Texas in 1850. By Melinda Rankin. Page: 184 of 196

TEXAS IN 1850.

187

drinking establishments, and the inhabitants are found
attending the quarterly and protracted meetings, instead
of horse-races and places of dissipation, as heretofore.
The circuit and resident ministers of the
gospel have engaged with becoming zeal in the temperance
cause, and the District judges and the
members of the bar almost in a body unite in the
great moral reform. It may be predicted with absolute
certainty, that, during the year 1850, there will
be greater improvements made, both in a moral and
physical point of view, than have been achieved for the
previous five years."
North of Seguin, situated on the south side of the
Gaudaloupe, is New Braunfels, a town located by a
German colony in 1845. It contains a population of
4,000 souls--a large majority of whom are foreign
emigrants; there being, perhaps, not more than two
hundred Americans. For two years after its settlement
the inhabitants were obliged to keep a constant
guard on account of the incursions of the Indians.
Those hostilities ceasing, the town has improved with
wonderful rapidity, and bids fair to become one of considerable
importance. It is situated at the foot of the
Cordellow mountains, in a beautiful and picturesque
country, abounding with water power, which the Germans
have improved for establishing manufactories of
various kinds. The industry and enterprise of the
Germans render them valuable citizens, and, could they
be induced to lay aside their priestly expiations, and
embrace that system of faith which acknowledges but