A pictorial history of Texas, from the earliest visits of European adventurers, to A.D. 1879. Embracing the periods of missions, colonization, the revolution the republic, and the state; also, a topographical description of the country together with its Indian tribes and their wars, and biographical sketches of hundreds of its leading historical characters. Also, a list of the countries, with historical and topical notes, and descriptions of the public institutions of the state, Part 55

Author: Thrall, Homer S., 1819-1894
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: St. Louis, N.D. Thomson & Co.
Number of Pages: 880


USA > Texas > A pictorial history of Texas, from the earliest visits of European adventurers, to A.D. 1879. Embracing the periods of missions, colonization, the revolution the republic, and the state; also, a topographical description of the country together with its Indian tribes and their wars, and biographical sketches of hundreds of its leading historical characters. Also, a list of the countries, with historical and topical notes, and descriptions of the public institutions of the state > Part 55


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64


THE PAN-HANDLE, OR LLANO ESTACADO .- The Legislature, in 1876, laid off fifty-four counties in this immense region of the State. Some of these counties are already filling up with settlements. The town of Clarendon has been laid off in Donley county, of which a newspaper account says: Fine fields of wild grass abound along the streams and on the uplands of Donley county. These fields will for the first time this year be harvested by a mowing machine. The present field crops now growing in Donley county are corn, oats, millet and beans. These are growing finely in the freshly-broken sod ground They have a growth at present equal to that of equal age in the older States. Water can be reached in Don- ley county at a depth varying from ten to forty feet on the valleys and lower uplands, and about fifty to seventy-five feet on the highest lands. On the farming lands generally a well need not be deeper than forty feet. Clarendon has a splendid mill site in the limits of the town.


The following are the names given to these counties : Andrews, for Richard Andrews, killed at the battle of Concepcion; Armstrong, for a pioneer family ; Bailey, for an Alamo victim ; Borden, for Gail Borden, Jr. ; Briscoe, for Andrew Briscoe; Castro, for Henry Castro, Empresario; Car- son, for P. Carson, of Burnet's Cabinet; Childress, for George C. Childress, who wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1836; Cockran, for a victim of the Alamo; Collinsworth, for James Collinsworth; Cottle, for C. W. Cottle, of the Alamo; Crosby, for Stephen Crosby; Dawson, for Nicholas Dawson(DeafSmith) ; Donley, for Stockton P. Donley ; Fisher, for S. Rhoads Fisher ; Floyd, for a victim of the Alamo; Gains, for James Gains, of Gains Ferry; Garza, for an old Spanish family ; Gray, for Peter W. Gray; Hale, for J. C. Hale, of San Jacinto; Hall, for Warren D. C. Hall; Hansford, for James M. Hansford, Speaker of the House of Representatives ; Ilartley, for O. C. and R. K. Hartley ; Hemphill, for John Hemphill; Howard, for V. E. Howard; Hutchinson, for Andrew Hutchinson; Kent, for an Alamo victim; King, for a victim of the Alamo; Lamb, for Lieutenant Lamb, killed at San Jacinto ; Lynn, for a victim of the Alamo; Lubbock, for T. S. Lubbock; Martin, for Wiley Martin; Mitchell, for Asa and Eli Mitchell ; Moore, for Commodore E. W. Moore ; Motley, for Dr. Wmn. Motley ; Nolan, for Philip Nolan; Ochiltree, for W. B. Ochiltree ; Oldham, for W. S. Old- ham ; Parmer, for Martin Parmer; Potter, for Robert Potter, of the navy ; Randall, for a soldier; Roberts, for John S. Roberts; Scurry, for W. R. Scurry; Sherman, for Sidney Sherman; Stonewall, for T. J. Jackson; Swisher, for James C. Swisher; Terry, for Frank Terry; Wheeler, for Royal T. Wheeler; and Yoakum, for Henderson Ycakum, historian.


In the general divisions of Texas, in Part 1, we gave a description of this most interesting, though little known, part of our State, by Colonel Shafter, who entered it from Fort Concho, on the south. We add some further notices of the country by persons who entered via Red river, on the north. Mr. Wickeland and Colonel Emory were connected with the boundary survey in 1859-60:


720


HISTORY OF TEXAS.


