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 30
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 30
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 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
In 1876 it had a population of 1,123, and that year the Texas & Pacific Railroad was built to it. The increase in population and wealth was thenceforward very marked. The United States census for 1890 gave a popula- tion of 22,700; that of 1891, estimated at (city directory) 32,000.
215
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
The assessed valnes in 1880 were $1,992,- 891, and in 1890 $21,306,785.
Fort Worth is situated in the northern portion of the central artesian water belt of the State, and has within its limits about 300 artesian wells, which supply water to both public and private enterprises. These wells vary in depth from 114 to 1,140 feet. The first well was dug in 1879 and there is no diminution from the water flow. The deep- est wells are the strong-flowing ones. The water from these wells in most instances is wholesome, and is used for drinking and domestic purposes.
Manufacturing establishments now in oper- ation are testimonies of Fort Worth's pros- perity. They indicate what is in store for a city with such enterprise and financial back- ing as is possessed by Fort Worth.
The city has 110 miles of graded and graveled streets, sixty miles of sewer, fifty- mine miles of electric street railway, is copionsly lighted by electricity, and has seven- teen churches, models of architecture. It has seven national banks, with a combined capi- tal of $5,000,000. Amount expended in 1890 in building operations and public im- provements, $2,112,000.
Fort Worth is a great railroad center, the the following lines entering the place: Texas & Pacitic, St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, Fort Worth & Rio Grande, Fort Worth & Denver City, Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe, Missouri, Kansas & Texas and the Fort Worth & New Orleans. The shops of the Fort Worth & Denver City, the Texas & Pacific and Fort Worth & Rio Grande Railroad Companies are located here.
The mercantile transactions for 1890 were estimated at about $14,000,000
Galveston, the capital of Galveston county and chief seaport in the State, is situated on the extreme northeast end of Galveston island, at the mouth of the bay of the same name. It was laid out in 1838. The first sale of town lots took place April 20 of that year.
Galveston's peculiar advantages, by reason of its geographical position, have long at- tracted the attention of the commercial world. It is one of the largest cotton markets of America, which trade has contributed much toward its general prosperity.
Galveston suffered with other Southern cities in the general business depression incident to the war, and her trade, manu- factures and industries of every character were more or less prostrated. But this pros- tration was only temporary. New enterprises have sprung up, and the commercial, manu- facturing and maritime interests of the city took on new life, and at present a general feeling of confidence prevails, and the outlook . for prosperity and stability is brighter than ever in the history of the city.
It has had a constant, steady increase in population, and for the past few years the ratio of increase has been great. The popu- lation (U. S. Census) in 1870, 15,200; in 1880, 24,121; in 1890, 29,118; estimated directory count, 1891, 56,000.
During 1889-'90-'91 the city inaugurat- ed a thorough system of water works, fed from the many artesian wells in the city limits. A marked difference in the tonnage of vessels engaged in the export and import trade is observed, and the draught of water over the bar has been very much improved. From August 1, 1888, to August 1, 1889, 75 steamers entered the harbor from foreign ports and 192 entered from coastwise ports, while 80 cleared for foreign ports and 174 for coastwise ports.
الـ
.
216
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Ocean-going vessels which have entered and cleared from this port for seven months, ending March 31, are as follows:
Entered from foreign ports .. .. 162 No.
Tons.
194,883
Entered from domestic ports . . 203
241,468
Cleared for foreign ports. . .176
246,613
Cleared for domestic ports . .. 202
271,176
Total. 743 954,140
Ocean-going vessels have brought into and carried out of this port in twelve months, ending June 30, 1891 (May and June esti- inated to equal previous year), merchandise and products amounting in value to- Imports, foreign and domestic .. $87,000,000 Exports, foreign and domestic .. 84,000,000
Total value $171,000,000
Imports consisting of miscellaneous mer- chandise, coal, etc., mainly from New York and other Atlantic ports, foreign imports being less than one-third of the total. Ex. ports, mainly cotton, amounting to about 850,000,000, the other $34,000,000 being made up of wool, grain, flour, other agri- cultural products, and the product of our factories, of which the United States Govern- ment reports by the late consus we have over 800 in operation. The near-by coastwiso traffic carried on in small steamers and sloops amounts annually to many millions of dollars, and it is safe to say the port of Galveston does an annual business exceeding in value $200,000,000, to which, in order to obtain the vast volume of business transacted in Galveston, should be added to wholesale merchandise business, amounting to i carly $60,000,000 per annum, the annual output of our 304 manufactories, amounting to several millions of dollars, and the bank clearances, which far exceed $250,000,000 per annum.
