Galveston County, Texas - The whole text, 1895 (part 5 of 26)

On tliat liliio'ly field Buile.-on added new honors to his fame as a bravo soldier and tried cillicer. His ie!i;inient stoiineJ tlie bieastwork and captured the artillery, and contribu'ed its honorable shai-e to the victory. The morning- of the day ou which the baitle was fbiifrht, General Houston ordered Ijiirleson to detail 100 men from his rei^iment to buihl a bridge across the bayou in case a retreat should be necessary. Burleson replied that he could make the detail, but he had no idea the bridge could be built; that they had no axes or tools of any description whatever, or teams to haul the tiiuber. Houston asked him whether he intended to disobey orders. Burleson replied that he was not disposed to disobey orders, but that his men would much rather fight than work. 'Then,' said Houston, 'if yon are so anxious to li^ht you shall have your till before night," and immediately made out his plan of battle.

"After the battle of San Jacinto General Burleson returned to his home and was elected to the senate of tlie first congress of the republic. In the Cherokee war he moved against the Indians at the head of 500 men, defeated them in a bard-fuught baitle, killing many (among them their head chief, Bowles) and drove the remainder beyond the limits of the republic. In the great Indian raid of 1840 General Burleson was second in command of the forces that met the Indians on Plum creek, which defeated them with great slaughter and recaptured a vast amount of plunder. lie was in a number of hotly contested fights with the Indians, in one of which, the battle of Brushy, he lost liis brother, Jacob Burleson, who had engaged the enemy before the general arrived.

while the people v\ere at cluirch. A man who had remained at home discovered them, van to church and gave tlie alarm. Burleson, with only ten men, started in immediate pursuit and followed the trail that evening to Piny creek near town. ISText morning he was reinforced by eight men, tlie pmsuit wa> continued and the enemy overtaken ne:ir the Yegna, a small sluggish stream now in Lee county. When within about 200 yards of them, Burleson called out to the L^diuns to halt; they immediately did so. and, forming themselves in regular order, like disi'ij)lined troops, commenced firing by squads or jihitooDS. "When within sixty yards the battle was opened by the Texans by the discharge of Burleson's double-barreled shot-gun. The conflict was of short duration. Six Indians were killed, and the remainder fled into a deep ravine enveloped in thickets and made their escape.

" In 1841 General Burleson was elected vice president of the Pepublic, by a considerable majority over General Memucan Hunt. At Monterey he was appointed by Governor Henderson, then in personal command of the Texas division, one of his aides-de-camp, and in that capacity bore a distinguished and lionored part in the fierce conflicts before that city.

"He died September 26, 1851, at the capital of the State, while a member of the senate then in session, and his death produced api-ofound sensation throughout the country, where his name had become as familiar as a household word. Eloquent eulogies were pronounced in both houses of the legislature at his death."

An ambitious yonng village in Johnson county, this State, a few miles north of Alvarado and on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, is named in honor of the hero of the foregoing memoir.

John C. IIays, generally known as Colonel "Jack" Ilajs, was a native, it is believed, of Tennessee, and came to Texas when a \oiino; man, bringing with him letters of recommendation from prominent people to Pretiilent Honston. The latter soon gave him a commission to raise a ranging company for the protection of the western frontier. This company is supposed to be the first regularly organized one in the service so far ill the ^Vest. With this small company - for it never nnmbered more than three-score men - Colonel Hays effectually protected a vast scope of the frontier reaching from Corpus Christi on the gulf to the heaihvaters of the Frio and Nueces rivers. With the newly introduced live-shuoting revolvers each of his men was equal to about five or six Mexicans or Indians. Although the colonel was rather tinder the medium size, he was wiry and active, well calculated to withstand tiie hardships of frontier life. lie was frequently seen sitting before his camp fire in a cold storm, apparently as unconcerned as if in a hotel, and that, too, vvhen perhaps he liad nothing for supper but a piece of hanltack or a few pecans. Although he was extremely cautious when the safety of his men was concerned, he was extremely careless when only his own welfare was in jeopardy.

He was elected colonel of a regiment of mounted volunteers at the breaking out of the Mexican war, and they did valiant service at the storming of Monterey. Some time after the war he moved to California, where he finally died, a number of years ago.

As an example of Hays' heroism we cite the following anecdote from Mr. Wilbai'ger's work: In the fall of 1840 a party of Comanche Indians niimbering about 200 came into the vicinity of San Antonio, stole a great many horses and started off in the direction of the

Guadalupe river. Hays, with about twenty of liis men, followed in pursuit, overtaking tliem at that river. Riding in front, as was his custom, the colonel was the first to discover the red rascals, and, riding back to his men, he said, -' Yonder are tlie Indians, boys, and yonder are our horses. The Indians are pretty strong, b\it we can whip them and recapture the hoi'ses. What do you say?" "Go ahead," the boys replieil, "and we'll follow if there's a tliiMisand of them."" Come on, then, boys," said Hays: and, putting spurs to their horses, this little band of only twenty men boldly charged upon the 200 wari'iors who were waiting for them drawn up in battle array.

Seeing the small number of their assailants the Indians were sure of victory, but Hays' men poured shot among them so directly and rapidly as to cut down their ranks at a fearful rate, killing even their chief, and the Indians, frightened at what appeared to tliem a power superior to man, fled in confusion Hays and his men followed for sc^veral miles, killing even more of them and recovering most of the stolen horses.

About a year afterward he was one of a party of fifteen or twenty men employed to survey land near what the Indians called '-The Enchanted Kock," in which, liigh up, was a cavity large enough to contain several men. Ueing attacked by Indians in this vicinity, Cidonel Hays, who was at some diftance from his party, ran n\\ the hill and took a position in this little hollow place, determined to "sell his life at the dearest iirice." He was well known to the Indians, and they were anxious if possible to get his scalp. Mounting the hill, tliey surroumied the rock and prepared to chaigo upon hini. Hays was aware that his life depended more upon strategy than courage, and reserved his fii'e until it coiiki do the most good. Pie lay behind a projectiun of tho rock, with the muzzle of iiis gnu exposed to their vision, and awaited the inos;t opportune moment. The sav'ages meanwhile suspected that the noted white warrior had a revolver besides, and indeed he had two. The Indians yelled with all their might, but our hero was too well acquainted with that style of warfare to be very badly frightened by it.

The red men, being ashamed of permitting themselves to be beaten by one man, made a desperate assault, and wdien the chief in front approached sufficiently near the colonel downed liim with the tirst shot of his rifle. In the next charge he did effective work with a revolver, and soon the remainder of his own men, who had been engaging the main body of Indians, suspected that their commander was hemmed in there, and turned upon the Indians near by, iunnediately routing them. A remarkable example of Colonel Hays' generalship was exhibited in a little skirmish in 1844, when, with tiftcen of his company, on a scouting expedition about eighty miles from San Antonio, he came in siglit of fifteen Comanches, who were mounted on good horses and apparently eager for battle. As the colonel and his men approached, the Indians slowly retreated in the direction of an im mense thicket, which convinced Hays that the Indians they saw were but a part of a larger number. He therefore restrained the ardor of his men, who were anxious to charge upon the Indians they saw, and took a circuitous route around the thicket and drew up his little force upon a ridge beyond a deep ravine, in order to take advantage of some position not looked for by the Indians. The latter, seeing that they had failed to draw the white party into the trap they had laid for them, showed themselves, to the number of seventy-five. Directly the rangers assailed tlienr on an iinexpectel ^ide, made a furious charge, with revolvers, etc. The battle lasted neai'ly an hour, exhausting the ammunition of the whites. The Comanche chief, perceiving this, rallied his wsirriors for a final effort. As they were advancing, Colonel Hays discovered tliat the rifle oF one of the rangers was still loaded. He ordeied him to dismount at once and shoot tiie chief, and the man did so, successfully. This so discouraged the Indians that they gave up the day. In the battle above referred to, with the main body of the Indians, the i-angers lost only two killed and five wounded, while thirty Indians were left dead on the field. For good generalship, as well as cool, unflinching bravery. Colonel Hays and his men deserve the highest credit. The above fight is certainly one of the most remarkable in all Indian wai'fare.

In 1845, in encountering a large party of Indians, Colonel Hays mounted a horse which had more "heroism" or "foolhardiness" than he anticipated, as it carried him, in spite of all the rider could do, right through the enemy, the main body of the Comanches. This so astounded the Indians that they actually gave way for iiim and another man accompanying him, and the rest of the white party rallied forward with a yell and with their revolvers actually put the savages to flight I

Not long after the above occurrence Hays, with only fifteen men, encountered and totally defeated the famous Comanche chief, Yellow "Wolf, who was at the head of eighty warriors: the chief himself was slain. This battle occurred at the Pinta crossing of the Guadalupe river, between San Antonio and Fredericksburg.

Cai'tain Jamks G. Swish ku, in whose Iwnor a county in this State is named, was l)C.ni in Knoxville, Temiess^ee, Noveni'ier 6, 17!t4:. Joining John Donelson's company, iiiidur General Jackson, he participated in tlie battles of New Orleans on the niglit of December 23, 1814, and on January 8, 1815. He came from near Fi-anklin, Williamson county, Tennessee, to Texas in 1833, and during the fiilldwincr January he settled at the town of TeiK'Xtitlan. on the Brazos river, not now in existence, but which up to the year 1832 had been garrisoned by 200 Mexican troops. Swisher commenced life here with his lamily apparently under the finest auspices, but in a few months two Comanche Indians stole most of his horses, which, however, he recovered after a long journey in pursuit.

