Fayette County, Texas - The whole text, 1902 (part 2 of 8)

It is already difficult (o form a correct opinion of the character of one man. To do him justice, you must underst?nd and like him. You must mako allowance at certain times for riianges and aberrations of his ordinary course, It is still more difficult to arrive at a correct estimate of a whole population. One may i^rcscnt them as one knows them from liis own experience, and that experience may not be complete or bear only on part of their traits. All these difficulties will stand forth still more prominent, as three elements: the American, German and liohmi.m that constitute this county have to be treated of.

The Americans are very good neighbors, hospitable, helpful, and accomodating. They are true in their friendships. peo;.)Ie will lake their politeness and congenial behavior for friendship and make a mistake ; but they should not complain, for it is their mistake. Tliey are polite and gallant to the ladies. Politeness is an innate virtue with them ; it forms part of their character that cannot be separated from them. With European people politeness is very often a pro- duct of education, not an innate trait of character, serving in many cases only to cover the very hideonsness of their character. . If this censure of the European people should be held unjust, I recall the burning the Paris Bazaar in 1899, where helpless ladies were pushed back into the fire or trampled down by the cream of the young society men of that country in their frantic efforts to save themselves. A greater contrast of character to the American could not well be found. Most Americans would rather die than to be guilty of such barbarism. The sexes mingle in this coutry very freely with each other and this has the effect of polishing their manners and gives them a certain confidence and self-reliance.

Under these circumstances their marriage relations are very conducive to mutual happiness so much so that older married men wish other people who are not in such a lucky state, to enjoy such a happiness too and talk to the conscience of young men telling them how marriage made men of them and improved tlieir character ; how their wives have been the making of them financially, socially and every other way. Still, some men prefer to remain bad boys ; they seem to enjoy some comfort in being bad.

The leading traits of the American character are preeminently social virtues. Everyone who appreciates these traits or in part, possesses them himself, i& welcome in tlieir society ; is one of them. But people deficient of Ihem or partly deficient, whose ideas are not social virtues, must naturally be a jar on them and fare not so well in their judgment. Just think of it, some of their writers call the Germans stupid and stolid. The fact is, when a German comes to this country, his aim is not to shine in society, but to make an honest living and provide for comfort in old age. His ideal is the posseision of a farm, free of debt. As soon as lie has a farm, he sets to improving it and building a nice comfortable dwelling house. This improved farm, together with a few hundred dollars in the bank or put in safe vendor's lien notes represent his life's work ; every cent of it honest and made by his labor. He has grappled with life's difficulties successfuliy and come out ahead. If this is stupidity and stolidity, it is of the valuable kind. Sometimes he may have the satisfaction, if satisfaction it is, to see an American neighbor who ridiculed him lose his fortune either by living beyond his means, or by helping a friend too generously, or by speculating in an enterprise that promised so well and turned out so bad. But the Americnn is undaunted ; he starts anew and may be some day on top again, The rallying power and elasticity of the American is wonderful. You may press a rubber ball ; tlie moment you release your hold, it assumes its natural shape again. Circumstances may press heavy on an American ; the moment the pressure relaxes, he assumes his natural sliape ; it has left no impression on him. With a German it is different. Should the result of his life's work, representing honest and frugal wages, be swept away from him, it would be much harder for him to start anew again ; his energy would to some extent be crippled by the defeat.

I mentioned that the American sometimes loses a fortune by speculation. He is very enterprising and not afraid of great risks. As he has been the pioneer in o[,ening the country for settlement, he has been in a great many cases the pioneer in new enterprises. Not that the Gorman is lacking in enterprise, but he liardly ever will open new i)aths. If they are opened for him and shown to him by Americans, and on careful examination he finds them profitable, he will invest ; in many cases more successfully than the American ; for this reason, experience must be paid for, and that the American has done when he started in the enterprise ; and with this experience that he did not need to pay for, he can now start more successfully, it must be considered, too, that the American on account of his greater knowledge of the condition of the country and his larger circle of ac- (juaintances is for that reason generally better qualified to embark first in new enterjjrises. So, if German papers, with justifiable pride, point out the great share the Germans had in developing this country, they should also not forget how much the Germans owe to the American pioneer. In justice to the Germans I must point out two ideas which they have started and which are well worthy of imitation. 1 meq-n the fir^ and life insurnncf^ associations amongst the farmers. The insurance corporations demand extraordinarily liigli rates ; tiiey want the fanners to make good their losses in other places. Consequence : farmers form organizations amongst themselves and insure at a surprisingly low rate. The safeguard they threw around against abuses and tiieir general management of the matter is a great credit to their f(.)resig!it and their practical sense, also to their a(hu)til)ility to self-hel|). Strange to say that these their laudable etturls are often overlooked by tiie German press.

Tlie German is very conservative, liolding generally to his old customs and manners. He loves tiie country of his birth and naturally wishes that his children retain the language of the old fatherland. Most laudable are the efll'urts of the German press to assist him in this object. The German press has set itself the task to further and maintain the German language, but it meets with a great many diflicnlties.

First, the English language is the language of the country. To do business in this country, to be independent of other people in transacting it, one must know it. For this reason the Germans are anxious that their children may learn it. Now, English is easier than German and therefore better liked by their children. Then they mix in the schools with the Am.erican children. They have to talk to them in English and if they are not held strictly at home to study German, it is soon discarded altogether. This is done most rapidly in cities. If all the descendants of all the Germans that ever came to this country, had retained the German language, a great deal over half ot this country would be German.

If there is any prejudice among the Americans against the Germans? I think generally not, though there is amongst some of them. People who come to this country without knowledge of the English language will in the beginning be in a he]()less condition and naturally not command great respect. There is also tlie point that not knowing the language, they will be sometimes misunderstood and misjudged. Their different customs and manners, their diflerent character, their ditfercnt ideals and views of life will likely be i^iisundcrstood in the beginning and be liable to misinterpretation. But I may say that during the long time the Germans have been in this country, their associations with Americans have become more frequent and reduced prejudice that might have been to a minimunj. I even think that a majority of Americans have a tolerably good opinion of them.

I have had a great many talks with Americans on the subject of immigration. Some do not object to the Germans, but complain that there is no immigration of the class with a higher education, that it is the poorer and less. educated class that comes to this country. I think this class the most desirable; it has health, energy and willingness and ability to work, coupled with sound common sense and average intelligence. It easily finds a field of usefulness, profitable to themselves and advantageous to the upbuilding of the country. Now what fields of usefulness are open to the foreigner with a higher education? Shall ho labor in the field? Very likely he won't enjoy it ; most likely his less educated countrymen will beat him two to one with ease. Shall he teach school? At first, he does not know the English well enough. Besides, that work is easier in Germany and belter paid. For the mercantile pursuit, he is less fit tlum for the agricultural. There is no class of immigrated Germans with higher education that can provide an opening for him.

Now, the Germans born in this country who liave a higher education - an American college education - will not regard hiiu with favor. They fear that their influence amongst their countrymen would be curtailed, if they allowed him to rise. Tlu; German farming population might be willing enough, br.t not able to provide a field for him. What then should lie do? I advise him to cultivate the friendship of Americans and tr}^ to establish a standing amongst them. If he has gained a standin^j there, he will have one soon amongst his countrymen. For it is strange, in how many cases the Germans look for the judgment of Americans, in more cases than they are conscious of and willing to admit. This is very natural too ; for the (iermans genei-- ally wish to be on the best terms with the Americans and a countryman of theirs who is, obtains their regard also. All ihis is so much true that I do not know of ca single instance where a foreigner has risen to any prominence in any of tiie walks of life without tliis aid and good will of the Americans, Should he attain to any prominence, it will be after years of severe apprenticeship. But most likely it is that, while his less educated countryman will have a farm and beautiful home, also a well established standing amongst his neighbors, he will have to search his pockets to turn up a nickel to buy liim a glass of beer. Thus, I dare say that tlie German immigration we get in Texas, and also in Fayette County, is the most desirable class, far more desirable than a class with higher education.

To sum up tliC differences in American and German character : in the American the social virtues are pre-eminent ; in the German the domestic. To compare the American and German woman : while, in conversation the brilliancy and wit of the American woman may be stimulating, the simple Avays and artlessness of the German maiden may be refreshing.