The city has an available wharf frontage on Galveston channel of over 6,000 feet. Its beach is said to be unsurpassed by any other on the American continent. It extends the whole length of the island east and west, and nearly straight, and almost as smooth as a . floor.
There are two lines of steamships plying between Galveston and New York city, with a daily linie to New Orleans, and another to Indianola and Corpus Crhisti, a weekly line to Ilavana, and a semi-monthly line to London.
The entrance to Galveston harbor is ob- structed by an inner and an outer bar, the removal of which has been undertaken by the United States Government. The work was begun in 1874, but the appropriations have been inadequate, and the work is still incom- plete, but very satisfactory as far as prose- cuted. The water on the bar is steadily increasing in depth, and vessels are now passing over the bar drawing fifteen feet of water. The number of vessels requiring lightering before passing over the bar are fewer as the increased depth of water on the bar permits them to come in and discharge their cargoes. The work of deepening the water over the bar may be considered as experimental, but of sufficient importance to demonstrate the fact that when the work proposed is completed deep water over the bar varying from 18 to 20 feet will have been secured. The last report of the engineer in charge of the work shows a gain of six inches on the bar at mean low tide. In 1885 13} feet was the maximum depth over the bar. In 1886 only one vessel went out over the bar drawing 14 feet of water.
Galveston is a beautiful city, with wide and straight streets and elegant parks. It has a number of costly public buildings. Oleander
1
217
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Park occupies 80 acres, the City Park 25 acres. There are a number of public squares, an esplanade two miles long, and several public gardens. Magnolia Grove Cemetery comprises 100 acres, and the City Cemetery 10 acres.
Four railroads run into the city of Gal- veston. They are the Galveston, Houston & Henderson, the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe, the International & Great Northern, and the Aransas Pass -- the latter running into the city via the track of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fé.
All of the principal railroads in the State also have an outlet to the gulf over these lines.
In point of manufacturing and commercial importance Galveston surpasses any city in the State, and rivals many of the leading cities of the South with even greater popu- lation.
Galveston is the most attractive, coolest and healthiest city in the South. Constant gulf breeze, unsurpassed surf bathing and thirty miles of beach for riding and driving, which is unequaled in the world.
Georgetown, the county seat of William- son county, is situated in a high, healthy section of the county, on the bank of the beautiful San Gabriel river, at the terminus of the Georgetown branch of the Interna- tional & Great Northern Railroad from the south, and also the Georgetown & Granger branch of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad from the east. Its population is 2,538. It has two banks, one private and one national. The transactions of these two banks during 1890 amounted to $8,000,000.
Amount expended in building operations and public improvements, $500,000.
Manufacturing establishments consist of chair and furniture factory, sock factory, two
planing mills working all kinds of woodwork for building purposes; ice factory, capacity six tons per day; one roller flouring mill, capacity 110 barrels per day; one saddle and harness factory; one plow factory.
The Southwestern University is located here, which has the patronage of the five annual conferences of Texas, of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South. The annual enrolled attendance in 1890-'91 was about 600; $100,000 was expended in 1891 in improvements of the buildings of this uni- versity.
The Texas Chautauqua Assembly is located on a high, elevated hill, immediately west of the city, and on the opposite side of the river, which is spanned by a magnificent suspension bridge, and is in a flourishing condition.
The city is supplied with a magnificent system of waterworks, furnishing pure water from springs.
Gonzales, the capital of the county of the . same name, is situated on the Guadalupe river, a mile below the mouth of the San Marcos river, about sixty-six miles east of San Antonio and sixty miles south by east of Austin. It has a population of 2,500, two banks, three churches and a college.
