History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families, Part 27

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Texas > Harris County > Houston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 27
USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 27

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).

OATS.

There was a large decrease in the acreage in oats in 1890, attributable to putting oats land in cotton. The average value per bushel of onts in the United States in 1889 was 22.9 cents, and the average valne per acre was $6 26. In this State the average for 1890 was $9.46 per acre, and 48 cents per bushel. Owing to the fact that there is no means of knowing what the average annual consump- tion per capita of oats is, it is impossible to determine exactly whether the supply ex- ceeds the demand or not. The vast amount of open range and enclosed pasture land cur- tails largely the annual consumption of oats in this State.

19.4

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

RYE.

Rye is sown mostly for pastnrage in this State, there being little if nny demand for it in local markets. The average yield per acre in the United States for 1888 was 12 bushels, and the average value per bushel 58 cents. The crop of 1889 in this State averaged 14 bushels per acre, and the average value per bushel was 85 cents.

BARLEY.

The barley crop is of small importance in this State. In fact the yield is not a fair average of what might be produced under different conditions. Most of the barley sown is planted for pasturage, there being little or no demand for it except for secd. The yield, therefore, represents what is har- vested after the pasturing season is past, and gathered mainly for seed.

HAY.

Upon this crop the language used in the report of 1888 is still appropriate:

"Under this heading is included sorghum cane cut for lmy, cultivated hay, millet and prairie hay, standing in value per acre in order above presented. Sorghum cane hay is most profitable, showing the highest aver- age yield per acre. It is affected less by drouthi thian any other cultivated product, and in favorable seasons two crops can be casily grown. The acreage in cultivated hay indi- cates the extent to which farmers arc turn- ing attention to the various varietics of grasses that must soon become a part of the crop on every well conducted farm."

The average value per acre of the different

hay crops was as follows: Sorghum cane hay, $17.75; cultivated hay, $10.88; prairie lay, $5.27; millet, $12.87.

POTATOES.

Sweet Potatoes .- There was a decrease in the acreage in sweet potatocs as compared to 1888, and a decrease in the average yield per acre. The average value per acre of this crop in 1889 was $57.50, and for the past four years was $57.83. The average yield per acre for the past four years was 123.11 bushels. The demand for the pure yellow yanı has never been fully supplied. While not so prolific as other varieties, it bears a higher market value and can be readily sold.

Irish .- There was an increase in the acrc. age in Irish potatoes in 1890. Owing to thie . inability of preserving them for any consider- able length of time in this climate, the pro- duction of Irish potatoes for the general market is not undertaken at all. The local markets are supplied with them when the crop first matures, but beyond this their pro- duetion is adjusted to the demands of the farm on which they are cultivated. Our soil is admirably adapted to the production of Irish potatoes, and the average yield per acre is considerably above the national average. The average annual yield per acre in the United States for thic ten years ending in 1888 wns 87.7 bushels, while in this State the average annual yield per acre for four years past (which is as far back as we have an accurate record) was 101.67 bushels.

SORGIIUM OANE.

The large decline in the acrcage of sorghum cane devoted to the production of sorghum cane syrup is not easily accounted for, unless

195

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

it be on account of low prices and the grow- ing tendency to supplant sorghum cane syrup with syrup made from sugar cane. It is partly accounted for from the fact that here- tofore more of the acreage in sorghum cane should have been credited to the hay crop, having been planted for that purpose alone. Sorghum cane syrup is not so generally used as formerly, and in time it will doubtless be practically eliminated as a syrup crop.

SUGAR CANE.

One of the most promising fields for de- velopment is the vast area of alluvial soil in the middle, eastern and southern part of the State adapted to the growth of sugar cane. This territory is variously estimated at from 500,000 to 1,000,000 acres. From informa- tion collected in this office the conelnsion has been reached that there is not less than 1,- 000,000 acres in south Texas alone where engar cane can be successfully grown every year, and on the river bottoms and along many of the smaller streams, as high as the 33d parallel, it is successfully grown for the manufacture of syrup.

The total value of the sugar and syrup crops amount to $1,260,650, and the valne per aere $88.62. As stated in previous re- ports, only a small portion of the area in sugar cane is devoted to sugar-making, owing to a want of facilities for manufacturing sugar. The larger part of the crop is con- verted into syrup, which is less profitable than sugar, and consequently the value of the crop per acre is thereby considerably reduced.

