTY. Area and Population. Austin County is in the midst of one of the finest farming sec- tions of Southern Texas. The Brazos river forms the eastern boundary. Organized in 1837, it has a population of 20,676, and an area of 455,040 acres, of which about one-third is in cultivation. Cotton, corn, fruits and vegetables are the principal crops. Fruit and vegetables are shipped to northern markets. Schools and Churches. The county has a good system of public schools, receiving from the State school fund, $21,598. The religious organizations are well represented. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are. sold at $20 to $30 per acre; unimproved lands $6 to $10 per acre: Railway Facilities. There are four railroad lines in the county. The Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas Railway passes through the center of the county from east to west, forming a junction with the Cane Belt Railway at Sealy. Towns. SEALY, population 1,000, is the junction point of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas and Cane Belt Railways. It is an important rail- road center and is growing rapidly in importance as a distributing point. All lines of business are in a flourishing condition. Belle- ville, the county seat, population 1,400; Cat Springs, 1,200; New Ulm, 600; Industry, 350, and Wallis, 300, are important business centers. 113 WALLER COUNTY. Area and Population. Situated on the Brazos river, in the southeastern portion of the State, this county, organized in 1873, has a population of 14,246. It contains 319,360 acres, of which one-half is in cultivation. There is an immense body of land on the Brazos river, of a deep reddish-brown alluvi- um, which is highly produc- tive and susceptible of con- tinuous cultivation. Cotton, corn and sugar cane, pota- toes and other vegetables yield well. Fruits are also Picking Beans near Brookshire. ... , .... raised in large quantities. About two-thirds of the county is prairie land, covered with native grasses, furnishing a fine range the entire year for large herds of cattle. Schools and Churches. There are fifty-seven public schools, two colleges and a State Normal. The State school appropriation is $16,330. All the leading denominations are represented by some forty churches. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are sold at $15 to $25 per acre; unimproved lands $5 to $10. Banks. The county has two banks, with deposits of $100,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes through the southern part of the county from east to west, and affords ample shipping facilities. Towns. HEMPSTEAD, the county seat (population, 2,500), has a large cotton seed oil mill, and several other industries. It is a well built town, with a large volume of trade. Brookshire, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, in the southern part of the county, is the center of the fruit and vegetable growing district. Waller and Patterson are the other principal towns. 114 FORT BEND COUNTY. Area and Population. This county, organized in 1837, now has a population of 16,538. It contains 568,960 acres, of which one-third is in cultivation. The Brazos river traverses the county from the northwest to the southeast. Its wide bottom lands are of deep alluvial soil, very fertile, and produc- ing large crops of corn, cot- ton and sugar cane. The sugar industry has developed rapidly, and has proven re- munerative. One of the largest sugar refineries and paper mills in the South is located at Sugarland. Schools and Churches. 'Twas dis a-way. The county has good schools and churches, fund is $15,898. The State school Cost of Lands. Improved lands can be purchased at $15 to $30 per acre; unim- proved lands $5 to $10 per acre. Railway Facilities. The county has four railroad lines, affording good transportation facilities. Towns. RICHMOND, the county seat (population, 1,600); Sugarland, 1,000, and Rosenberg, 500, are the most important towns in the county. All lines of business are represented. 115 WHARTON COUNTY. Area and Population. Organized in 1846, Wharton County now has a population of 16,942, with an area of 750,080 acres, of which 70,000 acres are in cultivation. Sugar, rice, cotton and corn are profitably grown. The production of rice and sugar cane is increasing each year, and these crops now rank as leading staples. Schools and Churches. Sixty-four schools, with a school fund of ip20,487, and many good churches, give the best of educational facilities. