Dallas County, Texas - The whole text, 1892 (part 3 of 32)

In 1876 he was nominated for the Presidency. His letter of acceptance excited the admiration of the whole country. He resigned the office of Governor and retired to his home in Fremont to await the result of the canvass. After a hard, long contest he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His Presidency was characterized by compromises with all parties, in order to please as man}' as possible. The close of his Presidential term in 1881 was the close of his public life, and since then he has remained at his home in Fremont, Ohio, in Jeffersonian retirement from public notice, in striking contrast with most others of the world's notables.

Ames A. Garfield

twentieth President of the United States, i88i, was born November 19, 1 83 1, in the wild woods v o f Cuyahoga County, Ohio. His parents were Abram and Eliza (Ballou) Garfield, who were of New England ancestr3\ The senior Garfield was an in- '' dustrious farmer, as the rapid improvements which appeared on his place attested. The residence was the familiar pioneer log cabin, and the household comprised the parents and their children - Mehetable, Thomas, Marv and James A. In May, 1833, the father died, and the care of the household consequently devolved upon young Thomas, to whom James was greatly indebted for the educational and other advantages he enjoyed. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, Ohio, near their birthplace.

As the subject of our sketch grew up, he, too, was industrious, both in mental and physical labor. He worked upon the farm, or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at an}^ other odd job that would aid in support of the family, and in the meantime made the most of his books. Ever afterward he was never ashamed of his humble origin, nor forgot the friends of his youth. The poorest laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he always exhibited the character of a modest gentleman.

Until he was about sixteen years of age, James's highest ambition was 10 be a lake captain. To this his mother was strongly opposed, but she finally consented to his going to Cleveland to carry out his longcherished design, with the understanding, however, that he should try to obtain some other kind of emplo3-ment. He walked all the way to Cleveland, and this was his first visit to the city. After making many applications for work, including labor on board a lake vessel, but all in vain, he finally engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. In a short time, however, he quit this and returned home. He then attended the seminary at Chester for about three years, and next he entered Hiram Institute, a school started in 1850 by the Disciples of Christ, of which church he was a member. In order to pay his way he assumed the duties of janitor, and at times taught school. He soon completed the curriculum there, and then entered Williams College, at which he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest honors of his class.

Afterward he returned to Hiram as President. In his youthful and therefore zealous piety, he exercised his talents occasionally as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a man of strong moral and religious convictions, and as soon as he began to look into politics, he saw innumerable points that could be improved. He also studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield married Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who ever afterward proved a worthy consort in all the stages of her husband's career. They had seven children, five of whom are still living.

It was in 1859 that Garfield made his first political speeches, in Hiram and the neighboring \'illages, and three years later he began to speak at county mass-meetings, being received everywhere with popular favor. He was elected to the State Senate this 3'ear, taking his seat in January, i860.

On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Garfield resolved to fight as he had talked, and accordingly he enlisted to defend the old flag, receiving his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fortv-second Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantr}', August 14, that year. He was immediatel}' thrown into active service, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action he was placed in command of four regiments of infantry and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the work of driving the Confederates, headed by Humphrey Marshall, from his native State, Kentucky. This task was speedily accomplished, although against great odds. On account of his success. President Lincoln commissioned him Brigadier-General, January 11, 1862; and, as he had been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now he was the 3oungest General in the army. He was with General Buell's army at Shiloh, also in its operations around Corinth and its march through Alabama. Next, he was detailed as a member of the sfeneral court-martial for the trial of General Fitz- John Porter, and then ordered to report to General Rosecians, when he was assigned to the position of Chief of Staff. His military history closed with his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won the stars of Major-General.

In the fall of 1862, without any effort on his part, he was elected as a Representative to Congress, from that section of Ohio which had been represented f(jr sixty years mainly by two men - Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua R. Giddings. Again, he was the youngest member of that body, and continued there by successive re-elections, as Representative or Senator, until he was elected President in 1880. During his life in Congress he compiled and published by his speeches, there and elsewhere, more information on the issues of the day, especially on one side, than any other member.

June 8, 1880, at the National Republican Convention held in Chicago, General Garfield was nominated for the Presidency, in preference to the old war-horses, Blaine and Grant ; and although many of the Republican party felt sore over the failure of their respective heroes to obtain the nomination, General Garfield was elected by a fair popular majority. He was duly inaugurated, but on Juh' 2 following, before he had fairly got started in his adininistration, he was fatally shot by a half-demented assassin. After ver}^ painful and protracted suffering, he died September 19, 1881, lamented by all the American people. Never before in the history of this C(^untry had anything occurred which so nearly froze the blood of the Nation, for the moment, as the awful act (jf Guiteau, the murderer. He was duh- tried, convicted and put to death on the gallows.

The lamented Garfield was succeeded by the Vice-President, General Arthur, who seemed to endeavor to carry out the policy inaugurated by his predecessor.

Chester A. Arthur Hester Allen

HESTER ALLEN ARTHUR, the tvvent\--first Chief Executive of this growing republic, i88i-'5, was horn in Franklin County, Vermont, October 5, 1830, the eldest of a family of two sons and five daughters. His father, Rev. illiam Arthur, a Baptist nan, immigrated to this country from County Antrim, Ireland, in his eighteenth year, and died in 1875, in Newtonville, near Albany, New York, after serving many years as a successful minister. Chester A. was educated at that old, conservative institution, Union College, at Schenectady, New York, where he excelled in all his studies. He graduated there, with honor, and then struck out in life for himself by teaching school for about two years in his native State.

At the expiration of that time young Arthur, with $500 in his purse, went to the city of New York and entered the law office of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In due time he was admitted to the bar, when he formed a partnership with his intimate friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar. diner, with the intention of practicing law at some point in the West; but after spending about three months in the Westen. States, in search of an eligible place, they returned to New York City, leased a room, exhibited a sign of their business and almost immediately enjoyed a paying patronage.

At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's business prospects were so encouraging that he concluded to take a wife, and accordingly he married the daughter of Lieutenant Herndon, of the United States Nav)', who had been lost at sea. To the widow of the latter Congress voted a gold medal, in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery during the occasion in which he lost his life. Mrs. Artnur died shortly before her husband's nomination to the Vice-Presidency, leaving two children.

Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celebrity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon suit, which was brought to recover possession of eight slaves, who had been declared free by the Superior Court of New York City. The noted Charles O'Conor, who was nominated by the " Straight Democrats" in 1872 for the United States Presidency, was retained by Jonathan G. Lem- mon, of Virginia, to recover the negroes, but he lost the suit. In this case, however, Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M. Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored woman was ejected from a street car in New York City. Mr. Arthur sued the car company in iier behalf and recovered $500 _ damages. Immediately afterward all the car companies in the city issued orders to their employes to admit colored persons upon their cars.

Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well as his practice as a lawyer, raised him to prominence in the party of freedom ; and accordingly he was sent as a delegate to the first National Republican Convention. Soon afterward he was appointed Judge Advocate for the Second Brigade of the State of New York, and then Engineer-in- Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1861, the first year of the war, he was made Inspector-General, and next, Quartermaster- General, in both which offices he rendered great service to the Government. After the close of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the practice of law, forming first a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subsequently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm. Each of these gentlemen were able lawyers.

November 21, 1872, General Arthur was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Grant, and he held the office until July 20, 1878.

The next event of prominence in General Arthur's career was his nomination to the V ice-Presidency of the United States, under the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the National Republican Convention held at Chicago in June, i88o, when James A. Garfield was placed at the head of the ticket. Both the convention and the campaign that followed were noisy and exciting. The iriends of Grant, constituting nearly half the convention, were exceedingly persistent, and were sorely disappointed over their defeat. At the head of the Democratic ticket was placed a very strong and popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were elected by a respectable plurality of the popular vote. The 4th of March following, these gentlemen were accordingl3- inaugurated ; but within four months the assassin's bullet made a fatal wound in the person of General Garfield, whose life terminated September 19, 1881, when General Arthur, ex officio, was ob'iiged to take the chief reins of government. Some misgivings were entertained by many in this event, as Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the Republican party ; but President Arthur had both the ability and tne good sense to allay all fears, and he gave the restless, critical American people as good an administration as they had ever been blessed with. Neither selfishness nor low partisanism ever characterized any feature of his public service. He ever maintained a high sense of every individual right as well as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood so high that his successor, President Cleveland, though of opposing poHtics, expressed a wish in his inaugural address that he could onl}^ satisf}' the people with as good an administration.

But the day of civil service reform had come in so far, and the corresponding reaction against "third-termism" had encroached so far even upon "second-term" service, that the Republican party saw fit in 1884 to nominate another man for President. Only by this means was General Arthur's tenure of office closed at Washington. On his retirement from the Presidency, March, 1885, he engaged in the practice of law at New York City, where ho died Koveniher 18, 1886.