As stated, there is a difference of character in the American and the German in this country. It may be pointed out that there is as mueli difference, too, between the German of this country and the German of the old fatherland. You cannot call the Germans of x\merica, Germans, for they are not ; neither can you call them exactly Americans ; they are in a transition period. Therefore, the name of German- American should be entitled to its right to live, notwithstanding that this distinction is not ])leasing to some Anglo-Saxon ears. Those Germans who liave lived in this country for a great number of years and taken an interest in their surroundings have acquired new virtues and sometimes, forgotten old ones ; they haye gained considerably in intelligence and self-reliance; and sometimes they have forgotten the great German virttie of modest3^ Son^e of the German papers speak of them, and some papers have a public and a private opinicm, as most intelligent and highly cultured. Now, in the fatlierland they luive boen farmers, farm laborers or mechanics ; it is i.ot probable that any one in Germany went to them for fiighest intelligence and great culture ; neither does one here except perhaps part of the (merman press which sce.^ the high degree of intelligence and cultuie through a magnifying glass. A German who accepts such a gross flattery, has certainly lost the great German virtue of modesty, and what is worse, he has lost the German sound common sense. It is certain, too, that the pursuance of such a policy can develop only unamiahle traits, and defeats the very ends of its aim. It might be said that this recourse to flattery is an imitation of the American, but a very poor one. For, while the American seizes on prominent virtues and compliments his audience on them, and thereby encourages their development, part of the German press at least, seizes on traits which are not prominent and flatters. Undoubtedly there are prominent good traits in the German character, traits not only of a high, but of the very highest order, his unwavering steadfastness of purpose, his patience, his perseverance in the chosen path, his practical common sense, trails leading to final success and triumph and on account of which he can stand a compariscn with any other nation. To encourage and develop these traits should be the aim of the German press, not to flatter on traits which are not German ; only thus could a healthy German life be developed and retain those virtues even after being completely Americanized.

Having spoken of the American and German elements, there remains the Bohemian element to be treated of. There is one remarked difference between the American and German and Bohemian element. While difterences of opinion and character split the American and German elements into various cliques and parties, the Bohemian element represents nearly everywhere a united front. It is therefore enabled to yield a powerful influence ; or at least their leaders are. The sturdy sons of Bohemia are noted as great lovers of music. Bohemia is the country of musicians and traveling artists, so much so that Bohemian is a synonym for the light hearted, easy mannered student artist all over the world. It may be said that in general the Bohemians possess all the virtues and all the faults of that class of people to whom they have given a class name. If there is a prejudice among some Americans and perhaps among some Germans against them, it should be noted that in the musical Ayorks of the world's greatest miisicians, Mozart and Haydn, natives of Bohemia, there speaks a spirit of greatness and tenderness that is conceded everywhere as a leading trait of the nation. They do not v)Ossess to a great extent any of the shining social qualities, brilliancy and wit, but the more of the simply human: deep feeling and tenderness.

As in the case of the (Jerman, most of them have come to this country poor, and eraployed all their time in making headway in life and acquiring a farm. It may be said that Bohemians generally settle only on rich black land. They are generally more powerfully built than the (lermans and Americans, of great physical strength, good workers and excellent fanners. Tliey are a most valuable ac(iuisiti'jn to tliis country. The Bohemian maidens are exquisite types of beauty, excelling in physical vigor and proportioned strength. They compare to the maidens of other nations much like the Spartan woman to the Athenian woman who was suri)rised at the physical strength and symmetrical development of the former. It ma}'- be said that as they perform a great amount of manual labor - the greatest foe of woman's beauty - their beauty is thereby destroyed too soon.

In conclusion, it may be said that about one-fourth of the population are negroes. 'I'hey are viewed from different standpoints. Some i^eople get along with, them very well, others don't. (Some negroes are good workers and possess their own farms, but most of them live just thinking of the present day, without any thouglit of the future. They are good field hands, if under a strict overseer who knows how to treat them, but only a few of them strive to own something and be independent.

Social Life

Fayette County has a cosmopolitan population. Tlie newcomer is sure to make ac(iuaintances tliat suit him ; he has such a large choice. The pei)ple are noted for their ho3pitalit3^ There is friendly intercourse between them; newcomers malce acquaintances at school entertainments, churcli meetings and balls, concerts and theatres given under the auspices of tlie various clubs and societies. In winter time, traveling theatre troupes often play before large houses in the larger towns. Amusements and entertainments are not lacking.

Fayette County has excellent schools with an able, progressive corps of teachers. They are under the control of a capable superintendent, Prof. G. A. Stierling. There are one hundred and thirty-three schools in the county ; eighty-nine for white and forty-four for colored children. The scholastic population of the county amounts to 5201 white pupils and 2288 colored pupils. They are taught by one hundred and six white and fifty colored teachers. There are three independent school districts in the county, namely, LaGrange, with 251 white and 196 colored scholastic population ; Flatonia, with 167 white and 57 colored, and Ledbetter, with 41 white and 18 colored,

A great many schools in the county are taught for a term of eight to nine months. In a great many sections of the county, after the close of the free school, a private school is started and is maintained by subscriptions from its patrons; especially is this the case in the German settlements. In a great many schools of tlie county the German language is taught besides English, and in some of them the Bohemian language.

Nearly every religious creed has its adherents over the county. Eloquent preachers work faithfully in the vineyard of the Lord, and administer to and comfort distressed souls. Several churches are masterpieces of architecture and impress on the spectator the solemnity of their purpose.

Popular occasions for the meetings of neighbors are furnished by entertainments, balls, concerts and theatres given under the auspices of the social clubs, lodges and societies. There neighbor meets neighbor, and public affairs and the news of the day are discussed. There are quite a number of clubs and societies wliere people are banded together for the purpose of amusement. Their entertainments are great sources of enjoyment and are largely participated in by the people, and it may be said of them : the more, the merrier. Besides these entertainments open to the general public, private parlies and entertainments are of frecjuent occurrence. Tlius, the one who fails to entertain and amuse himself in this county, may as well fjive up all hope of doing so in this world, and postpone it to his arrival into a happier world.

Politics

As said before, there are four elements of people in this county : x\mericans, Germans, Bohemians, and Negroes. They cast together about 7,000 votes, Of these elements the German is numerically the strongest, casting about 3,000 votes ; next follows the negro with about 1,600 votes ; then the Bohemian with about 1,400, and last the Americans with about 1,000. At first it looks as if the numericxJly strongest element, the German, by combination with any other could exert a controlling influence in elections ; but this is not the case, for these elements are not arrayed on lines ol nationality, but on political lines. The Americans belong to either the democratic or populist party ; the Boiiemians generally vote the democratic ticket in a solid body ; the Germans have a democratic and republican minority, the large mass of the voters being independent ; they generally vote the democratic ticket and form the rearguard of the democracy, but they are ready at any moment when the course of the march of democracy does not meet their approval, to quit the line of march and take a side road. The late Judge H. Teichmueller quite approved this their policy of political independence ; he deemed it best for the good of the country to have a large independent body of voters who by their independent votes could approve or disa})prove of the correctness of the ruling party's course. These views of the judge are supported by as high authority as the distinguished English historian Mc- Caulay, who, commenting on the strength of the whig and tory parlies of England, stated that the large mass of the people were not aligned to any party ; that they formed the anchor which saved the state Irom danger, and that an independent mass of voters was the best for the good of the country. In justice to himself, this writer feels called upon to state his opinion against such overwhelming authority that he does not agree with it ; at least not in regard to Texas.

The lowest factor in Fayette County politics is the negro element. No doubt there may be some good negroes, but the large majority of them are but voting cattle, following blindly their bought leaders. They are republicans, but even the republicans have to spend money to keep them in line and get their vote.

It has been remarked before, that the conditions at the early time of settlement were favorable to the development of individuality ; those times furnislied favorable occasions to practice and strengthen the doctrine of personal rights and of local self-government, the doctrine of Thomas .Jefferson, the statesman as .Mr. Bryan so appropriately has called him "for all peoples and for all times." The immigration that came to Fayette County was in harmony witli these very principles even before their arrival in this country, You may imagine their surprise in this country of the free when a strong clique wanted to dictate to them precepts more tyrannical and more interfering with their personal rights and conduct than a monarchical government ever iittempted to do. The tyranny of a majority is not n:iore supportable than that of a single man ; on the contrary, it is more oppressive. And there are certain inalienable rights which even a majority should respect. God gave us self-determination, the choice of roads, but he commissioned no other man or no majority of people to choose for us and make us take their choice. Thus, one may pursue his happiness in drinking whiskey, another listening to the sermons of Sam Jones. Take your choice ; I will take mine, in tlie prohibition campaign excitement ran high in Fayette County. Hon. Jonathan Lane was the most prominent fighter against prohibition. His American following was joined by the Grerman and Bohemian elements almost in a solid body. The defeat of prohibition made him immensely popular with these elements. In the Hogg and Cook campaign which opened the Railroad Commission <juestion, he fought the commission idea. Remembering his leadership in the prohibition question, the German and Bohemian elements gathered under him at his call ; they held the commission idea as an unjustified interference of the state government, much on the same base with'prohibition. A large number of Americans who had agreed with him on the prohibition (|uestion did not follow him in the latter (juestion ; they held that the commission was a political body to be established to kee[) corporations from interfering with and trampling on their rights. On this side Mr. \V. S. Robson was a prominent leader. These opposite views caused quite a great deal of political excitement. The people aligned themselves around these leaders, the cordial entente was broken and two factions sprang into existence, Although some bitterness was engendered, the prudence and the patriotism of the leaders kept them from committing any violence. Two bitterly opposed factions would not be a blessing to this county; such they are nowhere. Mercantile interests, social interests and a great many other interests would suffer. Our unfortunate neighboring Colorado County gives an example to what state two bitterly opposed parties may lead a county. Two bitterly opposed parties whose dislikes would lead them to commit violence, never could get control of the affairs of Fayette County. It is not likely that the German element of the county would take sides with factions and engage in fighting their battles. It is more likely that always moderate men as our present county officers all are would be elected by that decisively moderate and conservative element, After Mr. Lane's removal to Houston, Hon. J. F. Wolters became a prominent and popular leader in the fights for personal rights. The confidence of the people in electing him to the legislature he rewarded with eminent services in that body. He was the most energetic and uncompromising advocate in that body of the doctrine of personal rights. In these later times, thf?se factions have drawn more closely together so that harmony again prevails throughout the county.