Mr. Wickeland estimates the area as 27,250 square miles. He divides the Panhandle as follows: 1st, the southeast part, embracing the upper basin, or valley of Red river ; 2d, the southwest part, including a portion of "Llano Estacado," and 3d, the northern part, watered by the Canadian and its trib- utaries. The first part is mostly fertile, embracing the rich alluvial valley of Red river, making an area of about six thousand square miles, or near four millions of acres, from eight hundred to one thousand feet lower than the plain on the west.


The great width of the plain of the "Estacado," west of the sources of Red river, is one hundred and twenty-five miles. It is more or less a roll- ing prairie, with an elevation of 4,000 to 4,500 feet above the ocean, and is highest near New Mexico on the west. Want of rains greatly impair its value for agriculture, but, with the exception of some sandy and gravelly belts, it is covered with a thick growth of gamma and other grasses, afford- ing fine pasturage to almost unlimited herds throughout the year. Mr. Wickeland says a great portion of this region may be profitably cultivated by using the water that forms into ponds in the depressions after the rains. The soil is a red loam or clay, more or less sandy. But little is known of that part of the Panhandle north of the South Fork of Red river. Mr. Wickeland explored the country along the boundary line between the Indian Territory and the Panhandle, but thinks, as near as he could judge, that the true boundary, or the 100th meridian of longitude, is about one degree west of where it was located by Captain Marcy, of the United States Engineers. Following Marcy's line, the Canadian is one hundred and five miles north from Red river.


The northern portion of the Panhandle is a succession of high rolling prairies, intersected by the numerous narrow valleys of small streams. The principal streams are the South and North Forks of the Canadian, Dry river, the Mesquit creek, and other tributaries of the South Canadian. The North Fork has its source in Texas, near the northern boundary, and runs nearly due east. The South Fork comes from the canons of the Rocky Mountains, in New Mexico, enters Texas from the west, and also proceeds nearly east.


The Panhandle is only moderately supplied with timber. The wide prai- ries are relieved of their monotony by an occasional view of timber growing on the banks of the streams and marking their course. Sometimes, also, fine groves of trees are found on the elevated lands and in ravines, and on the banks of the Canadian, and here are found excellent cedar, post and bur- oak. A few miles north of " Marcy's boundary line," on the north bank of the South Canadian, Mr. Wickeland saw a large forest of oak timber, speak- ing of which Lieutenant Abert says: "On the 27th of September, in Long. 99° 11', on the north side of the Canadian, I passed through a country completely covered with a dense growth of oak, commonly called black- jack. This forest stretches back from the river as far as the eye can reach."


Mr. W. says that the Antelope Hills lie on the south bank of the Cana- dian, near marking the 100th meridian, and are sometimes called the " boundary hills." The hills are about 100 to 130 feet high, with a table of sand-stone about fifteen feet thick. They are not situated on the same me-


721


COUNTY SKETCHES.


ridian with the Wichita Mountains, as represented on the maps, and persons looking for them will be disappointed.


A considerable portion of the Panhandle is included in what is called the Gypsum Formation. The eastern limits of the Gypsum Formation extend from the sources of the Colorado, in a northeast direction, over the heads of Red river, and crossing the Canadian about two hundred miles west of Fort Smith. This formation is seen in every river bed and cañon as far west as Colorado Chiquite, in New Mexico. Wheat and other small grain may be successfully cultivated along the waters of Red river and the Canadian. This whole country is admirably adapted to fruits and the grape, and to stock-raising. Mr. Wickeland says he found wild grapes, plums, currants, etc., in abundance in all parts of the Panhandle.


Major Emory says: "In no part of the world does this luscious fruit (the grape) flourish with greater luxuriance than in the upper valley of the Rio Grande as far down as the Presidio del Norte," and the same general char- acter of the soil and climate extends to the Panhandle. Mr. Wickeland visited the Canadian in June and July, 1856, when the whole country west of the Mississippi was suffering from a severe drouth, and he says: "Not- withstanding this drouth, portions of the country were literally covered with plums and grape-vines loaded with most delicious fruit. Of grapes, I found two different kinds, both small and sweet, and of a dark blue color. The plums were frequently an inch in diameter, sweet and of a light yellow and red color, slightly differing from the Chickasaw plum. In fact, I went on this tour with nine whites and six Indians, without any provisions, and short of ammunition, and we lived for four weeks entirely on buffalo and fruits. Persons visiting the Panhandle country-in fact, the whole of Northwestern Texas-will be delighted with the balmy and salubrious air. The mean temperature in summer I found to be 80' to 82°. In the warmest seasons the thermometer hardly ever rises to 95°, and even then the heat is mitigated by the refreshing southern breezes, making the nights cool and delightful."



