USA > Texas > Tarrant County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Tarrant and Parker counties; containing a concise history of the state, with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named counties, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 29
USA > Texas > Parker County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Tarrant and Parker counties; containing a concise history of the state, with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named counties, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 29
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Bexar ..
Ang. 21, 1876 Unorganized
Morris
W. W. Morris ..
Titus
Mar. 13, 1875|May 12, 1875
Motley.
Dr. Wm. Moticy
Bexar ..
Aug. 21, 1876 Feb. 25, 18/1 1836 1837
15,164
Navarro.
Jose Antonio Navarro
Robertson.
Apr.
25, 1816 July 13, 1816
Newton
Sergeant Newton
Jasper.
Apr.
22, 1816 Jnly
13, 1816
4 645
Nolan
Philip Nolan.
Bexar
Aug.
21, 1876 June 10, 1881
900 Sweet Water. 1,576
Ochiltree.
W. B. Ochiltree.
Bexar
Aug, 21, 1876 Feb.
21, 189)
Oldham
Williamson S. Oldhum, Sr.
Bexar
Ang.
25, 1876 June 12, 1891
1,477 T'ascosa
287
Orange
From the Orange fruit
Jefferson.
Feb.
5, 1852 Mmr.
396 Orange
4,768
Palo Pinto
Palo Pinto River
Borgne und Navarro,
Aug.
27, 1856 Apr.
27, 1837
8,319
Panola.
Indian tribe.
Harrison and Shelby
Mar.
12, 1855 Mar.
1, 1856
21,662
Parmer ..
Martin Parmer.
Bexar
Ang.
3, 1871 June 13, 1872
7,470 Ft. Stockon .
1,807
Polk
James K. Polk
Liberty
Mar.
50, 1816 July
13, 1816
10,3 3
Potter
Robert Potter ..
Bexar
Ang.
21, 1867 Sept.
6, 1887
450
Presidio.
Presidio del Norte
Bexar
Jan.
3, 1850 1875
2,6 2 Marfa
2.873
Rains.
Emory Rains.
June
9, 1870 Dec. 1, 1870
207 Emory
3,99 187
Red River.
Municipality of Red River.
Original
Apr.
1836
1837 850 Refugio.
1,585
Roberts.
John 8. Raherts ...
Bexar
Milam
Dec.
14, 1837
18.8
869 Franklin
26,496
Rockwall
¡An underground wull.
Kanfinan
Mar. 1, 1873 Apr. 23, 1873
150; Rockwall.
5,817
Runnels
Governor II. R. Runnels.
Bexar and Travis.
Feb.
1, 1858 Feb.
16, 1880
990 Ballinger.
3,182
Rnek
Thomas J. Rusk
Nacogdoches ..
Jun. 16, 1813
Feb. 6, 1813
917 Henderson
18 986
Sabine
Municipality of Sabine.
Original
1836
1837
572 Hemphill ..
4,958 6,681
San Augustine ... San Jacinto.
Municipality of San Augustine Original
1836
1837
856 San Angustine. 637 Cold Spring ...
7,356
San Patricio.
Original
1836
1837
614 San Patriclo ..
1,309
Schleicher
Municipality of San Patricio .: Gustav Schleicher, M. C.
Crockett
Apr.
1, 1887 Unorganized
San Saba.
San Saba River.
Bexar .
Feb.
1, 1856 May 3, 1856
1,410
Shackelford.
Dr. Schackelford
Bosque
Feb.
1, 1858 Sept. 12, 1874 1836 1837
802 Center.
14,341
Sherman. Smith ..
James Smith ...
Nacogdoches
Apr.
11, 1846 July
13, 1846
957 Tyler.
28,297
Somervell.
Alexander Somervell
Hood
Mar.
13, 1875 Apr.
12, 1575
3,411
Starr ..
James HI. Starr .. .
Nueces
Feb.
10, 1848 Ang. 7,1818
2,544 Rio Grande
10,04.1
Stephens
Alexander II. Stephens.
Bosque
Jan.
22, 1858
1876 900 Breckenridge.
8,933
Sterling
Sterling Creek
Tom Green.
Mur.
4, 1891 |June
3, 1891 900 Sterling City. 900 Raynor.
1,025
Sutton.
Lient. Col. Sutton, of C. S. A. Crockett
Apr.
1, 1887. Nov. 4, 1890
1,500 Senora.
Swisher James Q. Swisher.