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated at $20 to $40 per acre; unimproved lands $6 to $10 per acre. Banks. Two banks have deposits of $125,000, and yearly handle large sums in transacting the business incident to the marketing of rice and sugar cane. Railway Facilities. The Cane Belt Railway, connecting with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas at Sealy, gives good shipping facilities. Towns. WHARTON, the county seat, is the largest town in the county, having a good system of public schools, a number of churches, a sugar mill, a cotton seed oil mill, good mercantile establishments, and a splendid country trade. El Campo, with a population of 1,000, is located in a good farm- ing and stock country- Lane City, a new town on the Cane Belt R. R., is growing rapidly, being situated in the center of the rice and sugar-growing district. to re „Q.+i X 3 Q, uo re h m ; — re ?l- O IT) 3 « — 4-> ^ re MATAGORDA COUNTY. Area and Population. Bordering on the Gulf, this county has an area of 913,920 acres, with 45,000 acres in cultivation. The population has nearly doubled in the past few years. The cultivation of rice is the leading in- dustry. The county has a number of large irrigation canals, and produced in 1901 nearly a million bushels of rice. Cotton, corn and fruits are also grown successfully. The "Caney Bottom Lands" are noted for their wonderful fertility. Schools and Churches. The county has thirty-three schools. The school fund is $7,688. There are forty churches, of leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are sold at $15 to $8 to $15 per acre. per acre; unimproved Banks. The county has one bank, at Bay City, with deposits of $75,000. Railway Facilities. The Cane Belt Railway affords good shipping facilities in connection with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway at Sealy. Towns. BAY CITY, the county seat, is one of the important towns, having a population of 1,200, with good business houses, a fine court house, Threshing Rice near Bay City. 118 a good system of schools, a number of churches, and attractive residences. Matagorda, with 500 population, is one of the oldest towns in this part of the State, located on Matagorda Bay; it has solid busi- ness houses, good schools and church organizations, and is the headquarters for the duck hunters during the winter. HARRIS COUNTY. Area and Population. The area of the county is 1800 square miles, with about one- fourth in cultivation. The population in 1900 was 63,786. It is a prairie county, well watered, producing abundant crops of cotton, rice, fruits and vegetables; a large acreage is in rice. Schools and Churches. The county has a sufficiency of good public schools, a number of business colleges and private schools. The church organizations number about ninety, with many handsome and expensive edifices. Cost of Lands. Improved lands sell at $15 to $40 per acre; unimproved lands $10 to $20 per acre. Banks. There are eight banks, their clearings for the year of 1901 amounting to $404,301,440. Railway Facilities. The county has excellent transportation facilities, there being fourteen railroads other than the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. Cities and Towns. HOUSTON, the county seat, has a population of 44,633. It is the greatest railway center of the State, and does a very large business in all lines. La Porte, one of the great resorts of the State, has a promising future as a shipping point of considerable importance. Katy, Genoa, Harrisburg and Webster are thriving towns, all having good schools, and located in a fine fruit and vegetable section, with good shipping facilities. 119 1 — Buffalo Bayou. 2 — Main Street. 3— M. K. & T. Ry. Station. 4 — One of Houston's Churches. 5 — Office Buildings. 6 — Residence Street. HOUSTON Is the great railroad and commercial center of the South, and the center of the lumber, sugar, rice and oil interests of Texas. Is a modernly built city, with many handsome office buildings, large wholesale and retail stores, an extensive electric street rail- way system, many miles of well paved streets, beautiful parks, a fine system of public schools, and many handsome residences and expensive churches. There are fourteen railroads entering the city, including the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. The eight banks show clearings for 1901 amounting to $466,426,- 159, as compared with 1900 clearings of $394,859,480 — an increase over 1900 of $71,566,679. Total tonnage of freight of the railroads converging at Houston for the past fiscal year, 5,595,152 tons. The Census Bulletin, issued January, 1901, shows the manufac- turing interests of Houston as follows: j n _ 1900. 1890. crease. Number of establishments 507 210 141.4 Capital $ 6,925,865 $3,509,434 97.3 Wage-earners — average number. . . 