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 29
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 29
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James Kerr. - Kimble
Bexar
Jan.
22, 1858 Jun. 3, 1876
King ..
Willlum King ..
Fanvia
Kinney.
II. L. Kinney.
Bexur
Knox .
Knox County, Ohlo
Fannin
Feh. Dec.
1, 1858, Mar. 20, 1886 17, 1840 - 1841
1,124 37,834
Lamb
Lleutennut Lamb
Bexnr
21, 1876 Unorganized
1,080 Unorganized .. 858 Limpasas
7,563
La Salle.
Cavalier de la Salle.
Bexar und Webb.
Feb.
1, 1858 Nov. 2,1850 1,512 Cotnlla. 2,198
Lavaca
Lavaca River ..
Gouzmes, Victoria, Jackson, Apr. Fayette and Colorado.
6, 1816 July 13, 1846
1,004 Ilullettsville. 23,738
1
Leo
General Robert E. I.ce.
Burleson, Bastrop, Fayette Apr and Washington.
14, 1874 June 2,1874
603 Giddings 11,810
-
Ector ....
General Mat Ector
Richard Ellis
Navarro ..
Dee.
20, 1849 Ang. 5, 1850
1, 18 8 Unorganized
1,788 Uuorganized ..
21,514 1,012'Stephenville. .. 776 Marlin. .. 891 Bonham. 38,676
20,697
Fanuln
James W. Fannin ..
Foley
Family unmed Foley
Mar. 15, 1887 Unorganized
10,576 2,5% Unorganized . 73 6 +89 Richmond. 810 Mt. Vernon ... 883 Fairfield ... 15.999
1,500 Unorganized 9 w Unorganized 180 Frederickburg. 900 Unorganizod .. 893 Gollad.
7,027
Tom Green ..
Apr. 4, 1887 Unorganized 1836 - 1837
9%) | Unorganized . 968 Sherman 53,203
Gregg
General John Gregg.
279 Longview,. 9,40%
Greer.
Joli A. Greer.
2,462 Mangum.
781 Anderson. 711 Segnin 15,000
Ilamilton
James Hamilton.
Comanche, Bosque, Lampa- Bas.
22, 1858 Aug. 2, 1858
Two brothers-Bailey and I. J. Clay Ilardeman.
Feb. 21, 1858 Dec. 31, 1884 1,180 Margaret
1834
1837
37,104
Ilarrison. .
A pioneer named Harrison.
Houston and Nacogdoches .. Cameron.
Jan. 24, 185:|Ang. 7, 1852
2,356 Ilidalgo 6,534
.... 900| Unorganized . 492 Granbury. . . . 1 7,567
Ilopkins
A pioneer family
Lamar and Nacogdoches Bexar .
Mar. 25, 1846 July 13, 1846
755 Sulphur Sprigs 20,549 900| Big Springs ... 1,210
900 Unorganized . Sherwood ...
859 9,782 3,287
Jefferson
Jefferson Beaumont.
Original .
1,03% Beaumont. . 687 Cleburne. .. 900 Anson.
1,047 5,287 22,261 3,797
Kaufman
David S Kanfinan.
Feb. 20, 1818| Ang. 7, 1848
Kendall.
George W. Kondall
Blanco and Kerr.
Jan. 10, 1862 Feb. 18. 1862|
678. Boerne
Bexar
Jan. 26, 1856 Mar. 22. 1856
1,188 Kerrville
Kimble.
1,312 Junction City. 900 Guthrie .....
4,445 2,234 173 4,487
Lamer
M. B Lamar.
Red River.
Aug. Feb. 1, 18:6 Mar. 10, 1856
Lainpasas
Lamparas River.
Fannin and Bell. .
Feb.
1, 18: 8 Dec. 2, 1:13
10,81}
31,73 **
Webb, Starr, und Nneces Feb.
Jan.
28, 1850 Ang. 5, 1870)
Feb. 1, 1834 July 20, 1571 15, 1:38 - - 1839
James Ginines. ..
Ang. 21, 1870 Unorganized
Gollad.
5.906
Bexar .
Ang. 21, 1876 Unorganized
Grayson.
Mar. 17, 1846 July 13, 1816 Apr. 12, 1873 June 28, 1873
21,293
1,800 |Ilouston. 899| Marshall. 26,676
9. 0 llaskell. 683|San Marcos, 11,828
501
900 Canadian. 965 Athens
12,279
1,0lu llinsboro. .6,798
Ang. 21, 1876 Jnie 15, 1842
llonston
Apr. 11, 1816 July 18, 1816
870 Jneksboro. .... 911 Edna.
2,289 Fort Davis
Bexar, De Witt und Goliad. Ilenderson.