ROVER CLEVELAND, the twentysecond President of the United States, 1885 - , was born in Caldwell, Essex Coiintv, New J e rs e)- , ^Llrch 18, 1^ - i*;-^^ 1837. The house in which he -^AiZ'S^V' was born, a small tvvo-storv wooden building, is still stand- ^^^^^":^ ing-. It was the parsonage of tCji^^J J the Presbyterian church, of which his latiier, Richard Cleveland, at the time was pastor. The family is of New England origin, and for two centuries has contributed to the professions and to business, men who have reflected honor on the name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleveland's great-great-grandfather, was born in Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to Philadelphia, where he became an intimate friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose house he died. He left a large family of children, who in time married and settled in different parts of New England. A grandson was one of the small American force that fought the British at Bunker Hill. He served with gallantry throughout the Revolution and was honorably discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in the Continental army. Another grandson, William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron

Cleveland, who was distinguished as a writer and member of the Connecticut Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grandfather. William Cleveland became a silversmith in Norwich, Connecticut. He acquired by industry some property and sent his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where he graduated in 1824. During a year spent in teaching at Baltimore, ALiryland, after graduation, he met and fell in love with a Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth. He was earning his own way in the world at the time and was unable to marry; but in three years he completed a course of prepai:;3tion for the ministry, secured a church in Windham, Connecticut, and married Annie Neale. Subsequently he moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he preached for nearly two years, when he was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey, where was born Grover Cleveland.

When he was three years old the family moved to Fa3'etteville, Onondaga County, New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived until he was fourteenyearsold, the rugged, healthful life of a country boy. His frank, generous manner made him a favorite among his companions, and their respect was won by the good qualities in the germ which his manhood developed. He attended the district school of the village and was for a short time at the academy. His lather, however, believed that boys should be taught to labor at an earl)' age, and before he had completed the course of studv at the academy he began to work in the village store at S50 for the first year, and the promise of $100 for the second vear. His work was well done and the promised increase of pay was granted the second year.

Meanwhile his father and family had moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton College, where his father acted as agent to the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, preaching in the churches of the vicinity. Hither Grover came at his father's request I shortly after the beginning of his second year at the Favetteville store, and resumed his studies at the Clinton Academv. After three years spent in this town, the Rev. Pilchard Cleveland was called to the village church of Holland Patent. He had preached here only a month when he was suddenly stricken down and died without an hour's warning. The death of the father left the family in straitened circumstances, as Richard Cleveland had spent all his salary of $1,000 per year, which was not required for the necessary expenses of living, upon the education of his children, of , whom there were nine, Grover being the fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamilton College, but the death of his father made it necessary for him to earn his own livelihood. For the first year (1853-4) he , acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in , the Institution for the Blind in New York City, of which the late Augustus Schell was for many years the patron. In the winter of 1S54 he returned to Holland Patent nhere the generous people of that place, Favetteville and Clinton, had purchased a home for his mother, and in the following spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the West to earn his living.

stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a few miles distant. He communicated his plans to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of the West, and finally induced the enthusiastic boy of seventeen to remain with him and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded short-horn cattle, knownas " Allen's American Herd Book," a publication familiar to all breeders of cattle. In August. 1855, he entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a few months without pay, was paid $4 a week - an amount barelv sufficient to meet the necessary expenses of his board in the famih' of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with whom he took lodgings. Life at this time with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle with the world. He took his breakfast bv candle-light with the drovers, and went at once to the office where the whole day was spent in work and study. L^sually he returned again at night to resume reading which had been interrupted bv the duties of the day. Gradually his employers came to recognize the ability, trustworthiness and capacitv for hard work in their young employe, and by the time he was admitted to the bar (1859) he stood high in their confidence. A year later he was made confidential and managing clerk, and in the course of three 3'ears more his salary had been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was appointed assistant district attorney of Erie Count}' by the district attorney, the Hon. C. C. Torrance.

Since his first vote had been cast in 1S58 he had been a staunch Democrat, and until he was chosen Governor he always made it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the polls and give out ballots to Democratic voters. During the first year of his term as assistant district attorney, the Democrats desired especially to carry the Board of Supervisors. The old Second Ward in which he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250 majority, but at the urgent request oi the party Grover Cleveland consented to be the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, and came within thirteen votes of an election. The three years spent in the district attorney's office were devoted to assiduous labor and the extension of his professional attainments. He then formed a law partnership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel, ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoulders, and he soon won a good standing at the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant United States District Attorney Oscar Folsom, under the firm name of Laning, Cleveland & Folsom. During these years he began to earn a moderate professional income; but the larger portion of it was sent to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent to whose support he had contributed ever since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie County, i870-'4, and then resumed the practice of law, associating himself with the Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell.

The firm was strong and popular, and soon commanded a large and lucrative practice. Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & Bissell. In 18S1 Mr. George J. Sicard was added to the firm.

In the autumn election of 1881 he was elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of over 3,500 - the largest majority ever given a candidate for mayor - and the Democratic city ticket was successful, although the Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 majority for their State ticket. Grover Cleveland's administration as mayor full/ justified the confidence reposed in him by the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the great vote he received.

The Democratic State Convention met at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nominated Grover Cleveland for Governor on the third ballot and Cleveland was elected by 193,000 majoritv. In the fall of 1 884 he was elected President of the United States by about 1,000 popular majority, in New York State, and he was accordingly inaugurated the 4th of March following.

Enjamin Harrison

ENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third President o-f the United States, 1889, was born at North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, in the house of his grandfather, "William Henry Harrison (who was the ninth President of this country), August 20th, 1833. He is a descendant of one of the historical families of this country, as also of England. The head of the family was a Major-General Harrison who was devoted to the cause of Oliver Cromwell. It became the duty of this Harrison to participate in the trial of Charles 1. and afterward to sign the death warrant of the king, which subsequently cost him his life. His enemies succeeding to power, he was condemned and executed October 13th, IfitJO. His descendants came to America, and the tirst mention made in history of the Harrison family as representative in public affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, greatgrandfather of our present President, who was a member of the Continental Congress, 1774-5-6, and one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, and three times Governor of Virginia. His son, William Henry Harrison, made a brilliant military record, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, and the ninth President of the United States.

The subject of this sketch at an early age became a student at Farmers College, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he entered Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat of learning he entered, as a student, the office of Stover & Gwyne, a notable law firm at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself closely to the study of his chosen profession, and here laid the foundation for the honorable and famous career before him. He spent two years with the firm in Cincinnati, at the expiration of which time he received the only inheritance of his life, which was a lot left him by an aunt, which he sold for $800. This sum he deemed sufficient to justify him in marrying the lady of his choice, and to whom he was then engaged, a daughter of Dr. Scott, then Principal of a female school at Oxford, Ohio.

After marriage he located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he began the practice of law. Meeting with slight encouragement he made but little the first year, but applied himself closely to his business, and by perseverance, honorable dealing and an upright life, succeeded ill building upan extensive practice and took a leading position in the legal profession.

In 1860 he was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter for the State of Indiana, and then began his experience as a stump speaker. He canvassed the State thoroughly and was elected.

In 1802 his patriotism caused him to abandon a civil otfiee and to offer his country his services in a military capacity. He organized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and was chosen its Colonel. Although his regiment was composed of raw material, and he practically void of military schooling, be at once mastered military t.ictics and drilled his men, so that when he with his regiment was assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was known as one of the best drilled organizations of the army. He was especially distinguished for bravery at the battles of Kesacca and Peach Tree Creek. For his bravery and efficiency at the last named battle he was made a Brigadier-General, General Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terras.

While General Harrison was actively engaged in the field the Supreme Court declared the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another person was elected to fill the position. From the time of leaving Indiana with his regiment for the front, until the fall of 1804, General Harrison had taken no leave of absence. But having been nominated that year for the same office that he vacated in order to serve his country where he could do the greatest good, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time canvassed the State and was elected for another term as Supreme Court Reporter. He then started to rejoin liis command, then with General Sherman in the South, but was stricken down

In 1868 General Harrison declined a reelection as Reporter, and applied himself to the practice of his profession. He was a candidate for Governor of Indiana on the Republican ticket in 1876. Although defeated, the brilliant campaign brought him to public notice and gave him a iVational reputation as an able and formidable debater and lie was much songht in the Eastern States as a public speaker. He took an active part in the Presidential campaign of 1880, and was elected to the United States Senate, where he served six years, and was known as one of the strongest debaters, as well as one of the ablest men and best lawyers. When his term expired in the Senate he resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, becoming the head of one of the strongest law firms in the State of Indiana.

Sometime prior to the opening of the Presidential campaign of 1888, the two great political parties (Republican and Democratic) drew the line of political battle on the question of tariff, which became the leading issue and the rallyi'^g watchword during the memorable camp f."^-n. The Republicans appealed to the people for their voice as to a tariff to protect home industries, while the Democrats wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Republican convention assembled in Chicago in June and selected Mr. Harrison as their standard bearer on a platform of ] rinciples, among other important clauses being that of protection, which he cordially indorsed in accepting the nomination. November 6, 1888, after a heated canvass. General Harrison was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, who was again the nominee of the Democratic party. He was inaugurated and assumed the duties of his office March -1, lSii9.