W. T. & -H. ST. LOUIS


COURT HOUSE, FORT WORTH.


PART X.


The Agriculture, Manufactures, Commerce AND


Public Institutions of Texas.


-


AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.


COTTON .- As cotton furnishes our leading article of export, we place it first among our agricultural products. Colonel Jared E. Groce, one of the earliest of Austins colonists, brought cotton seed with him to the Brazos river in 1821. In 1825 Colonel Groce erected a cotton gin, the first in Texas. The next year the Austins built one on the west side of the Brazos river, about ten miles above Columbia. This was subsequently burned, and the place has been known as the Burnt Gin Place. About the same time, Robert H. Williams built one on Oid Caney, in Matagorda county. The staple was then packed in bales ot fifty and one hun- dred pounds, and transported to the Rio Grande on mules ; 250 pounds constituting a mule load. In 1831 Edwin Waller sent a schooner load of cotton from the mouth of the Brazos to Matamoras. The cotton sold for sixty-two and a half cents per pound. Such was the rapid increase in the production of this crop that in 1834 it was estimated that the cotton for that year sold for $600,000. Cotton then brought an exorbitant price.


We have no statistics showing the number of bales annually produced during the Republic, from 1836 to 1847. In 1848 the cotton crop amounted to 39,774 500 pound bales; in 1849, 38,824 bales; 1850, commercial esti- mate 31,405 bales-reported in the U. S. census tables, 58,072. In 1851, 45,900 bales; 1852, 62,433 bales; 1853, 85,790 bales; 1854, 110,325; 1855, 80,739 ; 1856, 116,078; 1857, estimated, 200,000; 1859, 400,000 bales. In 1860 the census tables place the crop at 421,463 bales-a large estimate. We have no reliable statistics of the crop during the war. The commercial esti- mate for 1865 was 188,810 bales; 1866, 191,720 ; 1867, 117,810; 1868, 148,083; 1869, 246,846; 1870, commercial estimate, 319.274-census report, 350,628 bales; 1871, 293,450; 1872, 343,450; 1873, 487,771. We have no statistics of the crop of the State of a later date than 1873. It is generally conceded that two thirds of the cotton crop passes through Galveston. The amount of cotton received at that point since 1873 is as follows: 1874, 354,927 bales ; 1875, 465,529; 1876, 491,981. In 1877 the crop was cut short by the worms, and the receipts at Galveston were only 451,137 bales. The crop for 1878 is unusually promising, and it is likely that Galveston will receive fully 600,000 bales. If this is but two-thirds of the crop we may count upon producing this year 800,000 bales, constituting Texas the first cotton producing State on the continent.


728


AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.


CORN .- As corn, all things considered, is the most valuable and indis- pensable crop, we give the report of our corn crop for different decades, as found in the U. S. census reports. In 1850 the crop amounted to 6,828,826 bushels ; in 1860 to 16,500,702 bushels; and in 1870 to 20,554,538 bushels.


OATS .- The census reports give our crop of oats in 1850 at 199,017 bushels; in 1860 at 955,865; and in 1870 at 762,693 bushels. Since that period there has been a rapid increase in the Texas oat crop. In 1876 large shipments were made from Galveston to New Orleans.


POTATOES .- The reports of the potato crop, both Irish and sweet, are so meager that we hardly deem it necessary to reproduce the figures. But the average production of over 100 bushels to the acre, shows that this is both a reliable and profitable crop. As increased attention is paid to gar- dening, and our crops become more diversified, potatoes, both Irish and sweet, will form no inconsiderable item in our agricultural products.