It has already been stated that the majority of the largest element, the German element, is largely independent. For this reason, the parties have refrained from making county nominatiouo. For this vote is large enough to decide the success of the nominations of either party, and unless backed by this independent vote, nominations would be failures. Some dyed in the wool democrats exclaim: "Rule these Germans out of the party." My friend, they are out already. Tliose who are in the party could be gotten rid of also. But how do you expect to win without them in this part of Texas? The trouble is not so great ia getting them out as in getting them in. Far more difficult that IS. It is this independence of party that makes county nominations not feasible. This writer is in favor of county nominations and endorsements, but does not think the idea practicable, unless some preliminary steps are first successfully taken. To better understand this question, letuslook at the objections of the opponents of county nominations. The objections are weighty ones and true. l<"irst, Fayette County has a set of good officers; 'no man who was not worthy has ever offered himself as a candidate for office in this county. Second, in county conventions the nominations will be in the hands of leading politicians, the rights of the present independent vote might not be respected, they may nominate officers whom the independent voters do not desire, the latter would still be bound to vote for them, having participated m the convention ; they would have lost their right to determine their choice from any number of candidates without gaining anything. Much the same may be said in regard to the forming of a white man's party in order to counteract the influence of the corruptible negro element. It is the same as nominations together with endorsements. The question is : first, will county officers or candidates for county office who need this element at election cut loose from it and place themselves in the hands of the politicians of a convention? Second, after having cut loose from the negro element, will the leading politicians guarantee them good faith? For, while Fayette County has no nominations, the experience in other counties is that good faith sometimes is broken especially to republicans Nvho are asked to join the party. This expression shall not in the least reflect on the integrity of Fayette County politicians ; this writer concedes them integrity ; still no man ever lived who was to all men, like Ctesar's wife, above suspicion. Third, will the convention iiave power enough to elect their candidates? All these questions may be profitably considered before starting the agitation for county nominations. In fact, these county nominations should be made with the certain knowledge of success before they are engaged in. Tlie object of nominations is a ver}'- worthy one, viz : to counteract tlie influence of a corrui)tibIn neyro vote. A purchasable vole can never exert a healthy political iniluence. U tends also to corrupt the politicul morals of a people. The writer here may state that even a small amount of the white vote is purchasable, a sad consequence of the example of the negro. He lately heard a gentleman in surprise comuient on this on what was no news to tlie writer. The opponents of nominations slate that the negro vole in this county is so small as not to amount to anything. This is not the case. The negro vole amounts to one-fourth. A candidate who gets the solid negro vote needs only one-third of the entire vote to be elected. If tljree candidates are running for the same office, he needs considerably less. Sixteen hundred votes do not amount to notliing, but to a great deal. It may be expected that tiie re- (|uirement of a poll-tax receipt dated before February 1 preceding the election as provided in the johit resolution referring to a constitutional amendment passed by the last, the Twenty-.Seventh Legislature, and to be submitted to the people, will somewhat reduce this vote.

The way of electioneering is this : a candidate announces in the county papers and then during his race addresses the people at public gatherings in which he explains his views. This is a very good way, much preferable to canvassing the people and explaining to them matters privately. In the first case, everything is open and public, in the other case tliere lies danger that unfair means may be employed. Attacks on o[)ponents at public meetings are very often resented by the audience. This should not be, Open charges with which ihe opponent may become acquainted are more honorable than the dark ways of backbiting which may not become known to the opponent. The reason that these public attacks on opponents meet with so little favor is this : sharp, cutting speeches, if delivered by the. op[)osing candidates are apt to inflame the zeal of their adherents ; they may imitate their candidates in using cutting lau- guage, pleasant relations might be disturbed and bitterness might rankle between the opposite parties for a long time after the decision of the ballot box. Therefore, such attacks are discountenanced by the conservative, peaceable elements.

There is an opinion among some Americans that as the negro vote is bought by money, the German and Bohemian vote may be bought by beer. Such is not the case. The large majority of them would frown on any attempt to bribe them with beer. With some the invitation to a glass of beer has the opposite effect from the one intended ; they will not vote for that candidate. Still a great number, though considerably in the minority, look to candidates for free beer. They make no distinction. The beer of all the candidates tastes equally good. They consider free beer as a tax that is due to them Irom the candidates. That part of the German and Bohemian votes are not very reliable. Sonjetiraes, at the close of conversation, tliey have forgotten the very name of the candidate that solicits their vote. They make up their mind from the prevailing sentiment in the community and help to swell the vote of the favorite candidate. Treating for no other purpose than to bribe therewith voters is a sad waste of money on the part of the candidate. Still, by treating, the candidate gets a chance to show himself of a companionable nature, he gets a chance to approach the voter in a social, congenial way, he gets a chance to be listened to with the attention which a companionable man well met deserves. Great advantages these. This treating system was somewhat abused in late years, but at the last election candidates have spent very little. The influential part of the Germans and Bohemians look at wild treating with unmistable disgust and no doubt their influence has put a whulesome check on the treat demanding element.

The intelligence of a community may be judged by its newspaper press, The press is the mirror of the intellect, the morals and the manners of the people. Already in the early clays an intellectual life made itself felt throughout the county, with its center in LaGrange. In looking over old rec.n-ds, we lind that as early as 1848 an effort was made to estahlish a paper in the county. At that time, the court let some printing to one Irvin Drake with the stipulation, "if he can get his pa[)cr started." Poor fc^llow, you have my sympathy. There you were in a i)opulation of great character, but of little wealth. "If you can get your pa])er started." Success to you. May some good friends take ciiarge of your im])ortunity and, api^recialing the value of your enterprise, help you along. Kven with their most generous assistance, hard times will be in wait for you. The paper did get started and in 1845 we find it referred to as 'The LaGrange Intelligence.' May your struggles grow less now. From tlie records we further find that otlieial notices were often printed in the Houston Telegraph, tiie Austin Gazette and the Texas Monument. They are gone now, buried in the history of their times. During the Civil War we find two newspapers mentioned in LaGrange: 'The True Issue' and 'The State Rights Democrat;' but they issue no more now, neitlier do they advocate state rights any more. Their work was done in their time and lies in the past. New issues have arisen and new rights are advocated now. These papers were succeeded by the LaGrange Record which also hao gone now tiic way of all things mortal.

The oldest papsr in LaGrange is the LaGrange Journal. It was started by Col. Mattiny. From him it passed into the hands of Messrs. Phelps and Haidusek. They were succeeded by Col. P. E. Edmundson. He edited this paper till the time of his death (1897). After being edited for some time by Lion. J. F. Wolters and later on by Judge VV. S. Robson, it passed into the hands of the present owner, Mr. Ben Harigel. The paper is ably edited, democratic in its opinion, brings able editorials and all the important news of the county. Before harmony was restored in the democracy of Fayette County, it had a competition in the LaGrange Democrat, founded by Hon. Jno. Lane and edited by the incomparable James Quarles and later on by James Wetherell. The last named editor, (juit the paper was revived under the name of 'Latirange News,' but two English

The most successful ])aper m the county is Judge A. Haidusek's Bohemian paper, 'Svoboda.' It has a large patronage and a circulation of about 4000. It is the Bohemian paper of the state and has a large subscription list in nearly all the Bohemian settlements throughout tlie state. It is a strict advocate of democratic principles. It was started by a joint stock company consisting of about fifiy members. They employed as editor a man from New York, named Chudoba. In 1S87 the paper had 400 subscribers and $2400 indebtedness. This was not a good showing. The New York man was sent off to hunt another job and .Judge A. Haidusek took charge of the paj^er. In 1890 he had paid off the indebtedness and increased its circulation to 3000. He then became owner of the paper. As a newspaper manager the judge is hard to beat.