In General

^ ceded, not only by the citizens of the State, but also by all passing immigrants, that for richness of soil, congeniality of climate, charming and delightful scenery, a cultivated and hospital people, Dallas county can not be surpassed. Truly has it been said that she is the "banner county of the State."

Situated in the center of the northern portion of the State, on what might be called a high rolling plateau, it is bounded on the north by tlie county of Denton, east by Collin and Kaufman, south by Ellis and west by Tarrant.

Geology

The geological formation of the soil of Dallas county and of the strata beneath belongs in geology to that period classed as Mesozoic time and in the Cretaceous period, the lower division of this being uncrystaline or of aqueous origin. There is a stratum of white limestone rock beneath the deep, rich, loamy black soil, which appears universal crops out and extends for miles, scattering here and there, giving a mixed soil of black with small white and greyish lime rocks. Especially is this frequently seen in the west ern portion of the county. This soil is very superiorly adapted to the growing of small grains of almost every kind.

Beneath this limestone is sometimes found beds of gravel, which is most conveniently utilized in improving roads and streets. These beds are found to be of remarkable variation of depth and dimensions, and must have been formed here when the waters covered the surface, having been drifted hither and thither by tlie surging waters. This gravel is lasting, as it consists chiefly of quartz, and of course is never ground into powder when used, while the white and grayish limestone found immediately beneath the soil crumbles on being exposed to the elements, and of course is not only worthless for paving roads and avenues but also for all building purposes of an}' kind.

The very best of lime has been manufactured out of this stratum of limestone, and, owing to this formation,nearly all the springs and streams are of hard water. There are exceptions, of course, as in the case of deep wells sunk beneath the strata and where water is found in gravel or in a stratum beneath that of the limestone.

Soil And Othee Physical Features

There is what is commonly, and most appropriately, termed the "black strip" of soil, about sixty miles in width, becrinning at Ked river, the dividing line between Texas and the Indian Territory, sweeping through Texas and extending almost to the Gulf of Mexico, and embraces the richest and most productive soil in the State. Dallas county is largely in this strip. While the surface consists in the greater ineasure of rolling prairie most delightful to the eye, especially when clothed in spring time with fresh green verdure, it is traversed by cross timbers that cluster on the banks of the Trinity river, which flows diagonally almost through its center, also on smaller streams and ravines. The soil is of that black, rich, loamy texture characteristic of the most productive known to geologists, and in some portions of the county it consists of that black, waxy character most charmingly adapted to almost every product known to the Southern climate.

The rich, black soil sometimes extends to the depth of four and live feet, and is said to never diminish its strength in giving forth produce like that of the sandy or clay-like soil. On this the finest vegetation grows. When this county was unsettled the wild grass would grow to the height of an ordinary man. It was proverbial that the hunter would sometimes become lost in the grass.

and, straying off from his companions, entail upon himself the greatest difficulty to find his bearings. This grass was not entirely over the county, but only in some sections. A heavy mat of turf, however, was extended over the entire surface of the soil, especially on the prairies, and it was so strongly matted, and the black, sticky soil so compact that it was of the greatest difficulty to break it up so as to make it arable for farming purposes. It was, therefore, common to see the farmer in primeval days of the county with from six to eight yoke of oxen, or with from four to Fix mules, hitched to a large plow, breaking up his prairie lands, doing what was commonly called "sodding;" but as the county became more thickly populated and rains fell more frequently, thereby moistening the surface, this task of "sodding" became less irksome - so much so that at the present period of development it is common to see the farmer seated on his sulky plow, with only two horses, plowing this wild laud; in other words, sodding his new lands. This soil, once thought to produce nothing with any certainty but corn and cotton, has been found to contain those elements and ingredients productive of all kinds of small grains, and in fact almost every kind of vegetation known to the Southern climate.

There is but a small quantity of timber, comparatively speaking, in the county, and that is found as stated, clustering on tlie streams, and, while not adapted for building purposes, it affords great comfort and con- venience to the citizen for fuel in winter a8 well as protection to stock from the cold blasts of the northern winds, commonly called the "Texas Norther." This timber consists of oak, sycamore, pecan, hackberry, walnut, Cottonwood, red and white elm, blackjack, box-elder, red haw, locust, hickory, wild china, cedar, gum-elastic, ash and "bois d'arc" (osage orange); and a peculiarity about it is, it does not grow to a great height. It is mostly stumpy, except immediately on the banks of the Trinity river. Here you find occasionally a large cottonwood, elm or hackberry. This timber has also an undergrowth called "underbrush," which makes it sometimes very difficult to pass through.

At an early date, the farmers enclosed their farms with rails and brush, hauled for miles from tiiese cross timl)erti, iiut as the population increased, and the timber became more scarce, and dear in price, bois-d'arc hedges were substituted, and afterward the barbed wire.

At the present period of development, almost every farmer in the county has his iuclosure fenced witl) barbed wire. The introduction of this wire was a great blessing to the people. In fact, it would have been almost impossible for the people in the county to have gotten along without it.

Cotton, corn, wheat, and oats, raised per acre, in Dallas county, cannot be surpassed in any county in tlie State. Truly might it be said that the quantity per acre on some of the choice lands of this county, approximates that of the richest soil in the Mississippi valley. The cotton stalk is known to grow so high in places that a man can scarcely reach to the top, and the limbs so heavy with bolls that they sometimes break from the main stem. Corn and wheat are raised in great quantities. All vegetables are grown with ease. Sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, - in fact almost all produce raised in a southern climate are produced on this soil. The largest, sweetest, finest quality of fruit, of almost every kind, such as peaches, apricots, apples, grapes, cherries pears, plums, etc., are produced. Watermelons are a marvel in size, in their season. The average yield of wheat per acre is from fifteen to thirty bushels; cotton from one-half bale to a bale, corn, from thirty to seventy bushels; oats, from thirty-five to eighty bushels; and hay, both native and cultivated, cannot be surpassed. The Johnson and Bermuda grasses, and millet, are raised in abundance. All of the abos'e produce always brings the very highest prices in the markets of the country.

Water Cookses, Wells, Etc

Dallas county is one of the best-watered counties in the State. Besides the Trinity river, there is the Five- Mile creek, and the Ten-Mile creek, - so denominated because of the distance from Dallas, the largest and central city in its borders.

wells, in which any quantity can be secured by digging to only a shallow depth. Very frequently, at the depth of from fifteen to twenty feet, an abundance is secured. The wealthier citizens have flowing artesian wells, which are at present becoming quite common in this county. After boring down a few hundred feet, the artesian water, as clear as a crystal, will burst forth, sometimes as high as twenty feet above the surface. The water from the ordinary wells, springs and creeks is principally from magnesian limestone, and of course very healthful. That of the artesian wells is pure, a little warm, but delightful, after remaining exposed to the air a short while. Rain-water in cisterns is used by many, and more especially in pools, called " tanks," which are denominated in the East as ponds. These tanks are commonly used by farmers for stock. They dam up a ravine or dig a place in some low spot on the prairie, so the water sometimes can bank up for the distance of a half mile. This is a very common means of securing water for cattle, and it was, indeed, more common with earlier settlers than now, when long droughts visited the county and lasted for several months. During tlie periods of droughts, the people would drive their cattle for miles, to a neighbor's tank. No such droughts now visit the county.

Temperature

Almost the entire time, during the summer season, a cool and delightful breeze is blowing: so the temperature in mid-summer ranges from about 75 to 90 degrees. The

This county is superior in splendid facilities for traveling by private conveyance, in addition to the numerous railroads. The county roads, bridges, and all avenues, are in first-class order.

The population of Dallas county in 1890 was 67,003, showing the largest of all counties in the State. It contains an area of 900 square miles, and an assessed valuation of its property, in 1890, of $35,849,000. The lands are valued at from $10 to $50 per acre, - the lands most valuable, near the city of Dallas, at from $100 to $200 per acre.

As the preceding sketch is a mere preliiniuary bird's-eye view of the section of which we are writing, we now present a fuller view of the geological character of the district in which Dallas county is situated.

A thorough geological survey of northern Texas has never yet been made, but we give the substance of the surveys that have been made and published in the First Annual Report of the Geological Survey of the State.

Dallas county lies in the Cretaceous system, characterized by chalk formations. The two series of rocks comprising this system occupy the area known as the Black Prairie, the Grand Prairie and the two Cross Timbers, besides unstudied areas in the eastern and trans- Pecos regions of the State.

To these strata the State owes a large part of her agricultural and general prosperity, for they are the foundation of the rich, black waxy and other calcareous soils of this region, and in addition to their agricultural features they are the most productive source of building material, while adjacent to the parting between them, extending the entire length of the Stale and depending upon their stratigraphy, is a remarkable area of natural and artesian wells. That these formations are of great economic value is also shown by the fact that they are the site of our principal cities and the rich agricultural soils which surround them.