SUGAR AND MOLASSES .- Immense tracts of our alluvial bottom lands, near the coast, are admirably adapted to the production of the ribbon cane; but a variety of influences have prevented our farmers from going extensively into its culture. It has, however, been tried sufficiently to demonstrate the reliability of this crop, and its adaptation to our soil and climate. Its cul- ture was introduced almost simultaneously with the Anglo-American colonists. In 1830, Mr. Williams, of Liberty, manufactured forty hogsheads of sugar. Soon after this, cane was planted on the Brazos river in Brazo- ria county, and in Matagorda county on the Colorado. In 1850 the sugar crop amounted to 2,782 hhds. and 2,427 barrels molasses. In 1855 the crop had increased to 4,721 hhds, sugar, and 4,728 barrels molasses. In 1856 an early frost killed the cane, and the next year the sugar crop fell off to 124 hogsheads, with a corresponding falling off in the production of molasses. Since that period the production has been somewhat variable. In 1868, 1,800 hogsheads were produced ; in 1870, 2,200; in 1871, 1,600; in 1872, 700 ; in 1873, 800 ; in 1874, 1,144; and there has been a steady increase since that period. The introduction of evaporators and cheaper machinery for handling and grinding the cane, is stimulating the production, and large numbers of small farmers are beginning to plant cane.


TOBACCO .- This has been raised in all parts of the State, from the earliest settlement of the country. During the colonial period, a bill was introduced in the Legislature of the State at Saltillo, prohibiting the raising of tobacco, as the government derived a considerable revenue from the monopoly of trade in the article. In this bill, an exception was made in favor of Aus- tin's colonists, who, at the request of the Texas delegate, were each permit- ted to plant one peck of seed to raise tobacco for his own use. The agricultural report estimates that Texas produces an aggregate of 500 pounds of tobacco to the acre. Experiments have demonstrated that the


729


AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.


finest quality of tobacco used in the manufacture of Havana cigars can be produced here. The State may, and probably in time will, produce mil- lions of pounds of tobacco per annum.


WHEAT .- This great cereal grows luxuriantly over more than one-half of the State. The census report places the wheat crop of 1850 at 41,720 bush- els : 1860 at 1,478,345: and in 1870 at 1,414,103 bushels. The report from the Agricultural Bureau estimates the crop of 1870 at 1,225,600 bushels ; 1872 at 1,377,000 bushels. A carefully prepared estimate of the crop in 1877 announces that in eighteen grain-producing counties of Northern Texas the yield was of wheat 3,277,600 bushels; of oats 5,757,500 bushels ; and of barley 1,125,000 bushels; and this is but little over half the amount of these crops in the State. The common wheat is subject to rust, in wet sea- sons ; hence, some years the yield is very light. The Agricultural Depart- ment estimates the average yield per acre in 1868 at only eight bushels: in 1872 eighteen and a half bushels: and in 1875 at twenty-five bushels per acre.


"We copy the following estimate of the Texas wheat crop from the annual review of the market, in the Galveston News of September 15, 1878:


"As a wheat-growing State, Texas is destined, at no very distant day, to become one of the foremost, if not the foremost in the Union. Yet while we may appropriately speculate upon her vast capabilities, it will perhaps subserve no good end to exaggerate what she has done and is doing in this respect.


"The wheat crops of our State since 1875, inclusive-and previously to that year it is hardly worth while to take note for our present purpose- has been greatly over-estimated. The crop of 1875 was a good one as to yield and excellent as to quality, and that year may be regarded as the initial period of Texas's successful wheat-growing and milling ; for the reputation made by her that year was so encouraging as to stimulate and cause a rapid increase of the acreage of wheat and her milling capacity.


"The crop, however, in the following year, 1876, notwithstanding an in- creased acreage-though less than promised, on account of the threatening attitude of the grasshoppers about sowing time-yielded a considerably smaller return than that of 1875, the season being less favorable, nor was the grain so good.


"The crop of 1877 was still smaller than that of 1876, the rust having cut it short by almost totally destroying the late wheat. Nor was the grain any better than that of 1876.


"The crop of the present year, 1878, is perhaps larger than that of 1875, and therefore the largest ever raised in Texas. The grain is also, so far as natural development is concerned, of excellent quality; but, much to be regretted, suffered very great damage by protracted wet weather following closely after the harvest. Very much of this damage is due to the slothful- ness and trust-to luck policy of many farmers. Instead of removing the wheat from the shock and housing or stacking as quickly as possible, many, to save a very trifling amount of labor, left it in the shock awaiting the thresher-thus laying it liable to be caught, as was the case this year, in a


730


HISTORY OF TEXAS.


protracted wet spell, when it becomes impossible to rescue it from damage or destruction. Much good wheat remains, however, and it is hoped enough to keep our mills running the better part or all of the season.