Bexar
Navarro
Dec, 20, 1819|Ang. 5, 1850|
900 Fort Worth
40,888
1,049 Jewett .. ..
13,780
Liberty
Municipality of Liberty ..
Original
San Patricio and Nneces Gillespie and Bexar. Tom Green. Bexar
Aug. 21, 1876 Mar. 10. 18 11
Madison
James Madison.
Grimes, Walker and Leon.
Jan. 27, 1853 Ang. 7. 1854
460 Madisonville .. 418 Jefferson
1837 1,054 Willis . 9 ) Unorganized 26% Daingerfield.
6,58 )
Nacogdoches
Nacogdoches tribe of Indians.
Original
1,005 Matador. 974 Nacogdoches .. 1,055 Corsicana . 875 Newton
25,3 7
Nueces
Nueces River.
San Patricio.
Apr. 18, 1846 July 13, 1816
2,815 Corpus Christi 910 Ochiltree.
8,089 198
968 Palo Pinto .. 799 furthage 900 |Wentherford ... 858 Unorganized ..
14,301
Parker
A family ut Parker's Fort.
Navarro and Bosque.
Dec.
21. 1876 Unorganized
Pecos
Pecos River.
Presidio
May
Aug. 21, 1876 July
27, 1889
900 Canyon.
21,327
Reeves.
George R. Reeves.
Pecos ....
14, 1883 Nov. 4, 1881 2,721 Pecor.
60J
Refugio
Municipality of Refugio
Original
Ang.
21, 1876 Jan. 10, 1889 900 Miami.
828
Robertson
..
Battlefield of San Jacinto ..
Polk, Liberty, Walker and Aug. 13, 1870 Dec. Montgomery.
1, 1870
Scurry
W'm. R. Scurry
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1876 June 28, 1884
900 Albany
2,37
Shelby.
General Shelby, of Kentucky. General Sidney Sherman
Original
Bexar ..
Ang. 21, 1876 June 13, 1889
910|Coldwater.
34
Stonewall
Gen'l. T. J. (Stonewall) Jack. son.
Fannin
Aug.
21, 1876 Dec. 20, 1888
Ang. 21, 1876; Nov. 11, 1890 900 Tulia
..
Tarrant. E. II. Tarrant.
Wood, Hunt and Ilopkins ... Bexar ..
Rundull
11. Randall ..
1836
18:7 1,062 Clarksville
139
Lubbock
Tom Lubbock.
varro.
Aug. 21, 1876 Jan. 10, 1881
ell
11,736
20, 8 2
80, 1816 Sept. - , 1846
1,109 Livingston 900 Amarillo.
1,200 Unorganized 1,131 San Saba. 900 Snyder
6,614
199 Glen Rose.
Sterling C. Robertson.
County Seat.
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
209
Counties.
Named for-
Counties Created from.
When Created.
When Organized.
Area in
County Seat.
Population in 1890.
Taylor
A family by name of Tavlor. . Bexar and Travis
Feb. 1, 18 8 July 3, 18.8
900 Abilene.
6,946
Terry
Frank Terry ...
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1876 l'horganized
900 Unorganized
Throckmorton ...
'Dr. William E. Throckmorton. Fannin and Borqne.
Jan. 13, 18:8:Mur. 18, 1819
Titus
An old settler ....
Red River and Bosque. Bexar .
Mur.
13, 1-74 Jan. 5, 1875
Travis .
William B. Travis ..
Bastrop.
Jan. 2!, 1810 | Apr.
8, 1813
Trinity.
Trinity River ...
Honston.
Feb. 11, 1850 Apr. 1, 1850
Tyler
John Tyler.
Liberty ..
Spr.
3, 1846 July 13, 18 16
Upshur Upton.
John and W. F. Upton
Bexar ..
Feb.
8, 1850 Apr. 21, 1856
1,548 Uvalde
3,802
Val Verde.
Relative location.
Kinney, Crockett and Pecos. Henderson.
Mar.
24, 1885|May 2,1885
3,231 Del 1.io.
2,860
Victoria
Municipality of Victoria.
Original .
1836
1837
882 Victoria
8,635
Walker ..
Robert J. Walker
Montgomery.
Apr.
4, 1846 July 13, 1846
763 Iluntsville.
12,911
Waller ...
Edwin Waller.
Grimes and Anetin Tom Green
Feb.
26, 1887, Unorganized 1836
603 Brenham.
** 8,601
Webb
James Webb
Bexar and San Patricio ..
