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 57
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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
FOREIGN TRADE.
Total for Fiscal Year ending June 30th.
ENTERED.
CLEARED.
No.
Tons.
No.
Tons.
1877.
167
99,386
165
102,744
1876.
177
85,598
191
107,192
1875
167
99,175
208
127.577
1874
206
124,316
241
145,237
1873
156
79 170
175
92,998
1872
115
50,933
116
54.589
1871.
137
70,508
163
83,059
Vessels.
Tons.
Total number of Documented Vessels owned in the District of Gal- veston
197
9,310
Built during the year
9
239
Lost at sea, wrecked or abandoned.
16
337
749
FOREIGN TRADE.
The apparent decrease in the number of vessels entered coastwise may be accounted for by the fact that the Morgan steamers do not generally enter at this port. They only touch here to land part of cargo, passengers and mails, after which they receive a permit to proceed to Clinton with original manifest, where the entry is made.
IMPORTATIONS
1877-78.
1876-77.
Importations of free commodities
$952,713 194,615
$1,155.808 201,680
Total.
$1,147,328 $1,357,488
COUNTRIES WHENCE IMPORTED.
Imported From.
Value. 1877-78.
Value. 1876-77.
Brazil.
$916,505
$1,117,739
Cuba.
965
96
England.
186.242
168,347
Mexico
38,614
52,634
Germany
375
7,945
Central America.
43
Spain ..
.....
561
Scotland.
1,604
Total
$1,147,328 $1,357,488
EXPORTATIONS.
Countries to which Exported.
Value. 1877-78.
Value. 1876-77.
England.
9,198,112
11.343,821
France
·
1,426.819
1,426.556
Germany
437.379
1,306.858
Ireland.
685,083
945.951
Norway and Sweeden.
53,350
72,500
Italy ..
42,444
43,000
Central America.
8.045
8.319
Cuba ..
53.400
5,900
Russia
58,500
Total
11,963,132
15,242,747
.
.
.
79,242
Netherlands.
10.000
Mexico
3,023
9,687
France
British West Indies
436
Portugal.
Importations of dutiable commodities
1
750
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
DUTIES COLLECTED IN PORT OF GALVESTON, FROM 1870 TO 1878.
Total 1877-78.
$62.352 73
Total 1876-77
95,980 49
Total 1875-76
97,947 77
144.136 85 Total 1874-75
Total 1873-74. 210,015 00
Total 1872-73 492.428 86
Total 1871-72
672,582 31
Total 1870-71.
633,218 19
Total 1869-70
277,750 29
DEBT, STATE .- From the reports of the Comptroller, it appears that the State debt was, in 1872, $1,810,576 ; in 1873, $1,797,894 ; in 1874, $3,425,328; in 1875, $5,551,637; in 1876, $6,067,836; in 1877, $6,116,924; in 1878, $5,121,911.
OLEANDER GROVE, GALVESTON, TEXAS.
1
EDUCATION.
Under Spanish and Mexican domination, the law contemplated the estab- lishment of public free schools, where elementary instructions should be given, but none such were established. Almonte, in his report of the state of society in Texas, in 1834, mentioned three schools in the province taught by private teachers. One of these schools was in San Antonio, the teacher receiving $25 per month from his patrons; another was in Brazoria, and the third at Jonesbury, on Red river.
1836. In their Declaration of Independence the Texans complain that Mexico had failed to provide the means of instruction which had been promised to the children of the colonists. Section 10 of the general pro- visions of the constitution of 1836, declares: "It shall be the duty of Con- gress, as soon as circumstances will admit, to provide by law a general system of education."
1839. Congress gave fifty leagues of land for a State University, and three leagues to each county for school purposes,
1840. Congress gave all counties an additional league of school land, and extended the privilege to all counties that should be organized in the future.
1845. The Constitution, article 10, says: "The Legislature shall, as early as practicable, establish free schools throughout the State, and shall furnish means for their support by taxation on property." One-tenth of all the rev- enue was set apart for school purposes.
1849. Governor Wood, in his message to the Legislature, calls attention to the subject of education thus: "The Constitution of our State enjoins upon the Legislature the duty of making suitable provisions as early as practicable, for the support and maintenance of free public schools."
1854. The school fund of the State amounted to $128,668. To this was added this year $2,000,000 of the amount received from the United States for the sale of the Santa Fe territory. Laws were made for the distribu- tion, pro rata, of the interest of the school fund to the various counties, the money to be applied to the payment of the tuition of indigent children. Under the law of 1854, money was distributed as follows:
No. Pupils.