The following observations in the report of 1887 are still true:

"Estimating the area in which sugar cane can be profitably grown at a balf million

acres, and valuing the product at $100 per acre, a fair idea of the possibilities of de- velopment in this industry may be gained. It would yield a crop annually worth $50,- 000,000 -- a sum greater by $1,500,000 than the present value of the cotton crop of the State. It is as staple an article, and less liable to fluctuation in prices. The supply in the United States is far below the demand, and there is, therefore, an unlimited market for the product.

"The only difficulty in the way of the rapid development of the industry is the cost of machinery necessary, which practically limits the advantages presented to men of large means, the cost of a plant ranging from $60,000 to $100,000. Co-operation has been suggested by some as a remedy for this, while others have thought that the purchase by the large mill owners of the cane grown by small planters wonld solve the problem."

Messrs. Cunninghamn & Miller, of Sugar- land, Fort Bend county, have recently retined a quantity of granulated sugar, as good as any in the market, but their efforts have been cramped by opposing trusts.

FLAX.

Flax has been raised in Texas as fine as any in Ireland. It will produce here about two tons to the acre, worth abont $45, while it costs less to market it than cotton.

BEE OULTURE.

The production of honey has received but little attention in the State, although it pays more to the capital invested than any other business. Unlike the interest on money, which silently piles up the indebtedness of individuals, bees, with but little attention, day after day, store away hundreds of pounds

196

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

of honey, which not only add many dollars to the purse, but they furnish the table with a luxury which cannot well be dispensed with.

In 1890, 145,542 stands produced 2,316,- 889 pounds, valued at $236,466, which was more than 10 cents per pound.

HORTICULTURE.

As stated in previous reports under this head, it is intended mainly to record the number of acres in orchards and note the progress made from year to year in extend- ing the area devoted to the fruit-growing in- dustry. The total acreage in orchards in the State is 62,835, and the value of the fruit erop in 1890, estimated at current market prices, was $1,227,791.

We take this occasion to repeat the language of the report of 1888 commendatory of the work of the Stato Horticultural Society in promoting the interests of horticulture throughout the State, which was as follows:

" Within the past few years the State Ilorti- cultural Society has done a great work in de- veloping and cultivating an interest among the people of the State on the subject of horti- culture. Local societies have been formed in various parts of the State; und local fairs hold nt which the horticultural products of the immediate section in particular and the State in general were exhibited, thus practi- cally educating the people upon this most important branch of agriculture, and stimu- lating an interest in the adoption of the best . methods of work and the attainment of a more scientific knowledge of the subject. As a result of the impetus given to fruit- growing by these various associations, ean- neries for the preservation of the surplus crops of fruits and vegetables have been

started in different sections of the State. The fruit crop of the State is therefore getting to be quite an item in summing up the State's sources of revenne. The climate and soil are admirably adapted to the growth of peaches, pears and all the smaller fruits. Large quan- tities of peaches, grapes and strawberries are shipped North in the early part of the season:"

MISCELLANEOUS.

In addition to the foregoing data, we have the following items from the last censns:

Av. value

Number.

Value. per h'd.

Horses and mules. .

1,439,716

$40,842,176

$28.36

Cattle ..

7,584,667

45,732,699

6.03

Jacks aud jennets.

26,255

748,757

28.52

Sheep

.4,070,225

5,639,705

1.38

Goats

384,824

275,849

.72

Hogs

1,060,226

1,350,755

1,27

Total

14,565,413

$94,589,941

1888.

1889.

1890.

Number gins

4,110

4,506

4,500

No. sheep sheared .. 3,860 034

3,754,069

2,813,172

No. lbs. wool clipp'd 18,721,693

18,345,638

13,531,196

Total val, wool clip'd $2,907,314 $3,319,155

$2,466,625

Miles of telegraph

lines in the State ..

9,475

10,120

10,322

Miles of street rail-

road in the State ..

202

*84

244

Number physicians .

3,024

3,518

3,750

Number lawyers .. . .

2,662

3,106

3,150

Number marriages ...

22,856

23,596

24,593 .

No. divorces granted.

1,620

1,466

1,852

No. persons incarcer-

ated in county jails.

12,867

13,274

No. of convicts rec'd

in State penitentiary

1,113

1,045

+695

"GRASSHOPPER " RAIDS.

The famous western "grasshoppers," or migratory locusts, made their first appearance in Travis and adjoining counties in the fall

*Difference in mileage caused by its rendition as personal property.

t August 1, 1891.

