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THE WESTiReply to J. W, Gardner, by an Old Texan, but a Former Citi2en of Carroll County.Editor Free Press:—I have just read “The West,” by Mr. Gardner in your Issue of 17tn inst. Or-dinarlyl would not feel called upon to say one word in answer to such a communication. The only thing whiehjso causes me to deviate from a well establlshad rule of action in this instance is the fact, that I happened to be in Carrollton and Bowdon at same time with Mr. Gardner, and gave a somewhat different account of the West. This still would not have called for a reply, except for the fact that he undertook to speak for the West In general, and to advise immigration on part of all classes who care to better their condition morally, socially, intellectuallyand financially. I know very little of southwest Arkansas, and hence what I may say will have no reference to that section. If things there are as reported by Mr. Gardner, he was certainly justifiable in his wholesome advice. But I apprehend, that before he shall have been there ten years, he will learn how much one risks after a few months stay, in attempting to give the average yield of corn, cotton, oats, etc. I shall be slow to believe that any healthy section of the United States will give an average yield of more than one bale of cotton to the aere. It will be observed that Mr. Gardner puts the yield of cotton per acre In his section at from three-fourths to one and one-half bales per acre, more than average yield of one bale to the acre. I have resided in Texas for II years. The first eight years I spent in Smith county, which I consider the best portion of East Texas. The last six years I have spent in Kaufman county, about 30 miles east of Dallas. During my stay in Texas I have had occasion see much of other sections of the State, but believe I may safely assert that a circle whose radius Is 73 miles and whose center is Dallas circumscribes the richest body of farming lands in the State—when taken as a whole. The price of lands here run from $3 to $15 per acre unimproved, and from $10 to $30 Improved. The rule is to sell lands for part cash, and to give liberal terms as to time for balance, charging 10 per cent, interest on different payments.It costs more money to improve lands here than with you, for the reason that we have to buy everything. You make your own rails for fence and boards to cover houses. If you want an outhouse, cribs, stables, etc, you have only to fell your logs. Here, if you would fence your land, you must buy wire, posts, plank, etc. If you would build onthonses, you must buy lumber, nails and shingles. With you .Improvements cost labor; with us money. Our lands will average about bale of cotton, and 40 bushels of oatsand twenty five bushels of corn per acre. Potatoes, vegetables and fruits grow well. Lands rent lor $3 and $4 per acre, or forcorn and cotton, etc. Farm bands cost'about $13 per month. We pay from fifty cents to a dollar per hundred for picking cotton.We have good schools and churches. We have a healthy country, but the sick are ever with us. We have a rich country, but many poor people. There is nothing in the old idea that one coming here from your State must undergo a course of chills and fever before before becoming acclimatized. Our summers are hotter and our winters ..colder than yours. Wood -and water are in many places scarce. The latter is not so cool with ns as with you.— We have a few running streams in summer and fall. To me this is the prettiest country I have ever seen. Broad prairies dotted with timber and covered with green grass and growing crops present no bad picture. While I write I have only to raise my eyes to look over five miles of just such a scene. These lands need no guano. They are too rich already. But when winter comes this green grass and these growing crops will have disappeared; the scene will liave changed.— So much for Texas.,But why say to all classes In Georgia “go west,” why spread dis- j content among a people w.ho might,Jf they would, do well where they are? The man who depends upon his own labor to enrich him will have a tortoise race in any country. One who cannnot con-trollabor to advantage there, will find It difficult- to do so here. I do know, and, therefore, say, that a a man does we^ therecould not do better here. Bat I do say that a man who does, nothing there will not do well here. After all success depends, most largelyupon the man. My own opinion is that only such among you as have some means, have ambition to enlarge their possessions, coupled with pluck, energy and health, need come to Texas.Guano may be a bad thing for the farmer, but high priced labor and scarcity of wood and water are little better for him. '•We have many farmers but few rich ones.The greatest trouble 1 saw with your people was that they allseem* ed anxious to. “go west.” They appeared to look on, the man who said go slow In this matter with suspicion. In looking out for rich lands to till, they seem to forget such advantages as they have. My idea is that many of your people could find profitable employment in beautifying their present homes, enriching their lands, renewing their orchard.^, and reading good newspapers.* And I hardly feel that they could reasonably hope to better their condition socially, morally and intellectualy by going, from Georgia to Southwest Arkansas. Barney Word.
Newspaper Details
Carroll Free Press
Carrollton, Georgia, US
Fri, Aug 07, 1885
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Gerrit H.
USA 22 Jul 2022
Other Publications Near Carrollton, Georgia
Carrollton Advocate
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