4,580 2,711 68.9 Total wages 2,405,770 1,353,628 77.7 Miscellaneous expenses 662,012 315,114 111.4 Cost materials used, including the custom work and repairing. . . 5,735,703 3,638,205 57.7 Value of products 10,568,175 6,832,943 54.7 Manufacturing and industrial establishments, including cotton compresses, cotton seed oil mills, rice and lumber mills, breweries, Orchard near Houston. 121 and a number of other enterprises; capital employed, about $10,- 000,000. The principal industries of the city are now using Texas oil for fuel, instead of wood and coal, at a great saving. Sales of merchandise and manufactured articles (estimated), $65,000,000. Houston holds the world's record on cotton receipts — 2,534,050 bales for one season. The city is making a very rapid growth, and all lines of busi- ness show a remarkable increase. Jacks and Jennets. GALVESTON COUNTY. Area and Population. With an area of 673 square miles, of which about one-fourth is in cultivation, Galveston County boasts of a population of 44,116. There is very little farming done in the county, the lands in culti- vation being in fruits and vegetables, for which the soil is especially adapted. The excellent shipping facilities and home markets make this a profitable industry. Schools and Churches. There are twenty-five public schools in the county, employing one hundred and ten teachers, receiving from the school fund 122 $30,000; fine city schools and colleges, the State Medical School, and a number of private schools and business colleges. The church organizations number thirty, with many handsome and expensive buildings. Cost of Lands. Improved lands may be bought at $20 to $50 per acre; unim- proved lands $10 to $20 per acre. , Banks. There are nine banks, with clearings in 1901 amounting to $378,435,800. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway and four other lines afford the best of transportation facilities. Cities and Towns. GALVESTON, the county seat, with a population (1901) of 37,789, is the great sea port of Texas and the Southwest. Other Towns. Dickinson, League City, Texas City and Lamarque are good towns, with schools and churches. The principal industry is fruit and vegetable raising. "Along the Way." 123 >2? SI so. I I £.£■ 2& « -. cl o_ Dm I I CO* = o ° « — n co o ODC I I v-CM GALVESTON. Galveston is located on a deep water harbor, and has excellent railway facilities, extensive wharfs and terminals. It is a port for twenty-three lines of European steamers, two lines to Mexico, one line to Cuba, two lines to New York, and two lines to Japan and the far East. Thus it will be seen that Gal- veston is to the great South- west what New York City is to the Eastern and Central States. Notwithstanding the ca- lamity that befell this beau- Strawberries, Galveston County. ,.- , ., . ,, , , tiful city m the great de- structive tidal wave in October, 1900, the city has been rebuilt and many new enterprises are planned. The volume of business dur- ing the year 1901 shows a healthy increase. The bank clearings for the year 1901 were $378,435,800, com- pared with $323,506,300 for 1900. During the same year, 1,961,380 bales of cotton, valued at $85,857,145, were exported through Galveston, compared with 1,535,- 202 bales, valued at $73,333,364, in 1900. The wheat exports through Galveston during 1901 were 15,704,- 465 bushels, valued at $11,476,205, compared with 14,180,345 bushels, valued at $8,999,073, for 1900. The flour exported amounted to 144,073 barrels, valued at $472,607. During 1901, 18,071 carloads of grain were received at Galveston, compared with 17,624 cars received during 1900. The lumber exported for 1901 amounted to 31,423,000 feet, valued at nearly half a million dollars. There were 347 vessels clearing from Galveston in the foreign trade during 1901, with a net tonnage of 786,100. Galveston wharf and terminal facilities are equal in convenience to any port in the country, having greater wharfage area than any other port except New York. During 1901, 91,950 loaded cars were handled in the yards of the Galveston Wharf Company, compared with 82,374 cars handled during 1900. The receipts for the Galveston Post Office for 1901 were the largest in its history. 