197

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

of 1848, in swarms from the north, lighting and depositing their eggs everywhere, and preferring sandy land for the deposit of eggs. After eating all the garden products, which they would do in a short time, they disap- peared, no one knowing whither they went. The warm sun of the following March again brought the little , hoppers out, which sud- denly consumed every green thing and fled northward. The erops were again planted and the season proved favorable.

In October, 1856, they came again, as be- fore, with the early north winds. After eating the blades off the wheat and deposit- ing their eggs, they disappeared. During the next spring myriads of young hoppers, as before, about the size of large fleas, issued from the ground, and did but little mischief until abont three weeks old, when they were half grown. They then monlted and started northward on foot, preserving as much regn- larity and order in their march as an army of well drilled soldiers. Exercise had of course a marked effect upon their appetites, which impelled them to be ravenous, preferring the young cotton to everything else, next the young corn, etc. When one was killed or wounded, he would be immediately devoured by his fellows! In their march they had no respeet for the dwellings of human beings or animals, but would march right along through them without fear. At the age of six weeks they monited again and were full-grown grasshoppers. In a few days their wings were ready for a prolonged flight, which they took, northward.

The ensuing antnmn they were here again, acting as before. The next spring the young came forth again, bnt this time there were added to their already immense numbers another horde which had been driven back in their march by a heavy norther. These latter

had been bred between the Colorado and the golf. After remaining long enough to con- sume nearly all that the native locusts had left, they resumed their migration. In the fall of 1858 the pests wore again seen, high up in the air, passing southward.

In their flight their wings glitter in the sun, so that the sky seems to be overcast by a shining snow flurry. They come with the north wind in the fall, and return with the south wind in the spring.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

The Patrons of Husbandry, or Grange, is the oldest farmers' organization of State-wide influence in the State, and according to the estimate of IIon. A. J. Rose, Master of the State Grange, numbers between 10,000 and 15,000 active members, and has a non-affili- ating membership approximating 100,000 in the State. The order has been the means of accomplishing great good in behalf of the farming population of the State, mainly by constantly keeping before the agricultural classes the necessity of a strict observance of the principles of economy in the management of the farm, avoiding extravagant, nseless ex- penditures, and producing as far as possible all necessary supplies at home. Farmers who practice the principles of the Pations of Ilus- bandry do not contribute to the auunal out- flow of money from the State for the pur- chase of bacon, lard, molasses and other farm supplies that can be produced on Texas soil, and are not in debt to the money-lending classes. The Grange numbers among its ad- herents in this State some of the most intel- ligent, thrifty and conservative farmers of the State-men who would be an honor to any organization, and whose names are a guaran- tee of success in any enterprise with which they may connect themselves.

198

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

The Texas State Farmer, located at Dallas, is the organ of the State Grange.

TEXAS CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION OF THE PATRONS OF HUSHANDRY.

This organization is the outgrowth of the Grange movement in the State, and has for its objeet the purchase of supplies and gen- eral merchandise for farmers, and the sale of produets of the farms of the membership, though its business transactions are not con- fined to members of the order. The associa- tion consists of central and branch organiza- tions. The central organization conducts a wholesale and the local organizations a retail business. The central or wholesale branch is located in Galveston, and is supported by abont 130 associations located in various parts of the State; and in addition to the 130 associations above mentioned, there are about 650 individnal shareholders. Membership, abont 9,000.

The institution is chartered with an anthor- ized capital stock of $100,000.

FARMERS' ALLIANCE.

This State enjoys the distinction of having given birth to the above named institution, which is now the strongest and most active farmers' organization in the Stato. No farm- ers' move has ever taken such deep root in the hearts of the agricultural classes, and spread throughout the State and nation with such rapidity, as has the Farmers' Alliance movement, and its phenomenal growth still continues, its progress being marked by con- tinmal acquisitions to old Alliances and the formation of new ones in various parts of the State. Stato Alliances have sprung up iu several States, and a national organization has been perfected.

The following facts relating to the origin of the organization wero gloaned from a " History of the National Farmers' Alliance and Co-operative Union of America," by W. L. Garvin and S. O. Daws, of Jacksboro, Texas.

The name Farmers' Alliance was assumed by an association of farmers in Lampasas eounty in 1875, who had organized for self- protection against persons who drove off their stock and otherwise harassed them with a view of preventing the further settlement of the country. In 1878 it had spread over Lampasas and adjoining counties, but, be- coming entangled with politics through de- signing inen, was broken np.