Jan. 28, 1 43 16, 1848 Mar.
1,552 Laredo
16,583
Wharton
W. II. and J. A. Wharton
Matagorda, Colorado, Jack- FON.
Apr. 3, 1846 July
13, 1846
1,172 Wharton
7,536
Wheeler
Judge Royall T. Wheeler
Bexar and Fannin
Apr.
21, 1876 Apr. 12, 1879
900 Mobeetie.
778
Wichita.
Wichita River.
Yonng Lund District
Feb.
1, 1858 June 21, 1883
589 Wichita Falls.
4,831
Wilbarger .
Wilbarger f mily.
Bexar .
Feb.
1, 1858 Oct.
10, 1:81
937 Vernon
7,072
Williamson
R. M. Williamson.
Milam
Mar.
13, 18 8 Aug. 7, 1848
1,197 Georgetown. 795|Floresville.
10,651
Winkler.
Judge C. M. Winkler ..
Tom Green
Feb.
26, 1887 Unorganized
837 |Unorganized .
Wise.
Henry A. Wire ....
Cooke
Jan.
23, 1856, May
5, 1856
900 Decatur
24,133
Wood
George T. Wood
Van Zandt.
Feb.
5, 1850 Aug.
5, 1850
702 Quitman
13,928
Yoaknm
llenderson Yoakum
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1876 Unorganized
825 Unorganized
Young.
William Cooke Yonng.
Fmmmmin and Bosque
Feb.
2, 1856 Apr. 17, 1874
900 Graham
5,044
Zapata
Zupata, a Mexican patriot
Starr and Webb.
Jan.
22, 1858 Apr. 26, 1858
1,291 Carrizo
3,636
Zavala
Lorenzo de Zavala .
Uvalde and Maverick
Feb.
1, 1858 Feb. 25, 1884
1,290 Batesville
1,096
1
SUMMARY OF TOTALS
COUNTIES.
1888.
1889.
1890.
Total number counties in State
245
245
247
Total number organized counties.
200
200
219
Total number unorganized counties
45
40
28
1
AREA AND) POPULATION.
Total square miles territory.
274,366
Population, United States census 1880.
1,591,740'
Population, United States census 1890.
2,235,523
Increase in population since 188).
643.774 40.44
Relative rank in population ...
7
Density of population per square mile.
8.8
Wilson ...
James C. Witron ..
Bexar and Karnes.
Feb.
13, 186 )| Ang.
6, 1860
499 Hempstead.
10,577
Wurd
Thomns W. Ward.
855 Unorganized .
Washington
Municipality of Washington ..
Original
Mar. 20, 1848 Ang. 7,1818
810 Canton,
16,234
Van Zandt.
Isune Van Zandt
Nacogdoches and Harrison .. Tom Green
Apr.
27, 1846 July 13, 1816
Feb.
16, 1 87 Unorganized
1,197 Unorganized . ..
Uvnlde
Jose Uvalde ...
May 11, 1:46 July 13, 1816
Tom Green
General Toin Green
8,199 5,133 ((0 Throckmorton. 4:20 Mt. Pleasant .. 3,518 Bnn Angelo .... 90 1,019 Austin 703 Groveton. 918 Woodville. 36,1:3 10,566 10,631 519 Gilmer 12,659
Abel P. Up: hur.
Apr.
28, 1873 Ang. 16. 1873
1837
125,883
Percentage of gain since 1880
The population of Texas in 1835 is estimated at 50,000; 1845, 150,000; 1850 cenene, 212,592; 1860, 601.039; 1870, 818,579. During the decade 1880 to 1890, Texas advanced in population, in point of rank, from the eleventh to the seventh among the States of the Union.
Square Miles.
210
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
CITIES AND PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
Abilene, with a population of 4,300, is situated on the Texas & Pacific Railroad, 160 miles west of Fort Worth, and at about the center of the " Abilene country." Its esti- mated trade for 1891 was about $1,800,000, the average freight receipts at the depot being about $22,000 per month. During the year 1890 nineteen brick business houses were erected. There are three national banks, with an aggregate capital and surplus of $375,000, and the city has also water-works, electric lights, ice factory, etc.