125 During 1901 over $4,000,000 were spent for permanent improve- ments. Galveston is noted for its many beautiful homes, fine churches, and unexcelled educational facilties. The State Medical College is located here. The wholesale business is large, having a number of large grocery, dry goods and clothing houses. Galveston now has a storage capacity of over 3,000,000 bushels of grain, having three immense elevators, and can handle 70,000,000 bushels during a season. BRAZORIA COUNTY. Cotton Field. Area and Population. Organized in 1837, the county contains 946,560 acres, with about a fifth in culti- vation. The Brazos river flows through the center of the county from the north to the south. The ground is nearly level, about half of it being covered with valuable timber. The soil is exceedingly rich, yielding large crops of cotton, corn, sugar cane, fruits and vegetables. The population is 14,861. Schools and Churches. The educational facilities are good. The public schools receive from the State school fund $19,973 for their maintainance. The leading religious organizations are represented by good churches. Cost of Lands. Improved lands sold at $15 to $30 per acre; unimproved lands $6 to $12 per acre. Railway Facilities. The county is traversed by three railroad lines. 126 Towns. ANGLETON, the county seat, has a population of 600; Velasco, 600; Alvin, 1,000; Columbia, 1,000, and Brazoria, 400. These are the most important towns in the county, and are good business locations. Alvin is located in the center of the fruit and vegetable-growing district; a very large acreage is devoted to this industry. LIBERTY COUNTY. Area and Population. Organized in 1837, this county has a population of 8,102. It is situated in Southeastern Texas, and contains 750,080 acres, about one- fourth being in cultivation. The general surface is level, about one-fourth of the coun- ty is prairie, furnishing fine range for stock. The remain- der is nearly all wooded, with long leaf pine, oak and hick- ory. The principal crops are cotton, corn, rice, fruits and Cotton Compress. vegetables. A very large acreage is devoted to rice growing, and there is an extensive system of canals. Schools and Churches. The public schools receive $7,813 from the State school fund. The various religious organizations are well represented. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated at $15 to $25 per acre; unimproved lands $5 to $10 per acre. Railway Facilities. The county has two railroad lines, furnishing good transpor- tation facilities. Towns. LIBERTY, the county seat (population 900), and Dayton (popu- lation 300), are the principal towns. 127 JEFFERSON COUNTY. Area and Population. This county is located in the extreme southeastern part of the State, on the Gulf of Mexico. It was organized in 1838, and con- tains 660,480 acres, with about one-fourth in cultivation. The rice acreage amounts to nearly 35,000 acres, with about eighty miles of canals. This county has attracted world-wide attention owing to the recent oil discoveries in and about Beaumont. Schools and Churches. The county has thirty-nine schools, employing forty-nine teach- ers, and receives from the State school fund the sum of $27,630. All the leading religious denominations are represented. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated $25 to $50 per acre; unimproved lands $15 to $20 per acre. Banks. The six banks in the county have deposits of over $4,000,000. Railway Facilities. The county has several railroad lines, affording adequate trans- portation facilities. Towns. BEAUMONT, the county seat (population 9,427), is the lumber, rice and oil center of Southeastern Texas. It has a good system of public schools, many costly churches, imposing business blocks, and many handsome residences. Since the wonderful oil develop- ment the growth of Beaumont has been very rapid. The leading industries are represented by several large rice mills, extensive saw and planing mills, an iron foundry, large wholesale jobbing houses, oil refineries, and a number of other plants. The city is well built, and has all modern improvements. Port Arthur (population 900) and Sabine Pass (400) are both deep water ports, and transact a large business. 128 EAST TEXAS COUNTIES, "THE FRUIT AND TIMBER BELT. East Texas, traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, comprises Hopkins, Rains, Wood, Camp, Morris, Cass, Marion, Har- rison, Trinity, Polk and Tyler Counties. This section of the State is heavily timbered with fine merchantable woods, mak- ing the lumber industry very important. Large deposits of brown hematite iron ores, as well as large bodies of lignite and potter's clay, are found in Camp, Cass, Marion and Harri- son Counties. The natural re- sources afford many opportuni- ties for industrial development. Building material is very cheap, and fuel can be had for the cutting. The sandy loams and red soils of this section are especially adapted to the growth of fine fruits and vegetables and high grade tobacco. As the "Fruit Belt" this section of the State is known far and wide (the articles of fruits shown herein show the develop- ment and large profits that are being made in this line). Fair crops of cotton, corn and cereals