In 1879 W. T. Baggett, of Coryell county, a member of one of the old organizations, moved to Parker county and settled near Poolville. Ile had in his possession one of the constitutions of the order as it existed in Coryell county, and organized the first Alli- ance at Poolville, July 29, 1879.

In this organization the politieal features which had destroyed the Alliance of Lampasas and adjoining counties in 1878 were stricken out of the declaration of principles, and the order placed on a non-political basis.

The following is the original declaration of principles, with the exception of the second und seventh articles:

1. To labor for the education of the agri- enltural classes in the science of economical government, in a strictly non-partisan spirit.

2. To endorse the motto, "In things essential unity, and in all things charity."

3. To develop a better state, mentally, morally, socially and financially.

4. To creato a better understanding for sustaining civil officers in maintaining law and order.

199

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

5. To constantly strive to secure entire harmony and good will among all mankind and brotherly love among ourselves.

6. To suppress personal, local, sectional and national prejudices, all unhealthful rivalry and all selfish ambition.

7. The brightest jewels which it garners are the tears of widows and orphans, and its imperative commands are to visit the homes where lacerated hearts are bleeding, to as- suage the sufferings of a brother or a sister, bury the dead, care for the widows, and edn- cate the orphans; to exercise charity toward offenders; to construe words and deeds in their most favorable light, granting honesty of purpose and good intentions to others, and to protect the principles of the Alliance unto death.

Its laws are reason and equity, its cardinal doctrines inspire purity of thought and life, and its intentions are "peace on earth and good will to men."

The first meeting of the State Alliance was held at Central, Parker county, Texas. Twelve sub-alliances were represented.

The membership of the order in Texas is now estimated at 250,000.

FARMERS' INSTITUTES.

The legislature appropriated $500 for the encouragement of the movement, to be used by the board of directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College as they might direct. By direction of the board the college authori- ties have arranged for holding an institute in each congressional distriet in this State, at which lectures on subjects relating to agri- culture, stock-raising and other subjects of practical utility to the farmers will be de- livered by the professors of the college and such other persons as they and the local com-

mittee at the place of holding the institute may determine. The products of the farm are also exhibited, and results of the best methods of work in all departments of farm labor are shown.

Farmers' institutes have been held at sev- eral points in the State, and in every instance they were attended with great interest and enthusiasm among the people. With more liberal encouragement ou the part of the legis- lature they would become powerful agencies in awakening a deeper interest among the people in improved methods of farming, and directing publie attention to the importance and value of the work now being done at the Agricultural and Mechanical College in in- strueting the youth of the State in the science of agriculture and the mechanic arts.

Farmers' institutes are open and free to all who choose to attend them, and thus afford a means of interehanging ideas and opinions among the agricultural classes, unencum- bered by any conditions whatever.

OLIMATE.

To convey a correet idea of the climate of any section by giving a statement of "mean temperatures" by the year or month, or even by the day, is misleading, from the fact that the mean temperature of great extremes may be the same as that of slight variations. For example, the mean between zero and 100 (fifty) is the same as that between forty and sixty, which also is fifty. To give a correct im- pression of climate one needs to state the number of times the temperature reaches certain extremes in each year for a number of years, with accompanying statements of the wind and moisture prevailing at the same times. A table giving all these items is too tedious for the ordinary reader to scau, and

200

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

scientists always go to the original reports of trained observers for their information.

Texas has variety in her elimate as well as other things. A very large portion of the State is swept by the gulf breezes, which dispense life to vegetation and health to the inhabitants wherever they reach. The long summers characteristic of this latitude are by them rendered not only endurable but enjoy- able. So marked is the influence of the gulf winds on the elimate of the State that the average temperature along the gulf coast and for many miles inland is much lower during the summer months than it is in the higher latitudes of the north. The same influence neutralizes the cold of winter and makes the winters of the southern and southwestern part of the State the mildest and most delightful of all States in the Union.

The extremes of temperature in Texas range from about zero in the northern part of the State to 100° and 112º in August. The air being pure, the extreme heat is far more endurable than a temperature of only eighty- five, with such impuro air us generally pro- rails in the cities. Most of the year the temperature is comfortable, and averages l.etter than any other State in the Union.

The amount of rainfall at Anstin varies from twenty-three to forty-four inches per unnmm, generally ranging from twonty-eight to thirty-six inches. The exact average from 1857 to 1874 inclusive was found to be 33.93 inches, with signs of increase; that is, the first five years the fall was 148.08, the second five 166 55, and the third five 178.88.