Austin, the capital of the State, is located near the geographical center of Travis county. Its topography is distinctively unique, having in general the grade of an inclined plane broken by superficial waves, which seem from their regularity to be the work of art rather than the formation of nature. It is located at tle foot of a range of mountains and possesses all local advantages that the most refined taste could desire. In sight of the city and a short distance from it Mount Barker and Mount Bonnell lift their tower- ing heads-the former to an altitude of 39S, and the latter 372 feet above the streets of the city. At the entrance of a fertile plain, on the banks of a beautiful stream, it unites the convenience of a commercial town with the romantic beauty of a spot admired by all for its pre-eminent loveliness. Its environ- ments present every shade of refined beauty and cultivated elegance. Austin is regarded by general consent as the most beautifully located city in the State. The site was selected by a committee appointed by Presi- dent Lamar in 1839 to locate a permanent seat of government. It was known at that time as the hamlet of Waterloo, and had a
population consisting of three families. What an enchanting picture must have presented itself to the committee! Here was a combi- nation of charms that delighted the senses, embracing the majesty of mountain scenery, the spreading prairie, the lofty forest, the charming valleys and bounding streams.
The city was splendidly laid out with broad and imposing avenues, which received their names from the forest trees and streams of the State. Its corporate limits embrace an area of sixteen and three-tenths square iniles. It has an efficient electric street rail- way system, with its ramifications reaching the principal points of interest. It has also a dummy line in successful operation, ex- tending to the dam. The illumination by gas and electricity gives the place an air of convenience and security.
Austin has greatly increased in population during the past few years. In 1880 the population, according to the United States census, was 11,013; in 1891 it was 25,000. The assessed values of property during the same period increased from $5,044,224 tu $10,514,088.
The population comprises some of the most enterprising and energetic as well as the most conservative to be found in the State. As a result of this Austin is a beauti- ful city, abundantly provided with every con- venienee which has been called into being by the wants of man.
While Austin is not yet distinctively a manufacturing city, recent investigations showing its possibilities as a manufacturing center, and the proximity of valuable build- ing stone and an abundance of clay for brick- making near at hand, have encouraged im- provements of all kinds, and a general feeling of confidence for the city's future provails.
In 1890 the tax-paying voters of the city
ERWOT
21
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
decided at the polls by a r aj writy of twenty- seven to one to issue bonds for $1,400,000, for the purpose of erecting an enormous dam across the Colorado river and the building of a complete system of water and electric light works, to be owned and controlled by the city.
The work on the dam was begun in No- vember, 1890, and was completed in 1893. It is an immenso granite structure, 1,150 feet long and 60 feet above the ordinary low-water level of the river. Total cost of the dam, $607,928, and the city water and electric plants in connection raise the total cost to about $1,400,000. It furnishes 14,500-horse power, of which the city has about 4,500, leav- ing 10,000-horse power that can be util- ized for manufacturing purposes. It is the largest improved water-power, except one, in the United States. The lake formed by the building of the dam is another attractive feature of the city. It extends thirty miles up the river, and the scenery along its shores is of the most romantic and picturesque character, unsurpassed in America. A large excursion steamer navigates the lake, and Austin is destined to become a great pleasure resort. One of the most lovely sites on the lake, about four miles above the dam, has been laid out for extensive Chautauqua grounds. It is owned by an association of well known, ontorprising citizens and edn- cators, chartered by the State. A large per- manent high school, for advanced education, is established at the Chautauqua grounds. The site commands a magnificent view of lake and mountain scenery, and the Capital City can be plainly seen in the distance.
Austin offers many superior advantages for manufacturing enterprises, and her in- dustrial enterprises, although comparatively sinall, are increasing with every year by the
location of new establishments. A baking- powder factory and creamery are among the most recent assured additions to the manu- facturing interests of the city.
The Houston & Texas Central, the Inter- national & Great Northern, and the Austin & Northwestern railways run into the city. The Missonri, Kansas & Texas Railroad also has arrangements by which its passenger trains run into the city. It is the terminns .of the Houston & Texas Central, and the headquarters of the Austin & Northwestern Railroads.
Estimated mercantile transactions in 1891: Dry goods, $1,500,000; groceries, $2,500,- 000; hardware, $800,000; jewelry, $750,- 000; Inmber, $1,200,000; agricultural im- plements, $800,000; furniture, $1,000,000; produce, eggs, chickens, etc., $250,000; mis- cellaneous, $2,000,000. Produce, etc., han- dled in 1891: Cotton, 16,000 bales; wool, 2,500,000 pounds; hides, 1,200,000 pounds; cotton seed, 10,000 tons; corn, 100,000 bushels; wheat, 10,000 bushels; live-stock, 5,000 head; value of all other products, $100,000.