Captain Swisher was the father of James M. Swisiier and John M. Swisher, of Travis county. The latter, known as Colonel '> Milt." Swisher, was in the employ of the Republic from 1839 up to the time of annexation, and from that time to 1856 in the employ of the State. In 1841 he was chief clerk and acting secretary of the treasuiy of tlie Republic, aiul in 1847 was appointed auditor to settle up the debts of the late Kepnblic.

John L. Wilbarger, brother of the author of "Indian Depredations in Texas," was born in Matagorda county, Texas, November 29, 1829, and grew up in his parents' family in Austin colony, inured to the roughness of pioneer life. Having considerable talent he became well qualitieJ to manage the interests of those exposed on the frontier; but hcf'ire he had oppDrtunity to exei-cise his ta'eiit to a considerable degree he joineil an expedition which eventually proved disastrous to him. August 20, 1850, he and two other youncr nien were quietly pursuing their journey back to the command in Bastrop county which they had left, when Indians attacked them, shouting down the two other young men at the tirst tire, and then Wilbarger, after a chase of about two miles. One of the young nie:> (Xeal), however, was not killed, and succeeded in frcttiujj back honu\ to tell the news.

C()Lonb;l Gi<:oR(iic G. At ford, [iromiuent in the early history of the State, was born in Cayuga, Seneca county. New York, June 19, 1793, reared on lakes Champ! lin and Cayuga, that State, and served as lieutenant of artillery uniler General Wintield Scott during the second war with Great Britian, in 1811- '13, participating in the battles of Queenstown Heights, liUndy's Lane, etc. His father, who was a cousin of General Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, had twelve children. In 1815 the family removed to Detroit, Michigan, then an obscure and remote frontier Indian village, making the trip in a small sail vessel, which was wrecked at what is now the great city of Cleveland. In 1819 he moved to New Madrid, Missouri, the former caj)ital of the Spanish province of Louisiana, and there engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1821 he married Miss Jeannette Lesienr, a sister of Hon. Godfrey Lesieur, one of the ohlest anil wealthiest French settlers of that section: she died, leaving him one daughter. Jeannette. About 1829 Colonel Alford tnarried Miss Ann Barfield, of Murfreesborougli, Tennessee, born May 9, 1807, a descendant of Governor Badger, of North Carolina. By this marriage there was born Judge George Frederick Altord, now of Dallas.

While a resident of Missouri the Colonel prospered and became wealthy, and ,-ei-ved with satisfaction to his constituents a term in the State legislature.

He came to Texas during the excitino; times of the revcjliitioii, in 1835, and, still iiitipired with the maitiul spirit of 1812, he entered zealcjusly into the (.-ause of Texan independence. He joined the immortal band under General Hou&ton and participated in the heroic struggles which culminated in the battle of San Jacinto, which was so glorious a victory for the Texans, securing for them what they had unanimously so long sought for, - independence. Soon after this battle Colonel Alford was sent by the provisional government of the embryo republic to New Orleans, for military supplies for the famishing soldiery of Texas. Here he loaded two vessels, and, returning on one of them, the brig Julius Caesar, he was captured by the Mexican blockading fleet, under command of Captain Jose V. Matios of the Mexican brig of war General Teran, off Galveston harbor; the two vessels and cargoes were confiscated, and the captives incarcerated in a loathsome dungeon in Matamoras, Mexico; and Colonel Alford and his brother, Major Johnson H. Alford (who was returning to Texas with him), were coii<lemme<! to be shot; but they were liberated, through the intercession of Andrew Jackson, president of the United States.

Colonel Alford returned to Missouri, settled up his business, and in April, 1837, moved his family and slaves to Texas, first settling in the old Spanish pueblo of Nacogdoches, and later in Crockett, the capital of Houston county, and there he engaged in planting, in mercantile pursuits and as judge, until his death, April 1, 1847, his wife having preceded him February 10, same year. His death was deplored throughout the young State, which he had served with Spartan heroism.

JonN Henry Brown, a well informed historian of Dallas and prominent in the annals of Texas as a pioneer, legislator, soldier and citizen, was born in I'ike, county, Missouri, October 29, 1820, five montiis before that Territory became a State. Both his parents were natives of Kentucky, and in favorable financial circumstances. The family is and has been for many generations famous for patriotism and historical worth. The originator of the family in this country came across the oci'an in the lime of Lord Baltimore.

John Henry was but four yeai's old when he heard, with all the intensity of earnest childhood, of the charms of Texas. As he grew up he learned the art of printing. His first residence in Texas was with his uncle. Major James Kerr, on the Lavaca river. "When Austin was laid out, in 1S3'J, he repaired thither in search of eniploynient as a printer, and obtained a favorable inti'oduction to the principal statesmen of the place, who used their influence in his favor, and lie obtained a good situation. The next year or two he engaged in several expeditions agair.st raiding Indians. In 1843 he returned to Missouri and married Miss Mary Mitchel, of Groton, Connecticut. The following winter he suffered with "black-tongue," a fever that brought him to death's door. Recovering and returning to Texas, he was engaged on the Victoria Advocate. When the militia of the new State was organized, in 18-16, he was appointed brigade major of the Southwest, with the rank of colonel, wiiich position he held four years. In February, 1818, he removed to the new town of Indianola, and until 1854 was a zealous worker in various positions of trust, and also edited the Indianola Bulletin. During this time he was a contributor to De Bow's Review, on the subject of "Early Life in the Southwest."

Ill 1854 he purchased an iiiteix'st in and liccHine co-editor of the Galveston Civilian, where he did most of tlie nsii'insible work, I'll account of tlie nlisenee of the principal editor. He exhibited yiicdi ahility that he was at length elected to tlie legislature. He was a talented sj)eaker on the political rostnini, i)ut in the legislature his speeches were n wv (iver tive minutes in lengtli. Next he Wi> elected mayor of Galveston, where he ga\e eminent satisfaction, for two terms, and again he was retuiaied to the legislature.

Receiving an injury liy a fall his health began to decline, and he chanj^ed his oceu|iation to that of stock-raising, but at length ho again became editor, this time of the Belton Democrat, and in 1861 he was elected a member of the secession convention, without a single vote being cast in opposition. During the war he served on General Ben McCulloch's staif, and on that of General 11. E. McCulloch, and on account of tailing health he returned hume. During these years he had two surgical operations performed upon himself.

Next he moved to ^Mexico, where he was appointed commiss.ioiier of immigration by the imperial government; in 1S60 he received a commission to explore the country along the Panuco river; in the spring of 18(39 he visited Texas and the East in relation to the purchase of improved arms for the Mexican government; and in 1870 he delivered a hundred addresses in the Northern States in aid of a reform society in Mexico. He rejoined his family in Indianola, in January, 1871, and July following he moved to Dallas, where he has since resided. Here in 1872 he was elected once more to the State legislature; in 1875 a member of the State constitutional conventi<ni; in ISSO-'Sl he was revising editor of the '-Encyclopedia of

Dni-ing all this time he has been inoustri ously writing as an author or compiler. He niiw has prepared two large works for pub'i catidii: History of Texas from 1G85 to 1802. in twd large volumes, and >'The Indian Wais and ricineurs of Texas." In the latter at least 3,000 names of early pionee 's, who largidy clothed, fed and in war mounteil themselves for their unpaid services, vvill appear to prove that no country was ever settleil, reclaimed, populated and defended by a brave-r, more unselfish and patriotic people.

Educational

Previous to independence Texas had scarcely any schools worth mentioning. The municipality of Bejar had supported a school for a short time, and there had been a private schotd near Brazoria, with thirty or forty pupils, supported by subscidption, and primary schools at Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Jonesburg. Those colonists who could afford the expense sent their children abroad for education, while the rest, the masses, did not care for education.

As soon as Texas declared her independence of Mexico, she declared in iier constitution the necessity of a school system. In 1839 the congress of the new republic assigned three leagues of land to each organized county, and in the following year an additional league, for the purpose of establishing primary schools. At the same time fifty leagues were devoted to the establishment of two colleges or universities, to be thereafter created. In February. 18-40, a law was passed making the chief justice of eich county, with the two associate justices, a board of schooi commissioners, as an executive body, and under tlieir supervision many fcliools were oro-mized and conducted. In 1850 there were 349 public schools, witii ;J()0 teachei's and 7,74.6 pupils. By 1S60 there were 1,218 scliools, with a corresponding increase of teacliers and piupils. But even yet the schools were not entirely supported by public tax. Considering the many Doliiical revulsions, Indian depredations, etc., to which the State of Texas has been subject, ir is remarkable to observe the advance she has n)ade in education and tlie refinements of modern civilized life. The last civil war was, of course, the greatest interruption to her progress in all directions. Under the constitution of 1866, all funds, lands and other property previously set ajiart for tie support of the free- school system wei-e rededicated as a perpetual fund. It furthermore devoted to that fund all the alternate sections of' land reserved out of grants to ruilroad companies and other corporations, together with one-half of the proceeds of all future sales of public lands. The legislature was deprived of the power to loan any portion of the school fund, and required to invest the specie principal in United States bonds, or such bonds as the State might guarantee; and it was authorized to levy a tax for educational purposes, special provision being made that all sums arising from taxes collected from Africans, or persons of African descent, should be exclusively appropriated to the maintenance of a system of public schools for the black race. Provision for the university was renewed; a superintendent of public instruction was directed to be appointed by the governor, who, with himself and comptroller, should constitute a board of education and have the general management of the perpetual fund and common schools.