The next paper in LaGrange is the 'LaGrange Deutsche Zeitiing,' edited by Mr. G. A. Heilig. It has no' defined policy, but is strictly against prohibition and free silver. It has a circulation of about 2000. The paper was founded by one Lehmann. Many are the funny stories about tlie early times of the paper. Its founder baptized it with beer and it has stuck to this German national beverage ever since. From Mr. Lehmann it passed into the hands of F, Lidiak who employed Frof. E. Juorgens for two years as editor. Later on Mr. R. Koper occupied the editorial chair. In 1896 the paper was bought by its present owner, Mr. G. A. Heilig, Mr. Koper remaining editor. The owner assumed the editorship on Mr. Koper's death in 1899. Under his management the paper increased to 2000 in circulation. In comparison with former issues, its editorials, as well as its news columns, have considerably improved.

Beside? these papers in LaGrange, there are several papers in other cities of the county. The most important is the Schulenburg Sticker, liefore its establishment, Schulenburg had several papers, founded by different persons. But the papers could not exist on accouni of lack of patronage. Schulenburg was ccnsidered a newspaper graveyard. It was in the early nineties when Mr. E. Goeth established another paper witli the intention to put it on a paying basis and make it stick, he therefore named it the Sticker, Tiie pai)er has been a success. In 1900 it passed from Mr. Goeth into the hands of the present owner, Mr. W. R. King. He is an able editor, filling the columns of his paper with able editorials and news of the county. His paper has a circulation of about one thousand. The j)aper is the official organ of the county, i)rinting all county notices and citations. It is democratic in its tendencies.

In April 1901, anotlier newspaper, the Schulenburg Sun, was established in this city. It is newsy, full of able editorials and paragraphs, and a worthy competitor of the Sticker. Its owner and editor, Mr. F. \V. Miller, is a veteran printer and editor and works industriously to make his paper a success.

The city of Flatonia has two papers, the Flatonia Argus and tiie Flatonia Record. The oldest paper of the two, as also of the whole county, is the Flatonia Argus, It was established in 1875 by Col. Pocohontas E. Edmondson. Then it passed through quite a number of hands : Emmett O'Riley, Maj. Lee Kyle, O. P. Bassford, J. J. Moody, Robt. Sheppard and Clarence Renfro, W. A. Thatcher, J. R. Crockett and at last it came into tlie possession of its present owner, Mr. S. C. Blanton. The paper takes care of the mercantile interests of Flatonia city and prints the news of the neighborhood. It is well edited and has a circulation from Canada to Chili and from California to Germany.

The Record advances, like the Argus, the mercantile interests of Flatonia city. It was founded by Mr. R. S. Menefee, then owned by Mr. O. P. Basford again by Mr. Menefee and then passed into the hands of Mr. Glen Beckham. It is newsy and ably edited, and has a large circulation in its neighborhood.

Carmine also has a paper, the New Century. It is published in the interest of the merchants of that place. Its columns are filled with interesting reading matter. It was founded in 1902 by Messrs. Guerdln- and Menu.

life pulsates in all parts of the county. A local press is a necesity for the development of a country. It is true that the ]japers of the large cities are cheaper. Ikit what about it? Is it not worth something to take care ot the interests of our immediate neighborhoods? If there should be no local press, most local interests would suffer. The local press is the center of intellectual life of its neigliborhood ; it develops and nurses it; without a local press, the intelligence of its community could not make itself felt in such large circles. Iherefore, this writer most heartily wishes the gentlemen who are at the head of the press of this county abundant success.

If we consider the fertility of Fayette County's soil, the variety of crops to which it is adapted, its promise of great mineral resources, if we compare its density of population with that of other countries and find that for instance the United Kingdom supports on an average three hunrdred and fifty people per square mile and Germany two hundred and sixty per square mile, while Fayette County barel}'- supports thirty-eight people per square mile, there is no reason to doubt that Fayette County will be able to support a population of a quarter of a million. Fayette County ranked in 1899 in the production of cotton as third county in the United States. Still, the county has no cotton factory. She is a wealthy county ; a large amount of money of her wealthy men is invested in private enterprises in the development of other counties. Fayette County in comparison to her sister counties and a great many parts of Texas has advanced in her development; other counties, at present, offer an easier and a more profitable chance of investment in old well-known lines. But as the promising chances of future development remain, there is no doubt that Fayette County, if she does not lead, will follow her sister counties in the development of her home resources. At present there is a kind of lethargy in the county ; a reaction has set in of the stirring activity of tlie latter part of tlie last century. It seems that the people rest at present to gather new strength for the develop- ment of the county in new lines of enterprises. The great natural resources of the county remain and there is no doubt that people in time will develop them ushering in an era of prosperity to whicii even the unprecedented progress of the last period will fall short of comparison.

The writer of idylls, the novelist, in writing idyllic scenes will and cannot lind a better field for observation than the great agricultural county of Fayette. Idyllic scenes of farm life speak to the iieart, but oiten the line touch is lost in giving them expression in writing. The writer feels his weakness as reproducer of idyllic scenes, and if it were not for his view of making this book on Fayette County complete, would hardly dare to undertake this task. He knows his inability to reproduce in the reader those feelings which the latter would have at the actual contemplation of these idyllic scenes in Fayette County.

Fayette County has a great many farmers who are well-todo. The land is fertile, and the people are industrious. They work the farm with their families and every dollar mada accrues to their benefit. Their wants are small ; comfort is, but luxury is not known to them.

A farmer told the writer: "A great many people claim that farming does not pay. I do not find it so. Last year I made on my two hundred acre farm of which there are about ninety acres in cultivation i^early two thousand dollars. 1 had' about sixty acres in cotton ; they produced about forty bales or sixteen hundred dollars in money. The balance of the land I had in corn and sorghum. Of corn I sold about one hundred dollars worth. 1 sold also some cattle and hogs, and thus came close to two thousand dollars. We had vegetables the whole year round, raised our own bacon, and the chickens and eggs we sold paid our entire grocery bill."

13ut the reader may like to visit a Fayette County farmer. Let him look at tlie dwelling house first. The building is generally a substantial, simple, one-story frame building with a gal- lery in front, facing snnth-wnrd to catch the coolina; south breeze of the summer time. In front of the house is a lawn with some shade trees, but more {generally a flower garden. A garden f)r vegetables is close by. ISome flowers in pots stand on the gallery, the pride of the hoiist-wife.

The most popular style of building has in the middle a large hall with two rooms on each side of it. One of these rooms with rocking chairs, carpet, pictures, a few tables "with albums and bric-a-brac is the state room that is generally entered only on festive occasions. The other rooms and upstairs are the dwelling and sleeping rooms of the family and contain simpler furniture, beds, a few tables, and wooden or raw- hide chairs,

The reader has not seen the farm if he has not looked at the barn. The barn is a large building, generally painted red, built in most different styles, the most approved one is with one thoroughfare in the middle and stables on each side of it. At one of the ends are rooms for corn and rooms for sheltering farm utensils. In the loft under tlie roof is the store place for hay. A cow pen at the end of a pasture, a hog pen and a smokehouse filled with bacon cemplete the surroundings.

It is daybreak. The men-folks get up to feed the horses ] the women milk the cows and prepare breakfast, At sunrise, or sliortly thereafier, breakfast is ready. The members of the family are seated in the dining ro»m around a large table covered with wax-cloth and sometimes with a linen tablecloth. The plates and dishes are neat and clean, the meal, very simple : some fried ham or bacon, eggs, biscuits or cornbread, butter and coffee. The head of the family discusses with the older members the weather, tiie condition of the soil, and farming affairs and gives them directions for the work of the day.

Soon the smaller children dress themselves for school. After filling their dinner pail, the mother dismisses them with a loving pat or caress and instructions to obey the teacher. The smallest one bids her friend, the yard-dog Dash, good-bye and

At dinner the field-hands come home and feed their teams. They take a cool wash and then are ready for dinner. Farm affairs and new plans tried by neighbors form again the main topic of conversation. The dinner consists of some ham, bacon or beef, a variety of vegetables, some pies or preserved fruit and coffee. There is plenty of everything and the work has sharpened their appetites to relish their meals. After dinner the field-hands lie down on the gallery, stretch themselves, and take a short rest in the refreshing south breeze. Ihen they go to work again.

Late in the afternoon the schoolchildren come home and bring some newspapcis and letters. Nearly every well-to-do farmer kee[)3 three to six newspapers.

famil3' table. After the horses and hogs are fed and the cows milked, they partake of their sin>ple meal. The rest from dinner has been warmed up, some fresh bif^cuits and cornbread baked, and under conversation the meal is finished. The head of the family opens and reads tlie letters. A relative in a distant county complains of poor crop prospects which causes him to remark that crop failures are unknown in Fayette County. Some read the papers ; perhaps there is a piano in the house and the oldest daughter plays for the entertainment of her brothers and sisters, or the oldest boy takes the fiddle and gives them a tune or two. The hired farm hand lights his tobacco pipe and muses over his folks at home, or periiaps over tiie beauties of some fair maiden who captured his fancy.