Money
Per
Distributed. Capita.
1855
65,463
$ 40,537
$ .63
1856
72.826
101,588
1.38
1857
87,000
106.000
1.21
1858
102,772
105,815
1.03
1859
101,031
113,154
1.124
1860
104,477
104,447
1.00
1861
105,200
63,224
.62
The first free school established in the State was in the city of San Anto- nio, in 1854. The Comptroller of the treasury was then ex-officio Superin- tendent of Instruction.
After the war the Constitution of 1866 reaffirmed the article in the Consti- tution of 1845, and also set apart every alternate section of land, surveyed by railroads, to school purposes. A State School Board was created, and Pryor Lea appointed Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was suc- ceeded in the summer of 1867, by E. M. Wheelock.
754
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1868. The Reconstruction Convention set apart all the proceeds of the sales of public lands for school purposes, and to this sum added one-fourth of the State revenue, and a poll-tax of one dollar on each male citizen between twenty-one and sixty years of age. The permanent school fund amounted at this time to, say, $2,000,000.
By this Constitution, all between the ages of six and eighteen years, were included in the scholastic population. It also required the Legisla- ture to establish public free schools throughout the State, for at least four months in each year ; and set apart to the school-fund all the proceeds of the sales of public lands; a poll-tax of one dollar from every male citizen between the ages of twenty-one and sixty years, and also set apart one- fourth of the revenue for school purposes.
In the United States census tables for 1870, it is stated that 65,205 children attended school-of whom 61,016 were white, and 4,189 colored. Cost of education during the year, including colleges, academies, etc., 414,870 ; of which $760 was from endowment, $15,220 from school fund, and $398,890 from tuition.
ILLITERACY ; 1850-1870 .- In 1850, there were 10,525 whites over twenty- one years of age, unable to read and write. Of this number 2,488 were foreign-born. In 1860, the number of white illiterates was 18,414; of whom 6,644 were foreign-born. In 1870 there were illiterates, over twenty-one years of age, white, 37,150; and colored 94,818. Including all illiterates, ten years old and upwards, there were 221,705 ; of whom 70,845 were white, (including 18,369 foreign-born), and 150,617 colored.
In 1871, a school board was organized, consisting of the Governor, Attor- ney-General and Superintendent of Public Instruction. John C. Degrees filled the latter office. A system of free schools was inaugurated through- out the State. The first annual report represented that 1,324 schools had been opened, taught by 1,578 teachers; and into which 73,804 pupils had been enrolled. In 1872, the scholastic population amounted to 228,355; entered schools, 127,672; taught by 2,625 teachers; average attendance, 81,653 ; total cost, $1,222,221; of which the State paid $482,753 ; the remain- der paid by the counties, cost per month, $1.43. In 1873, the scholastic population was 280,000; entered public schools, 129,000; average attend- ance, 83,000; number of teachers, 2,207; average salary of teachers, $57 per month.
In 1874, O. N. Hollinsworth, Superintendent of Public Instruction ; scholastic population, 313,061 ; entered public schools, 161,670 ; cost per cap- ita per month, $1.56, or for four months, the time required by the Constitu- tion, $6.24; equal to $1,008,820.
The State school fund derived from school bonds, poll tax, and one-fourth of the revenue derived from taxation, amounted to $546,985. The Legisla- ture appropriated $500,000, to be distributed pro rata to the several counties. In 1875, the scholastic population amounted to 339,000. Appropriated to each child, $1.473.
It is estimated that for the year 1878-9, $900,000 may be appropriated for the public schools. The scholastic population, as far as reported to the Comptroller's office, is as follows :
755
EDUCATION.
SCHOLASTIC POPULATION. [Between eight and fourteen years of age.]
COUNTIES.
1878.
1877
COUNTIES.
1878.
1877.
Anderson
2,069
1,746
Angelina
917
834
399
414
Aransas
145
145
1,938
1,653
Atascosa
1,001
913
732
634
Austin .
2,226
1,633
Houston
2,214
1,026
Bastrop
1,7~3
1,668
Jack.
629
493
Bell
2,119
1,583
416
317
Bexar
1,033
587
930
777
Blanco
505
456
460
330
Bosque
1,422
1,141
2,236
1,976
Bowie
1,035
680
407
407
Brazoria
1,623
904
Kendall
390
333
Brown
1,133
772
Kimble
127
94
Burnet
831
760
Lamar
3,399
2,643
Calhoun
201
193
775
541
Callahan
191
104
1,727
629
Cameron
1,660
1,708
966
892
Camp
653
551
1,535
1,699
Cass
1,980
1,819
782
494
Chambers
295
288
1,963
1,417
Cherokee
2,207
1,814
220
182
Clay
281
247
624
510
Coleman
429
271
Marion.