The constitution of 1868 did not materially alter these provisions, except in one marked jiarticular, namely, the significant omission of the provision appropriating the taxes paid by colored persons for the support of schools for their children. The schools were made free to all. The article in the constitution reads: "It shall be the duty of the legislature of this State to make suitable provisions for the support and maintenance of a system of public free schools, for the gratuitous instruction of all the inhabitaiits of this State between the ages of six and eighteen."

Since the adoption of the constitution of 1868, improvements iiave been constantly made, either by constitutional provision or legislation, until now, when the State has as good a school system as any in the Union.

The districts are formed by the commissioners' courts, have geographical boundaries, and may vote a levy of local school tax not exceeding two mills. One hundred and thirty counties are thus districted, and about three per cent, of the districts levy local taxes. The average school term for the year 1890-'91 was 5.25 months in the districts; the average salary paid teachers was $228.05, and 90 per cent, of the children within scdiolastic age were enrolled in school some time during the year.

In seventy-five counties the st'luiols are ojierated on a peculiar plan calletJ the coiumunitv system. Tiie comniunity lias no geographical huunijai-ies, ami eiirolliiient on the conimunity list is a niatler <>i' local enterprise. Local ta.xes can be levied in community counties, but the plan is cumbi-ous and rather inefficient. The aveia^re school term in these counties for 1890-"91 was 4.71 montlis; the average salary of teachers was §202.70, and the percentage of enrollment on the schohxstic popuhition 88.

The cities and towns of the State may be conslitutcd indepetident districts on a majority vote of the people of the municipality. Independent di^triets may vote a levy of local school tax not exeeedino; five mills. Theie are 127 of these districts in the State, including all of the laro-er and many of tlie smaller towns. The average school term in these districts in 1890-"J1 was 7.48 months, the average annual salary of teachers §447.97, and the per centage of enrollment 81.3. These districts are independent of the county school otficei's, and receive the State apportionment direct from the State Trea.sitrer.

The State endowment of the comniLin schools is large. About, §7,427,^08.75 in interest-bearing bonds, njore than §14,380,- 906.37 in interest- bearing land notes, and about 20,000,000 acres of unsold lands constitute the State endowment. Of the unsold school lands a large amount is leased at 4 cents jier aci'e, and the funds thus derived added to the annual available school fund.

Besides the State endowment fund, each county has been granted by the State i'our leagues of land, which constitute crmnty endowment. As these lands are sold the funds received are invested un<ler the authority of the county commissioners' court, and the interest on the investment is annually applied to the support of the schools. A considerable ])ortiou of these lands is leased for varying terms of years, and the rental applied as the rental of the State school lands. These lands are under the exclusive control of liie county authorities; 3,890,640 acres have been thus gi-an'ed to counties, and a reservation has heen made from the public domain for the unorganized counties.

In addition to tlie interest on bonds and land notes and rental from leases, the State levies an annual ad-valorem school tax of one and one-quarter mills, devotes one fourth of the occupiation taxes, and an annual [loll tax of §1 to the available school fund. The entire amount of available apjiortioned school fund for the year 1890-91 was $2,545,524, and the total receipts by local treasurei-s, including balances from the previous jear, wei'e §3,958,310.07. The disbursements for the same year amounted to §3,551,442.58.

Sam Houstun State Normal School

In 1879 tlie Normal Scliool was establislied by the State of Texas for the ptirpose of training competent teachers for the public schools. Regarding the Normal School as the heart of the public-school system, it was decided to name the proposed institution the " Sam Houston Normal Institute," in honor of the hero of Texas independence. Houston had spent the evening of his eventful life in Huntsville. Here was his neglected grave. As an everlasting monument to the honored dead the Normal Scltool was located at Huntsville. On the Ist of October, 1879, the institute opened, with Bernard Mallon as principal. Coining here, he had said that he would make this his last and best work. But the life of this great man, so much loved and so much honored, was near its close. On the 21st of the saro.e montii in which the school opened he entered upon his rest. H. H. Smith succeeded Professor Mallon, and continued in charge uf the scliool to the close of the second session. The third annual session opened on tlie 2Gth of Sej)tember, 1881, with J. Baldwin as principal. The school has generally prospered, and is in the highest sense a State school for educating teacliers. The school is greatly indebted for its establisliment and success to the liberality of the trustees of the Peabody education fund. The general agents. Dr. B. Sears and Dr. J. L. M. Curry, have done everything possible to foster and build up a normal school worthy of the great State of Texas.

U I Story Of Texas First Decade

No eil'ort lias Ue'-Mi maile to si^ciire lar<re nuniliers, l)tit rather thi' li(^-t material fur making eilicient teachers. None are admitte'i under seventeen years of age, ur who do not possess a good knowledge of the oommnn brandies. All students sii^n a pledge to teach in the juiMic schools of the State.

The standard t'ur adiiiissinn has been steadily raised as the educational agencies of the State have bec(.)me more eilicient. The aim is to make this strictly a ]Mofessi<inal school for preparing trained teachers for the public schools of Texas. Academic instruction is given only so far as they had it absolutely necessary; and this necessity, we are pleased to say, steadily diminishes fi-om year to year, as the public schools, high schools and ciilleges of the State become more thorough ill tlieir instruction.

With the session beginning Septeinber 17, 1889, the school entered upon its second decade, with an enrollment of (,)ver 3i)0 students. The school having outgi-own its accommodations, the twenty-iirst legislature.

This in-titution is under control of the State I'oard of Education, composed of the Governor, Cumjitroller of rublic Accounts and Secretary of State, who will appoint a local board f<jr its immediate supervision. Value of buildings and grounds. . .|l(_)o,000 Value of library and appaiatus... 15,000

This institution is located six miles east of Hempstead, in Waller county. It is a branch of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, and under the government of the Board of Directors of that school. Originally it was designed tor an industrial S(diool, but the lack of education among the colored people of the State, and the pressing need of trained teachers for the colored schools, led to a change of objects, and it was therefore converted into a normal school for training colored teachers. The constant and s'eadily increasino- patronage it has since received is the best evidence of the wisdotn of the change - the session of 188S-'89 having the largest attendance and being the most prosperous in the history of the institution. Since its establishment 757 teachers have received more or less professional training, and a large number of then are occupying intiuential and prolitable positions iu the public free schools of the State. The teachers are all colored people, wlio liave thus far governed the school with credit to thoiu-elves and the entire satisfaction of the Board of Directors. The institution is supported by direct appropriations from the general revenues of the State, and one State student from each senatorial district and fifteen from the State at large are admitted and taught free of charge. A limited number of pay students are admitted, and receive books and tuition free. Pay students are charged $10 per month for Ijoard. All students are rerequired to pay a matriculation fee of $5, and a fee of $2 for medical attention.

Tlie regular cuurse of study covers a period of three years, and leads to a diploma which, in addition to evidencing the holder's literary attainments, has the value of a teaclier's certificate of the first gi'ade. Certificates of competency are issued to such students as do satisfactory worit in the middle classes, entitling them to the compensation of sec ond-grade teachers in tlie public schools.

The continued growth of this school, and demand of the colored people of the State for opportunity to secure agricultui-al and mechanical education, induced the twenfietli legislature to make an appropriation of $10,- 000 to enable the Board of Directoi-s to inaugurate the industrial features of the school. Accommodations have recently been provided for thirty-eight students to receive instruction in carpentry under a piactical teacher. Thc'iretieal and pi-ai:tii-al agriculture form an important branch of study, and the farm and garden worked by the students in this department contribute largely to the needs of the mes-^ liall. A sewiug-rooni, provided with the latest improved sevving machines and ntlier e(|uiptiients, has been placed in charge of a comj)etent insti-uctress in the art of cutting, sewing and fitting, and such of tiie young ladies as desire a practical knowledge of this art have an opportunity to acquire it during their course of study.

Applicants must be sixteen years old and residents of the State, and are required to sign a pledge to teach as many sessions in the free schools as they may attend the Normal School.

State students must sustain a satisfactory examination in arithmetic as far as decimal fractions, orthography, English grammar, English composition and history of the United States.

Agricultural And Mkchanical College Of Texas

This institution owes its foundation and endowment to the act of the United States Congress, approved July 2, 1862, amended July 23, 1865, and to a joint resolution of tlie legislature of Texas, a[iproved November 1, 1866, and an act of the same body approved April 17, 1871. Under these acts and the special laws of the legislature growing out of them, the first board of directors met at Austin, July 16, 1875, and proceeded to organize the college. Finally the constitution of 1876, article VII, provided that the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, established by the act of tlie legislature passed April 17, 1871, located in the count) of Brazos, is '-hereby made and constituted a branch of the University of Texas, for the instruction in agriculture, the mechanic arts, and the natural sciences connected therewith."

The college is situated at College Station, in the county of I5razos, live miles south of Bryan and ninety-five miles northwest of Houston. The Houston & Te.\as Central railroad runs through the grounds, daily trains stopi)ing at the station about 800 yards from the main building.

The government of the college is vested in a board of directors, consisting of live members, appointed l)y the governor of the State. They are "selected from diifercnt sections of the State, and hold office for six years, or during good behavior, and until theii' successors are (pialitied."

In iS'oveniher, ISOG, the legislature tirinally accepted from Congress thegiftof 180,- 000 acres of public land for the endowment of an agricultural and mechanical college. This land was sold for 1174,000, which sum was invested in 7 per cent. State bonds. As \iiider the act of congress neither principal iioi' interest of this nnuiey could be used for other purposes thaii the payment of officers' salaries, at the time of the opening uf the college there was an addition to the fund, from accumulated interest, of §3.j,000. Tiiis was invested in 6 percent, bonds of the State, thus furnishing an annual income of|il4, 280.