Ang. 21. 1876 June 25, 1891 Jan. 28 1850/- '1874 1,701 Brackett ... 900 Benjamin .. 9:0 Paris
1838 - 18:17
Erath
County Seal.
208
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Countice.
Named for-
Counties Created from.
When Created.
When Organized.
Area ic
Square Miles.
Population
in 1890.
Loon
Monco de Leon
Robertson.
Mar. 17, 1816 July 13, 18 0
1.0judewelt. ..
13,780
Liberty
Municipality of Liberty ..
Original . .
1:36 - 183.
1,17 |Liberty. ..
4,999
Limestoue.
Limestone onterops ..
Apr. 11, 1816 Aug. 18, 18 G
9:1 Groesbeck.
21,593
1.1pscomb.
Judge Abuer S Lipscomb
910 Lipscomb
632
Live Oak ..
Live oak wood in connly. Llano tiver.
1.11: | Oakville .. 95 Llano .
6,999
Loving.
Oliver Loving.
Feb. 26, 1887 Unorganized
77 |Unorganized .
83
Lynn ...
G. W. Lynu.
Bexar
Aug. 21, 1876 Unorganized
9 4 Unorganized 400 Mallrouville .. 418 Jefferson . 9 0 Maricufield.
472
Mason
L'aptain Mason, of U. S. Army. Bexar
Jan. 23, 1858 Ang. 2,18.8
9| |Mason.
5,168
Matagorda ..
Municipa ity of Matagorda. . . 'Original .
1837 1,45 Matagorda.
8,990
Maverick.
S. A. Maverick
Kinney
Feb.
2, 1856 July
13, 18711
1.3 8 Eagle -Pass
3,099
McCulloch
Ben McCulloch
Bexur ..
Ang.
27, 1836 18 6. 1,4 43 Brady
8,25
McLennan
Neil McLennan
Limestone, Milam and Na- Janl. VAI10.
22, 1850 Aug. 5, 1850
1,68. W'aco.
39,136
McMullen
John McMullen.
Aturcosa, Live Oak Bexar.
and Feb.
1, 1858 18;7 1,170 Tilden
1,037
Medina.
Medina River
Bexar .
Fob.
12, 1818 Ang. 7,1818
1,301 l'astroville.
5,728
Menard ..
M. B. Menarik
Bexar ..
Jan.
22, 1858 Muy
8. 1871
Wennrilville ..
1,239
Midland
From its relative location.
Tom Green
Mar. 4, 1885 June 15, 1885 1836 - 1837 : 9 Cameron
Midlant
1,033
Milam
B. R. Milan
Original .
24.75)
Mills.
John S. Mills ..
Lampasas, Hamilton, Brown Mar. 15. 1887 Sept. 12, 1887 and Comanche.
1.361 Gohlthwalte ... 5,461
Mitchell
Two brothers, A. and E. Mitch . ,Bexar ..
900|colorado
2,159
Montagne
Daniel Montagne.
Cooke
Dec.
24, 1857 Ang. 2, 1858 Montague
Montgomery.
General James Montgomery ..
Washington
Dec.
14, 117
1837 1,051 Willis .
Moore.
Commodore E. W. Moore ...
Il,.xar ..
Aug. 21, 1876 Unorganized
Morris
W. W. Morris.
Mur l'itns 13, 1875 May 12, 18:5
Motley.
Dr. W'in. Motley
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1570 Feb. 25, 1831
139
Nacogdoches.
Nacogdoches tribe of Indians. Jose Antonio Navarro
Robertson.
Apr. 25, 1816 July 13, 1816
Newton
Sergeant Newton
Jasper.
Apr.
22, 1816 July 19, 1816
Nolan ..
Philip Nolan ..
Bexar
Ang. 21. 18;6 June 10, 1881
Nueces
Nneces River ...
Sun Patricio.
Apr. 18, 1816 July 13, 1816
Ochiltree.
W. B. Ochilirce.
lexar ..
Ang. 21, 1876 Feb. 21, 1837
Oldhnm
Williamson S. Oldham, Sr.
Bexar
Aug.
25, 1876 Jnie 12, 1891
1,477 l'ascosa
287
Grange
From the Orange fruit
8,319
Panola. Parker
A family at Purker's Fort.
21,662
Parmer ..
Martin Parmer
7,470 Ft. Stockon
1,807
Polk.
James K. Polk.
Liberty
Mar. 80, 1810 July 18, 1816
10,3'3
Potier
Robert Potter.
Bexar
Aug.
21, 1867,Sept. 6, 1837
.150
Presidlo.