"After considerable investigation, we feel warranted in estimating the crops of the State as follows: 1875, 3,000,000 bushels ; 1876, 2,000,000; 1877, 1,500,000 ; and that of 1878, say 3,500,000 at the outside.


"The quality of Texas wheat is probably unsurpassed ; it weighs heavily, it being a common thing to weigh 63 pounds to the bushel, and millers say that for its looks, its turns out better, stronger flour than any other. It is susceptible of great improvement by careful selection of seed and more careful cleaning and grading for market. Thus treated, much of it would grade No. 1 in St Louis."


The Agricultural Department at Washington publishes annually a report of the most important crops. These reports are rather meagre and imper- fect; but we copy a table showing the estimated production of the follow- ing articles for a number of years :


Products.


1867.


Quantity produced


Average yield per


Number of acres in


each crop


Value per bushel,


pound, or ton.


Total valuation.


Corn


bushels


20,716,000


28.2


634,604


75


15,537,000


Wheat


do ...


794,000


9.5


88,578


1 80


1,500,660


Rye


do ..


100.000


16.3


6,134


1 28


128,000


Oats


.do.


813,000


23.5


34,595


79


642,670


Barley


.do.


41,000


24.8


1,653


1 10


45,100


Potatoes


do


303,000


130.3


2,325


69


209.007


Tobacco


.pounds ..


110,000


500


220,000


25


27,500


Hay


. tons


17,000


1.7


10,000


16 00


282,200


Total


873,141


818,371800


1868.


Indian corn


bushels ..


21,337,000


25


853,480


$0 62


13,228,940


Wheat


.do ..


389,000


6


64,833


2 25


875,250


Rye


do ....


93,000


11.8


7,881


1 59


147.870


Oats


do.


861,000


26.6


32,368


90


774,900


Barley


do


33,000


11


3,000


2 16


71.280


Potatoes


do


340,000


61


5,573


1 50


510,000


Tobacco


pounds ..


111 000


466


238


32


35.520


Hay


.tons


17,300


1.25


16.840


10 00


173.000


Total


981,213


15,816,760


in 1867


acre.


731


AGRICULTURAL REPORTS.


Products.


1869.


Quantity produced


Average yield per


acre.


Number of acres in


Value per bushel,


pound, or ton.


Total valuation.


Indian Corn®.


bushels


23,000,000


29


793,103 112,612


1 70


2,125,000


Rye


do.


103.000


17,3


5,953


1 10


113,300


Oats


.do.


1,250,000


28.


44,014


70


875,000


Barley


do.


60,000


26.6


2,255


1 04


62,400


Potatoes


do


400,000


112


3,571


1 60


640,000


Tobacco


pounds.


tons


28,000


1.69


16,568


14 18


397,040


Total


1870.


Indian Corn


bushels ..


23,690,000


26.5


893,962


1 06


25,111,400


Wheat


do.


1,225.000


11.7


104,700


1 76


2.119 250


Rye


do ..


95,000


19.1


4,973


1 11


105,450


Oats


do ..


1,500,000


21.6


69,444


1 00


1,500,000


Barley


do. ...


54,000 400,000


128


3,125


1 33


532,000


Tobacco


pounds ..


tons


25,000


1.60


15.625


15 36


384,000


Total


1,093,629


29,823,920


1871


Indian Corn


bushels ..


20,847,000


19


1,097,210


1 11


23,140,170


Wheat


do ..


551,000


11.5


47,913


1 97


1,085,470


Rye


.. do ....


42,000


12.1


3,471


1 65


69,300


Oats


do ....


675,000


25.1


26,892


1 04


702,000


Barley


do ..


42,000


20


2,100


1 35


56,700


Potatoes


do


220,000


105


2,095


1 85


407,000


Tobacco


pounds


Hay


tons


22,500


1.07


21,028


24 33


547,425


Total


1,200,709


26,008,065


1872.


Indian Corn


bushels ..


27.934,000


25.3


1,104,110


43


12.011,620


Wheat


do ..


1,377,000


18.5


74,432


1 65


2,272,050


Rye


do.