This is in general a chalky country, and uniquely Texan, so far as the United States are concerned, constituting a distinct geographic region in every topographic, economic and cultural aspect, and one which should not be confused with other portions of the country. It covers an area of over 73,512 square miles, or over one-fourth (28.27 per cent.) the total area of Texas, forming a broad belt of fertile territory across the heart of the State, from the Ouachita mountains of the Indian Territory and Arkansas to the mountains of northern Mexico, - an area larger than the average American State, and equal to the combined area of all the New England States. One-third of this region lies north of the Colorado river, and the remainder to the southwest.

This region, with its many different prairies, each covered by its peculiar vegetation, its sweeping plains and diverse valleys, its undulating slopes clad with "motts" of liveoak, its narrow strips of cross timbers, its ragged buttes and mesas, presents a landscape varied, yet possessing as a whole an individuality peculiarly its own. All of these features, with their different tints and tones of soil and vegetation, with their varied conditions for human habitation, are but the surface aspects of the system of chalky rocks (chalky sands, chalky clays and chalky limestones) upon which it is founded, and to which is primarily due every physical qtiality

The rocks originated as sediments of the Atlantic ocean, laid down with great uniformity during two of the long epochs of subsidence and emergence when the waters covered this region many hundred fathoms deep. These ancient sediments are now more or less consolidated and elevated into a fertile land, which is decomposing under atmospheric conditions into soils and debris, and in turn being slowly transported to the ocean, where it will make other rock sheets. .They now occur in regular sheets or strata, dipping beneath each other toward the sea, while the projecting western edges, each of which weathers into and imparts its individuality to its own peculiar belt of country, outcrops in long, narrow belts, sub- parallel to the present ocean outline. Thus it is that as one proceeds inland from the coast he constantly crosses successively lower and lower sheets of these formations. The oldest, or lowest, in a geological sense, of these outcrops, forms the Upper Cross Timbers, those above these make the Grand .Prairie, the next sheet forms the Lower Cross Timbers, and the next the Black Prairie, etc. Each of these weathers into a characteristic soil, which in its turn is adapted to a peculiar agriculture. Each, too, has its own waterconditions and other features of economic value. Some of these rock sheets, like the Upper Cross Timber country, may be comparatively unfertile in the region of outcrop, yet they may serve to carry the rain which falls upon the thirsty sands far beneath the adjacent country, where by artesian borings it becomes

The Cretaceous country of Texas, as a whole, like the system of rocks of which the surface is composed, is separable into two great divisions, each of which in turn is sabdivided still further. These two regions are known as the Black Prairie and Grand (or Fort Worth) Prairie regions, each of which includes in its western border, north of the Brazos, an elongated strip of timber known as the Lower and Upper Cross Timbers, respectively.

The Black Peaieie Region

occupies an elongated area extending the length of the State from Red river to the Rio Grande. The eastern border of the Black Prairie is approximately the southwestern termination of the great Atlantic timber belt. The Missouri Pacific and the International railroads from Denison to San Antonio approximately mark the western edge. A little south of the center, along the Colorado river, from Austin eastward to the Travis county line near Webberville, the Black Prairie is restricted to its narrowest limits. Westward this prairie is succeeded by a region of some superficial resemblance to it which on closer study is found to differ in all essential points. This is the Grand, or Fort AVorth, Prairie, or "hard- lime-rock region."

The so-called mountains west of Austin are the remains of the Grand Prairie. In general, the Black Prairie region consists of a level plain, imperceptibly sloping to the southeast, varied only by gentle undulations and deep drainage valleys, unmarked by precipitate cafions. It is transected at intervals by tlie larj^er streams, whose deep-cut valleys, together with their side streams, make indentations into the plain, but not sufficiently to destroy the characteristic flatness of its wide divides - remnants of the original plain, or topographic marine base level, which has not been conjpletely scored by its still youthful drainage system. The altitude of the plain is between 600 and 800 feet. The surface of most of the Black Prairie region is a deep black day soil, which when wet becomes excessively tenaceous, from which fact it is locally called "black waxy." In general it is the residuum of the underlying clays, and contains an excess of lime, which, acting upon the vegetation by complicated chemical changes, causes the black color. It is exceedingly productive, and nearly every foot of its area is susceptible of a high state of cultivation, constituting one of the largest continuous agricultural regions in the United States. Large crops of cotton, corn, etc., are annually raised upon its fertile lands; and if there were facilities for proper transportation it would soon be one of the leading districts of our country.

The Black Prairie is subdivided longitudinally into four parallel strips of country, differing slightly, and distinguishable only by slight differences in topographj and in the underlying rocks. In the easternmost of these divisions north of the Brazos and Colorado rivers, however, the sand is hardly perceptible. Immediately interior of this is located the largest and most characteristic area', which is marked by the stiffest of the black waxy calcareous clay soils. Upon digging tlirough this stratum, the subtructure is found to consist of a light blue or yellow calcareous clay, called by the residents "soap stone" and "joint clay," from its jointed and laminated structure. The surface, especially of the high undrained divides, is also accompanied in many places by minute depressions known as "hog- wallows," which are producd by the drying, cracking and disintegrating character of these excessively calcareous clays in poorly drained places. This, the main portion of the Black Prairie, constitutes fully two-thirds of its total area. The cities of Greenville, Terrell, Corsicana and Kaufman are situated near the border of the sandy and black waxy strips. Manor, Clarksville, Cooper, Taylor and Temple are all situated in the main black waxy belt.

An outcrop of the "white rock" or chalky country, forming a narrow strip averaging two miles in width, from Red river to the Rio Grande, succeeds on the west the main black waxy Strip. This chalk region is marked by a topography more rounded and deeper incised, but still void of the sharper lines of stratification that characterize the Grand Prairie region. It is usually treeless, but occasionally marked by clumps of handsome evergreens and oaks. The western edge of this chalky region, as seen at Oak Cliff, near Dallas, at Sherman, Ilillsboro and other places, usually ends in an escarpment overlooking a valley containing the minor Black Prairie and Lower Cross Timber strips. It is upon this chalk that the most prosperous of the interior cities of Texas are located, including Paris, Sheiiiian, Mi'Kiiiin'v, Dallas, Waxahacliio, Waco, Austin, Now Hrnunfelt* and San Antonio, all of which are dependent upon the aijrienltural products of the adjacent prairies.

West of the "white rock" or chalky division, and ivenerally at a slightly lower altitude, occu[>ying a valley across the State, is a second narrow strip of hlack clayey land of a nature similar to that of the main black waxy area, and likewise accompanied by hog-wallows. This is the country east of Denton and Whitesboro, in the Mountain creek district of Dallas county, and along the line of the Missouri I'acitic railway from Alvarado to Waco.

The Lower Cross Timbers - a narrow belt of forest country eutending from the Red to the Brazos rivers - represent the westernmost strip of the Black I'rairie region, and belong to it geographically, as will presently be shown.

Let us now consider the substructure of the Black Prairie region in live divisions, commencing with the lowest, namely, the Upper Arenaceous, or Glauconitic; the main Black Prairie, the surface of the marine clays, called the Ponderosa marls, the white-rock division, which is the outcrop of the Austin- Dallas chalk, aggregating about 600 feet in thickness; the minor Black Prairie, also composed of clays like those of the main division, and consequently having a similar topography; and the Lower Cross Timbers. All the foregoing rock sheets, between which there is no stratigraphic break, represent the sediment deposited in the oceanic waters during a lung I'ontiniied subsidence, geologically known as the Upper Cretaceous period, for which collectively wo have chosen the name of Black I'rairie series. This Upper Cretaceous series has five conspicuous stratigraphic and litlu>lofj;ic divisions, which approximately correspond with the topographic divisions of the Black Prarie above mentioned.

From the Brazos river ni>rthward to Ived river the base of the upper series is composed of a brown, more or less ferruginous, predominantly sandy littoral deposit, resting unconfornnibly upon various horizons of the semi-chalky beds of the Washita division, or top of the Comanche series. These sandy deposits present an intinite variety of conditions of cross-bedding, clay intercalations, lignitic patches, and variation in fineness of size and angularity of the uncemented particles, characteristic of typical littoral deposits, while occasionally there are found fossiliferous horizons.

The Lower Cross Timber region abounds in rich saudy soils, which support a vigorous timber growth, this structure being especially for deep-rooted plants, and are specially adapted to fruit-growing, as seen near Denison and Paris. There is also considerable lignite and iron in the beds of this region. The lignite is frequently discovered and mis- taken for Mtuminous coal. It is doubtful whether either exists in sufficietit quantities for commercial use. The Cross Timbers are also in the line of the Central Texas artesian belt, and it is probable that in any portion of its area an artesian well sunk through the rock of the underlying Comanche series would find an abundant flow of water. These sands are also valuable for water-bearing purposes, and the wells along the margin of the minor Black Prairie area are supplied from them.