During the same period the highest ther. mometer was 96° to 107° in the shade, and the lowest 6° to 28º above zero.

The following table of rainfall, for the years named, is interesting and is of easy reference:

Your.

JAD

Pet

Mob

1April

May

June

July

Aug

Sopt

Nov

1868

1.27

1.10 9.30 3.70

.4:1 1.94| .501

.90 1.59 1.60

1870.

.16

.16 11.76

.26.1.80 3.82 6.90 0.92 5. 14 1.24 .12

1871.

.51 :. 75

1.00 1.40|

.42

12.01

.0002.78

.44 .20)

1572 ..

1.12 1.76 1.503.79 2.60

.85

.60 1.60 .53

1873 ..

. 16

.333 3.6

1.56 6. 10|

D4 1.46

.41 1.08

.25

1871 ...

.61 2.995.80

1875

.05

1.75

1.00

.32

.36

.50

1.52 .78 3. 14 2.84

.521 .68

1877

.30 .0 2.12 1.47

.50 2.82 3.60 1.50 1.00 2.00

1873

.10 .2 1.50 1.55!

0.70

1.10

1879

.50

.40 1.70 1.10 3.80

.50 1.00 1.00 .20

,50

.. 60

1882

.843.38

.35

.09 1.23 2.09 4.11 8. 16 0.59

.58 2.05

...

1883

3.16

.76 3.39 2.20 3.36 0.04

.50

1884.

.40

.80

.50 4.60'9.08 1.8. 2.20 .96 2.00 4.76 1.86 6 21

.70

1880 .

.15

.80

.75

.48

.76 1.60

36 3.74

'61.35

.98

1888

1.10 1.98

.9.

3.63 1.55

2.50 3.10 2.50

.48 1.72 2.20

.40

18-9

1.94

2.57

1. 13 2.03 2.28

. .

The most notable floods of the Colorado since the settlement of Austin have occurred as follows: February, 1843, river rose about thirty-six feet; March. 1852, thirty-six feet; July, 1869, forty-three feet; and October, 1870, thirty six feet.

The following cireminstance is illustrative: Colonel Merriam, of the Twenty-fourth United States Infantry, with his family and an escort, encamped on the Concho river Sunday, April 24, 1870. This river is formed by the june- tion of a number of small streams from springs, but at its head it is so small that a man can step aeross it. The tops of the banks are usually about twenty-five feet above the water.

Fatigued with their journey, the party were pleasantly resting, when carly in the evening Colonel Merriam saw signs of a coming storm. The tent was fastened and made as seenre as possible, and about nine o'clock a hailstorm burst upon them and lasted until about eleven o'clock, the stones being of the size of hens' eggs and striking the tent with a noise like incessant musketry. The colonel, who was not ignorant of the sudden and extreme overflows to which the mountain streams of Texas are liable, went ont into the darkness as soon as the storm

4.241.08 1.35

1.90

1857

.10

1.70 2.86

.60

.10| .40 .20

.70 2.30'

.50 1.80

1880 1881

13.90

.60 1.14 1.70 1.15 3.20 7.60 3.90 7. 0 2.50

.36 2.47

1870.

.25 1 11

.39 3.29 3.05

.88 .61 5.58

.501.70 .04 5.67

.22 1.22

2.32

....

.20 1.46 6.10

.6)

1885. .

1.22 2.15 1.35 3.91 2.23

.93 1.83 2.81 1.74 1.36

1.28 1 .: 0

...

.40 7.30 1.86 2 .15 6.40 8.75 1.69

201

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

had ceased, to see what effect had been pro- duced on the rivulet. To his amazement he found, in the previously almost dry bed of the ereek, a resistless torrent, filled with floating hail, rolling nearly bank full, white like milk and as silent as a river of oil. He at once saw the danger and rushed back to the tent, shouting at the same time to the soldiers and servant to "turn ont." Ho placed Mrs. Merriam and their child and nurse in the ambulance, and with the aid of three men started to run with it to the higher gronnd, a distance of not more than sixty yards. Scarcely a minute had elapsed from the time the alarm had been given before the water began to surge over the banks in waves of such volume and force as to sweep the party from their feet before they had traversed thirty yards. The colonel called for assist- ance upon some cavalry soldiers who had just escaped from the United States mail station near by, but they were too terror-stricken to take heed.

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Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895 Number of Pages: 1532

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532