54,000


17.2


3,139


1 33


74,520


Oats.


do ..


783.000


25.4


30,826


81


634.230


Barley


.do ..


51,000


25


2,040


1 00


51.000


Potatoes


do


270,000


110


2,454


1 89


510,300


Tobacco


pounds.


Hay


tons.


34,400


1.13


30,442


13,52


465,088


Total


1,247,443


16,018,808


1874.


Indian Corn


bushels ..


28,016,000


19 12.5


117,920


1 35


1,989,900


Rye


do.


40,000


13


3,077


1 11


44,400


Oats


.do ..


1,118,000


27.2


41,103


84


939.120


Barley


do.


63,000


30.5


2,065


86


54,180


Potatoes


do


233,000


70


3,328


1 49


347,170


Tobacco


pounds ..


141,000


750


188


22.5


31,725


Hay


tons.


62,000


1.40


44,286


10 92


677,040


Total


1,686,493


25,095,535


. do.


1,250,000


11.1


1,474,526


75


21,012,000


Wheat


.do


1,474,000


30


1,800


1 33


71,820


Potatoes


do.


each crop


$0 73


16,790,000


Wheat


Hay


978,076


21.002,740


Hay


ASYLUMS.


In August, 1856, the Legislature set apart one hundred thousand acres of land each, for asylums for lunatics, for the blind, the deaf and dumb, and for orphans. The same Act appropriated $50,000 for the lunatic asylum, and $10,000 each, for the blind, and the deaf and dumb.


ASYLUM, BLIND .- In 1857, a site for this institution was selected in the north-western suburbs of Austin City ; Dr. S. W. Baker appointed Superin- tendent, and five pupils received. In 1858, $12,500 were appropriated by the Legislature for the erection of buildings-Dr. J. H. Lightfoot, Superin- tendent; ten pupils in attendance. 1861, S. G. Haynie, Superintendent. 1862, Rev. Wm. A. Smith, Superintendent. During the war, the institu- tion was without the means of successful operation. 1866, Henry Thomas, Superintendent. 1867, Dr. S. W. Baker, Superintendent; $9,600 expended for repairs on buildings. 1871, Dr. Alexander, Superintendent; buildings enlarged. 1872, E. M. Wheelock and R. M. Mills, Superintendents. 1874, Dr. Frank Rainey, Superintendent ; forty-two pupils in the institution.


The objects of this institution are thus set forth in the report of Superin- tendent Wheelock, in 1872 :


"The Institution for the Blind is not an asylum proper, nor an infirmary for the restoration of vision, still less a hospital or almshouse, but an educa- tional and industrial home, whose central principle is to render the blind self-dependent and self-supporting. It claims to be a school, like other schools, having its course of study and its system of discipline, but unlike other schools in general, it embraces a mechanical department for the training of its pupils in industrial work. Experience has decisively shown that, under proper training, the education of the blind has borne good fruit in the formation of teachers, mechanics, manufacturers, music teach- ers, choristers, organists, piano-tuners, etc. No individuals have turned their early advantages to better account, and in all parts of our State can be found those who once were received as helpless, visionless and friendless children into this institution, and are at this moment well-trained in their respective trades, with minds enlarged and manners softened by scholastic discipline, receiving constant employment, and supporting themselves in comfort from the proceeds of their labor. The age of twenty-four is fixed as the limit for admission, for the reason that the training of the blind requires much time and the docile impressibility of youth, in order to lay the solid foundation of an industrial and intellectual education. No charge is made for instruction, board or medical services, and the parents and friends of the pupils are called upon for no outlay beyond their traveling expenses and the providing of a suitable amount of good and comfortable clothing. Every indulgence is allowed consistent with habits of order; kindness is made the rule of government, and so seldom are punishments


@


XY MAS


PANO MCNALLY.C


MASONIC TEMPLE AT PALESTINE, I. & G. N. R. R.


735


DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.


invoked, that it may be said that they do not exist. More than any other afflicted class, the blind need the stimulus of fitting occupation, whether amusement, study or work; those are happiest who, with companions of their own class, and with constant occupation, find at every step assist- ance, friendly hands and sympathy. Their true happiness is best consulted and best witnessed within the walls of an establishment, where they forget to be gloomy and morose, and where the social atmosphere proves that blindness is not always melancholy."




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