Presidlo del Norte
Bexar
Jan.
8, 1850| 1873 2,6 2 Marfa
2.1.73
Raine ..
Emory Roins.
9, 1870 Dec. 1, 1870 267 Emory 3,9:9
Randall
11. Randall
Ang. 21, 1876 July 27, 1889 900 Canyon. 187
21,827
Reeves ..
60J
Refuglo
Municipality of Refuglo
Orlglual
1810
181; 850 Refugio .. JAKI Miami.
828
lahorladı
18 8 869 Franklin . ..
20,496
Rock wall
An underground wall.
Kooutman
Mur. 1, 1873 Apr. 23, 1873
150| Rock wall .. ..
5,837
Runnels.
Governar II. R. Runnels.
Hexur and Travis
Feb. 1, 1858|lub. 16, 1880
3,183
Rusk
Thomas J. Rusk.
Nacogdoches.
Jun. 16, 1813 Feb. 6, 18 13
18 986
Sabine
Municipality of Subine .. Orlglual
1836 1837
4,958 6,081
San Angustine. San Jacinto. ..
Municipality of San Augustine Original
1836
18337
Battlefield of San Jacinto ....
1, 1870
Bun Patriclo,
Origluul
1836
1837
Schielcher
Crockett
Apr. 1, 1887, Unorganized
Sun Saba.
San Saba River ..
Bexar
Feb. 1, 1856 May 3, 1856
Scurry
Win. R. Scurry
Bexar
Ang. 21, 1876 June 28, 1881
Shackelford
Dr. Schackelfurd
Bongno
Feb. 1, 1858, Sept. 12, 1874 1888
14,241 84
Sherman
General Sidney Shermuu .. James Smith ...
Bexar.
Aug. 21, 1826 June 13, 1889|
Smith ...
Nacogdoches
Apr. 11, 1846 July 18, 1816
Somerveil.
Alexandler Somervell
Iloon .
Mar.
13, 1875 Apr.
12, 1875
Starr.
James 11. Starr .. ..
Nueces
Ich.
10, 1818 Ang.
7,1818 1876
Sterling.
Sterling Creek ...
Tom Green
Mar.
4, 1891 June 8, 1891
Stonewall
Gen'l. T. J. (Stonewall) Jack. son.
Sutton.
Llent. Col. Sulton, of O. S. A. Crockett
Apr.
1, 1887 Nov. 4,1890 1,500 Senora.
Swisher James Q. Swisher ..
Bexar
Navarro.
Dec, 20, 1819|Aug. 5, 1850]
900 Fort Worth
40,888
Llano
Feb. 1, 18:6 Ang. 4. 18 76
Lubbock
Tom Lubbock ..
San Patricio and Nacces. Gillespie and Besar Thin Green .... Bexar
Ang. 21, 1836 Mar. 10. 18 #
goni In block.
Madison
James Madison
Grimes, Walker and Leon Jan.
27, 1853 Ang. 7. 1854
8,506
Marion
Francis Marion ...
Cars and Harrison.
Feb. 8 1860; Mar. 15, 1:00; Aug. 21, 1876 Nov. 4, 1831
10,983
Martin
Wyly Martin (pres Consulta tion ).
Bexar
Robertson Bexir .
Ang. 21, 18.6 June 6, 1857 Feb. 2, 18:G Ang. 4, 18 6
1836
- 1836| 1837
1,00% Matador .. 974 Nacogdoches .. 1,055 Coreleana 875 Newton
4 615
900 Sweet Water.
1,576 8,089
2,815 Corpus Christi 910 Ochiltree
198
Palo l'into.
l'alo t'hato River .
Indian tribe.
14,301
Pecos
Pocos River.
Presidio Mny 3, 1871 June 18, 1873
1,109 Livingston 9:0| Amarillo ..
Wood, Ilunt and Hopkins Bexr.r
Apr. 14, 1583 Nov. 4, 188 1 2.721 l'ecos.
1,585
Raherte
John S. Raheits. .. Sterling C'. Robertson,
Bexnr.
Aug. 21, 1876 Jan. 10, 1889
Doo,
14, 1837
614 San Patricio ... 1.900 Unorganized .. 1,181 San Saba ..
6,61 4 1,410 2, 37
Shelby
General Shelby, af Kentacky. 'Original
1837 80! Ceuler. 910 Coldwater. 057 Tyler.
28,297
199 Glen Rose ..
10,049
Stephens,
Alexander 11. Stephens.
Horgne
Jan. 22, 1858
2,544 Rio Grande. 900 Breckenridge .. 900 Sterling City ... 900 Raynor.