Hempstead, in Waller county, is situated on a high, rolling prairie, about fifty miles northwest of Houston, on the Houston & Texas Central Railway, and is the eastern terminus of the Austin branch of that rail- way. It is in the midst of a most productive agricultural region. Population, 2,259. There are sold in the place about 3,500 bales of cotton annually, and it is also a great shipping point for watermelons and canteloupes.
Houston, the capital of Harris county, in latitude 29° 30', longitude 94° 50', is at the head of navigation of Buffalo bayou, fifty miles northwest of Galveston, and the rail.
218
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
road center of Texas. The city is situated on both sides of the bayon, on gently undu- lating land, and has steamboat communica- tion with Galveston daily. In 1890 it had a population of 27,411. Besides the usual complement of schools and churches it con- tains the Masonic Temple for the Grand Lodge of Texas, and its city hall and market house are unsurpassed in the South. The annual State fair is also held here. It is an important manufacturing center.
Assessed value of all property in 1891, $15,776,449, which is greater by nearly $3,- 000,000 than that of the preceding year. Total value of all the property owned by the city, $260,000. Number of square miles within the corporate limits, nine.
Huntsville, the last residence of the lamented Sam Houston, is the seat of gov- ernment of Walker county, on the Hunts- ville branch of the International & Great Northern Railroad, seventy-four miles north of Houston. It contains eight churches, the State penitentiary, Andrew Female College, Austin College (Presbyterian), etc. Popula- tion, 2,271. Assessed valne of all property in 1891, $490.000.
Kaufman, at the crossing of the east branch of the Texas Central and the Texas Trunk railroads, has onjoyed a constant in- creaso in population and in taxable values. Since 1870 the number of inhabitants has increased from 400 to about 3,000. Assessed values in 1890, $800,000.
Lumpasas, with a population of about 3,- 000, has a property assessed in 1891 at $1,- 096,325. There is also a seminary at that płace.
Laredo, on the Rio Grande, at the jnnc- tion of the International & Great Northern and the Mexican National railroads, has a
population of 11,313, an Ursuline academy or convent, and property assessed at $2,405,- 870 in 1891.
Marlin, the county soat of Falls county, is situated four miles northeast from the geographical center of the county, on the Waco division of the Houston & Texas Cen- tral Railroad. It has a population of 2,276. and property assessed in 1891 at $1,050,000. Amount expended in buildings and improve- ments during that year, $65,000.
Marshal', the seat of government for Har- rison county, in the eastern part of the State, has now a population of 7,196, six churches, a female college, Wiley University (Metho- dist Episcopal), the machine shops and head- quarters of the Texas & Pacific Railroad, etc. The Shreveport branch of the railroad forms its junction there.
Mckinney, the headquarters of Collin county, on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad, is the terminus of the East Line & Red River Railroad. The assessed value of the property of the place increa: ed from $610,000 in 1880 to $1,230,780 in 1888. In 1890 $30,000 was spent in buildings and improvements, and this is but a sample of what that city is averaging. Population in 1890, 3,849.
Nacogdoches, capital of the county of the samo namo, is situated on the Houston, East & West Texas Railroad, 140 miles from Ilouston and ninety from Shreveport. It is the best trading point between those two places. The amount of bank exchange in 1890 was $400,000.
New Birmingham, in Cherokee county, with a population of 1,200 in 1890, is des- tined to become an iron-mannfactoring city of considerable importance. It is situated only a mile and a half from Rusk, and is a new place, being laid off in 1888. It is on
£
5
IIISTORY OF TEXAS ..
219
the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad. White sulphur and chaly beate springs are numerons in the vicinity. The place is growing rapidly.
San Antonio is, as shown by the last United States census, the largest city in Texas. It is by far the prettiest, the most healthful, and has the finest drinking water of all cities anywhere, and her visible water supply is more than sufficient for a city of two millions of people. That this is no ex- aggeration may be seen by remembering that the San Antonio river, with a width of from thirty to seventy-five feet of purest, clearest water averaging from five to six feet deep, flows right through the middle of the city with a current of more than twelve miles an hour; and the San Pedro springs send a third as much through the city in the old acequias dug by the Spanish missionaries nearly 200 years ago; then it has one public artesian well right in the main business part of the city that flows over 3,500,000 gallons a day. This gives a public supply of more than 30,000,000 gal- lons of water a day, and its clearness, purity and sweetness are marvels to scientists as well as to visitors. Besides this, factories, ice works, the United States Government headquarters, laundries, breweries and pri- vate premises have a large number of wells, making the present flow of water within the corporate limits of San Antonio more than 45,000,000 gallons a day.