This is a day of life of a healthy, independent and happy family in Fayette County. The regularity of their life is only sometimes broken by fishing and hunting trips, by balls and concerts at public halls.

Present Compared

Wonderful must be the experience of the old settler whose fortune it was to watch the gradual development of the county. This change being his own experience, it presents itself to his niind more vividly, and he is apt to express it more forcibly tiuin the writer. Thus, let us hear him.

"Yes, you are right ; limes are diflferent from what they used to be. Fifty years ago, there was no railroad in the county. A Hjail coach carried the mail from AUeyton by LaGrange to Austin. That was a time for teamsters. All the freight had to be hauled from Houston by wagon. The teamsters had largo heavy wagons and could carry on them from four to five thousand pounds of freight. Ten and twelve bales of cotton made a lead. They had oxen then, and it took six yoke of ox?n to })ull a wagon like that. Oxen were a good deal better than mules, be:ause they did not have to be fed so much. I tell you those teamsters made money then, A great m*ny people who now have fortunes made their start by hauling freight. The freight bills were always made out to the number of three. The shipper kept one ; one was sent by mail to the man tlie goods were shipped to, and one the teamster got. The teamsters were always in crowds, at least always three or four of them, so that if anything happened to one of them, the others could always help him. And they always carried whiskey with them. I tell you those were fine times. At night they would turn loose their oxen, sit around a campfire, cook supper, and swaj) jokes. In the morning they made breakfast and drove up their oxen.

You did not hear in those times as much grumbling about bad roads as now. But the country was not so much fenced uj) then, and if one place was bad, one always could drive around it. Well, there were no bridgRS over the creeks then and sometimes the teamsters were waterbound and could not pass the creek. The freight being merchandise would often be piled up high and the top part would often be brushed off by limbs, or capsize. I remember a fellow once gave me his trunk as freiglit. He had a bucket of dewberries in the trunk and the trunk fell off more than once. A nice mess it was when he opened it. (jot angry? VVell, why did the fool not come along and hold it?

You ought to have seen the people come at those times to a feast or a ball. I tell you that would be a sight now-a-days. U people now-a-days do not come to a feast in buggies, but in wagons, they are considered poor or trifling, not able to make headway enough to get a buggy. People who came in those days in wagons were considered as putting on style. In those days a family generally sat on a sleigh pulled by oxen and the man walked beside them and drove the oxen. Coats were almost unknown then, and the boys came to a dance in hickory shirts. Platforms! Bosh! Tfie ground was cleaned and smoothed and the boys and girls danced there barefooted and ])erha[)s they had as much fun then as they have now-a-days.

In my time when I was young, tiie farm-houses instead of frame buildings were generally log houses, the cracks in tlicm lacing covered with slal.)s. They were generally on the ecige of timber or in the timber and close to a creek. For, in those diiys the people raised a, great deal of cattle and on account of them wanted to live always close to running water. Tlie man loved liis Mary Ann as much then as now. 1 should say that if a norther blew through those cracks, he rather would hug close up to her

The neighbors were on very friendly terms with each other and had a great deal more of social intercourse with each other than they have now. In those times they had a great many balls and parties at private houses, called family balls and family parties. Each settlement formed one great family, and the settlers all considered each other as brothers and sisters.

There were plenty of deer and wild turkey' then and the people did not need to go very far to provide meat for their family. Vegetables, like Irish potatoes, turnips, radishes, beans, and peas were almost unknown then. Flour was a luxury. They had cornbread and sweet i)otatoes then, and a man very often had to ride ten miles to a mill to have his corn ground into meal.

Land was very cheap. You could have bought the finest land at a dollar an acre, but the people did not have any money to buy it with. There were no wire fences then. The jieoijlo only had small fields ; for the^' had to put a rail fence all around it. Wood was then taken care of. Only the round limbs were burned. The trunks of the trees were saved for rails.

Now everything is changed. Wondei'ful progress has been made. The ]^eople of those days never dreamed of those comforts the people now iiave. Why, if they would have dreamed of them they would have thought that they lived in fairy land. But the good old times were not witliout their ))leasures. Above all there was the good will and the true i'riendship of neighbors ; those were comforts that no improvements can replace,"

The writer lias given only the outline of his talk. lie niay haye changed to some extent the wording of the old settler. That lies in the inability of the writer. His main aim was to give a picture of those old times and the reader ma}'- easily supplement it by personal conversation with an old settler. He then will get it in his characteristic style.

No. I. - Justice Precinct No. I, shall begin at the south corner of the E. Savage league ; thence northeast to east corner of said league; thence northwest to the south corner of the F. Lewis league ; tiience east to the southeast corner of the S. P. Brown league ; thence northwest to the northeast corner of the James Green league ; thence southwest to the northeast line of VVm. Rabb mill tract ; thence northwest with said line to Rabb's Cre-ek ; thence down said Kabb's Creek to the Colorado River ; thence up the said river to a point where the Chandler road reservation through the center of the John Cook league from south to north intersects said river on its west bank ; thence south following the said Cliandler reservation to the northwest corner of A. O'Bar survey ; thence soutli with the west line of A, O'Bar survey to Buckner's Creek ; thence down said creek to the north corner of the J. E. Lewis survej' ; thence south with the west line of said Lewis survey to the west corner of the D. Berry league; thence southeast to the northwest corner of Fayette County school land ; thence with tlie west line of said school land to the first alley south of Williams Creek ; thence east with said alley to the west line of the R. M. Cravens league ; thence nortli to the south corner of the Anna Powell league ; thence with the southeast corner of the Anna Powell league to William's Creek; thence down said creek with its meanders to the Colorado River ; thence up said river to the place of beginning. The Justice of the Peace of this Precinct shall hold the regular terms of his Court in the city of LaGrange on the last Monday of each month.

No. IL - Justice precinct No. II to begin at the south corner of the E, Savage league ; thence down the Colorado River to the Colorado County line ; thence with the Colorado County line to the Austin County line ; thence with the Austin County line to the northeast corner of the John Jones league ; thence with the northwest line of John Jones league to Cummin's Creek ; tlience down Cummin's Creek to the mouth of Clear Creek ; thence up Clear Creek with its south fork and meanders to the southeast line of the N, Townsend league ; thence with the southeast lines of said Townsend, S. P. Brown and F. Lewis leagues to the south corner of. F. Lewis league ; thence southeast to the east corner of the E. Savage league ; thence with the southeast line ot said E. Savage to the place of beginning.

The Justice of the Peace of this precinct shall hold tlie regular terms of his court at the town of Fayetteville the first Thursday alter the fourth Monday of each month.

No. III. - Justice precinct No, III, to begin at the south corner of the N. Townsend league; thence with the southeast line of said Townsend league to the south fork of Clear Creek ; thence down said creek to Cummin's Creek ; thence up Cummins' Creek to the south corner of the W. W. Shepherd league ; thence with the southeast line ot said Shepherd league to Austin County line ; thence with the Austin and Washington County line to Lee County line ; thence with said Lee County line to

- Tithe north corner of Geo. Riddle survey ; thence witli tlie east line of said Geo. Riddle, Thos. Green, Jas. Blair, and Ed. Powitzki surve3'S ; thence to the east corner of E, Povvitzki survey ; thence southwest to the north corner of Jas. Green league ; thence with the last boundary line of Beat No. 1, to the place of beginning.

No. IV. - Justice Precinct No. IV, to begin at the mouth of Rabb's Creek ; thence up said creek to the north line of VVm. Rabb's mill tract ; thence southeast to the west corner of the James Green league ; thence northeast to the east corner of Edward Powitzki survey ; thence northwest to the Lee County line at the north corner of the Geo. Riddle league ; thence with Lee County line to the nortinvest corner of J. F. Berry league ; thence northwest to the Bastrop County line to the Colorado River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning.

The Justice of the Peace of this precinct shall hold the regular terms of his court at the town of Winchester on the Thurs* day next after the first Monday of each month.