The act of Congress wiiich established tlie State agricultural and mechanical colleges defi;ies their objects. But under that act there have been founded as n-.aiiN' dilfei'ent schools as there are States. I'hese institutions have presented a variety of educational schemes wliich have embraced ueaily all gradations fi-om the classical and mathematical col'ege to the manual labor industrial school. In view of this fact it is proper to state, as deiinitely as jjossible, the interpretation given to the act of Congress l)y the authorities of this college, and the manner in which they are endeavoring to carry out its provisions.

The general object of this college is to excite and foster in tlie minds of our people an enthusiastic appreciation of the attractiveness and value of those pui'suits by wiiich the material development of the country is advanced.

It is the business of this college to turn the attention of our young men from the overcrowded " learned professions " to those occupations which have brought abundant wealth and power to other Slates, and which ai-e beginniniT now to attr.ict and well repay the services of ti'ained young men in Texas.

These olijccts are sought to he attained by a thorough course of instruction in mathematics and natural science, with continual application of princi[)les to work in the sliops, fields, gardens, vineyards, orchards, pastures, dairies, and other laboratories; by relying upon text-books as little as possible, and leailing the students to seek information directly from observation and experiment; by inculcating the dignity of intelligent labor - banishing the idea that the farmer or mechanic wlio is worthy of the name need be any less learned than the professional man; and by inducing in the mind of the student an enthusiastic love of nature and the study of natui'al laws, whereby agricultural and mechanical processes become invested with absorbing interest, and are pursued in a spirit which leads to progress and success.

Hibtort Of Texas

vanceraent corresponding to that age. He must be free from contagious or infectious diseases or any deformity tliat would unfit liim for the performance of liis duties as a student of this college. He may be required to furnish evidence that he has not been dismissed from another institution of learning, and that his moral character is good. The mental attainments necessary for enteritig upon the courses of study comprise a fair knowledge of arithmetic as far as proportion, of descriptive geography, and of elementary English grammar and composition.

The regular courses of study lead to the degrees of bachelor of scientific agriculture, bachelor of mechanical engineering, bachelor of civil engineering, and bachelor of scientific horticulture. Thorough instruction, theoretical and practical, is given in the departments of mathematics, agriculture, mechanics, civil engineering, horticulture, chemistry, English, veterinary science and drawing; courses in modern languages; special short courses in agriculture, horticulture, dairying, carpentry, blacksmithing, machinery, chemistry, drawing and surveying.

There are in the agricultural museum 419 specimens of Texas wood, all numbered and labeled, also 208 jars of soil from the different counties of the State, all of wliicli are properly arranged in cases.

Agricultubal Experiment Station Of The Agricultural And Mkchaniual College

In 1887 Congress made provision for establishing, equipping and supporting agricultural experimental stations in the several States, the stations to be placed under the supervision of the boards of directors of the State agricultural and mechanical colleges, where such colleges have been established.

The act of Congress appropriates |15,000 per annum from the United States treasury, to each State, to equip and support the stations. Owing to some technical defect in the bill as passed, additional legislation was required to make the fund available. By recent enactment the appropriation is placed at the disposal of the several States, and the stations are being organized.

The purposes for whicii the Agricultural Experimental Station bill was passed is clearly set forth in section 2 of the act, which reads as follows:

" It shall be the object and duty of said experiment stations to conduct original researches or verify experiments on the physiology of plants and animals; the diseases to whicli they are severally subject, with the remedies for the same; the chemical composition of useful plants at their different stages of growth; the comparative advantages of rotative cropping as furnished under a varying series of crops; the capacit}' of new plants or trees for acclimation; the analysis of soils and water; the chemical composition of manures, natural or artificial, with experiments designed to test their comparative effect on crops of different kinds; the adaptation and value of grasses and forage plants; the composition and digestibility of the different kinds of food for domestic animals; the scientific and economic questions involved in the production of butter and cheese; and such other researches or experiments bearing directly on the agricultural industry of the United States as may in each case be deemed advisal)le. "

The bill further j)rnvi(lc< tliat reports of the progress niiiih' in e.\[>eriineiits shall he published from time to time, one enpy of which shall be s-eat \n eaeh newspaper published in the State whei-e sucli station is located, and one to each individual actually engaged in farming wlio may request the same, as far as the means of the station will permit; all such reports to l)e carried in the mails free.

The experiment stations were placed under the supervision of the hoards of directors of the agrieiiltural and meeiianieal colleges, not for the purpose of assisting the coUei^es, but because it \vas thouglit the fund would be most judiciously expended under such control, and it was believed that a portion of the equipment of said colleges, in the way of land, stock, implements, etc., might, without detriment to the work of the colleges, be used to some extent in experimental work. It was thought also that men employed at the colleo-es, many of whom have become skilled in experimental work, would be able to give part of their time to the station.

The bill expressly provides that no part lA the fund ap])ropriated shall be used for any purpose other than equipping and supporting an establishment for eanying on expei'imental work. While tiie stations may he attached to the agricultural colleges and be made departments of tlie same, no part of this fund may be used in suppoi't of the colleges except in experimental work.

The Texas Experiment Stiition. - In accordance with the act of Congress, the board of directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas have established this station, and have made provision for beginning the woid<. The station is located at the college, and is made a department of the college. Such part of the college larm, buildings and othei- equipments as may be deeme<i necessary for experimental work will be assigned to the station department by the board of directors. In addition to the equipment assigned, whatever buildings, apjjaratus or other materials are found necessary to carry out the prcivisions of tlie law will be provided from the experiment station fund.

The board of directors of the college liave placed the station department under the immediate control of tlie Agricultural Experiment Station Council, consisting of the chairnuxu of the facultv, the aijent of the board and the director of the station. The departments of agricidture, horticulture, chemistry and veterinary science will aid in the exjierimental work, the heads of tin' departments to superintend the details in their several departments.

The board of directors of the college desire to make the work of the station of as much value to the agricidtural interests of the State as may be possible. The work will be conducted at all times with special reference to giving information of value that may be of some practical use to the farmer. To enable them to carry out this policy, all associations having the advancement of agriculture in view - the (Ti'aiige, Alliance, stock-breeders', fruit-growers', and other organizations - will be invited from time to time to appoint delegates to meet with the boaril of directors and the council, and consult and advise with them in I'eu'ard to the work of the station. Suggestions will be gladly received at all times from any one who is interested in advancing the agricultural interests of the State.

Through the courtesy of the State Penitentiary board, branch stations have been established on the State farms for making experiments of interest to the particular localities where the farms are situated.

A study of tlie disease of the cotton plant known as "bliglit," or "root rot," and experiments to find a preventive for the same; jointly with the Missonri Agricultural Experiment Station, a study of the cattle disease - Texas fever - to determine how the disease is transmitted, what parts of the State ai-e free from it, and experiments in disinferting to prevent cattle from spreading the disease when Texas cattle are shipped north, and inoculating cattle to protect from the disease when brought into the State; testing different fertilizers; growing a variety of forage plants, including silage crops; fattening cattle on different rations to determine the most economical method of feeding; testing a variety of food stuffs for the production of butter; testing tile drains on land used for growing farm, fruit and vegetiMe crops; testing a variety of grasses, fruits and vege tables; operating a creamery for investigation in dairy work.

Information in regard to construction of silos, farm buildings, creameries, witii plans for the same, and list of machinery and estimate as to the cost, will be supplied upon request.

State University

Tlie University of Texas owes its existence to the wisdom, foresight and statesmanship of the founders of the fJepublic of Texas, who maile the most ample provision for its establis'iiment and maintenance in tlie leo-islation of that period. By an act of the Tliird

Congress fifty leagues of land were set apart as an endowment to the university. Tlie legislature of Texas, by an act approved February 11, 1858, added to this $100,000 in United States bonds then in the State treasury, and every tenth section of land granted or that might be thereafter granted to railroads or the Brazos and (Talvest(m Navigation Company, which was to be used as an endowment and for the purpose of putting tlie university into operation. This act was, however, never carried out. doubtless on ac count of the intervention of the civil war. The constitution of 1876 re appropriated all grants before made except the one-tentii section, and in lien thereof set apart 1,000,- 000 acres of the unappropriated public domain for the university.

The legislature, by an act approved March 30, 1881. provided for the location, organization and government of the University of Texas, and in obedience to tliat act an election was held the first Tuesday in September, 1881, to determine where the institution should be located, resulting in favor of Austin, the capital of the State.

The buildings are situated about threequarters of a mile north of the State i-apitol, on an imposing site in the center of a fortyacre tract of land set apart by the Third Congress of the Republic of Texas for that purpose, and were opened for the reception of students September 15, 1883. Thus was the long cherished desire of the lathers of Texas, and the wishes of the people so often expressed in the various State constitutions, at last attained.

The university is governed by a board oi regents composed of eight citizens, resident.* of dift'erent sections of the State, who are appointed by the governor and coiifirme<i by the senate. By an act of the legislature apnisTonr of texas.

Tlie interest on the above sum, rental on leased lands, and matriculation fees, amounting to $45,100.78 per annum, constitute the available univei-sity fund.

The system of instriiction adopted by the university is a conilnnation of what is known as the elective system and what is known as the class system. The four classes - freshman, sophomore, junior and senior - are retained, and serve to articulate the four years devoted to the completion of any full course in the academic department. The studies, however, are grouped into three general courses, designated, respectively, the course in arts, the course in letters, and the course in science. A student upon matriculation is allowed to elect any one of thet-e courses, and upon its completion he is entitled to a diploma of the university.

The three general courses of arts, letters and science lead respectively to the three following degrees: Bachelor of arts (B. A.); bachelor of letters (B. Lit.); bachelor of science (B. Sc). Each special course leads to the same degree as the general course to which it is related.