There is no climate yet known that equals that surrounding San Antonio. Southwest Texas, as shown by the most carefully kept statistics and scientific observations, sur- passes any known country. Consumption, catarrh, malarial and typhus complaints are unknown among the natives here, and those coming here in the early stages of lung dis-
cases recover, and a great improvement im- mediately follows any stage. The evenness of temperature in this section is conducive to healthfulness. The highest temperature in 1890 was 96 in July, and the lowest 24 in February, and the air is almost- perfectly dry except when raining. It was these facts of healthfulness, purity of water and mild. ness and evenness of temperature that caused the Spanish missionaries to select San An- tonio and southwest Texas as their abode and headquarters. As soon as the truth is known hundreds of thousands of people will flock to this section.
In the way of climate, air, water, soil, scenery and unlimited resources, nature has blessed this section of the United States above almost any country on earth. Ten years ago a city of 20,000 inhabitants, with scarcely any modern business houses, with but one strect worthy the name of a business street, with plazas, muddy eye-sores, streets unpaved and with few sidewalks, we find to-day a modern city of 41,181 inhabitants, and improvements completed and under con- struction that place the "Alamo City" in the front rank of Southern cities in appearance and in appliances for comfort.
As to municipal improvements the rapid increase in the assessed valnes of the city has enabled the authorities to inaugurate unprec- edented expenditures in this direction, while the tax rate has been actually reduced from that of four years ago, and now stands at 1 per cent., a rate lower than that paid in any large city in the United States; and there are more than 155 miles of water mains in San Antonio, nearly 75 miles of paved streets, more than 125 miles of smooth cement side- walks and the best electric street-car system of all cities in the United States-seventy-five miles.
1
1
1
220
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
The total number of manufactories now in operation is about 150, with a capital of $2,- 750,800. The raw material used in 1859 amounted to something like $1,800,000. In these establishments some 1,500 persons find employment, to whom wages are paid amounting to $400,000. The value of the products for 1889 aggregated $3,750,000.
One of the grand features that promises to have a great effect in San Antonio's success as a manufacturing center is the discovery of natural gas in considerable quantities both in and adjacent to the city. The wells already developed have more than enough to supply the entire city for domestic lighting and heating purposes. It has a confined pressure. of from 50 to 200 pounds per square inch. And on the same lands, belonging to Mr. George Dullnig, are some oil wells that flow the best lubricating oil on the market. It brings 20 cents a gallon for all that is pumped, and the Southern Pacific Railway gave a certificate saying one of their freight engines, oiled with it, had run over 3,000 miles without replenishing the cups-a re- cord unprecedented for any lubricating oil ever discovered.
The increase in taxable values is a good index of the prosperity of San Antonio. Tax -- State, city and county -- is less than in any city in the United States -- less than $2 on the $100 for all purposes whatever.
The San Antonio military post will one day be the largest in the country, as to-day it is the most beautiful. Nature has given the site, the location, the strategic impor- tance, and Uncle Sam has always recognized the importance of keeping troops here.
The first military post in San Antonio was established in 1865. The troops were with- drawn in 1873, but two years later they were marched back, as the war department
had discovered what an important point this was. It was determined to make the establishment here permanent and the citizens were agreeable to the iden. What is now known as Government hill, be- ing then a long distance from the town, met with favor in the eyes of the officers detailed to select a site.
The various Christian and Jewish denom- inations have a strong representation in the city. Many of the buildings in which their worship is conducted are fine specimens of church architecture. The most imposing church building is the San Fernando cathe- dral, which is the central church of the Catholic religion in the Southwest. This cathedral is situated on Main plaza and its . fine peal of the bells and sweet-toned organ are famons throughout the State. The largest Protestant church is called St. Mark's. It is the seat of the Episcopalian bishop of West- ern Texas. This church is beautifully lo- cated on Travis square and is widely noted for its magnificient choir and choral services. In the same neighborhood are situated the Jewish synagogue the First Baptist church and the Methodist Episcopal church, South. The following list shows the number of churches owned by the several denominations :. Episcopalian 4, Catholic 4, Presbyterian 3, Methodist 6, Baptist 5, Lutheran 1, Chris- tian 1, colored denominations 7. The rolls of church membership are large, and well filled churches attest the great number of worshipers in the city.