Beneath the scarp of the white rock (Austin-Dallas chalk) at Dallas, and extending westward through the Mountain creek country to the Lower Cross Timbers, can be seen typical localities of this division, the thickness of which is estimated at 400 feet. These clays in their medial portion are dark blue and shaly, highly laminated, and occasionally accompanied by gigantic nodular septariae, locally called "turtles." The uppermost beds gradually become more calcareous, graduating rather sharply into the chalk. There are also occasional bands of thin, impure limestones, which are readily distinguishable from all other Upper Cretaceous limestone by their firmness and lamination. Fossil remains of marine animals are also found in these clays, including many beautifully preserved species, the delicate color and nacre of shells being as fresh as when the animals inhabited them. Among these, oysters, fish teeth, chambered shells and Inocerami are the most abtindant.

The chief economic value of the minor Black Prairie will ever be its magnificent black calcareous soil, while some of the chief geological considerations are the ascertainment of means to make this soil more easily handled and less tenacious by devising suitable mixtures, the discovery of road-making material, and the increase of water for domestic and agricultural purposes. Owing to its clay foundation the soil now retains for plant use treble the quantity of moisture of Botne of its adjacent sandy districts, but surface and flowing water is scarce. Fortunately, however, this district is also within the Central Texas artesian well area, and an abundant supply of water can always be had at a depth of less than 1,500 feet, as has been proved in the course of our investigations. When this fact is fully appreciated the region will be one of the most prosperous in Texas. In the valleys of most of the streams running eastward across the east half of the minor Black Prairie, artesian water can be obtained at from 100 to 300 feet. The source of this water is in the Lower Cross Timber sand. Many of the concretions and calcareous layers are probably suitable for making cement; but tests must be made. The clays may also prove of commercial value.

Chalk

spiciious representative division of the whole Upper Cretaceous system. This occupies the narrow strip, as noted in the preceding topographic description, marking the western border of the main Black Prairie region, separating it from the minor Black Prairie. The outcrop of this chalk begins in the southwest corner of the State of Arkansas and in the Indian Territory. It crosses Red river, the exposure continuing westward up to the south side of the valley of that stream to the north of Sherman, from which place it deflects southward, passing near McKinney, Dallas, Waxahachie, Hillsboro, Waco, Belton, Austin, New Braunfels, San Antonio and SpoiTord Junction, beyond which it bends northward, appearing in the disturbed mountains in the vicinity of El Paso and New Mexico. It is distinguished above all by its peculiar chalky substructure.

The words "limestone" and "chalk" are used on these pages as follows: Limestone is employed generically for species of widely different origin and structure, namely, of five kinds: 1. Breccias composed of more or less comminuted and cemented shells of ancient bottoms or shores. 2. Concretions or segregations formed by the segregation of lime in clays and sands after original deposition, rare in our rocks. 3. Chalks are composed of amorphous calcium carbonate, usually more or less foraminiferous, void of laminations, and of comparative deep-sea origin. These may be hardened by metamorphism into firm limestones. Hence the term "chalky limestones" will imply chalky origin. i. Laminated, impure limestones, occurring as alternating beds in sands and clays, indicative of shallower origin then chalk. 5. Metamorphosed limestones, or any of the above which have undergone induration or secondary change. All laminated limestones thus far found in the Texas Cretaceous are in the basal beds, and are more or less arenaceous or argillaceous, further proving their origin to have been in shallower water than those in which chalk is laid down.

The rock of the Austin- Dallas chalk formation is a massive, nearly pure, white chalk, usualy free from grit and easily carved with a pocket-knife. Under the microscope it exhibits a few calcite crystals, particles of amorphous calcite, and innumerable shells of foraminiferae. The air-dried indurated surfaces are white, but the saturated subterranean mass has a bluish white color. The rock weathers in large conchoidal flakes, with an earthy fracture.

In composition it varies from 85 to 94 per cent, of calcium carbonate, the residue consisting of magnesia, silica and a small percentage of ferric oxide.

The thickness of this chalk is about 500 feet. So far as observed in Texas it averages the same thickness at Austin, Sherman and Dallas. It is of great uniformity throughout its extent; but there are a few local differences in hardness, which are sometimes due to surface induration and to igneous action, having been converted into marble in some places.

receding eastward under the influence of ex cessive atraosplieric decomposition and denudation. The group may have extended at one time all the way to the liio Grande. This formation abounds in fossils, most of whicli, however, are but poorly preserved easts.

The economic advantages of the white rock are various. It affords good locations tor the Ituilding of cities and communities, not only on account of the firm foundation for building and road-beds and good drainage which it always affords, but also on account of its sanitary conditions, produced by the imbibing capacity of the chalk. Wlien accurate statistics are kept, it will be proved that dwellers upon the chalky lands have a great hygienic advantnge over those upon sands and clays. The chalks are also water-bearing, and while yielding their moisture slowly they aflbrd an abundance for domestic purposes, and play an important part in the transmission of the rainfall to depths from which it can be abstracted, perhaps, in east Texas, by artesian wells. This chalk is also valuable for the manufacture of whiting, rouge, etc. Chalk is most used in England, however, where scientific agriculture has attained its highest development for dressing lands. Thousands of tons are used annually on the non-calcareous lands of England, where it is usually applied at the rate of twenty tons per acre, just as it will ultimately be used upon the non-calcareous lands of east Texas as soon as our ai^riculture advances to a statre where its necessity will be appreciated, (ylialk makes a cheap, convenient land dressing for non-chalky lands, performing in a more satisfactory manner the functions of quick-lime in making available other constituents of the soil, besides contributing to it minute but valuable proportions of phosphates, potash and other plant foods.

The chalk will also prove of great use in the manufacture of Portland cements. It is the material used in the manufacture of most of the imported cements; and when the people of this State properly appreciate what an immense industry lies at their doors - a natural Texas monopoly - this region will become a great cement center for the United States.

The eastward continuation of the Austin- Dallas chalk is covered by what is the most extensive and valuable, but least appreciated, geological formation in the United States, namely, a remarkable deposit of chalky clays, aggregating some 1,200 feet in thickness, according to reported well-borings and estimates of the normal dip In fact these clays are so little known that no popular name has yet been accorded them; and hence they are called after the immense fossil oyster found in them.

These clays occupy the whole of the main Black prairie region east of the Austin-Dallas chalk, and form the basis of the rich, black, waxy soil. Notwithstanding their horizontal extent, good outcrops of the unaltered structure are seldom seen, owing to their rapid disintegration. Usually they are seen onlj' in ravines, creeks or fresh diggings. They are of a line consistency, unconsolidated and apparently unlamiuated until exposed to the weather, when their laminated character is developed. They are light blue before atmospheric exposure, but rapidly change into a dull yellow, owing to the oxidation of the pyrites of iron in them. Their chief accessory constituent is lime in a chalky condition, and they are more calcareous at the bottom than at the top. Near the top of these and other exposures tiiere is to be seen a rapid transition into the black, calcareous, clay soil, characteristic of chalk and chalky clays whenever their excess of lime comes in contact with vegetation. They are more calcareous and fossiliferous at their base.

The economic value of these chalky clay marls is in the fact that they are the foundation and source of the rich soil of the main black, waxy prairie, the largest continuous area of residual agricultural soil in the United States, apparently inexhaustible in fertility; for as the farmer plows deeper and deeper he constantly turns to light the fertile marls which renew the vitality of the surface. These soils can be much improved by further geologic study.

Division

prairie or Fort Worth section, the features of which are reported at length by the State Geologist, so far as studied ; but as it comes outside of our district, we omit it here.

The beautiful and fertile section of Texas now comprising the populous and wealthy county of Dallas, was occupied by the Indians when first approached by the white settlers. While they were not as numerous as in other sections, they were found scattered through the timbers, especially on the Trinity river, to such an extent as to cause the earlier settlers much trouble and annoyance as well as damage.

There have been many conjectures as to the time this race of people had lived here, but whether for a long or short period one fact is said to be very evident, namely, that the Indians were originally the first people that ever trod the soil of Dallas county.

There are not here any traces of that memorable, conjectured race of people, the moundbuilders, as can be seen in other States. If this mysterious and unknown, but evidently intelligent prehistoric race had ever populated this county, or even country, they would have left some of their remarkable impressions, - some traces, - yes, some "foot-prints on the sands of time," as they left in other sections of North America.

Whence the origin of this peculiar race called the Indian, found here as well as in all new countries of America, is certainly a very natural question to any reader, and more es- pecially to the investigating and philosophical mind. (Joncerning this question conjectures after conjectures and theories after theories have been advanced by the most gifted and learned historians; and even some of the most distinguished philologists have endeavored to ascertain, by tracing and analyzing their means of communication to each other, some intelligent origin, but all have left us still in the sea of conjecture.