are also grown. East Texas has a great abundance of pure water in wells at a depth of from 15 to 25 feet and from the numerous springs. Lands are cheap and can be purchased on very favorable terms. COUNTY ASSESSOR'S REPORT. Packing Peaches. COUNTY ASSESSED VALUATION TAXES LIVE STOCK No. of Head 1895 1900 VALUE 1895 1900 Hopkins Rains Wood Camp Morris .. Marion . . Harrison Trinity . Polk Tyler $4,669,538 933,349 1,611,011 1,122,233 795,823 1,738,416 3,969,359 1,834,021 2,688,208 1,864,492 $5,662,595 1,233,365 3,463,420 1,238,105 961,626 1,600,213 4,856,975 2,050,000 3,056,258 1,958,829 $57,153 12,819 16,702 16,951 9,822 26,500 69,739 7,900 22,275 22,700 129 $57,949 14,504 38,385 19,125 11,899 23,825 52,081 10,056 30,640 22,860 66,614 14,423 25,072 5,891 15,534 6,358 29,961 6,260 47,616 34,117 55,422 21,345 40,895 11,429 11,221 10,958 28,186 17,025 49,224 30,656 $407,672 108,557 43,496 56,778 113,868 39,694 294,267 53,750 294,453 196,613 $566,550 158,460 176,583 103,466 108,148 104,351 379,495 152,000 314,797 176,889 HOPKINS COUNTY. Area and Population. Of the 504,787 acres, 336,- 500 are under cultivation in the 2,700 farms of this county. Organized in 1846, it now has a population of 27,950. Locat- ed in the East Texas timber belt, besides lumber, the coun- ty produces large crops of cot- ton, corn, fruits and vegeta- bles, for the growth of which the soil is especially adapted. There are many large orchards and a large acreage devoted to vegetables. Cotton Compress. Schools and Churches. The county has fine educational facilities; 100 public schools, 125 teachers, receiving from the school fund $33,378; a normal school and a good college. The religious organizations number over 100, of the leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are to be had at from $10 to $20 per acre; unim- proved lands from $6 to $10 per acre. Banks. The three banks have deposits amounting to $780,000. Railway Facilities. In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there is one other road traversing the county, giving a good outlet to north- ern markets. Towns. SULPHUR SPRINGS, the county seat, has a population of 4,500. The town has a handsome $100,000 court house, a normal school, college, a fine system of public schools, and a number of fine church buildings. The industries are: Two cotton seed oil mills, ice plant, bottling works, tannery, bonnet factory, pressed brick plant, cotton compress, three furniture factories, and a number of wholesale houses. Cumby, with 1,000 population, is another good town, in a flourishing district. 130 RAINS COUNTY. Onions. Area and Population. A county containing 170,880 acres, with about 60,000 acres in cultivation. Two-thirds of the county is covered with heavy timber. Farming and stock raising are the principal means of livelihood on the 1,500 farms in the county. Vegetables and small fruits are grown success- fully. The population in 1900 was 6,127, having increased ■ about 2,500 since the previous census. Schools and Churches. There are thirty schools in the county, employing forty teach- ers, receiving $10,000 from the State school fund. There are thirty churches of leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated from $8 to $20 per acre; unimproved lands from $4 to $15 per acre. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes almost centrally through the county and is the main outlet for northern markets. Towns. EMORY, the county seat, has a population of 600; Point, 300. These are the principal towns. All lines of business are well repre- sented and in a flourishing condition. 131 5 W 8H is? I I into OS — .2$ C0y> I I I I WOOD COUNTY. Area and Population. One of the timber counties of East Texas, with an area of 259,774 acres, of which about 90,000 acres are in cultivation. Or- ganized in 1850, it now has a population of 21,048. Located in the fruit belt, fruit and truck farming are given a great deal of at- tention. The county produces good crops of cotton and corn, and stock raising is an important industry. Schools and Churches. There are 84 schools in the county, employing 95 teachers, re- ceiving from the school fund $25,498. The churches number 75, of the leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated from $12 to $20 per acre; unimproved from $6 to $10 per acre. Banks. The two banks have deposits amounting to $125,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, with two other lines, serve the county with good transportation facilities. The Principal Towns in the County are: MINEOLA with a population of 1,725; Winsboro 1,000, and Quit- man, the county seat, 300; all are live, progressive towns, with every line of business well represented. Goods schools and churches. In- dustries, such as lumber and shingle mills, cotton seed oil mills, cotton compresses, and creameries. EL BERTA, a new town, lo- cated 16 miles southeast of Winsboro, on the Texas Southern Railway, is being Lumber Yard, Winsboro. colonized principally by people from the North, and bids fair to soon be a prosperous, thriv- ing community. Orchards are being planted, and with the splendid facilities for mai'keting products, it promises to be one of the most important fruit and vegetable centers of East Texas. 