Every candidate for admissii)!! must be sixteen years of age and of good moral character. Candidates (except a graduate from an approved high school) are required to pass an entrance examination in English and mathematics as follows; English - English grammar, etyinology, elementary principles of syntax and riu'foi'ie. The main test consists in writing upon a given subject a composition cui-reet in spelling, punctuation, capital letters and grammar. Mathematics - Arithmetic, including proportion, decimals, interest, discount and the metric system; algebra, inclnding theory of exponents, radicals, simple and quadi'atic eipiatious; and the elements of plain geometry (corresponding to the tirst six books of lialsted's geometry). Passing these examinations, a student will be admitted to the freshman class in the course of science, or the junior class of the law department. The gi'ad nates of approved high schools will be admitted to the university without examination, provided they have reached the required age, ami provided they present themselves for admission at the be ginning of the scholastic year next succeeding their graduation from the high school. If, however, a graduate of an approved high school is not sixteen at this time, he will be allowed to enter when he attains this age.

When graduates from the aliove scliools present their diplomas or certificates to the ciiairniaii of the faculty, tliey will he admitted to tiie freshman class in Eno-lish, history and mathematics and to junior law In case Latin and Greek were requisite for graduation from any high school, the graduates of that school will be admitted to freshman Greek and freshman Latin also.

Co-education is a feature of the institution. Toung women have equal advantages with the young men, and the course of study is the same for both. Tuition in the university is free to all residents of the State.

Each student is required to pay a matriculation fee, as follows: Academic department, $10; law department, $20. Non-resident students are also required to pay that amount as a tuition fee. Students who work in the laboratory pay for the materials they use.

Blind A8Tldm

The State Asylum for the Blind was established September 2, 1856, and has for its object the education of bKnd persons. It is not an asylum where the indigent and helpless are cared for at the public expense, but a school in which the blind receive such general education and training in industrial pursuits as will aid them to become self-supporting as other classes. When the course of study prescribed has beeu completed the pupils return to their homes, as do the students of other schools, and like them are no longer a chai-ge upon the State. In short.

the only diifeience lietween the school for the blind and a piiblic school is in the amount ot money the State expends on them. Sighted persons only receive free tuition, while the blind are fed, clothed and transported to and from school at pul)lic expense.

Tteading by touch in point and line print, writing in New York point, arithmetic, mathematical and pliysical geography, English grammar, etymology, elements of ancieiit and modern history, natural philosophy, Englifh literature, elements of chemistry, physiology and hygiene.

Of the trades, piano-forte tuning, broommaking and upholstering are taught to the young men. The young ladies receive instruction in crocheting and bead work, and learn to sew by hand and by machine. Theyoung men excel sighted persons as pianotuners, and become very proficient at making brooms, mattresses, pillows, and bottoming chairs with cane and rattan. The bead work and crocheting done by the young ladies would reflect credit on sighted persons. The physical development of pupils is promoted by regular daily exercises in calisthenics, with dumb-bells, Indian clubs and rings.

Pupils whose sight can be benetited by operating on their eyes receive tieatment from a skilled oculist connected with the institution. About twenty-three persons have in this way been restored to sight within the last twelve years.

All blind persons, or persons who cannot see to read ordinary newspaper print, between eight and twenty years of age, will be admitted to the institution.

The school is located in Austin, and in number of teachers, size of the buildings, the amount of philosophical, chemical and astronomical apparatus, maps, globes and appli-

The State Deaf and Dumb Asvlnm is situated at tlie State <';i|)ital, on a ci.immaii<]ing height south of the Coloi'ado riser, and is justly regarded as one of the most beautiful and healthful locations in the city.

The health of the institution has not been good, three deaths having occurred during the year from la grippe, dysentery and dropsy of the iieart.

The total e.\pense of maintaining the institution from March 1, 1891, to November 1, 1891, was $75,816, which includes $30,- 000 for additional story and repaiis. This includes all ordinary expenses, such as board, fuel, light, medicine, salaries of officers, teachers and employes, and so mucli of clothing and transportation as was paid by the State.

It is the purpose of the State in establishing such institutions to give the students a practical education, and ;.s far as pos«ible rescue this unfortunate class from helplessness and dependence. In addition, therefore, to the instruction usual in such schools, a ])rintiiig ofHce, book bindery and shoe shop havelieen established for the purpose of teaching those ti'ades to sucli of tlie pupils as have tlie aliility and inclination to learn them. Skilled workiiien, experts in their busines>, are in charge of each of these departments, and the progress made by the students under them has thus far been very encouraging.

An art department was inaugurated October 5, 1887, and is now one of the most intei'e^tingand attractive fe itures of the school. Some of the jinpils acquired such skill in crayon work before the end of the session that they were offered profitable employment at work of tluitkiiid during vacation.

The conditions of admission to the institution are few and simple. The age at which pupils are received and the length of time they are kept are matters left to the discretion of the superintendent. Persons not susceptil)le of receiving instruction will not be received at all. Parents are required to furnish transportation, if able to do so; otherwise it will be provided by the State.

Deaf And Dumb And Blind Institute For The Colored Youth

The Deaf and Dumb and Blind Asylum for colored youth was established by an act of the Twentieth Legislature, which provided for the appointment of a board to select a site near the city of Austin, and appropriated

$50,000 for the eieetioii of buildings and the purchase of furniture. An admirable location, about two and a (juirter miles northwest of Austin, was .selected for the buildings, and the institution first opened for the reception of students October 1, 1887. On November 1, 1891, there had been 73 pupils enndled and in actual attendance. Of this number '61 were deaf mutes and 36 blind persons.

The same general rules of government and conditions of admission in force at the institutions for the blind and deaf and dumb for the whites, obtain in this institution. The text-books and system of instruction are also the same.

Including the superintendent, there are three officers and four teachers and four employes connected with the institution, all of whom are colored people.

Othee State Institutions State Ldnatic Asylum

The State Lunatic Asylum is situated about two miles north of Austin, on a beautiful plateau of ground adorned and beautified by flowers, plants, summer-houses and forest trees, the latter constituting a splendid park, upon whose grassy lawn the patients are permitted to take exercise and get fresh air and sunshine. The buildings are capacious and elegant, though somewhat crowded owing to the rapidity with which the insane population increases.

In connection with the institution there is a large farm and garden where patients are permitted to work with a view of diverting the mind and affording e.vercise for the body. For the same ])urpose concerts, music, dancing ;ind either aMiusement-< are indulged in once each week. Most of the patients enjoy the farm work very much, and look forward with great inteiest iov the return of the day appointed for the weekly entertainment. In this way tlieir minds are pleasantly occupied with the new subjects, and in many cases ultimate recovery thereby made possible.

Number patients admitted during the year, 106; discharged restored. 27; discharged improved, 37; discharged unimproved, 1; total discharged, 65; furloughed,36; returned from furlough, 33; died, 33; escaped, 19;retui-ned from escape, 17. Total treated during the year, 745; number in asylum October 31, 1891, 629.

The daily average number present during the year was 621, and the cost per an nun of keeping each patient, $149.71, or $2.87 per week. Total expenditures for the year, $130,- 826.54, of which $5,000 was for permanent improvements.

The total number of patients admitted from the beginning of the hospital is 3,678, of wliich number 667 died, 66 escaped, 1,798 were discharged, 53 fnrloughed.

North Texas Hospital For The Insane

This institution is located at Terrell, in Kaufman county, and was first opened for the reception of patients July 15, 1885. It was estat)lished in obedience to a general demand for additional asylum room for the accommodation of the hundreds of insane persons tlien confined in jails and on poor farms througliout the State.

Tlie buildings are constructed on the latest and most improved plan of hospitals for tlie insane, and contain all modern conveniences for the treatment of the insane.

The actual running expenses for the year were $95,22(5.04; cost of maintaining inmates, per capita per year, $170; per week, $3.26. The estimated value of the buildings, grounds, furniture and other appurtenances, is $261,765. Number of officers connected with the institution, 5; eiu[iloyes, 43.

State Orphan Asylum

The creation of an orphan asylum was contemplated and provided for hj the foun<lers of our State government, who gave it the same land endowments bestowed on other charitable institutions. This institution was required to be estaldished by an act of the Twentieth Legislature, approved April 4, 1887. The governor was required to appoint three commissioners to select a site for the asylum. Competition between the various towns in the State for the location of the institution was invited, which resulted in tiie selection of Corsicana, in Navarro county. The sum of $5,700 was appropriated out of the available Orplian Asylum fund for the establishment of the institution. Subsequently, at the special session of the Twentieth Legislature, $15,000 and the available fund to the credit of the asylum in the State treasury was appropriated for the erection of buildings and other improvements.

adaptability for such an institution. The buildiniTg, which are constructed on the cot tage plan, and have a capacity of about 200 inmates, were coiii]i]eted and the institution formally opened July 15, 1889.

From the date of the opening of the institution. November 1, 1890, 60 children - 23 girls and 31 boys - had lieen received into the home. Of those two ran away and four were returned to friends, leaving 54 in the institution.

The asylum is governed by a board of inanagers who are appointed by the governor, and have power to prescribe rules and regulations for the admission of inmates and control of the institution.

All orphan children under the age of fourteen years shall be admitted, subject only to such restrictions as the board deem necessary to the welfare and good government of the asylum.

The superintendent is required to keep a list of the names and ages of all children, with such data as may be obtainable concerning their history, subject at all times to public inspection. He is also required to see that their pro rata of the public school fund is set aside, and to provide them with proper educational facilities.