1,817
1,390
Colorado
2,397
1,782
Matagorda.
579
406
Comanche.
1,086
962
McCulloch.
194
207
Coryell
1,849
1,399
3,424
2,755
Dallas.
2,913
3,409
Delta
768
660
Menard.
102
84
Dewitt
1,732
1,364
Montague
1,238
1,097
Eastland
561
348
Edwards
49
Ellis
2,887
1,534
El Paso
628
628
Erath
1,771
1,429
Nueces
926
665
Falls
2 250
1,653
Fannin
3,753
2,312
429
322
Fayette
3,856
2,185
Fort Bend
1,374
963
Franklin
613
522
l'ecos
122
146
Freestone
1,800
1,323
Frio.
321
102
Presidio
248
161
Galveston
2,878
2,669
Rains ..
455
347
Gillespie
841
729
Goliad
740
517
Red River
2,178
1,773
Gonzales
1,891
1,547
Grayson
5,010
3,464
Rockwell
366
279
Grimes
2,610
3,082
Guadalupe
1,383
1,270
Rusk.
3,176
2,144
Hamilton
854
726
Sabine.
745
665
Hardin
268
215
San Augustine.
678
804
Harris.
3,952
3,082
San Jacinto.
Harrison
3,490
4,008
San Patricio
110
110
Hays
1,132
919
San Saba
673
553
Hopkins
2.429
2,019
Bandera
311
260
Hunt
1,849
1,849
Bee
376
321
Jackson
Karnes
Kaufman
1,881
1,216
Brazos
1,799
1,371
Kerr
276
209
Burleson
1,293
940
Kinney
280
208
Caldwell
1,457
885
Lampasas
Lavaca.
Lee
Live Oak
Llano
713
582
Collin
3,275
2,584
Mason
280
226
Comal.
1,237
784
Maverick.
295
186
Cook
2,359
1,650
McLennan.
McMullen
72
50
Mr dina
751
609
Denton
2,446
1,820
Milam ..
2,007
1,526
Duval
629
Montgomery.
794
7.14
Morris.
692
516
Nacogdoches.
1,855
1.579
Navarro.
2,781
2,153
Newton.
681
604
Palo Pinto
680
519
Panola
1,545
1,583
Parker
2,121
1,453
Polk.
1,127
861
Refugio.
199
192
Robertson
2,800
2,100
Gregg
1,048
869
Runnels
50
966
845
Henderson
1,411
1,411
Hidalgo
Hill
Hood.
Jasper.
Jefferson
Johnson
Leon
Liberty
Limestone.
Madison.
Orange.
756
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
SCHOLASTIC POPULATION .- Continued.
COUNTIES.
1878.
1877.
COUNTIES.
1878.
1877.
Shackelford.
185
112
Williamson
1,476
1,476
Shelby.
1,500
1,196
Wilson
921
606
Smith
2,866
2,119
Wise.
1,807
1.571
Somervell.
378
243
Wood.
1,303
1,000
Starr
1,067
897
Young
462
298
Stephens
397.
148
Zapata
173
173
Tarrant.
2,274
3,966
CITIES.
Taylor.
89
58
Tyler
Titus .
833
728
Brenham
663
288
Tom Green
179
102
Greenville.
82
Travis ..
4 700
2,386
Dallas.
1,352
1,210
Trinity
612
483
Gainesville
211
Tyler
850
796
Castroville
153
Upshur
1,893
926
Navasota
184
Uvalde.
291
258
Honey Grove.
135
Van Zandt
1,413
1,467
San Antonio
1,511
1,526
Victoria .
1,387
962
Paris
705
440
Walker
1,606
1,226
Fort Worth
677
417
Waller
1,439
861
Corpus Christi.
442
Washington
3,572
2,578
Lawrence
54
Webb
450
350
Rockdale.
158
Wharton
543
626
Total, 1877
166.017
Total, 1878.
207,168
NOTE .- Reports received at the last moment show scholastic census of the following counties : Fort Bend, 1,374; Harrison, 3,490; Webb, 451; Menard, 102; Clay, 351; Shackelford, 185; Lampasas, 775. Dallas city supplemental report adds 566 to the first report.