A popular and somewhat common theory accepted by many is that the Indians existed in the " conjectural history of the world." Others have very sanguinely considered them the " lineal descendants of the lost tribes of

Some affirm that tliey have their origin from this, that or the other ancient nation; but whatever theory is right, it is nevertheless a striking fact worthy of special mention that almost all historians agree that this race must have by some means crossed over from Asia into this country. It is claimed that there was a period in the world's history when America and Asia constituted one and the same great country, and that it was at this remote period of time that the Indian's lot was cast upon this soil. But from whatever source, country or climate they came from, one fact is apparent and strikingly so, namely, that they all bear similar characteristics, in manner of living, personal appearance and means of communication, which is said to lie altogether different from any other race known to have existed. Tiieir lancruacfe has been a stumbling block, so to speak, to the most eminent philologist, as there has

To show what widely different theories have been assumed and advocated by some of the most eminent scholars of the land concerning this peculiar people found here in Dallas county, and as is said to have been found in all newly discovered countries of this continent, the following is given from Bancroft's history:

" Tiie American Indians, their origin and consanguinity have from the day of Columbus to the present time proved a knotty question. School-men and scientists count their theories by the hundreds, each sustaining some pet conjecture with a logical clearness equaled only by the facility with which he demolishes all the rest. One proves their origin by holy writ; another by the writings of ancient philosophers; another by the sage sayings of the fathers; one discovers them in Phoenician merchants; another, in the lost tribes of Israel. They are tracked with equal certainty from Scandinavia, from Ireland, from Iceland, from Greenland, across Bering Strait, from Asia across the Northern Paciiic, from the Southern Pacific, from the P0I3'- nesian Islands, from Australia, and even from Africa; venturesome Carthaginians were thrown upon the Eastern shore; Japanese junks on the Western.

"The breezes that \^afted hither the American primogenitors are still blowing, and the ocean currents by which tliey came cease not yet to flow. The finely spun web of logic by which these fancies arc maintained would prove amusincr did not the profound earnestness of their respective advocates render them ridiculous. Acosta, who studied tlie subject for nine years in Peru, concludes that America was the Ophir of Solomon. Aristotle relates that the Carthaginians in a voyage were carried to an unknown island; wherupon Florian, Gomora, Oriedo, and others are satisfied the island was Espanola.

"' "Who are these that fly as a cloud?' exclaims Esaias, or 'as the doves to their windows?' Scholastic sages answer, 'Columbus is the Columha, or dove, here prophesied.'

"Alexo Vanegas shows that America was peopled by Carthiginiaiis: Anahuac is but another name for Anak. Besides, both nations practiced picture-writing, both venerated fire and water, wore skins of animals, pierced the ears, ate dogs, drank to excess, telegraphed by means of tires on hills, wore all their finery on going to war, poisoned their arrows, beat drums and shouted in battle. Garcia found a man in Peru who had seen a rock with something very like Greek characters engraved upon it. Six hundred years after the apotheosis of Hercules, Coleo made a long voyage; Homer knew of the ocean; the Athenians made war with the inhabitants of Atlantis; hence the Americans were Greeks! Lord Kingsborough proves conclusively that these same American Indians were Jews, because their symbol of innocence was, in the one case, a fawn and in the other a lamb; because of the law of Moses, considered in reference to the custom of sacrificing children, which existed in Mexico and Peru; because the fear of tumults of the people, famine, pestilence and warlike invasions were exactly the same as those entertained by the Jews, if they failed in the performance of any of their ritual observances; because the education of children commenced amongst the Mexicans; as with the Jews, at an exceedingly early age; because beating with a stick was a very common punishment among the Jews as well as among the Mexicans; because the priesthood of both nations was hereditary in a certain family; because both were inclined to pay great respect to unlucky omens, such as the screeching of the owl, the sneezincr of a person in company, and so forth; and because of a hundred other equally sound and relevant auguments. * * *

"There are many advocates for an Asiatic origin, both among ancient and modern speculators. Favorable winds and currents, the short distance between islands, traditions both Chinese and Indian, refer the peopling of America to that quarter. Similarity in color, features, religion, reckoning of time, absence of a heavy beard, and innumerable other comparisons are drawn on by enthusiastic advocates to support a Mongolian origin. Tlie same arguments, in whole or in part, are used to prove that America was peopled by Ethiopians, by French, English, Trojans, Frisians, Scythians; and also that different parts were settled by different peoples. The test of language has been applied with equal weight and facility and enthusiasm to Egyptian, Jew, Phcenician, Carthaginian, Spaniard, Chinese, Japanese, and, in fact to nearly all the nations of the earth."

It wa8 once almost the general belief among all writers that a race called " Mound-builders" originally populated this country; that they preceded the red men in ripjht of possession ; but of late it is being conceded tliat the Indian, the creature such as was found here in Dallas county by the original settlers, was "one of the Almighty's earliest pieces of handiwork."

The Indian Character

The Indian originally was utterly ignorant of the arts and stratagem of warfare, and even until this day and time they are less learned and skilled in the art of military tactics or modern warfare. When he first entered into battle with the white man fortifications of any kind were unknown to him. Rocks, trees, bluffs or anything by chance he might come across to ward off danger, was sought out by him in time of battle.

It is supposed that when he came in battle with the "Mound-builders" his only weapon was a club; but suffice it to say that he soon, by that keen perception characteristic of his race, learned from his more intelligent adversary how to make and use the bow and arrow.

Some writers have contended that the Indian by nature is not disposed to be warlike and cruel; that he originally lived in absolute peace with all about him; that he occupied himself chiefly in hunting wild game, roaming over mountains and hills, through the valley and the forests, or seated by the fire in winter or lying beneath the shades of some lovely bowers clustering on the banks of some silvery stream. Whether this theory be true or not, it has been found that the Indian is by nature more kind and sympathetic than has ever been attributed to him.

The writer has ever had a feeling of sympathy for the red man, and in many respects the characteristics of this people are to be admired. In delineating the character of the Indian in a general manner, and as if he now populated this country, the eminent and most eloquent writer, Washington Irving, wrote the following, which we give that the reader may Ijetter appreciate the red man as he was originally, - yes, as he was by nature and before he was driven hither and thither and forced to fight for his life and possession:

"There is a peculiarity in the character and habits of the Indian, taken in connection with the scenery over which he is accustomed to range, - -its vast lakes, boundless forests, majestic rivers and trackless plains, - that is to my mind wonderfully striking and sublime. He is formed for the wilderness as the Arab is for the desert. His nature is stern, simple and endearing; fitted to grapple with difiiculties and to support privations. There seems but little soil in his heart for the growth of the kindly virtues; and yet if we would but take trouble to penetrate through that proud stoicism and habitual taciturnity that look upon his character from casual observation, we should find him linked to his fellow man of civilized life by more of those sympathies and affections than are usually ascribed to him."

" In discussing the character of the Indian, writers have been too prone to inindulge in vulgar prejudice and passionate exaggeration, instead of the candid temper of true philosophy. They have not sufficiently considered the peculiar circumstances in which the Indians have been placed, and the peculiar principles under which they have been educated.

" In general, no being acts more rigidly from rule than the Indian. His whole conduct is regulated according to some general maxims early implanted in his mind. The moral laws that govern him are, to be sure, but few; but then he conforms to them all. The white man abounds in laws of religion, morals and manners, but how many does he violate."

" It is claimed by many that the Indian had no civil rights here in this country; that he must be treated as a brute; that such is his nature that he could not be treated otherwise; that with all the kind treatment given him the more traitorous and ungrateful he would become. Just such ideas were also entertained by some historians concerning the Mexicans; but the writer is glad to state, at a time when but little was known of the better class of the population of our noble sister country, that a kinder and a more affectionate heart could not be found than that possessed by some of the crude, rough Indians, - yes, such as were found in this section, now Dallas county. When he would find you his friend his devotion was remarkable. The following touching words, once spoken by an Indian chief, strikingly exhibit this remai-kable trait of character, found in the heart of almost all these Indians.

" I appeal to any white man if ever lie entered Logan's cabin hungry and he gave him not to eat; if ever he came cold and naked and he clothed him not." Of course the wild, savage Indians were exceptions. Still the Indian race is like the colored race: the characteristics possessed by one tribe or class is possessed by all. Education ameliorates and civilizes to a certain extent, but does not change the characteristics peculiarly implanted in them by Divinity.

Treatment Of The Indian

The rights of the Indian have been very little regarded and properly esteemed or appreciated by the white man in any section or country. He has been taken advantage of in peace, and by stratagem has been the '- dupe of artful traffic," and his life or death has been regarded as that of a brute, of minor importance. The prejudice which existed in thf primeval days among the pioneers exist to a certain extent at the present time; but, much to the credit of certain philanthrophic societies throughout the country at present, they have endeavored to ascertain the true characteristics and inward life of the different Indian tribes. Well has it been said and much to the honor not only of our county and State governments, but also of our national government, that the American government has been indefatigable in its exertions to meliorate the situation of the Indians, and to introduce among them the art of civilization and civic and religious knowledge.