By act of the Twentieth Legislature, approved March 29, 1887, a State house of correction and reformatory for youthful convicts was provided for, and the governor required to appoint a commission to locate the same. The institution was located two and one-fourth miles northeast of Gatesville,

Coryell county, ami the necessary buildings erected there dnriny tlie summer of 1888. Up to date of the last report of the superintendent !g75.89() had been exp-nded in the purchase of land, erection of buildings, and equipping the institution.

The institution has a capacity of about 100, and was opened January 3, 1889. Up to October 31, 1890, 111 persons had been received at the institution.

All persons UTider sixteen years of age convicted of any felony, the punishment for which does not exceed five years' confinement, are sentenced to the Reformatory.

The trustees are required to "see that the inmates are taught habits of industry and sobriety, some useful trade, and to read and write, and also supplied with suitable books." The white and colored inmates of the institution are required to be kept, worked and educated separately.

The institution is conducted on the "cottage" or family plan. The buildings are heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Since the institution was opened a farm of 200 acres and a garden and orchard - -about 600 acres - have been put in cultivation.

The Penitentiaey System

The law of 1881 for organizing the State penitentiaries provided that the system of labor in the State penitentiaries should be by lease, by contract, by the State, or partly by one system and partly by the other, as shall be in the discretion of the penitentiary board deemed for the best interests of the State. The Eighteenth Legislature in 1883 repealed that pni'tion of the law of 1881 authorizing the lease of the jienitenti.-iries, and conse- (jnciitly the contract and State account systems only are allowed.

At this time all of the industries at both the piisoiis, Huntsville and Rusk, are operated on the Si ate account system. Between 800 and 900 convicts are worked on farms, and about 4(53 on railroads, under the contract system. Nearly 200 convicts are worked on farms on shares, and about 200 on farms owned by the State, on State account.

The organization of the penitentiaries consists of a pcnitentiai'V boanJ composed of three commissioners appointed by the governor, a superintendent of penitentiaries, a financial agent of penitentiaries, two assistant superintendents of penitentiaries, and two ii>- spectors of outside convict camps, all appointed by the governor. F'or each ];enitentiary a physician and a chaplain are appointed by the penitentiary board. The assistant superintendent of each penitentiary appoints, with the approval of the superintendent, such number of under officers as may be necessary to preserve discipline and prevent escapes. And the superintendent of penitentiaries, when the penitentiaries are being operated on State account, may, under the direction of the State board, employ such number of skilled workmen or otiier employes as may be deemed essential to the successful operation of the penitentiaries.

The gangs or forces of convicts worked on farms and railroads, whether worked under contract or on State account, are each under the control of an officer designated as a sergeant, who is appointed by the superintendent of jicniteutiaries, and, under the direction of tl !- said superintendent and inspector of outside forces, has charge and control of the management and discipline of the convict force for which lie may have been appointed. This sergeant, under tlie direction of said officers, has the appointing and control of the guards necessary to control sucli force. The contractor has nothini;' whatever to do with the discipline of the convicts. He is only entitled to a reasonalile aumnnt of lalior within lionrs, etc., prescribed by contract and provided for in the penitentiary rules and regnlations.' On the contract farms the contractors feed the convicts as prescribed by the rules. At all other places the State feeds, clothes and furnishes bedding and all medicines and inctlical attendance, and [lays all sergeants and guards. The law provides that no contract shall be made by which the control of the convicts, except as to a reasonable amount of labor, shall pass from the State or its officers, and the management of convicts shall, in all cases and under all circumstances, I'emain under control of the State and its officers.

Atth« Iluntsville penitentiary there is the wagon department, in which are bnilt wagons, drays, cane and log wagons, buggies, hacks, etc. In the cabinet department are made chairs and furniture, mostly of a cheap class.

In the nuicbine rooms are inade engines, boilers, hydrants, etc.; in the foundry various kinds of castings. There is a factory in which is manufactured mcistly the stripes for all the clothing for the convicts. In the shoe and tailor shops are made convict shoes and clothes, and there is also done on order some citizens' work.

The State owns and works on State account with convicts a farm about two miles from the IIunts^"ille penitentiary, on which is raised cotton for the factory, corn for farm and pi'isou consumption, and vegetables for the prison. At the Rusk penitentiary the ]jrinci])al industries are the making of pig iron, manufacture of castings of various kinds, and making of cast-iron water and gas p)ipe. A large number of convicts are engaged in making cliarcoal and digging iron ore for the smelting furnace.

In connection with the Husk penitentiary some of the land belonging to the State is used for raising fruit and vegetables for the convicts, and other lands have been rented contiguous to the prison, on which has i)een raised corn, peas, etc., for prison use.

Another farm belonging to the State, in Fort Bend county, on Oyster creek, and known as Harlem, is worked on State account, and raises cotton, corn and sugar for the general market. All of these farms are operated with second and third class convict labor - convicts not fit for much other kind of labor.

There are two farms worked on the share system, by which the State furnishes the labor and the owners of the farms the land and teams, and crop divided. One of these belongs to the estate of J. G. Johnson, about seven miles from Iluntsville, and employs about forty convicts, and the other belongs to Colonel John D. Rogers, in Brazos county, on which are employed about 160 convicts. There is the same class of convicts on these share farms as on the State farms.

The officers of the penitentiaries appointed by the governor are: three commissioners, constituting the penitentiary board, one superintendent of penitentiaries, one financial agent of penitentiaries, two assistant superintendents of penitentiaries, two inspecters of outside camps.

The value of State property belonging to the penitentiaries is fully set forth in the report of the superintendent, up to November 1, 1890, as follows: not deinonstrative in their piety. Down to the time of independence Catholic intolerance prevailed, and the Catholics themselves, in Spanisli America, were not zealous in tecular education.

Prior to the era of independence about the only efforts, of which we have record, to establish Protestantism in Texas were those of the Baptists, wlio failed to make their institutions permanent. In 1837 a Baptist church was organized at Washington, Z. N. Morrell being chosen pastor, and money was subscribed to build a house of worship. The first Protestant Episcopal church was established in 1838, at Matagorda, by Caleb S. Ives, who collected a congregation, established a school and built a church. During the same year R. M. Chapman organized a parish in Houston.

For the purpose of this volume, with reference to church statistics, probably the only feature that would be of general interest to the general public will be the total membership; for all other statistical matter in regard to religious institutions is about in a certain proportion to this. The following table, therefore, gives only the total membership:

The Press

The first printing-press in Texas was put into (iperatimi at Nacogdoches in 1819, and was brougiit tn that place by General Long, who established a provisional government and a supreme council, whicli issued a declaration proclaiming Texas an independent republic. Tlie olHce was phiced under the management of Horatio JJighjw, and was used for the publication of various laws enacted and proclamations issued by that shortlived govei'iinient.

The iirst regular newspaper, however, made its initial appearatice about 1829, at San Felij.ie, beai'ing the name, The Cotton Plant. Godwin P. Cntten was editor and proprietor. In 1882 its name was ciianged to The Texas Republican.

The second paper was the Texas Gazette and Brazoria Advertiser, published in Brazoria in 1830. In September, 1832, it was merged into the Constitutional Advocate and Texas Public Advertiser, witii D. W. Anthony as owner and editor, wluj died in 1833, and the paper cea>ed.

Tlie fourth newspaper was the Telegraph, started in August 1835, at San Felipe, by Gail and Thomas H. Borden and Joseph Baker. A Mexican force seized this in April, 183tj, and threw the material of the office into a bayou at Harrisburg, to which place it had been moved after the abandonment of San Felipe by the Americans. In August, tliat year, the Bordeiis bought new press and material and revived the Telegraph at Goluinbia, and subsequently moved to Houston, where the paper was published for many years, under the name of the Houston Telegraph.

After the establishment of Texan independence the number of newspapers inincreased rapidly, until now the State has as many newspapers as any other in proportion to population.

During the last fifteen years railroad systems have been established at a compara tively rapid rate. In 1870 there was less than 300 miles in operation; in 1870, 1,000 miles; in 1885, over 7,000 miles; and in 1890, according to the last census, 8,914.

In the time of the republic numerous charters for railroads were granted, but no road was Iniilt. It was not till 1^52 that the first road was commenced. That year a pre- li miliary survey was made and some work done on what was then called the Buffalo Bajon, Brazos & Colorado Railroad, starting from Harrisbiirg and going westerly; and within the same year the first locomotive was set to work at Ilarrisburg, the first in Texas and the second west of the Mississippi. The company was organized June 1, 1850, at Boston, Massaclmsetts, by General Sidney Sherman, who may be regarded as the father of railroads in Texas. The work progressed slowly, and the Colorado was not reached till 1859, when the line was opened to Eagle lake, sixty live miles from the place of beginning. By 18(i6 the line had reached Columbus, the river beinw bridged at Alleyton. A change in the charter made in 1870 fixed upon San Antonio as the objective point, and since that time it has been known as the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway, or '- Sunset route," but is now ini-orporated in the great Southern Pacific system. January 15, 1877, the road reached San Antonio, the citizens of Bexar county having voted, in January, 187G, $300,000 in county bonds to secure the speedy completion of the line. lu the same month the passenger terminus was changed from Ilarrisburg to Houston by a line from Pierce Junction. The line has since been extended to El Paso, to connect there with the Southern Pacific, going on to the Pacific coast. At that point it also connects with the Mexican Central. The length of the main line is 848 miles, and no railroad in Texas has had more influence in the settlement and development of the country.