HIGHER SCHOOLS .- The report of the Commissioner of Education at Washington has never been full as to Texas institutions of learning. With- out entering into minute details, we may state that since annexation, the leading Christian denominations have had schools under their supervision where the higher classes and mathematics and sciences have been taught. The Baptists have two Universities; one at Independence, Washington county, and the other at Waco, M'Lennan county. The Cumberland Pres- byterians have the Trinity University, at Tehuacana, Limestone county. The Methodists, the Southwestern University, at Georgetown, Williamson county ; Soule University, at Chappell Hill, and a number of other institu- tions in different parts of the State. The Old School Presbyterians have Austin College, first at Huntsville, but recently transferred to Sherman. There are also, probably scores of academies and high schools for both sexes, in successful operation in different parts of the State.
STATE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE at Bryan, or rather College Station, Brazos county. By an act of Congress, the United States gave to the State of Texas 180,000 acres of land scrip to found an Agricul- tural College. The scrip was sold in 1871 for $156,600; and the same year the college was located on the Central Railroad, about four miles south of Bryan, and a contract let out for a building, to be of brick, on a foundation
218
THE LAND OFFICE OF TEXAS, AUSTIN.
759
EDUCATION.
of stone, 78x150 feet, covered with slate. In 1875, a Board of Directors was appointed, of whom the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and Speaker of the House were ex-officio members; in addition to which there was appointed one from each Congressional district, as follows: E. B. Pickett, Charles De Morse, Isaac F. Graves, H. H. Davis, C. S. West-Mr. West resigned in 1876, and A. J. Peeler was put in his place-and S. F. Stock- dale. The Board met and selected gentlemen for the different professor- ships, and the school opened on the 4th of October, 1876. The Legislature, at different times, appropriated the following sums for the college build- ings: In 1871, $75,000; 1874, $40,000; and in 1875, $32,000 .*
* The following were appointed professors at the organization: Thos. S. Garthright (Mississippi), President; Alexander Hogg (Alabama), professor pure mathematics; R. P. W. Morris (Austin), professor applied mathematics and tactics; John T. Hand (Tyler), professor belles lettres, English literature, Latin and Greek; C. P. B. Martin (Montgomery county), professor agricultural chemistry ; Wm. A. Banks (Austin), pro- fessor modern languages ; Gen. Hamilton P. Bee, steward and general superintendent. At the meeting of the Board of Directors, in 1878, Gen. L. M. Lewis, of Missouri, was appointed to a professorship, and the office of steward and general superintendent dispensed with.
41
-
LIVE STOCK.
CATTLE .- The fathers who founded the old missions, introduced some domestic animals into Texas. In 1821-22, Abner Kuykendall brought to the Brazos seventy head of cattle; and the next year, Randall Jones, in Louisiana, traded a negro man for sixty head, which he introduced into Fort Bend county. In 1831, Messrs. M'Neil and Bingham had each 600 head, and Taylor White, on the Trinity, had 3,000. Almonte estimated that in 1834 the department of the Brazos had 25,000 head of cattle, and that of Nacogdoches, 50,000 head.
There were in Texas in 1846, 382,783 head of cattle; in 1855, 1,363,688 ; in 1860, 3,786,443; in 1865, 2,741,358; in 1870, 3,651,310; in 1875, 3,182,904; in 1876, 2,810,309-valued at $15,023,701. In 1877, 3,413,356, valued at $18,931,356. The reports of the Agricultural Department at Washington vary considerably from those of our own Comptroller. For instance, in 1870, the Comptroller's report places the number of cattle at 3,651,316, valued at $13,581,272; and the agricultural report for the same year makes the number of stock cattle 3,500,000, valued at $21,350,000 ; and to this adds, milch cows number 615,000, valued at $6,562,000-total number, 4,115,000; total value, $27,912,000; an enormous increase over the assessed number and value.
The cattle of Texas are now driven north to market. In 1873, and again in 1874, about 200,000 were taken across Red river and exported by water. In 1875, 116,000 crossed Red river; in 1876, 151,000; and it was estimated that over 300,000 were taken out over that route in 1877.
GOATS AND HOGS .- See statistics of wealth; articles taxed.