2,935
Fannin
Aug. 21, 1876 Dec. 20, 1888
1,025
Aug. 21, 1876 Nov. 11, 1890 900 Tulia
Tarrant K. Il. Tarrant.
522 Hemphill .. .. 856 San Augustine. 637 Cold Spring ... 7,856
Pulk, Liberty, Walker and Aug. 18, 1870 Dec. Mantzondery.
1,809
Muulelpallty of Sau Patriclo. . (in-tav Schleicher, M. C ..
Original
1830 18 17 1,062 (Clarksville
Red River.
Municipality of Red River. George R. Reeves.
l'ecos .....
Feb. Jefferson. 20, 8 2 896 Orange 5, 1852 Mar. 968 Palo Pinto. Bosque and Navarro. Aug. 27, 1850 Apr. Harrison and Shelby 27, 1857 799 Carthage ... Mar. Dec. 900 Weatherford ... 80, 1816|Sept. - , 1846 12, 1855 Mar. 1, 1856 Ang. 21. 1876 Unorganized 8% Unorganized ..
4,768
Navarro . and Bosque. Bexar
Aug. 21, 1876 Jan. 10, 1881
ell
18,6.9
11,746 9h Unorganized 26;[Daingerfield. 6,58 )
15,964 25.3 7
Navarro.
Original
June
990 Ballhunger. ..... 917 Henderson
900 Snyder
0.x) [ Albany
8,411
County Seat.
2,063
209
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Countles.
Named for-
Counties Created from.
When Created.
When Organized.
Area in
Square Miles.
! Population
in 1890.
Taylor
A hunlly by name of Taylor. . Bexar and Travis
Feb. 1, 18 8 July 8, 1878
Terry
Frank Terry ... .
Boxar . ..
Aug. 21, 18:0; C'uorganized
Throckmorton ..
Dr. William E. Throckmorton. Fannin und Bosque.
Jan. 13, 1878 Mar. 18, 1819
Titile
An old settler ... .
Red River und Bosque. Bexar .. ...
Mar. 13, 1:71 Jun. 5, 1873
5,13 t
Travis ..
William B. Travis.
Bastrop ..
Jan. 25, 1810 Apr. 8, 1813
1,019 Auetin
36,113 10,5.66
Tyler
John Tyler.
Liberty ..
Npr. 3, 1846 July 13, 1846
Upshur
Abel P. Up- hur.
..
Apr.
27, 18hi JJuly 13, 1816
12,650
Uuton
John and W. F. Upton
Feb.
26, 1 87; Vuorganized
1,197 Unorganized 1,548 Uvalde 8,803
Val Verde.
Relative location,
Kinney, Crockett and Pecos. Henderson.
Mar.
20, 1818 Ang. 7, 1818 1836! - 1837
883 Victoria 8,655
Walker ..
Hubert al. Walker.
Montgomery.
Apr. 4, 1846 July 13, 1846
768 Huntsville.
13,911
Waller ...
Edwin Waller.
Grimes and Austin Tom Green
Feb. 26, 1887 Unorganized 1836 1837 603 Brenham. .
1,552 Laredo
16,583
Wharton
W. 11. und J. A. Wharton.
Matagorda, Colorado, Jack- soll.
Apr. 3, 1846|July 13, 1816
1,172 Wharton
7,536
Wheeler.
Judge Boyull T. Wheeler ..
Bexar and Fannlo
Apr.
21, 1876 Apr. 12, 1879
900 Mobeetle.
778
Wichita.
Wichlis River.
Yonng Land District
Feb.
1, 1838 June 21, 1885
559 Wichita Falls ..
4,831
Wilbarger
Wilbarger f mnily.
Bexar . ..
Feb.
1, 188 Oct.
10, 1781 937 Vernon.
7,072
Williamson
R. M. Williamson.
..
Mitam ..
Mar.
13, 18 8 Ang.
7, 1848
25,883
WIison ....
James C. Wilson.
Bexar and Karnes. Tom Green.
Feb.
26, 1887 Unorganized
837 Unorganized ..
WIro ...
llenry A. WIse ....
Cooke ..
Jan. 23, 1856 May
5,1836
900|Decatur 24,133
Wood
George T. Wood
Van Zandt. Bexar
Feb.
5, 1850 Aug. 5, 1850
702 Quitman
13,928
Yoakum
Henderson Yoakum
Ang. 21, 1876 Unorganized
Young.
William Cooke Young.
Fannin and Bosque.
Feb. 2, 1856 Apr. 17, 1874
900 Graham
5,044
Zapata
Zupata, a Mexic in patriot .
Storr and Webb.