No. V, - Justice precinct No. 5, shall begin at the Color?do River at the Bastrop County line to the north line of S. Millet league ; thence eas1< with said Millet and the Pearson league line to Pin Oak Creek ; thence down Pin Oak Creek to the north line of E. Dever's league ; thence west with the said Dever'g line to the northwest corner of said league ; thence south to the southwest corner of said Dever's league : thence east with Dever's south line to the northwest corner of L. Wood's survey ; thence south to the southwest corner of said Wood's survey ; thence east to the southeast cornet of Wood's survey ; thence south to the southwest corner of F. A. Bettinger survey ; thence east to the northwest corner of J. Vivian survey ; thence south to the southwest corner of said Vivian survey; thence east with the south line of J. Vivian, J, B. Tatum, L. \V. Peebles survey to the west line of N. Carnes league ; thence south to the southwest corner of said Carnes league ; thence east to the southeast corner of Carnes league ; thence north to the northwest corner of S. F. Knight league ; thence east to the west line of R. Smith league ; thence north to the northwest corner of 8mith league ; thence east to the southeast corner of \V. H. Toy league ; thence north with west line of F'ayette County school land to the south line of the E. Berry league ; thence northwest to the west corner of D. Berry league ; on the south corner of J, Lewis survey in east line of S. M. Williams league No. 1 ; thence nortli witli said line to Buckner's Creek ; thence up Buckner's Creek to southwest corner of A. O'Bar survey ; thence north with west line of A. O'Bar survey and the Chandler reservation on the J. Cook league to the Colorado River ; thence up said river to the place of beginning.

Tha Justice of the Peace of this Precinct shall hold the regular terms of his Court on the Saturday after the first Monday in each month at the town of Muldocn.

No. VI. - Justice Precinct No. VI, to begin in the Lavaca county line at the southeast corner of W. D. Lacey survey ; thence north to the northeast corner of the said Lacey survey ; thence east to the southeast corner of the J. C DuflT league; Ihence north with the east lines of said Duff league and M. Muldoon No. 13 league to the noitheast corner of said Muldoon No. ,lo league ; thence west to the southwest corner of S. F. Knight's league ; thence north to the southwest corner of Noah Carnes league ; thence with the line of justice's precinct No. 5 (five) to the Bastrop County line ; thence southwest with the Bastrop County line to the Caldwell County line ; thence with the Caldwell County line to the Gonzales County line; thence southeast with the Gonzales County line to the Lavaca County line ; thence east with the Lavaca County line to the place of beginning except that part of J. G. W. Pierson league lying north and east of Pin Oak Creek.

The justice of the peace of this precinct shall hold the regular terms of his court at the town of Flatonia on the second Monday of each month.

Austin five league track of land ; tlience north to the southeast corner of M, M. Eastland survey ; thence due west with south lines of the Eastland, J, Mullins and VV. A. Hall surveys to tiic southwest corner of W. A. Hall league; thence due west across the John Paino and R. Smith leagues to the west Navitlad (commonly called: Walker's Brancli) thence U[) said branch to the south line of VV. H. Toy league ; thence east to southeast corner of said Toy league; thence north with the east line of said Toy league and the west line of Fayette County school land to tlic first alley on said scliool land south of Williams Creek; Ihbuce cast with said alley to the west line of the R. M. Cravens league; thence north to the south corner of A. Powell league ; thence northeast with the southeast line of said Ann Powell league to W^illiams Creek; thence down said creek to the Colorado River; thence down said river to the Colorado County line ; thence southwest with said Colorado County line to the place of beginning.

The justice of the peace of this Precinct shall hold the regular terms of his court at Ammannsville on the Thursday next after the third Monday of each month.

No. VIIL - Justice Precinct No. Vlli to begin at the Colorado County line, where Beat No. 7 begins; thence north with line of said Beat No. 7 to the southeast corner uf M. M. Eastland survey ; thence west with Beat line No. 7 to west Navidad (or Walker's Branch) ; thence up said branch to Beat line No. 5 thence with the south line of Beat line No. 5 to southwest corner of Noah Carnes league being a point in line of Beat No. 6 ; thence south with line of Beat No. (1, to Lavaca County line ; thence east with said Lavaca County line to the Colorado County line; thence northeast with Colorado County line to the place of beginning.

The justice of the peace of this Precinct shall hold the regular terms of his court in the town of Schulenburg on the Thursday next after the second Monday of each month.

Boundaries Of Voting Precincts

the following leagues and surveys : the J. Castleman, the southeast half of E. St. John Hawkins, \Vm. Rabb's mill tract east of Rabb's Creek ; James Green, Fayette County school timber land, W. H. Carson, VV. M. Eastland, James Green labor, S. Darling, N. W. Eastland, J, H. Moore, John Eblin and E. Savage. All elections in this J^reciuct shall be held at the Court House in LaGrange.

No. 2. - Bluff" shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys : The heirs of John Alley and R. M, Cravens lying north of Williams Creek, Anna Powell, Mary Lewis, Fayette County school land tracts, Nos. 80, 81, 82, 83, 98, 99 and 100 ; the Silas Jones and all of the D. Berry league lying northeast of a line drawn from the west corner of Silas Jones' league to the south corner of the J. Castleman league and that part of the J. Castleman south of Buckner's Creek; the J. J. Lewis, all of the D. Berry lying west of a line drawn from the west corner of Silas Jones to the south corner of the J. Castleman league and Fayette County school land tracts numbers 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 9L 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121 ; and all elections in this Precinct shall be held at the Bluff school house.

No. 3. - The boundaries of Plum voting Precinct No. 19 in Justice Precinct No. 1, shall be composed of tiie followirg leagues and surveys : The east half of John C'ook league east of Chandler road reservation, llie A. O'Bar survey, the A. Castleman, the L. Backsdale, J. Castleman, \Vm. H. Taylor leagues, the northwest half of E. St. John Hawkins, and the A. W. Wordley survey. All elections hereafter held in said voting Precinct shall be held at the school house at Plum.

R. tSchwartz, \V. H. Blair, and that part oi the S. A. Anderson and \V. O. Jiarnham lying northwest of Sarrazin's Creek. Ail elections in this Precinct sliall hereafter be held at KroU's store.

No. 6. - El linger shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys; The J. J'etty, J. M. Burton, all oftheW. O. Burnhani and Lucy Kerr leagues lyin[^- southwest of the liicgel and Ellinger road, all of the S. A. Anderson lying southeast of S.irrazin's Creek, and all of the Jos. Duty, \V. T. Dunlavy and Jug. Ehlinger lying in Fayette County. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be lield at Ellinger.

No. 7. - Fayetteville is bounded as follows : Beginning at Colorado County line at Cummin's Creek, to the mouth of Clear Creek ; tlience up the said Clear Creek to the southeast line of N. 'I'ownsend Iciigue ; thence to the soutli corner of said league ; tiience along the n.ortheast lines of the Hensley league tt) its east corner; thence along the southeast lines of Hensley and Biegel leagues to the Biegel and Ellinger roacJ ; thence with said road to the northwest line of the J. M. Burton league ; thence along the northwest line of said league to its north corner; thence along the northeast line of said league to the east corner of said league; thence nilli the Ehlinger league line to Colorado County line ; thence with said county line to the place of beginning. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at tlie town of Fayetteville.

No. 8. - Zapp shall be composed of the John Jones, James Miles leagues and that part of the John Andrews league east of Cumming's Creek. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at Zapp's store.

No. 0. - Warrenton shall be composed of the N. Townsend, D. E. Colton, J. Shaw leagues and that part of the W. .1. Russell league southeast of tlie present Houston and Bastrop road and all of the R. Peebles, B. Greenville and Thomas (iay leagues lying north of Clear Creek. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at the town of Warrenton.

No. 10. Haw Creek shall be composed of the John Logran and W. \V. Sheppard leagues and all of the J. P, Gill, David Shelby and W. Sutherland leagues in Fayette County. All the elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at Mensing's store.

No. 11. - Round Top shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys : The James Winn, A. Baker. Jesse Ward, J. Schultz, W. S. Townsend, W. H.Jack and that part of the John Townsend and Joshua Fletcher surveys in Fayette County. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at the town of Round Top.

No. 12. - Carmine shall be composed of the Mary Pheljjs and James Beardsbee leagues and Chas. Fleasner survey in Fayette County. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at Carmine Station.

No. 14. - Waldeck shall be composed of the Wm. Williamson, John Vander Worth leagues and the Chas. Mason and K. G. Bough surveys and all elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at Waldeck.

No. 15. - Nechanitz shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys: The J. G. Wilkerson, J. Longley, W. Barnum, B. White, C. F. Weber, M. Holmes, Wm. Goodwin, S. McDade, G. W. Brazel, W. Nabers, and all of the J. W. Russel's lying north of the present Houston & Bastrop road. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be Jield at Nechanitz.

(In Justice Precinct No. 4). No. 1(3. - Warda shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys: The George Riddle, Thomas Green, S. Shelton, Jas. Blair, Ed. Powitzki, A. Milde, G. W. Singelton, Henry

Dibble, Fayette County school land on Rabb's Creek, J. C. Tanahill, F. Keller, \V. Southerland, J. F. EUender, Thos. Berry, 1). G. Green, heirs of A. Dixon, J. S, Lester, \V. Nevvford, \\ . Tryon, D. Cornway, Alex Reid, G. E. Boom, li. M. Clements and W. Lewis. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at Warda.