HORSES AND MULES .- In the Comptroller's reports these come in one class. Number in 1846, 35,648, valued at $1,510,950. Number in 1850, 89,223 ; 1855, 177,444, valued at $7,803,588; 1860, 330,807, valued at $15,899,- 430; 1865, 451,400, valued at $14,015,877 ; 1870, 625,585, valued at $16,437,- 075-(the agricultural report for the same year places the whole number at 702,500, valued at $27,507,874) ; in 1874 there were 871,278, valued at $21,187,030; 1875, 838,232, valued at $20,792,220; 1876, 848,084, valued at $19,371,347; 1877, 985,581, valued at $20,507,477. Notwithstanding the general impression that Texas is a great country for cattle, the above figures show that horses and mules exceed in value by millions, the value of horned cattle. Again, notwithstanding the great value of our live stock, one good cotton crop of 800,000 bales, on a good market, would bring in enough money to buy all the cattle, horses and mules in the State!
SHEEP .- In 1865, there were in the State, 941,413; in 1870, 1,047,986; in 1874, 1,632.971; in 1876, 2,601,071; in 1877, 2,532,610; valued at $3,092,680. The sheep and wool business in the State is yet in its infancy.
760 1
PENITENTIARIES.
In the year 1846 the Legislature made provision for establishing a State penitentiary, and the next year it was located at Huntsville. James Gillespie was Superintendent and Abner H. Cook, Contractor. During the years 1848-49, 11,000 square yards were inclosed with a brick wall and buildings erected containing 240 cells. This was done mostly by convicts. The first convict was received October 1st, 1849. In 1850, ten were admit- ted and nine remained at the close of the year. Twenty-seven were ad- mitted in 1851; forty-three in 1852; thirty-one in 1853; thirty-six in 1854; thirty-nine in 1855; forty-three in 1856, and fifty in 1857. At the close of 1857, out of 280 admitted, there were 102 still in the institution.
In 1856, machinery was procured for the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods, and a building erected for the machinery, 270x50 feet. Forty cotton looms and 286 spindles were put in operation, and 200 spindles for wool.
1861-1864 .- During the war Thomas Caruthers was Superintendent. In a report to the Legislature, August 31st, 1863, Mr. Caruthers reported that in twenty-one months there had been manufactured 2,233,587 yards of Osnaburgs, 406,025 yards cotton jeans, and 322,890 yards Kerseys, etc. The income of the institution amounted to $1,521,687, largely in excess of ex- penditures.
Iu 1865 there were 118 convicts; in 1866, James Gillespie was Superin- tendent-298 convicts-classed : 98 Americans, 35 Mexicans, 155 negro men and 10 women. In 1867 Thaddeus C. Bell was Superintendent; 483 convicts, 179 of whom were employed on railroads, under the supervision of the Public Labor Board. In 1870, A. J. Bennet, Superintendent; 484 convicts. 1871, 994 convicts. On the 5th of July, the Penitentiary was leased to Ward, Dewey & Co., for fifteen years-the lessces to have the use of the buildings and labor of the convicts; and to pay the State, for the first five years, $5,000 per annum ; for the next five years $10,000 per annum; and for the last five years $20,000 per annum.
In 1872, A. D. Malloy, Inspector. In September, 1873, there were 883 convicts. 1874, J. K. P. Campbell, Inspector; 1454 convicts of whom 676 were kept in the grounds at Huntsville and the others hired out on rail- roads, plantations, etc.
In 1875 provision was made for locating two additional penitentiaries, one east of Trinity, and one west of the Colorado. The Commissioners located them respectively at Rusk, and at San Marcos. Five thousand acres of land were purchased near Rusk, upon which a suitable building has been erected. It was completed early in January, 1879. The foundation is laid with iron ore rock, and the remainder with yellow ochre rock. The cell house is divided into two wings, each 273 feet long, 42 feet wide, by 40 odd feet high. Each of these wings contains a double tier of cells, four cells high; cach tier contains 264 cells. Total number of cells, 528. These cells are eight by six. The domestic building contains on the ground floor one
761
762
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
dining-room, 40x100; one kitchen, 25x40; bakery, 20x40; one store-room, 10x26; one laundry, 40x45; one drying-room, 10x26. The second floor contains chapel, 40x100; one hospital, 40x40, with medicine room over staircase. Library, 25x34, and one epidemic hospital, 20x40.
Complaints having been made to the Governor, of the treatment of con- victs, a Commission was appointed, who, after investigating the subject, reported that there were grounds for the complaints.
In 1876 there were 1,723 convicts, of whom 1280 were hired to outside parties. H. K. White, Inspector.
1877, April 2d, the Contractors, Ward, Dewey & Co., returned the Peni- tentiary to the control of the State Executive, who leased it to Burnett & Kilpatrick. There were 1,582 convicts. On the 16th of December it was leased to E. H. Cunningham, of Bexar county.