Jan. 22, 1858: A pr. 26, 1858
1,291 |Carrizo,
8,636
Zavala
Lorenzo de Zavala .
Uvalde and Maverick.
Feb.
1, 1858 Feb. 25, 1884
1,290 Batesville
1,096
SUMMARY OF TOTALS
COUNTIES.
1888.
1699.
1890.
Total number connties in State ..
245
245
247
Total number organized counties
200
2:00
219
Total number unorganized counties
45
40
18
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
luerense in population since 188).
643.774
Percentage of guin since 1880
Relative rank in population ..
40.44 7
Density of population per square mile
8.8
.
Original . .
Mar.
21, 1835 Muy 2, 1885
8,231 Del pio
2,560
Van Zandt.
Isaac Van Zandt
810 Canton,
16,434
Victoria
Manleipality of Victoria ..
499 Hempstead. 10,567
Wurd .. ...
Thomas W. Ward
855 Unorganized
28,601
Webb .
Bexar and San Patricio ..
Jun. 28, 1 IS Mar. 16, 1818
DtK)| Abileno. 900 Unorganized . W(0 Throckmorton. 420 Mt. Pleasant .. 3,518 San Angelo.
8,183
Tom Green.
General Tom Green,
Trinity River. . ..
llouston.
Feb. 11, 1850 Apr. 1, 1850
TUS Groveton. 918 Woodville. 10,631 519 Gilmer :
Uvalde.
Jore Uvalde
Nacogdoches and Harrison .. Tom Green. Bexar ..
Feb. 8, 1850|Apr. 21, 1856
Apr. 28, 1873|Ang. 16, 1873
Washington Municipality of Washington. Original
Feb.
13, 186 ) Ang.
6, 1860
1,197 Georgetown. 795 Floresville ..
10,651
Winkler.
Judge C. M. Winkler.
825 Unorganized
90!
Muy 11, 1846 July 13, 1816
'Trinity.
County Seat.
6,010
The population of Texas in 1835 is estimated at 50.600; 1815, 150,000; 1850 cenens, 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.
210
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
CITIES AND PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
Abilene, with n population of 4,300, is situated on the Texas & Pacific Railroad, 160 miles west of Fort Worth, and at abont 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 8375,000, 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 the foot of a range of mountains and possesses all loen! 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 398, 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 us the most beautifully located city in the State. The site was selceted by a committee appointed by Presi- dent Lumar in 1839 to locate a permanent seat of government. It was known nt that time as the hamlet of Waterloo, and had a
population consisting of three families. What an enchanting picture must have presented itroll' to the committee! Here was a combi- nation of charms that delighted the sonses, ombrueing 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 sixtcen and three-tenths square miles. 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 inercased 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 to $10,514,088.
The population comprises some of the most enterprising and energetic as well as the most conservative to be found in the Stato. As a result of this Anstin is a beauti- ful city, abundantly provided with every con- venience 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 prevails.
In 1890 the tax-paying voters of the city
1
.
211
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
decided at the polls by a i aj rity of twenty- seven to one to issne 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 immense 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 picturesqne character, unsurpassed in America. A large excursion steamer navigates the lake, and Anstin is destined to become a great pleasure resort. One of the most lovely sites on the lake, abont four miles above the dam, has been laid out for extensive Chautanqua grounds. It is owned by an association of well known, enterprising citizens and edu- cators, chartered by the State. A large per- manent high school, for advanced education, is established at the Chantanqua gronnds. The site commands a magnificent view of lake and mountain scenery, and the Capital City can be plainly seen in the distance.
Anstin 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 mann- 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, Kausas & Texas Railroad also has arrangements by which its passenger trains run into the city. It is the terminus 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; valne of all other products, $100,000.
Bank exchange in 1891 amounted to $11,- 000,000.
The real type of Texas civilization ex- pressed itself nt an early date after annexa- tion in the establishment of three grand asylumns-one for the blind, one for the deaf and dumb, and one for the insane. The cost to the State in the establislunent 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- tinnons aid to the unfortunate among the people. They are objects of general in- terest, and frequent entertainments given by them draw large crowds and furnish ocea
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
sions of muel instruction and amusement. 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 avenne.
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 strneture, 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 Hill, in the northern portion of the city. The growing patronage of this institution, its incrensing matriculation during the brief period of its existence, and the thorough scholarship required in gradnation, 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 merey it is rapidly approximating the ideal created for it by the divinest sentiments that ever dominate the hnman 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 mnen 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 mueh valnable 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.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
There are in that city cloven 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 Ims commercial relations with the gulf ports, both by the way of the month 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.
1
Bryan, in Brazos connty, 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 connty, 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 valne of all property in 1891, $543,135.
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