No. 18. - The boundaries of West Point voting Precict No. 18 injustice Precint No. 5 shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys: N. Woods, Reuben Fisher, Thos. Alley, M. Woods, J. Sheam, D. Berry, T. Cochran, W. Barton, r. H. Grassmeyer which are in Fayette County, and that part of the Jolm Cook league west of the Chandler reservation, all that part of the J. P. McFarland league owned Darby Brothers and the B. J^. B. & C. R. R. survey lying north of the Dalrymple. All elections hereafter held in said voting Precinct shall be held in tne town of West Point,

Keene, lieirs of M. Smith, J. Harper, the part of the J. Bartlett, south of Buckiier's creek. All elections hereafter held in said Precinct shall be held at Black Jack Spring church and sciiool house.

No. 22. - Fhitonia shall be composed of the following named leagues and surveys : The J. M. Molina, J. D. Elliot: Ben Green, Muldoon No. 14, Chas. F. Wright, W, A. Faires, G. W . Cottle Jesse Richards, J. Murphy, Jas. H. Ryan, P. Hcpe, Thos. Rumley, W. A. Mathews, T. H. Harris and Christopher Williams. All elections hereafter held in tiiis Precinct, shall be held at the city of Flatonia.

No. 25. - Anirnannsville shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys : Fayette County school land tracts Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15," 28, 29, 80, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 78 and 79 ; W. A. Hall league, J. JVIullins, James Hunley, Dave Berry, J. Barden, J. M. Ferrill, Peter Lopez, B. Kuykendall, all of the R. JM, Cravens south of Williams Creek and all lands between school land and L. Lopez and other surveys. AH elections hereafter held in this Precinct shall be held at Ammannsville school house.

No. 26, - Pecan shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys : The part of the John Alley south of Williams Creek, S. A. Pugh, J. Gomez, W. M. Eastland, H. Austin, F. Pettus and J. Burnham, and all land between H. Austin, Maxwell O'Bar and Harper surveys. All elections hereafter held in this Precinct shall be held at Pecan school house.

No. 27. - Swiss Alp shall be composed of Fayette County school land tracts Nos. 1 to 10 ; 16 to 27 ; 38 to 51 ; 60 to 77 ; 122 to 128 inclusive J. Townsend, F. C. Powell and H. T. Thayer surveys and the north ])art of John Paine and northeast part of R. Smith leagues lying north of Beat line 7 and 8 and east of the so called Walker Branch of the west Navidad. All elections hereafter held in this Precinct shall be held at Swiss Alp.

No. 28. - Mulberry shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys: P. Allison, W. Gorham, James Bell, T. Taylor, K. Crier, L. Bostic, E. Anderson, J.H. Whitehurst west of Peeler road, M. M. Gillespie, Wm Nabers and Thomas Green, and to exclude all of the territjry formerly belonging to said Mulberry Precinct No. 29 east of the Peeler road beginning at the Lavaca County line at (Tolson) McKinnon's place ; thence Dorth to Chris. Bautngarten's place. The Chris. Baumgni-tcn and the McKinnon place shall belong to Schulenburg Precinct

No. 29. - Schulenburg shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys; All of the Jessie Burnham and J. G. O'Farrell and J. A. Sergeant, south of the railroad and east of East Navidad, all of the O'Farrell, Sergeant, W. Brookfield and B. Perr}' west of East Navidad, all of the E. Anderson east of J^"orster's Creek and south of the Columbus and Gonzales roads, all of 1. Almansur east of Schulenburg and LaGrange road, all of the K. Cryer and T. Taylor east of West Navidad and south of Forster's Creek and all of the territory formerly belonging to Mulberry Precinct No. 29 east of the Peeler road ; beginning at the Lavaca County line at (Tolson) McKinnon's place, thence north to Chris. Baumgarten's place, and to include the last two named places in Voting Precinct No. 30. All elections hereafter held in this Precinct shall be held in tiie town of Schulenburg.

No, 31. - Hig Hill shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys: All of the E. Anderson and K. C'ryer east of the Navidad and north of the Columbus and Gonzales road, east of Forster's Creek; all of the I. Almansur, west of the LaGrange and Schulenburg road and all of the John Paine, south of line of Justice Precinct No. 7, all of the Counsel and R Smith leagues east of tlie Navidad and Walker branch and south of Justice Precinct No. 7. All elections hereafter held in tliis Precinct shall be held at some suitable place in the village of High Hill.

No, 32. - Thulemeyer shall be composed of the following leagues and surveys : All of the R. Smith and J. S. Counsel, west of the West Navidad and Walker's branch, the S. F. Knight and J. A. Harmon, and all of the J. H. Whitehurst and E. Anderson, north of Ujjper Pocky and west of the Navidad. All

The names of the present members of the Commissioners' Court are : Joseph Eljlinger, presiding officer ; Clias. F. Hackebeil, Commissioner lor Beat No. 1 ; Kossuth Zapp, Commissioner for Beat No. 2 ; C. A. Young, Commissioner for Beat No. 8 ; Joseph Fietsam, Commissioner for Beat No. 4.

The following are the Justices of the Peace of the county : H. C. I.edbetter, of Precinct No. 1 ; Tom Hruska,''of Precinct No. 2; Charles Schiege, of Precinct No. G; Alex. Ramsey, of Precinct No. 4 ; (J. W. Cole, of Precinct No. 5 ; Bob Menefee, of Precinct Nt). (3; V. J. Jnnacek, of Precinct No. 7, and C. T. Willrich, of Precinct No. 8.

The fi)llowing are the Constables in these respective i)recincts: Lee Smith, of Precinct No. 1; F. C. Knippcl, of Prf^- '-inct No. 2 ; Adolph Becker, of Precinct No. 3 ; Sam Kedfield. ol Precinct No. 4 : N. Pv. Cole, of Precinct No. 5 ; Tom Sellers, of J'recinct No.'G ; Robert JMc(iill, of Precinct No. 7, and Robt. ^\'illiams of Precinct No. 8.

Introduction

The great state and national questions which agitated tlie people of Texas found their rettex also in Fayette County. To treat of them more extensively would be to write their history, but not that of Fayette C'ounty. They are limited to a short mention to explain the effects which they produced on Fayette County. A history of Fayette County will be a history of her development, a record of how a wilderness was changed into a prosperous commonwealth, a record that should fill a patriotic citizen with just pride and satisfaction and with hope for bright prospects in the future. To record these events in chronological order would be confusing and would give no clear conception of the several problems that were solved in the development of the county. To treat of the development of the several interests from beginning to end would ensure clearness to the subject, but would not give a clear picture of the times. The subjects therefore have been arranged with the view of giving a clear picture of the several periods and stages of development in Fayette C'ountv.

The history of Fayette Couiity beghis with the arrival of the first white settlers under Stephen F. Austin, who settled on the rich lands of the Brazos and Colorado Rivers. It is doubtful, if before their arrival the foot of a white man ever crossed the boundaries of Fayette County. If it did, tlie record of a transitory stay of a white hunter or trader would be of no import - it left no impression on the history of the county ; the history begins with the arrival of the first white settlers. The names of the first men wlio settled in Fayette County were Bnckner, Powell and Jessie Buruham. Thev settled on the banks of the Colorado River, 1822. ..-

Before tiiat time, some Indiai' tribes inhabited the county, the Lipans east of the Colorado River and the Toncahuas west of it. Indian relics ihat have been found at LaClrange and in the neighborhood of Round Toj) [loint to the fact that the Indians had camps at these two places. The Indians lived principally from hunting and fishing; the cultivation of the soil was very primitive. Thus, the first white settlers found the country nearly as (lod made it, a wilderness without roads, crossed only by some Indian trails. They had to share it with Indians and wild beasts.

The character of the first white settlers was like that of all other men who undertake to wrest a country from a wilderness : adventurous, energetic, brave and self-reliant. No other men would undertake hard jobs like that. Men who look to friends, relatives and the government for su|)port and comfort, or men who appreciate the bonds ol frienddhip and aflection higher than the excitement to risk, act and conquer, men who prefer i)eacable pursuits to a life of toil and danger are not elements that undertake to settle anew country. They were not needed here, and they did not come. But from all parts of tlie United States , especially from the Southern States, there came an influx of a sturdy, sell-reliant race. Either they had, according to their view, not enough elbow room in the older states, because the next neigbor lived hardly two miles from them, or they were dissatisfied with the progress of established government and order; in their opinion, they were in the older settlements already too much ruled and governed. A great many of the lir?t settlers were well educated men and of high intelligence. To all new countries there comes with or soon follows this class of settlers a number of public spirited men and politicians who have been unsuccessful in public life in tlieir home country or found no good chance for their abilities there and now they came here to offer their services in building up this country with a better chance for acceptance of their services. A class, by no means to be undervalued ; a class that had experience in affairs of state and foresight in governing people. It should also not be forgotten that together w-ith these good classes of ])eople, there also came a lawless element, an element which found it too hot for themselves in their home country, As a boiling pot throws the scum and impurities to its rim, so civilization also throws the lawless elements to its borders. Troublesome as this class may have been, they soon had to submit to law and order. A large proportion of thp first settlers were men of high intelligence, of great foresight and ability of governing and knew how to deal with these elements and even made use of them.