Bank exchange in 1891 amounted to $11,- 000,000.
The real type of Texas civilization ex- pressed itself at an onrly date after annoxa- tion in the establishment of three grand asylums-ono for the blind, one for the deaf and dumb, and one for the insane. The cost to the State in the establishment and mainte- nance of these benevolent institutions has been and still is a heavy draft upon the treasury. While they are sustained by direct taxation, they are the State's channels of con- tinnous aid to the nufortunate among the people. They are objects of general in- terest, and frequent entertainments given by thom draw large crowds and furnish occa
المدة
212
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
sions of much instruction and amnsement. An asylum for the deaf and dumb and blind of the colored race has also been established near the city.
The Travis county courthouse, constructed out of limestone having a marble-like ap- pearance, and symmetrically proportioned to its surroundings, occupies an attractive and commanding place to the public eye. It is a costly building, having the appointments of convenience suggested by modern experience, . and is located near the southeast corner of Capitol square and fronting Congress avenue.
The land office, situated in the east edge of Capitol square, is an imposing edifice adapted to the large business of the land commis- sioner, an officer of State. The governor's mansion is eligibly located on an elevated site southwest of Capitol square and in full view of the new capitol.
The United States building for post office and other governmental purposes, situated on the corner of Colorado and Sixth street (for- merly Pecan street), is a handsome structure, every way in harmony with the greatness of the country and the magnificence of the city.
The University of the State of Texas is domiciled in an imposing building on College Ilill, in the northern portion of the city. The growing patronage of this institution, its increasing matriculation during the brief period of its existence, and the thorough scholarship required in graduation, success- fully advertise the work that is being done.
In this connection it is noted with pride the Confederate Home, an eleemosynary in- stitution for the purpose indicated in the title. It is situated in the western part of the city, comprising a beautiful tract of land upon which is constructed an elegant and commodious building. The scope of its de- sign is to provide a home for the unfortunate
soldier having served in the Confederate army. It was conceived in the purest patri- otism and noblest philanthropy, and although young in its mission of mercy it is rapidly approximating the ideal created for it by the divinest sentiments that ever dominate the human heart.
.
The Travelers' Protective Association of America has selected Austin for the location of their National Sanitarium, where the com- mercial travelers of the entire Union may spend their vacations. A beautiful site in the eastern part of the city, embracing some thirty acres on the line of the Austin & Northwestern Railroad, has been donated to the association, and buildings in keeping with the well known liberality of the traveling men will soon be erected thereon:
Austin has one of the best school systems in the State, and had a scholastic population in 1890 of 4,004, and gave employment to sixty teachers.
Brenham, the county seat of Washington- county, is a flourishing commercial place of 7,000 inhabitants. It is located at the inter- section of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe division of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Houston & Texas Central division of the Southern Pacific systems of railway. The town is beautiful and most pleasantly located, and surrounded by a very fine farm- ing country in a high state of cultivation, and much valuable timber yet remains in the county. The town is well built and supplied with many costly public buildings and hand- some residences.
As a commercial and manufacturing center, few places of its size possess greater advant- ages, in both of which it is steadily increasing.
The estimated mercantile transactions for 1890 amounted to about $4,385,000. Bank capital, $400,000.
1
213
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
There are in that city eleven churches, with an estimated membership of 3,200, and there are twenty lodges.
Brownsville, the county seat of Cameron county, is situated in the southwestern part of the county, on the Rio Grande, about thirty miles above its mouth, and directly opposite the Mexican city of Matamoras. It has a large trade with the numerous small towns along the Rio Grande for a distance of 400 miles, the extent of steamboat naviga- tion. It has commercial relations with the gulf ports, both by the way of the mouth of the Rio Grande and the port of Brazos de Santiago, with which it is connected by the Rio Grande Railroad.
Population in 1890, 6,020. Assessed value of property, $886,215 in 1880, and in 1891 $1,126,136.
Bryan, in Brazos county, had a population in 1890 of 3,869, and an assessed valnation of $1,376,000.
All the church buildings are nice, hand- some structures.
Burnet, the capital of Burnet county, is situated about the center of the county, on the Austin & Northwestern Railway, and surrounded by picturesque scenery. It has a good trade, and is specially a wool and live- stock market. Assessed value of all proporty in 1891, 8543,133.
