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THE WEST.* .. _ —Barney Word Esq., Intcll, Tex-anj Has Something More to Say About It.Editor Free Press : Mr Gardner seems’ a little hurt by my reply to his first letter oh the “West.” Moot certainly I intended no offene. I merely wished to give your readers my views on same subjeet. I felt that Mr Gardner, had overestimated the advantages of the “West.” In my letter I disclaimed any purpose to pass on Southwest Arkansas. If he had confined his remarks to that section, there could have arisen no occasion for my reply, I am perfectly willing that all your readers, relying sorely upon his picture of it immigrate to Mr Gardner’s new found paradise; but,should they come to Texas, I am anxious that they look for no country “flowing with milk and honey.” I tried to tell them In a few words what they might safely count upon in Texas. I at the same time, briefly alluded to Georgia’s advantages. My idea Is that no one can properly understand the relative merits of the two sections who loses sight of the advantages or disadvantages oi either. My purpose was to give the facts, and leave it to your readers to determine for themselves whether It was to their interest to immigrate to Texas. I gave no dark pictures of this state. To the contrary an examination of my letter will show that I spoke freely of her advantages. If from what I said of her comparative merits, your readers should feel disposed to try Texas, why, let them eomc.They will be welcomed, I could name many here from southwest Arkansas who would not return there to remain, if their expenses were paid.I Inclose you a letter cut from the Courier Journal of 24 inst. It will be observed that the writer immigrated from Arkansas to the western plains of Texas. He paints those plains In bright colors. He has found health. Coming from Arkansas lie is prepared to enjoy it.4Mr. Editor, are you acquainted with that section of Texas * If so, you are prepared to correctly judge of the merits of such letters in general. Away out there amid pastures whose dimensions are equal to those of townships and counties, where farmers are fewr and cotton almost unknown; where prairie dogs are ever with you, and the dust never forsakes you,—the writer finds all advantages and no disadvantages. But the joke in this case lies in his being from Arkansas.I love Texas. My home is here. But, for all that, I do not thinkless of Georgia. To me she has not become “poor old Georgia.” Each has its advantages and disadvantages. These I tried to point out in my reply to Mr. Gardner. He says that I misrepresented him. I leave this to the judgment of your readers. My own opinion is that his letter would have justified a much sharper criticism. In his new home he finds more and better water; more and better timber; moreand better schools; better health,—labor as cheap and plentiful,—and above all, a oetter social and moral atmosphere. With equal skill and effort one can do twice as well there as in Georgia. Not one disadvantage does he point out. As before said I know nothing, of my own knowledge, concerning southwest Arkansas. But I have read too much and seen too much of other sections to lend a ready ear to “Arabian Night” stories concerning this one.Mr. Gardner sees proper In every letter to refer to his friend Judge Thomasson and other old Georgians. This I presume is wholly unneecess* ary, no one questions 3Ir, Gardner’s veracity. I most certainly disclaim any such purpose. Ail I contend is that his picture does not properly represent Texas; and that a closer examination will probably convince Mr. Gardner that aouth-west Arkansas even has one disadvantage when compared with Georgia.He says that he gets his information from as reliable men as I am. On a matter of this kind I institute no invidious comparisons. I only trust he gets his informatkm from better men than I am. But in all candor, I would much prefer that he was prepared to speak from personal knowledge. Hearsay evidence is not received In court, except in the absence of better evidence, and the rule is founded in wisdom.He seemed to think I told Mr.Saxon one story about Texas, and wrote quite a different one for the public. The intended thrust falls of Its purpose. I take particular pride in referring, not only to Mr. Saxon, but to all othfcrs at Carrollton and Bowdon who heard me speak of Texan, for what I said an that subject. No; no; Mr. Gardner I have not told two tales about Texas,—nor have I thought it necessary to bolster what I may say by referring to others.TTSince ap®“of us must hi last sly, | will give you a cl* with tfie-aaipmpce that this is/my last, kndtfiat nothing which I have said was intended to hurt you or to question your sincerity.But before closing permit me to say to your readers that many of our farmers, who, six week* since, dreamed of 4 hale of jfe* ''•to. tjiacre would now be glad to knowthat tbeV’wlirgetTineMMrd that amount. .The drought has done the work. Barney WoRp,Tetrell, Texas,, Aug. 27,‘85. .
Newspaper Details
Carroll Free Press
Carrollton, Georgia, US
Fri, Sep 04, 1885
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Gerrit H.
USA 22 Jul 2022
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