Besides these, all of which have large Sun- day-schools, the Young Men's Christian As- sociation has a large membership -- a larger per cent of young people than any city in the Sonthwest -- with a ladies' auxiliary.
No city in the United States has better schools than has San Antonio. She has a
!
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
221
larger scholastic population than any city in Texas by over 3,000, it being 10,694, 1,590 of which are colored. Her public free school property is valued at $1,000,000, and com- prizes seven two-story and one three-story building, latest designs, with all comforts and appliances, for white children, and one two- story stone and two large frame buildings for colored children.
As a picturesque and historical city there is none in the United States that can equal San Antonio. It is the tourists' paradise. It was founded in 1691, and has been the scene of many an exciting affray. There are many points of interest that afford great at- traction for the visitors to the city. The chief one of these is the Alamo, which was originally founded as a mission under the name of San Antonio de Valero, in 1720. It became the garrison or fort for Spanish and afterward American troops. As such it was the scene of several battles, the most memor- able of which was in 1836, when General Santa Anna, at the head of a Mexican army of 7,000, besieged it, and when, on the 6th of March of that year, he carried it by storm after being three times repulsed by Colonel William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, James Bowie and their 172 heroic companions, who died fighting for Texas liberty, and whose bodies were burned by the savage Mexicans after the battle and their ashes lie buried in the sacred soil.
The Alamo is now the property of the State of Texas, is in the custody of the city of San Antonio and is open to visitors daily without charge.
The mission Concepcion, which is known as the first mission, was founded in 1716. It is situated on the left bank of the San Antonio river, about two miles below the city. It was the scene of a battle between
Colonel James Bowie, commanding 90 Americans and about 400 Mexican regular troops. The Mexicans were defeated with a loss of 60 killed and 40 wounded. The Americans lost one man killed. This battle was fought on the 28th of October, 1835. This mission was also the scene of several Indian battles. Its name as a mission was " Mision Concepcion la Purisima de Acuna."
The second mission is the most beautiful and elegant of all the Texas missions. It is situated about four miles below the city near the river, and is named Mision San Jose de Agnayo. It was founded in 1720, and the celebrated artist, IInica, was sent here by the king of Spain, and devoted several years to carving its various ornamentations, statues, etc. The hands of vandals have exceeded the ravages of time in its defacement. Like the. others, this mission has been the scene of many memorable conflicts. It is well worthy of a visit by all tourists.
The third mission differs in general de- sign from all the other missions. It was founded in 1716 and is situated abont six miles below the city. Its name as a mission was Mision San Juan Capistrano. It was near here that the American patriots rendez- voused prior to their capture of San Antonio from the Mexicans under General Cos, in 1835,-a battle which aroused the ire of Santa Anna and led to the holocaust of the Alamo and subsequently to Texan inde- pendence. Like most of the other missions, it is now in ruins-picturesque but silent elo- quence of past glories and tragedies.
Sherman, having in 1890 a population of 7,320, is the county seat of Grayson county, and a good railroad point. Assessed value of all property in 1891, $4,966,334. Total of all property owned by the city, $20,872.
Sulphur Springs, the chief trading point
.
1
N
222
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
in Hopkins county, grew in population from 1,000 in 1870 to 3,038 in 1890, and the assessed values increased from $800,000 in 1880 to $1,300,000 in 1890. This place also has a number of medicinal wells and springs.
Temple, in Bell county, is at the intersec- . tion of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas and the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe railroads, has a population of 6,500, and is a new and grow- ing city.
Terrell, thirty-two miles east of Dallas, is situated on the Texas & Pacific Railroad, is a great shipping point for cattle, and is abun- dantly supplied with wells of good water. In 1890 it had a population of 2,977. The Terrell Institute is a good school at the place.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.