Cleburne, the seat of government for John- son county, is located near the center of the county, on the edge of the Lower Cross Tim- bers, fifty-two miles from Dallas and twenty- eight from Fort Worth. It is on the main line of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Rail- road, and is the location of the shops of that road, and also has a railroad direct to Dallas and to Weatherford. It is situated in the midst of a fine agricultural and stock-raising district, as well as horticultural. It is the
largest shipping point on its line between Galveston and Dallas or Fort Worth.
Assessed valuation of property in 1891, $1,509,750.
Besides an excellent system of public schools there is a seminary of high standing and several smaller private schools.
Cuero, the county seat of De Witt county, had in 1890 a population of 3,079, and is a growing town, doing considerable business.
Dallas is situated on the Trinity river near the center of the county. It is a city of great push and energy. It has grown from a village of 10,358 inhabitants in 1880 to a population of 38,140 in 1890. The assessed values show a similar ratio of increase, hav- ing increased from $3,420,045 in 1880 to $32,098,950 in 1890. The population given here includes Dallas with all its suburbs.
The period in the history of Dallas has been reached when its future is no longer doubtful. Its natural advantages make it a. rival of the most prosperous cities of the South in progressiveness and commercial im- portance. It is situated in the midst of the great grain belt of the State, and the many new enterprises inaugurated during the past few years are only keeping pace with the general expansion going on. In point of agricultural surroundings and manufacturing and commercial importance it is inferior to no city in the State. The past year has been a very prosperous one for Dallas. The num- ber of public buildings and private residences constructed are said to be greater than that of any other city in the State.
Dallas has fine railroad facilities for mar- keting its manufactured products. The fol. lowing railroads run into the city: The Texas & Pacific, the Dallas & Wichita, the Houston & Texas Central, the Missouri Pacific, the Texas Trunk, the Gulf, Colorado
1
214
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
& Santa Fe, the Dallas & Waco, and the Dallas, Southeastern & Pacific, about com- pleted-thus making Dallas one of the great railroad centers of the State. It has sixteen miles of rapid-transit railroad, and about this mileage under construction; twenty-six miles of electric street railroad, and several miles being constructed. The business streets and many miles of residence streets are paved with bois d'arc.
A careful estimate of the volume of trade for 1890 gives the total of mercantile trans- actions $26,097,000. The city has seven large flouring mills, ten banks, etc. There was spent in 1888 $2,750,000 in building operations and public improvements.
The State Fair and Dallas Exposition, which is the outgrowth of the consolidation of the Dallas State Fair and Exposition and the Texas State Fair is located at Dallas, with a capital of $250,000. It is situated ahout two miles from the courthouse and has a rapid-transit electric and railroad lines run- ning to the grounds. The grounds cover an area of 120 acres, which, with all improve- ments, cost $177,000. It is one of Dallas' most successful enterprises, as exhibited by the receipts and expenses for 1888-receipts $110,000, expenses $80,000.
The Federal District and Circuit Court for the Northern District of Texas is also located here.
The receipts of the Dallas post-office for the years 1888 and 1889, for example, very largely increased, and give an idea of the varied growth of postal business. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, $63,305 .- 26; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, $79,414.23.
Denison is a flourishing town of Grayson county, on the Houston & Texas Central Railway and is the southern terminus of the
great Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. It is three miles south of Red river. The population now is 11,000, and the place is rapidly improving. It is one of the most important places in northern Texas.
Denton, the county seat of Denton county, is thirty-five miles northwest of the city of Dallas by the line of the Dallas & Wichita Railroad, which has its terminus at Denton. It is situated about the center of the county, on the Transcontinental division of the Texas & Pacific Railroad.
It has a population of 3,129, with property assessed at about $1,000,000. Has two national banks, with a paid up capital of $110,000; two flouring mills, representing an invested capital of $100,000; an ice factory, marble works, two brick factories, two pot- teries, and several other manufacturing establishments.
Estimated mercantile transactions in 1890, $810,000. There were expended in 1890 $25,000 in public improvements.
Fort Worth, the county seat of Tarrant county, is situated near the center of the county, on a high plateau overlooking the Trinity river. It is vigorous and enterpris- ing, and is a success as a commercial and manufacturing point. Its growth has been steady and uniform. Fort Worth has long been the distributing point for the live-stock trade of the northwest; and to this is now added the enormous grain trade of the lately opened region of northwestern Texas known as the "Panhandle."
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