The next rajlro.'.d commenced in Texas was the Houston & Texas Central. The original charter was granted in 18-18, by whii-li the company was incorporated under the title of the Galveston & Ked Kiver Railroad Company. Their line was to extend from Galveston to the northern boundary of the State. Work was begun in 1853, at Houston, by the first incorporator, Ebenezer Allen, and at that time the name was changed to its present form. The rivalry between Galveston and Houston was satisfied by a compromise, under which arrangement the two cities were connected by the Galveston, Houston & Henderson Road, which was begun at Virginia Point, and completed in 18G5, and a junction was made with the Houston & Texas Central. In 1859 a bridge was constructed across the bay by the city of Galveston.

Construction proceeded slowly, only eighty miles having been made by the time of the breaking out of the Civil war, which completely interrupted further building. In March, 1873, it reached Denison, forming there a junction with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Road, chus opening rail communication with St. Louis.

The Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe line was chartered in May, 1873, as a Galveston enterprise. Construction was commenced at Virginia Point in May, 1875, and the road opened for traffic as far as Richmond in 1878.

Other important systems of late introduction are the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, San Antonio & Aransas Pass, St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas ("Cotton Belt"), International & Great JNorthern, Texas & Pacific, etc.

All the above mentioned trunk lines have of course several branches, so that it can now be said in familiar parlance that the S^ate of Texas is "gridironed" with railroads, and still construction is going on, and many Oiore lines are projected.

Mineral Resources Of Texas

The mineral resources of Texas are too varied in their character an(l too widespread in their occui-ronce to permit more than a brief review of the results ol)tained by the investio;ations of the geological survey during the past two years. Previous to tlie organization of the present survey little systematic work had be 'ii done toward securing definite and accurate information of the various economic products of tlie geology of the State. Many mineral localities were known, and the qualities of many ores, soils and other materials had been tested by analyses. A few mines and manufactories scattered here and tliere over the State had tested some of these deposits practically, but there was nowhere a statement of such facts concei'uing them as would enable the owner or prospector to form any definite idea of their relations or probable values.

The following statements are based for the greater part on the work of Hon. E. T. Duinble, State Geologist, and his associates of the present survey (although all reliable soui-ces of information accessible to them at present have been examined), and many of the facts will be found stated in much greater detail in the various papers accompanying the annual reports of the survey.

Fuel And Oils

and less, until in lUiiny places mesqiiite roots or even the " Mexican dagger " are the principal source of supply. The investigations of the survey up to tlie present have been confined to an examination of the wood supply of certain comities with reference to tlie manufacture of charcoal for iron smelting.

Lignite. - Intermediate between peat and bituminous coal we find a fossil fuel known as lignite or brown coal. It contains less water and more carbon than peat, but has more water and less cfarbou then bituminous coal. Lignites are the product of a later geologic age tlian bituminous coal, and the bituminous matter has not been so fully developed as in the true bituminous coal.

Lignite varies in color from a brown to a brilliant jet black, and occurs in all degrees of purity, from a lignitic clay to a glossy coal of cubical fracture. The greatest amount of our lignites, however, are of black color, changing to brownish black on exposure, often with somewhat of acouchoidal fracture and a specific gravity of about 1.22. Lignite occurs in beds similar to those of bituminous coal, although they are not always as regular and continuous.

The lignite field is by far the largest field we have, and the coal strata it contains are of much greater thickness than those of either of the others. As nearly as we can at present mark its boundaries they are as follows: Beginning on the Sabine river, in Sabine county, the boundary line runs west and southwest near Crockett, Navasota, Ledlietter, AVeiniar, and on to Helena and the Rio Grande, thence back by Pearsall, Elgin, Marlin, Richland, Salem, and Clarksville to Red river.

It includes fifty four co\nities in whole or [lart, and while we do not know of the occurrence of lignite in every one of these, it will in all probability be found in all of them sooner or later.

Within the area thus defined lignite has been observed at hundreds of localities. The beds vary from a few inches to as much as twelve feet, which thickness has been observed and measured in numerous places.

The lignites have been mined in greater or less quantities in several places, among which may be mentioned: Athens, Henderson county; seven miles east of Emory, Rains county; Alamo, Cass county; Head's Prairie, Robertson county; Calvert Bluff, Robertson county; Rockdale, Milam county; Bastrop, Bastrop county; Lytle Mine, Atascosa county; San Tomas, Webb county, and others.

Of tiiese localities the Laredo "San Tomas" coal stands out sharply above the rest. Although it is classed as a lignite on the ground of its geologic occurrence, it is much superior to any of the ordinary lignites, as is shown by its analysis.

The real value of this material as fuel is not at all appreciated. Lignite, up to the present time, has been regarded as of very little value. Two causes have been instrumental in creating this impression; first, the quality it possesses of rapidly slacking and crumbling when exposed to the air; and second (and perhaps this is the principal cause], all who have attempted to use it have done so without first studying its character and the best methods of burning it, as they have in most cases endeavored to use it under the same conditions wliich apply to a bituminous coal containing a little water. While lignite may not differ materially from bitnminons coal in weight, its physical properties are entirely different. This is due not only to the amount of water contained in the lignite, amounting to from 10 to 20 per cent, of its weight, but also to the fact that it is the pmiluct of a diuerent period of geologic time, and it may be that the deveh.)pmeiit of the bituiniuoiis matter differs in some way in the two. Therefore, in any intelligent effort to make it available for fuel, these con.-iderations must be taken into account and proper allowances made for them. In Enro]>e, where fuel is scarcer than here, lij;nites of much poorer quality than our averMge deposits are successfully used, not only as fuel and domestic purposes, but also for smelting. The fact that lignites have not been used in the United States is taken by some as an evidence of their worthlessness, but if we I urn to Europe we find that their usefulness i- of the liighest chai-acter. xVltiiough the (ierman lignites are inferior to those of Texas, as pi'ov'ed by numerous chemical they are in u^e fur every purpose i(ir which bituminous coal is available, and for some to which such coal is not siiited. Their principal use is, naturally, as fuel. They are used in the natural state, or " raw," in places for lionsehold pmrposes, and also to a very large extent in Siemens" regenerator fiii'iiaces; and, even in connection with C(.ike made from the lignites themselves, as much as 4rU to 70 per cent, of raw lignite is used in tlie smelting of iron ores in furnaces of suitable construction. Raw lignites are also used in the conversion of ii'on into steel by the Bessemer process, but re(piire a small addition of coke for this purpose.

For general fuel purposes, however, the lignites are manufactured into briquettes, or coal bricks, of different sizes, by pulverizing them, evaporating the surplus water and compressing them under presses similar to those used in the manufacture of pressed brick. Many of the German lignites contain as much as 30 to 40 per cent, of v.atei', and tlie heat which is nei-e->ary to drive tliis off acts on the chemical elements of the lignite and develo]>s the bituminous matter sufficiently for it to serve as a bond or cement under the semi-fusion caused by the heavy pressure which is applied to make it cohere. Such coals as do not form their own cement in this way are made to cohere bj' the addition of various cementing materials, such as bitumen, coal tar, pitch, starch, potatoes, clay, etc.

Lignites prepared in this way are fully equal to ordinary bituminous coal as fuel for all purposes, and possess, in addition, several important advatitages. They are more compact, and are in the reguhir form of blocks which can be stored in f(_>ur-iiftlis the amount of space occupied by the >ame weight of coa . They are much cleaner to handle, and the waste in handling, which in the case of bituminous coal is often as much as twenty per cent., is very little. Owing to its pliysical structure it burns with great regularity and without clinkers, making it a very desirable steam fuel. For these reasons it is often preferred to bituminijus coal.

Coke of excellent quality is made from lignites in ovens properly construeted for the purpose. These ovens are of various designs suited to different characters of lignite, but all accomplish similar results, and the coke thus produced is used for all purposes for which other cokes are adapted.

Licmite also forms the base of many other important industries. Up to the time of the discovery of the oil fields of America and the great deposits of mineral wax. ur ozocerite, the lignite was the principal source of supply of paraffiue and illuminating oils, and even now, although comparatively few factories are run solely for their production, as was formerly so largely the case, the amount manufactured as by-products is very large. These substances are the results of distilling the lignites in the same manner in which gas is produced from bituminous coal, and the product consists of gas, water, tar, ammonia, coke and ash. The tar contains paraffine and mineral oils, as well as beino; the basis for the aniline dyes for the production of which great quantities are used.

Powdered coke from lignites is used in the manufacture of gunpowder, of blacking and for filters, and is substituted in many places for the more costly boneblack.

Finally, lignite is used very successfully in the place of boneblack in clarifying sugar. In this, as in all uses of lignite, reference must be had to the particular kind of lignite to be employed.

Just as bituminous coals vary, and tiiat from one locality proves more suitable for certain purposes than that of another seam at no great distance, so the lignites differ and the characteristics of each must be studied in order to ascertain for which of these many uses it is best adapted.

With such evidence as this before us - the results of fifty years of e.xperiments aii<i trial ending in successful operation in all these various uses of lignites - there can remain no shadow of doubt of the adaptability of the great lignite fields of Texas, and other parts (if America as well, to meet the wants of the people for cheap fuel.

The ease and cheapness of mining, the small cost of preparation, and its value when prepai-ed,will enable it to compete with wood in the best wooded portions of the State, with coal in clote pri>.\iniity to the coal mine, and

Bituminous Coal. - The work of the surveyduring the past two years has resulted in fully determining the limits of the central coal fields, in ascertaining the number, thickness and dips of the workable seams of coal, and in approximately mapping their lines of outcrop.