MARKET HOUSE, HOUSTON.
POPULATION.
It is supposed that in the year 1744 there were 1,500 Europeans in Texas and an equal number of civilized Indians. Twenty years later there were only about half as many. In 1806 there were 7,000; in 1830, 20,000; in 1836, Mr. Morfit estimated the population at 52,470. In 1847 the first census was taken. There were then 100,508 whites, ten free negroes, and 35,267 slaves. Total, 135,775.
The following is from the census reports:
Census Reports.
1870.
1860.
1850.
Total Population
818,579
604,215
·212,592
Whites.
567,700
430,891
154,034
Colored .
253,475
182,921
58,558
Native Born
756,168
560,793
194,433
Foreign Born
66,411
43,422
17,681
POPULATION, NATIVITY OF .- As reported in 1870, 254,091 white, and 134,306 colored, were natives of Texas; 41,663 white, and 20,550 colored, were natives of Alabama; 38,849 white, and 11,772 colored, were born in Tennessee; 28,639 white, and 13,805 colored, in Mississippi; 26,326 white, and 14,801 colored, in Georgia; 17,608 white, and 5,608 colored, were natives of Arkansas; 11,233 white, and 7,421 colored, natives of North Carolina; 15,235 white, and 12,045 colored, natives of Louisiana; 10,569 white, and 7,155 colored, were from South Carolina; 8,480 white, and 13,683 colored, from Virginia.
FOREIGN BORN .- Besides the 62,411 reported in 1870 as foreign born, 107,- 327 had one or both parents foreign born. Of the foreign born, 23,976 were Germans, 22,510 Mexicans, and 6,753 were from Great Britain. Cameron county has the largest foreign born population-6,266 Mexicans. Bexar reports 2,309 Mexicans and 1,829 Germans. Other counties having a large German population were: Fayette, 2,128; Austin, 2,110; Galveston, 1,923; Comal, 1,878; Harris, 1,834; Washington, 1,701; Gillespie, 1,245; Dewitt, 844; Colorado, 776; Guadalupe, 736; Bastrop, 937; Travis, 641; Starr county, 2,846 Mexicans; Hidalgo, 1,602; Nueces, 1,266 ; Maverick, 1,120; El Paso, 1,024; Webb, 954, and Presidio, 772.
PRESENT POPULATION .- Approximately, our present population is 2,000,- 000. A little less than 500,000 are assessed for the poll tax; and estimating four persons for each one taxed, the population would fall a little short of two millions ; it is probably above that number.
765
RAILROADS.
It would be tedious and unprofitable to enumerate the numerous charters for railroads during the Republic. No roads were built or even commenced. In 1852, preliminary surveys were made upon two lines of road, and some work done: the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado road, and the Memphis and El Paso road. Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado road, gauge four feet eight and a half inches, was commenced under the supervision of General Sidney Sherman, at Harrisburg, in 1852. The sec- ond locomotive west of the Mississippi was on this road. It reached Stafford's Point in 1853, Walker's in 1854, and Richmond, thirty-two miles from its initial point, in 1855. The Brazos was crossed by a tempo- rary bridge, nearly on a level with the water. It reached the Colorado at Eagle Lake, sixty-five miles, in 1859; Alleyton in 1860, and Columbus, where the Colorado was bridged, in 1866. By an act of the Legislature, in 1870, the charter was changed, and San Antonio became its objective point. Since that period it has been known as the " Sunset Route," or the C., H. & S. A. Railway. Thomas W. Pierce, of Boston, became the President and principal owner of the road. It reached Shulenburg in 1873; Luling in 1874, and Kingsbury in 1875. In January, 1876, the citizens of Bexar county voted the company $300,000 in county bonds, to secure the speedy construction of the road to San Antonio. It reached the Guadalupe river at Marion, 184 miles from Harrisburg, in September, 1876. In January, 1877, the terminus for passengers was changed from Harrisburg to Houston. On the 15th of January it reached San Antonio. From this point it may be extended to the Rio Grande by any route the company may select. As the road is now built, it has a length of 215 miles, of which thirty-six miles are steel rail, and the remainder of the best iron T rails, and all fish plated. There are 14 3-10 miles of pile and trestle bridges, 1,401 lineal feet of iron truss bridges, and 3,112 feet of combination truss bridging on the line, all of which are pronounced by competent judges as first-class in every respect and the entire road as A No. 1 in every particular of its component parts, in- cluding track.
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