Even among the savaojes tliere are some who are approachable, and can be influenced to humble subjection if properly managed. When disputed lords of the land, to go where they pleased, and do and act as they desire, unmolested, it was perfectly natural for them to fight against any intrusions; but on making known to them by kind and humane treatment, that the whites mainly did not desire to rob them, they have been known to exhibit a reasonable degree of reconciliation, and after they have become somewhat civilized have forcibly shown a spirit of kindliness and affection.

But it is alleged that they are treacherous and unreliable as to any agreements they as a nation or a class of people might make. Concerning these characteristics, the much admired historian above quoted, says further:

" A frequent ground of accusation against the Indians is their disregard to treaties, and tlie treachery and wantonness with which, in times of apparent peace, they will suddenly fly to hostilities. The intercourse of the white men with the Indians, however, is too apt to be cold, distrustful, oppressive and insulting; they seldom treat them with that confidence and frankness which is indispensable to real friendship; nor is a suflicient caution observed not to offend against those feelings of pride or superstition, which often prompt the Indian's hostility quicker than mere consideration of interest. The solitary savage feels silently, but acutely. His sensibilities are not diffused over so wide a surface as those of the white man; but they run in affections, his superstitions are all directed toward fewer objects; but the wounds inflicted on them are proportionably severe, and furnish motives of hostility which we cannot sufliciently appreciate. Where a community is also limited in number, and forms one great patriarchal family, as in an Indian tribe, the injury of an individual is the injury of the whole; and the sentiment of vengeance is almost instantaneously diffused. One council-tire is sufficient for the discussion and arrangement of a plan of hostilities. Here all the fighting men and sages assemble. Eloquence and superstition combine to inflame the minds of the warriors. The orator awakens tiieir martial ardor, and they are wrought up to a kind of religions desperation by the visions of the prophet and the dreamer. The story where some planters had plundered the grave of the sachem's mother of some skins, with which it had been decorated, is an instance of one of those sudden exasperations, arising from a motive peculiar to the Indian character, as exhibited in the primeval days.

"The Indians were remarkable for the revr erence which they entertained for the sepulchres of their kind. * * * Influenced by this sul)lime and holy feeling, the sachem whose mother's tomb had been violated gathered his men together and addressed them in the following beautifully simple and pathetic harangue, a curious specimen of Indian eloquence and an affecting instance of filial piety irj the savage: silent and I began to settle down, as my custom is, to take repose. Before mine eyes were fast closed methouglit I saw a vision at which my spirit was much troubled, and trembling at the sight a spirit cried aloud: 'Behold, my son, whom I have cherished. See the breast that gave thee suck, the hands that lapped thee warm and fed thee oft. Canst thou forget to take revenge upon those wild people who have defaced my monument in a despiteful manner, disdaining our antiquities and honorable customs? See, now, the sachem's grave lies like the common people, defaced by an ignoble race. Thy mother doth complain and implores thy aid against this thievish people who have newly intruded on our land: If this be suffered I shall not rest quiet in my everlasting habitation.'

" 'This said, the spirit vanished, and I, all in a sweat, not able scarce to speak, began to get some strength, and recollected my spirits that were fled, and determined to demand your counsel and assistance.'

"This anecdote represents how acts of hostility suddenly kindled in the breasts of these people, which have been attributed to caprice or perfidy, did often arise from deep and generous motives, which inattention to Indian character and customs prevent our properly appreciating."

Cowardice And Treachery

There is another condemnable characteristic in the nature of the Indian, in the eyes of a great many, and that is a cowardliness, siieh as lead him to slip around and stab in the back. Of this element in his nature the

"We have stigmatized the Indians also as cowardly and treacherous because they use stratagem in warfare in preference to open force; but in this they are fully justified by their rude code of honor. They were early taught that stratagem is praiseworthy; the bravest warrior thinks it was no disgrace to lurk in silence and take every advantage of his foe; he triumphed in the superior craft and sagacity by which he had been enabled to surprise and destroy an enemy. Indeed, man is naturally more prone to subtlety than open valor, owing to his physical weakness in comparison with other animals, which are endowed with natural weapons of defense, - with horns, with tusks, with hoofs and talous; but man has to depend on his superior sagacity. In all his encounters with these, his proper enemies, he resorts to stratagem; and when he perversely turns his hostility against his fellow-man he at first continues the same subtle mode of warfare.

"The natural principle of war is to do the most harm to our enemy with the least harm to ourselves, and this of course is to be effected by stratagem. The chivalrous courage which induces us to despise the suggestions of prudence, and to rush in the face of certain danger, is the offspring of society and produced by education. It is honorable because it is in fact the triumph of lofty sentiment over an instinctive repugnance to pain, and over those yearnings after personal ease and security which society has condemned as ignoble. It is kept alive by pride and the fear of shame; and thue the dread of real evil is overcome by the superior dread of an evil which exists but in the imagination. It has been cherished and stiiiiulated also bj various means. It has been the theme of spirit-stirring song and chivalrous story. The poet and minstrel have delighted to shed round it the splendors of fiction; and even tiie historian has forgotten the sober gravity of narration, and broken forth into enthusiasm and rhapsody in its praise. Triumph and gorgeous pageants have been its reward; monuments, on which art has e.xhausted its skill, opulence and treasures, have been erected to perpetuate a nation's gratitude and admiration. Thus artificially excited, courage has risen to an extraordinary and factitious degree of heroism, and arrayed in all the glorious 'pomp and circumstance of war.' This turbulent quality has even been able to eclipse many of those quiet but invaluable virtues which silently ennoble the human and swell the tide of human happir ness.

"But if courage intrinsically consisted in defiance of danger and pain, the life of the Indian is a continual exhibition of it. He lives in a state of perpetual hostility and risk. Peril and adventure are congenial to his nature, or rather seem necessary to arouse his faculties and to give an interest to his existence. Surrounded by hostile tribes, whose mode of warfare is by ambush and surprisal, he was always prepareil for fight and lived with his weapons in his hands. As the ship careens in fearful sincjleness through the «ol- Jtudes of ocean, as the bird mingles among clouds and storms, and wings its way a mere speck across the pathless fields of air, so the Indian held his course, silent, solitary, but undaunted throucfh the boundless bosom of the wilderness. His expeditions might have vied in distance and danger with the pilgrimage of the devotee, or the crusade of the knight errant. He travei-sed vast forests and plains, exposed to hazards of lonely sickness, of lurking enemies, and pining famine.* * * His verysubsistence is snatched frjm the midst of toil and peril. He gained his food by the hardships and dangers of the chase; he wrapped himself in the spoils of tiie bear, the panther and the buffalo, and sleeps among the thunders of the cataract.

"No hero of ancient or modern days could surpass the Indian in his lofty contempt of death, and the fortitude with which he sustained its crudest affliction. Indeed, we here behold him rising superior to the white man in consequence of his peculiar education. The latter rushes to glorious deatii at the cannon's mouth, the former calmly contemplating its approach and triumphantly endures it, amidst the varied torments of surrounding foes and the protracted agonies of tire. He even takes a pride in taunting his persecutors, and provoking their ingenuity of torture; and as the devouring flames prey on his very vitals, and the flesh shrinks from the sinews, he raises his last song of triumph, breathing the defiance of an unconquored heart, and invoking the spirits of his fathers to witness that he dies without a groan.

the early historians have overshadowed the charters of the unfortunate Indians, some bright gleams occasionally break through which throw a degree of melancholy on their memories."

Thb Indians Of Northern Texas

It is said that two classes of Indians principally occupied, roamed and hunted through this section of country now known as Dallas county, - the Tonkawas and the nomadic tribes. The Tonkawa is said to have been much more mild-mannered and civilized than the nomadic. So considerate was Placidio, chief of the Tonkawas, that it is said he refuse to join the side of the Union army during the civil war of the United States, as he said he "could not fight against Texas, where he and his tribe had always lived." The nomadic tribes were inclined to be more treacherous and warlike. Any one who seemed to intrude upon their hunting ground for buffalo, which was their game here when the white settlers first entered this section, now Dallas county, was always most ferociously attacked. As stated, the general character of all tribes of Indians is the same. Some are more civilized than others, and of course there is a difference in their mode and manner of living. In regard to their personal appearance, habits, employments, dress, food, manners, customs and so forth, we give the following compilation made by one of our historians. Their persons were generally tall, straight and well proportioned, their skins of the well known and peculiar tint. In constitution they were firm and vigorous.

As to their general character they were quick of apprehension and not wanting in genius, at times being friendly and even courteous. In council they were distinguished for gravity and a certain eloquence; in war for bravery and stratagem. When provoked to anger they were sullen and retired, and when determined upon revenge no danger would deter them; neither absence nor time could cool them. If captured by an enemy they would never ask quarter, nor would they betray emotions of fear even in view of the tomahawk or of the kindling faggot.

Education amongst these rude savages of course had no place, and their only evidence of a knowledge of letters was in a few hieroglyphics. The arts they taught their young were war, hunting, fishing and the makinpf of a few articles, most of which, however, being made by the females.