The coal measures consist of beds of limestones, sandstones, shales and clays, having an aggregate thickness of some 6,000 feet. The dip of these beds is very gentle, averaging less than forty feet to the mile in one seam and about si.xtj-five in another, and is toward the northwest or west. Yery little disturbance has been noted in it beyond a few slight folds and small faults. These two facts - slightdip and undisturbed condition - are of great importance in the n)ining of tlie coal. Two seams of workable coal have been found. None of the other seven seams observed are of sufiicient thickness to be of economic value.

The central coal field is divided by a strip of Cretaceous south of the line of the Texas & Pacific Railway. The two divisions thus formed have been named after the principal rivers which cross them - the Brazos coal field, or Northern, and the Colorado coal field, or Southern. In the Brazos coal field both of the workable seams of coal are found.

Coal seam "No 1" first appears at the surface in Wise county, some eight miles southwest of Decatur. It outcrops in a southwestern direction nearly to the southwest corner of the county, when it turns more sharply west and appears in the southeastern portion of Jack county. It crosses into Palo Pinto county near its northeastern corner and its outcrops appear in a southsouthwest direction entirely across this county and down into Erath, until it disappears lieneatli the Cretaceous liills and is found no more. On this scam are h>cated several mines and prospects, among whicli may be mentioned those of the Wise County Ci al Company, Mineral Wells Coal Company, Lake Mine, Carson and Lewis, Gordon, Johnson, Palo Pinto, and Adair. The output from these mines is gradually increasing. Coal seam "No. 7'' is first observed outcropping near Powie, in Montague county. From this point it bends southwestward, parsing north of Jacksboro, between Graham and Belknap, when it turns south, running just west of El'asville, by Crystal Falls and Preckenridge, to and below Cisco, when it, too, passes under the Cretaceous ridge. South of this ridge we find it again on Pecan bayou, ill Coleman county, and from here the outcrops extend in a southerly direction, near Santa Anna monntain, to Waldrip in Mc- CuUoch county.

On this seam we have the Stepiiens mine, in Montague county, and various prospects in Jack county. Considerable work has been done in Young and Stephens counties, and coal of fair quality mined, but lack of railway facilities prevents anything like systematic mining. The seam becomes thinner and much poorer toward Cisco, graduating into a material little better than a bitumiuons shale. Probably the largest amount of work ever put on a coal seam in Texas was expended in this county, but the whole thing was given up at last as impracticable.

On the southern portion of this seam, or that within the Colorado coal field, there have been numerous prospecting shafts sunk, but no coal of any consequence has been mined except for local consumption. The principal ones are located north of Santa Anna, on Bull creek, Home creek, and at and near Waldrip.

The thickiie.-s of those two seains is about equal, each a\eragiiig about tliirty inclies of clean coal. They are similar also in having at most places a parting of clay, or "slate," of a few inches in thickne-s. While the outcrops of the two seams are parallel to each other in a general way, they vary from twentyfive to forty miles apart.

In the northern porticjii the seams are separated by suine 1,200 feet vertical thickness of limestones, clays and shales. This thickness, however, increases rapidly toward the south.

As has been stated, the dip is gentle; that of seam No. 1 will not average over sixtyfive feet, and that of No. 7 is less than forty feet. The average increase of elevation of the surface of the country toward the west is only a few feet per mile (not exceeding ten), and in consequence the extension of these beds can be found anywhere within eight to ten miles west of their outcrops at less than 600 feet in depth.

The linear extent of the outcrops of these two seams is fully 250 miles. They are probably workable for at least ten miles west of their line of oiitcrop.s giving us an area ot 2,500 square miles ot coal lands. Even if only two-fifths of this area prove to be fully adapted to coal mining, we have 1,000 square miles, each of which contains nearly 3,000,- 000 tons of coal. The roof of these coal seams is sandstone, limestone, or a hard clay, which makes a good roof. The mines are generally dry.

The quality of the coal varies considerably. In some few places it is high in sulphur, in others very little is found. It also varies greatly in the amounts of ash and moisture contained in it, as well as in its fuel constituents, but careful selection will result in a fuel that will give perfectly satisfactory results.

Iitstort Of Texas

Of its value as a steam coal there can lie no donht, fV>r it lias been fully tested for railroad and otlier n^es, and is taken as fast as it can he mined, leaving practically none to he sold for ordinarj' purposes.

The quality of coke produced gives every promise that, with proper care in selecting material and attention to hurning, it will produce a coke fully adapted for the hest metallurgical uses.

In addition to this central coal field there are others on the western borders of the State. A boring made at Eagle Pass, fo\ir miles from the outcrop on which the Hartz mine is situated, reached the Nueces coal at 531 feet. This coal cokes in the crucilile, and there is no doubt but that an excellent coke can be made from it, if ovens of suitable construction are used. This seam is the thickest in the State, averaging nearly five feet, and must prove of very great economic value.

A second coal field is that containing the deposits in Presidio county between the Capote monntain and the llio Grande. The specimens of this coal which have been furnished for analysis show it to lie very high in sulphur, but no detailed examination of it has yet been made.

Bitumen or Asphaltum. - This valuable material exists in TexHS under several conditions. Its most frequent occurrence is probably in tar springs. These are found in many places in the Tertiary and Cretaceous formations, and occasionally among those that are older. It is in these cases the seepage from the beds which contain it. So far few, if any, of these beds have been examined to ascertain their extent or quality, for there has been little or no demand for the material. Among these may also be included the Sour lakes of Hardin and Liberty countie-;, at which both bitumen and ga~ occur in large quantities. In o her places it is found as deposits of greater or less extent, impregnating the accompanying sands, sandstone and limestone. These have not been given much more attention than the springs, but some of the localities have lieen examined and specimens of the material analyzed.

The tar springs are of frequent occ.irrence in certain beds of the timber belt series, which stretch across the State in a belt approxiniitely parallel to the Gulf coa^t and from 100 to 150 miles inland, and are at [ilaces connected more or less with dc )iisits of oil. Thev are also found along the belt of country underlaid by the Fish beds, or Eagle Ford shales, of the Cretaceous, as may be seen in the vicinity of FiskviUe aid other localities in Travis county, and still others southwest of the Colorado. Similar springs are found in Burnet and otlier counties in the older rocks.

The deposits which have been examined most fully are those of Anderson county east of Palestine, where there is an asphalt bearing sand. This appears to be due to the oxidation of the residuum of oil left in the sand. Here they are of unknown and somewhat uncertain extent, as they are apt to run into an oil bearing sand. This is possibly the case with many of the deposits of east Texas.

In Uvalde county there are several outcrops of bitumen impregnating both sandstone and limestone. The sandstone oyster bed is underlaid by eight feet of black asphaltum sandstone, from which in warm weather the asphaltum exiides and forms small pools. This is on the Nueces river fourteen miles southwest of Uvalde. The stratum here described is continuous. Th.e stratigraphical position is some thirty feet below tho San

Tomas dial \ein (tliat which is worked above Laredo), and Mr. Owen states that the sandstone occurs at nearly every locality where its stratigraphieal jiositioii was exposed. The connection of this asplialtic material and the coal seam mentioned over an area exceeding 1,000 square miles opens one of the most profitable fields of fuel industry in Texas.

Analyses of these asphaltum sands ijjive an average of 11 per cent, asphaltum. Beds of similar .sands are known in Jack, Montague, Martin and other counties. Analyses gave the following percentages of bitumen: Montague county, 8. IK) to 10.20; Martin county, 10.72. The asphaltic limestone found in Uvalde county, specimens of which are in the State museum, is richer in asphaltum than any of the sandstones, tlie average of three analyses giving 20.35 per cent, of bitumen. This gives it the same composition as the best grade of asphaltic limestone gotten in the Val-de-Travers, Switzerland, of which the famous asphalt streets of Paris are made. It is a natural mixture of asphaltum and limestone in the best proportion for good road making.

Oil is often an accomjianying material when the tar springs and deposits of bitumen are found in the timber belt and Eagle Ford beds. Thus, in the counties of Sabine, Shelby, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Anderson, Grimes, Travis, Bexar and others, oil in small quantity has been found. Most often, it is true, the quantity has been too small to be of much economic importance, but in Nacogdoches county one of the fields has had considerable development and the results are satisfactoiy. Besides these deposits there are others in the Carboniferous region, where small quantities of oil are securei] in wells and springs which appear to have a lai'ger (|uantitj of the iiiglier oils connected with them.

In the vicinity of Chireno, Nacogdoches county, a number of oil wells have been bored, many of wliicli became producers. A pipe line was run connecting the wells with the railroad at Nacogdoches, and shipments of oil have been made from time to time. This locality produces only a lubricating oil, but it has the property (through absence of paratfine) of withstanding very severe cold, and is therefore of high market value for railroad use where such oils are needed.

Mr. (-ieorge Dulnig, when Ijoring on his place for water, at a depth of 300 feet struck petroleum, and siibseijuently, in another lioring at some distance from the first, came upon it at 270 feet. The flow is only about twenty gallons a day, but is continuous and regular. The oil is a superior article for lubricating pui'poses.

Gds, another economic product accompanying these beds of bitumen and oil, has long been known in Shelby, Sabine and adjoining counties, and it was found in wellboring in Washington county and elsewhere many years ago. Within the last few years fresh borings have been made in the vicinity of Greenvine, in AVashington county, and the flow of gas found to be of considerable amount. It has been found near San Antonio at depths of from 400 to 800 feel, and also at Gordon and other places in the Carboniferous area. No attempt has yet been made to bring it into use, or even to fully test the charactei or extent of the fields thus far determined.

This would, therefore, ia its widest application, embrace even the addition of sands to clay soils of siicli sticky character as ouifamous Mack uaxy. The deposits, however, which will he mentioned here are apatite, bat guano, gypsum, glauconite (or greensand marl), chalk marl, limes and clays.