133 CAMP COUNTY. Area and Population. In the timbered district of the State is Camp County, with an area of 128,640 acres, of which 52,000 acres are in cultivation. Or- ganized in 1874, the population now is 9,146. The products are cotton and corn, fruits and vegetables. There are a number of large peach orchards in the county, and the fruit and truck farming has proven very profitable. Schools and Churches. The county has good public schools, employing 52 teachers, receiving for their support the sum of $12,690. There is also a fine college and several private schools. The churches number 40, of the leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are for sale at from $12 to $25 per acre; unim- proved lands from $6 to $10 per acre. Banks. There are two banks, with deposits of $150,000. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway traverses the county and affords good shipping facilities in every direction. Towns. PITTSBURG, the county seat, is located in the center of the county, in a prosperous territory. It has a population of 2,000; a good system of public schools and a $13,000 college; Carnegie li- brary costing $12,000, and a number of fine churches. The town is growing rapidly and has a promising future. The industries are: a furniture factory, an oil mill, textile, woolen and cotton mills, foun- dry and an electric light plant. Pittsburg has, within reach, large fields of lignite or brown coal, and fire clay, beside the railroad track about three miles from the city, and within equal distance are inexhaustible hills of brown hematite iron ore of the finest quality, and adjoining these are great forests of pine, gum, oak and other hard wood timbers. Leesburg, with 300 population, and Pine, with 150, are the other towns of importance. 134 MORRIS COUNTY. Area and Population. Located in the northeast- ern part of the State, this county was formerly heavily timbered; with a total area of 155,322 acres, 110,000 acres are under cultivation. Or- ganized in 1875, it has a popu- lation of 8,220. The principal products are cotton, corn fruits and vegetables. Schools and Churches. The thirty-seven schools employ fifty teachers, and receive for their support the sum of $12,175. There are thirty church organiza- tions. East Texas Tomatoes. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are for sale at from $6 to $10 per acre; unim- proved lands from $4 to $6 per acre. Banks. The three banks have deposits amounting to $200,000. Railway Facilities. There is one other line in addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway that traverses the county. Towns. DAINGERFIELD (population 1,000), the county seat, enjoys a large trade, has good mercantile establishments, cotton seed oil mills, a cotton gin factory, and a good system of public schools, and several churches. There are large shipments of fruit and vegetables from Daingerfield each year, considerable attention being paid to fruit and vegetable culture in this section. Other Towns are: Omaha with 750 population, and Naples with 800, are both good business locations. 135 CASS COUNTY. Negro Cabin. Area and Population. Organized in 1846, with a total of 652,178 acres, of which about one-third is in cultivation, Cass County now has a popula- tion of 22,841. The general sur- face of the county is undulating. Three-fourths of the county is covered with a heavy growth of oak, pine, hickory, cypress and walnut timber. Cotton and corn are grown successfully, but the soil is especially adapted to the growth of fruits and vegetables. Apples grown here are very superior in flavor and perfect in form Schools and Churches. The county has 96 schools, employing over 200 teachers, re- ceiving from the school fund over $30,000 for their support. The various religious organizations are well represented, with a number of fine church edifices. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated from $10 to $15 per acre; unimproved lands from $5 to $8 per acre. Railway Facilities. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway and two other rail- road lines furnisn good shipping facilities. Towns. LINDEN, the county seat, with a population of 600; Atlanta, 2,000; Queen City, 800, and Hughes Springs, 400, are the important towns in the county. Hughes Springs, on the line of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, is a well-known summer resort, and is noted for the curative powers of the waters in cases of malaria and other fevers. These towns all transact a large business, and are in a very flourishing condition. 136 MARION COUNTY. Area and Population. The area of the county is 258,630 acres, with 60,000 acres in cultivation. It was organized in 1860, and has a population of 10,754. The county is in the northeast- ern part of the State, the Louisi- ana State line forming the east- ern boundary. The principal crops are cotton, corn, fruit and vegetables, and stock raising is an important industry. Iron ore in large quantities is found in several parts of the county. It has been used for a number of Saw Mill, Jefferson. years in the manufacture of plows, stoves, car wheels, etc. This ore is said to make the finest car wheels of any ore in the world. Schools and Churches. The county has 57 schools, with 66 teachers, and receives from the school fund the sum of $16,306. There are 125 churches, with many fine buildings. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated at from $6 to $12 per acre; unim- proved lands from $4 to $6 per acre. Banks. There is one bank in the county, with deposits of $130,000. Railway Facilities. The county is traversed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- way. Towns. JEFFERSON, the county seat, has a population of 2,800, and is the principal town of the county. It has a number of churches, a good school system, a cotton compress, a cotton seed oil mill, iron works, a plow factory, flouring mill, several large lumber mills, a new Federal court house and post office building. The Other Towns are: Kellyville, Smithland, Lodi, Lasater and Hartsaw, are in a flourishing condition with bright prospects of future growth. HARRISON COUNTY. Area and Population. The county contains 574,884 acres, with about one-half in culti- vation, the principal crops being cotton, corn, fruits and vegetables. Organized in 1845, in North- eastern Texas, on the boundary line of Texas and Louisiana, it is one of the oldest counties in East Texas. The census of 1900 gives the population as 31,- 878. Schools and Churches. There are 130 public schools in the county, em- ploying 149 teachers, and receiving for their support from the State school fund $38,856. In addition to the fine system of pub- lic schools, there are several colleges. The religious organizations number over 100, with many costly churches. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are to be had at from proved lands from $4 to $8 per acre. Cotton Compress. to $15 per acre; unim- Banks. The two banks in the county have on deposit $750,000. Railway Facilities. The county has fine railway facilities. In addition to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, there are three other lines traversing the county. The Texas Southern Railway has recently been completed from Mar- shall to Winsboro, connect- ing with the Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas Railway at that point, giving this county a great impetus. Towns and Cities. MARSHALL, the county seat, with a population of 10,000, is one of the im- Peanuts. portant cities in Northeast 139 Texas. It has a fine system of public schools, several colleges, many x costly churches, and handsome residences. The leading in- dustries are: a large car wheel works, iron foundries, cotton com- press, cotton gins, saw and planing mills, ice factories, and a number of other manufacturing plants. Other Important Towns are: Hallville, population 300; Jonesville, 200, and Waskom, 300. TRINITY COUNTY. Area and Population. This county, organized in 1850, contains 453,120 acres, of which about one-fourth is in cultivation. The principal crops are cotton, corn, fruits and vegetables. At Glendale are located large com- mercial orchards. The lumber industry is very large; there are fifteen saw mills in the county. At Groveton, the county seat, is located one of the largest saw mills in the State. The census of 1900 gives the population as 10,976. Schools and Churches. There are sixty schools in the county, employing eighty-five teachers, and receiving for their support the sum of $12,917 from the State school fund. The church organizations number seventy- five, of the leading denominations. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are sold at from $6 to $10 per acre; unimproved lands from $3 to $8 per acre. Banks. There is one bank in the county, with deposits amounting to $75,000. Railway Facilities. There are two lines of road in the county; the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway runs through the county from east to west. Towns. GROVETON, the county seat, with a population of 2,000; Trinity, 1,000; Glendale, 300; Saron, 300; Westville, 300; Willard, 350, are the important towns, doing a large business, with good business houses and an increasing trade. 140 POLK COUNTY. Area and Population. 1 Situated in the eastern part of the State, the gener- al surface is slightly broken, and there is an abundance of timber, principally pine, pecan, oak, walnut, cypress and cedar. The lumber in- dustry is an important one. Cotton and corn are the lead- ing crops. The soil is a sandy loam, adapted for fruits and vegetables. The county was organized in 1846, and contains 710,760 acres, with a population of 14,477. A Texas Melon Patch. Schools and Churches. The county has seventy-six schools, employing ninety teachers, and receives from the State school fund $15,632. The leading re- ligious organizations are well represented. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are to be had at from proved lands from $3 to $5 per acre. to $15 per acre; unini- Railway Facilities. Two lines of road traverse the county; the Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas Railway passes through the county from east to west. Towns. LIVINGSTON, the county seat, has a population of 1,200; Corrigan, 500 ; Moscow, 600; Leg- gett, 300; Colita, 150. Livingston and Corrigan are both good business centers, with a number of large mercantile houses. Saw Mill near Corrigan. 141 TYLER COUNTY. Area and Population. This county was organized in 1846, and contains 587,520 acres, with about 80,000 acres in cultivation. Corn, cotton, po- tatoes, vegetables and fruits are the principal crops. The soil is light sandy and black loam. The census of 1900 shows the population to be 11,889. A Texas Vineyard. Schools and Churches. There are forty schools in the county, employing seventy-five teachers, receiving from the State school fund the sum of $12,611 for their support. The leading religious denominations are each represented. Cost of Lands. Improved lands are rated from $10 to $20 per acre; unimproved lands from $4 to $8 per acre. Railway Facilities. There are two roads in the county; the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway passes centrally through the county. Towns. COLMESNEIL, with a population of 2,000; Wood- ville, the county seat, with 1,500; "Warren, with 1,200, are the leading towns in the county, each having large mercantile houses and doing a good business. The lum- ber industry is important; there are several large saw mills located at Colmesneil. Lumber Yard at Colmesneil 142 1 — Bridge Across Red River. 2 — Business Section. 3 — Post Office. 4 — Court House. 5 — Main Street. 6 — Cotton Yards. SHREVEPORT, LA., With a population of about 20,000, is one of the important whole- sale and distributing centers of the South. Bank clearings in 1901 exceeded $300,000,000. Eight railway lines enter the city, affording superior distribut- ing facilities. Four cotton compresses, one the largest in the world; a $100,000 cotton mill and six brick plants, three cotton seed oil mills, and five banks, speak well of the commercial prosperity of Shreve- port. It is the geographical center of the largest pine district in the world. It is the third interior cotton center in the world, with a maxi- mum of actual receipts reaching 312,000 bales. It is the largest wholesale grocery market in the South. It has 95 manufacturing enterprises, which pay over one million dollars annually to labor. Is equipped with street railways and other essentials of munici- pal life. It has a large number of fine business blocks, a magnificent court house, a handsome post office building, many handsome homes and costly churches, the best educational advantages, with a fine system of public schools, colleges and private schools. During 1901 over a half million dollars was expended for new buildings, and a like sum for paved streets. Shreveport is the southeastern terminus of the Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas Railway, and one of the principal gateways between Texas and the Southeast. The country tributary to Shreveport is a rich farming country, in the Red River Valley. Cotton and corn yield abundantly; during the past few years alfalfa has been grown extensively, producing from 10 to 12 tons per acre, worth $5 to $7 per ton. jnu' R9 J L*vr v 3 J I — i — . w urn Lines of the M. K. & T. Ry. of Texas SECTIONAL MAP CENTRAL AND EASTERN TEXAS Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, "•B