Their language was rude but sonorous, metaphorical and energetic, being well suited to public speaking, and when accompanied by the impassioned gestures and attended with tlie deep guttural tones of the savage, it is said to have had a singularly wild and impressive effect. They had some few war songs, which were little more than unmeaning choruses, but it is believed they never had any other compositions which could be called such or were worthy of preservation.

Tiieir skill in medicine was confined to a few simple preparations and operations. Cold and warm baths are said to have been employed, and a considerable number of plants were used. For diseases they knew but little remedy, having recourse to their medicine men, who treated their patients by means of sorcery. They had few diseases, however, in comparison with those prevailing among civilized peoples.

The women ])repared the food, took charge of the domestic concerns, tilled the scanty fields, and performed all the drudgery connected with the camp.

of ornaments, on days of festivities, the sachems wore mantles of deer skins, embroidered with shells or the claws of birds, and were painted with various devices. Hideous was the object aimed at in painting themselves, which was intended to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies.

In the construction of their habitations the Indians exercised but little judgment, their huts or wigwams consisting of a strong pole erect^jd in the center, around which other poles were driven obliquely in the ground and fastened against the center pole at the top. These were covered with bark of trees, and were but poor shelters when considering the amount of material to be obtained in primitive forests.

The domestic utensils did not extend beyond a hatchet of stone, a few shells and sharp stones which tliey used as knives; stone mortars for preparing their corn, and mats and skins to sleep on. They sat, ate and lodged upon the ground, and their food was of the simplest and coarsest kind, consisting of the flesh and even the entrails of birds and beasts, in addition to the few garden products they raised.

Their money, called wampum, consisted of small particles of shells, strung on bells and in chains. They rated the value of wampum by its color: black, blue, white, purple.

Except when roused by some strong excitement, the men were indolent, taciturn and unsocial; the women too degraded to think of little else than toil. Their language, though energetic, was barren of words, and

The savawe Indians have no definite form of government. What government is established by those less savage is an absolute monarchy: the will and command of the sachem is their law. While his decisions are absolute and final he sometimes honors the older numbers of his tribe by calling upon them for advice and counsel. This is said to be very seldom, however. One praiseworthy characteristic of the more civilized and sometimes of the savage, is that, when one of their niimber undertakes to address an assemblage among themselves, the utmost deference is paid to the speaker and profound silence reigns supreme. This characteristic was so striking to one of the early writers that he says of them :

" When propositions for war or peace were made or treaties proposed to them by the colonial governors, they met the embassadors in council, and at the end of each paragraph or proposition the principal sachem delivered a short stick to one of his council, intimating that it was his peculiar duty to remember the paragraph. After their deliberations were ended, the sachem or some counselors to whom he had delegated the office, replied to every paragraph in its turn, with an exactness scarcely exceeded in written correspondence of civilized power, each man remembering exactly what was committed to him, and he imparting it to the one entrusted in reply to the propositions or other matters of debate."

Religion

The ideas of religion entertained by the tribes of Indians that circulated through Dallas county were evidently similar to those entertained by all the other Indian tribes. They were said to believe in two Great Spirits, - a Good Spirit and an Evil Spirit. They paid homage to both, and like all others of their kind constructed images after their conception of their deities. They also were found to possess a remarkable reverence for all the great elements of nature, and imagined, as in the days of mythology, that these forces possessed intelligence and some great power; as to the sun, lightning, thunder, - whatever was mysterious to them, - they with awe bowed their knee in reverence.

These Indians, the Tonkawas and nomadic tribes, were very harassing to the earlier settlers of Dallas county. After they had been driven from the county they would often slip in among the settlers and steal their horses and pilfer and destroy their property, and when an opportunity presented itself would murder the citizens.

An instance of their murderous deeds is recorded as late as 1841. During the fall of 1841, these early settlers had sent a man with a wagon to a place on Red river, then the most accessible point to secure what provision was wanted.

This party was delayed longer than was expected, and three of the citizens, namely, Solomon Silkwood, Hamp Rattan and Alexander W. Webb (now living at Mesquite, in Dallas county), leaving their crude homes, went out to hunt for the wagon. They had gone only a short distance, only to the east side of Elm Fork, - near which point the little town of CarroUton in Dallas county is now situated, - when they undertook to fell a tree which was believed to contain honey, and while engaged in doing so Rattan was killed by a squadron of Indians concealed in the brush. One or two of the Indians were killed by Webl)and Silkwood, then they escaped to reach their homes in safety and convey the sad news of the murder of their companion. From the exposure endured on this trip, as it was exceedingly cold, the snow being at least six or eight inches deep, Silkwood was stricken down with sickness and died after lingering only a short time. After this one of these brave pioneers entered the hunt alone for this relief wagon, and on passing by this place, made sad by the killing of their esteemed citizen. Rattan's faithful dog was found guarding the dead body of his kind master I

The Earlier Settlers

On the 4th day of February, 1841, the Texan Congress passed an act to attract attention, and be an inducement to emigrants to come and populate this then uncivilized country.

" Be it enacted, etc., Tiiat every head of a family who has emigrated to this republic since the first of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty, or who may emigrate before the first of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, with his family, and who is a free white person, shall be entitled to six hundred and forty acres of land; provided, he settle and actually reside on the same for the term of three years, and cultivate an amount of the same not less than ten acres; and further, provided, lie shall have his land surveyed and plainly marked, so as to include his improvements.

Sk:c. 2. - That each single man over the age of seventeen, who has or may emigrate as provided in the first section of this act, shall be entitled to three hundred and twenty acres of laud, upon the same conditions and restrictions as the heads of families.

Seo. 3. - Tliat in no instance shall a patent be issued under the provisions of this act unless the party produce the official certificate of the chief justice of the county where he may reside, that he, the said applicant, has proven by two respectable and creditable witnesses, that he has resided on the land for which he wishes to receive a patent, and that he has cultivated the quantum of land required by this act for the term of three years, and that he has done and performed all the duties required of other citizens; and that he has taken the oath of allegiance to this republic, provided always, the applicant shall be required to make oath or affirmatiou that he has complied with tlie requisitions of this act; which oath or affirmation shall be properly authenticated.

Sec. 4. - That the president of the republic be and he is hereby authorized to make a contract with W. S. Peters, Daniel S. Carroll, Alexander McRed, Rowland Gibson, Robert Espie, William H. Oldmixon, Daniel Spillman, Robert Hume, John Salmon, W. C. Bansanien, John Peters, William Scott, Phineas J. Johnson, H. S. Peters, Timothy Cray, and Samuel Browning collectively, for the purpose of colonizing and settling a portion of the vacant and unappropriated lands of the republic, on the following conditions, to-wit: The said contractors, on their part, agree to introduce a number of families to be specified in the contract, within three years from the date of the contract, provided, however, they shall commence the settlement within one year from the date of said contract.

Sko. 5. - That the said contract shall be drawn up by the Secretary of State, setting forth such regulations and stipulations as shall not be contrary to the general principles of this law and the constitution, which contract shall be signed by the President and the party or parties, and attested by the Secretary of State, who will also preserve a copy in his department.

Sec. 6. - That the President shall designate certain boundaries to be above the limits of the present settlements, within which the emigrants under the said contract must reside; provided, however, that all legal grants and surveys that may have been located within the boundaries so designated previously to the date of said contract shall be respected ; and any locations or surveys made by the contractors or their emigrants on such grants and surveys, shall be null and void.

Sec. 7. - That not more than one section of six hundred and forty acres of land, co be located in a square, shall be given to any family comprehended in said contract nor more than three hundred and twenty acres to a single man over the age of seventeen years.

Sec. 8. - That no individual contract made between any contractor and the families or single persons which he may introduce, for a portion of the land to which respectively they may be entitled by way of recompense for passage, expense of transportation, removal or otherwise, shall be binding if such contract embrace more than one-half of the land, which he, she or they, may be entitled to under this law; nor shall any contract act as a lieu on any larger portion of such land; nor shall any emigrant be entitled to any land, or receive a title for such land until such person or persons shall have built a good and comfortable cabin upon it, and shall keep in cultivation and under good fence at least fifteen acres on the tract which he may have received.

Sec 9. - That all the expenses attending the selection of the land, surveying title and other fees, shall be paid by the contractor to the persons respectively authorized to receive them; provided, however, that this provision shall not release the colonist from the obligation of remunerating the contractor in the amount of all such fees, so soon as it can be done without a sale of their land; and further, the President may donate to every settlement of one hundred families made under the provisions of this act one section of six hundred and forty acres of land to aid and assist the settlement in the erection of a huilding for religious public worship.

Sec. 10. - That the president may allow the contractors a compensation for their services, and in recompense of their labor and expense attendant on the introduction and settlement of the families introduced by him, ten sections for every hundred families, and in the same ratio of half sections for every hundred single men introduced and settled; it being understood that no fractional number less than one hundred will be allowtd any premium.