The first settlers came mostly from the Southern States, a great many of them from the states of Tennessee and Alabama. Very few of the descendants of these old families still remain now in Fayette County; most of them have sold their property and moved further West ; since the Civil War a new class of people has taken possession of the county. Almost simultaneously with the first settlers from the United States there came a

Texas was at the time of the arrival of the first settlers in the year 1821 connected with the Mexican State C'oahuila for government purposes. The country was divided into municipalities for the purpose of local self-government. The head officer of a municipality was called alcalde. Parts of Fayette County helonged to the municipality of Colorado (the present Colorado County), parts of it belonged to the municipality of Mina (the present Bastrop County.)

The Mexican government at first welcomed the American settlers; it was very liberal to them in its land grants, but it left them without protection, it left them to show what they could do. And soon they did show what they could do and made a pretty showing for themselves. As stated before, the country was a wilderness occupied by wild Indians. Especially the Comanche and Keechi tribes of Indians made depredating excursions into Fayette County which was then a frontier county. The life of the settlers on the frontier at tiiat ilme was unsafe and I'emained so during the early days of the republic. In 1833 one Earthman was murdered by Indians near Nechanitz. A white trapper by the name of Alexander was killed near the Ledbetter-LaGrange road in a branch which later was named after him Alexander Branch. A Mr. Lyons, the father of Warren Jjyons, was killed by Comanche Indians on the present J. Russek place near Scliulenburg in the latter part of the thirties. The Indians attacked him about sundown, killed him and captured his boy Warren, then eight years old. They took the boy along, and the latter lived for twelve years amongst the Indians. A surveyor's party in the West who knew the boy's family found him, told liim about his mother and induced him to see her. He got leave from the Indians for forty days to see his mother. He found her sick, and as she entreated him to stay with her, be stayed beyond his stipulated time. At first, it had been his intention to return to the Indians ; but gettine; accustomed again to the manner and habits of his race and having stayed beyond tlie stipulated time, he was afraid to return to them and, therefore, remained with his mother. In 1887 the father of Joel W. Uobison, his son Walter and a negro servant were murdered bv Imliaiis on their return trip from business near the ])resent W'airenton. A negro woman walliing with her boy from TownsculI's to the present Warrenton was killed by Indians who were iiidden in a large livo-oak tree ; tlie boy was taken along hy them. Just half an hour before the killing, some wliite men had passed them unbanned, witli a large ox-wagon which had high side-boards. The Indians did not attack tliem, very prubably fur the reason that they supposed some men hidden behind the high side-boards of the wagon and that they feared to be outnumbered by them. Nearly all ttie old wliite settlers of Favette County with whom the writer has had the pleasure to talk characterize the Indians as cowardly and treacherous who would waylay an unsuspecting traveler, but who were afraid to light in the open witli tlie least chances against them.

Figlits and punishing expeditions ensued. There was (piite a galaxy of daring men in Fayette County who made reputations as great Indian fighters ; the greatest of them were Jessie Burnham, Col. John H. Moore who had come from Tennessee, and ('apt. ^Vm. J. Russell from North Carolina. It followed what always happened in the colonization of a wild country : the savage and uncivilized tribes were tramped down by the march of civilization. In a short time the frontier was moved further West.

Tlie writer ijuotes two of tliese Indian fights conducted by Fayette County men in both of \vliich Col. John H. Moore was the leader from John Henry Brown's History of Texas, Vol. 11, pages 182, 183.

"On the 12tli of February ISH',), Col. John H. Moore at the head of ilfly five Tcxans, forty J^ipan and twelve Toncahua Indians - a total of lOU - made a daylight attack on a large Co- manche euccampinent ou the San Saba Uiver. He killed a large number, while the Lipans stampeded and drove in a thousand or more Comanche horses, safely reaching the settlements. Bui after a contest of an hour Colonel Moore found himself surrounded by such an overwheming force, down from the villages extending five or six miles up the river that retreat became a necessity, which he effected with great coolness and caution. His horses, having been left a short distance in tiie rear, were all captured by the enemy. Six of his men (wounded) had to be borne in on litters. After fighting long on the detensive, the retreat was begun, and attended by much suffering, their route passing a hundred miles through mountains. They, however, safely reached the settlements.

"John H. jMoore was not a man to forget such a repulse. In the great invasion of August, 1840, it has been shown that he lost, by several hours, an o])portunity to balance accounts with the Comanches (this refers to the interception of the Indians by General Felix Huston at Plum Creek in Gonzales County, Aug. 12, 1840 where the Indians on the return from their marauding expedition to Victoria and Linnville were defeated), but he was resolved that the balance should be made. To this eiid, about the first of October, he left Austin with tw'o companies of citizen volunteers, commanded by Capts^JThonia^sJ. Rabb and Nicholas Dawson, both of Fayette County, with anaggreg;ts force of ninety men, besides twelve Lipans under their principil chief. Col. Castro. He bore directly up the Colorado about throe hundred miles, to the region where now stands Colorado City. The Lipans, as scouts discovered in advance a considerable Coman-^he village, in a small bend on the east bank of the river, opposite a bluff on the west bank. Sending thirty men, under Lieutenant Clark L. Owen, to occupy the bluff" across the river, he made an attack as soon as daylight fully appeared, charging directly into the camp. Though surprised, warriors and squaws fought with desperation. Only two warriors escaped, on the only two horses immediately at hand. A bund red and thirty Indians were left dead on the field. Thirty-four squaws and children and several hundred horses were brought in. A few old men and women were released on the gr()uiul. Among the tropliies were goods taken from Linnville. (iuite a number of Moore's men were wounded, but none killed. Col. Moore doubtless felt tliat his ill success on the San Saba was counterbabmced by the terrible punishment indicted by luin on tlie Colorado.'"

The Mexican government had left the American settlers not only without protection against tiie Indians, but soon should give them more cause for alarm than these savage tribes. The Mexican government was unstable ; that revolutionary country was in tlio throes of another revolution. Ijustainento led a strong faction against Santa Anna, the head of the Mexican government who was in favor of the Constitution of 1824. The l)eople of Texas declared in favor of Santa Anna. Bustaniento was del'eated. But little good did the American settlers reap from their declaration in favor of Santa Anna and Bnstamento's defeat. The just demands of tlie settlei'S were refused by the Mexican government. Instead it attempted to suppress further American immigration and to oppress those settlets then living In Texas. War between Texas and Mexico ensued, 'i'he glorinus achicveiuents of tlie early settlors in this war, and the gain of independence for themselves and their posterlt}^ are recorded in the annals of Texas History. Fayette County largely iiarticijiated in these stiiring events wbicli achieved the independence of Texas.

In the very first encounter between Americans and Mexicans at tlie battle of Velasco (June 2G, J8o2), Fayette County people acted a conspicuous jxirt Capt. Wm. J. Russell of Fayette County commanded the schooner Brazoria, in that battle, attacking the Mexican garrison at Velasco. In tlic attack on land John (t. Robison (later member of ihe first Texas Congress in 1836, killed by Indians near W'arrenton in 1887) and his sou Joel W. Robison took a prominent part. Before the bt-ginning of the battle, Father Miguel Muldoon, a resident of Mexico and grantee of f)ur leagues of land in Fayette, popular with the Mexican goxernment and esteemed by tlie settlers, tried to medi- ate between Col. Ugartechea in command of the Mexican force and the settlers, but with no success. In the ensuing battle, C'ol. Ugartechea was completely vanquished. This first success of the American arms inspired the settlers with confidence and just pride.

The battle of Gonzales, the Lexington ofTexas, (October 2, 1835) was won under command of a Fayette man, the distinguished Indian fighter Col. John H. Moore.

In the battle of San Jacinto Fayette County furnished a cavalry company of scouts under command of Capt. Henry W. Karnes. Thus, in all engagements with Mexicans, Fayette County people always took a prominent part. Her name is inseparably linked in the annals of Texas History to the schievement of independence. One of Fayette county's citizens, Joel W. Robison, distinguished himself as one of the captors of Santa Anna after the battle of San Jacinto, (April 21, 1836). A letter from him published in Life and Literary Remains of Sam Houston by William Carey Crane, D.D., LL. D., President of the Baylor University, Independence, Texas, (1884) which explains the eyents incident to the capture of Santa Anna, is here given as a matter of interest and of pride to every patriotic citiizen of Fayette County.