The Weekly Independent. (Belton, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 37, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 16, 1858 Page: 2 of 4
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THE WEEKLY INDEPENDENT.
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THE WEEKLY INDEPENDENT,
A. MARSCHALK, Sm„ Edito*.
F. MARSCHALK, Jr., Publish**
rje.r. vrsr?
SATURDAY MORNING,
Bilton, Texas, January, 16, ,1868
PREPAYMENT OF POSTAGE
To all those who pay in advance
we will si'nd the Indkps¥dent FREE
OF POSTAGE.
' Anything in the way of food or
provender for man or beast, taken in
exchange at market prices, for subscrip-
tion to " The Independent."
OUR AGENTS, "
J0* Mr. Charles C. Maigne, at the
House of Tyson, Bradley tc Co.,
Houston, is our authorized agent to
solicit work and collect money for
the Independent.
The following named gentlemen
are our duly authorised agents, and
their receipts for money will bo re-
cognized by us:
Waco—M D Herring.
Georg'town—Dr. W I Anderson.
Galveston—David Ayres.
Indianola—Thomas Rooke.
Lavacca—Dr John Fretwéll.
Seguin—Dr Jko M Anderson.
San Antonio—Jesscp M Bell.
Austin—S B Brush.
La Grange—W G Webb.
Cora, Comanche Co.—T. Frost.
Lampassas Spgs—Thos B Hulinq.
Fairfield—Isaac Clink.
Gatcsrille—Dr G W Taylor.
Perry—Mr Sturblefield.
NatcJtez, Miss.—Sam'l Burns.
New Orleans—J DeBaun, Arcado.
SiyiNE SERVICE.
Rov. J. Clab.&ugh will prcach in
the Baptist Church in Belton, on tliQ
Third Sabbath and the Saturday be-
fore, of each month.
There will be a regular circuit
preaching at the church in Belton,
on the first Sunday in cach month
for the next year.
JOHN CARPENTER.
Dr. C. Kendrick will preach
in the old school-house, in Belton,
to-morrow at 11 o'clock, a. m.
Our Book Table.
There are ¿till a number <>f
communications on our hook which
are necessarily Referred. We'll try
and get them in next week.
Hon. Guy M. Bryan wjll please
accept our thanks for Public Docu-.
tpents,
Oy The publishers of that ster-
ling paper the Scientific American,
will please accept our thanks for
the back numbers sent ys by last
ipail. '
W* We learn that Mr. A. J. Rum-
aey, whose interesting communica-
tion will be seen on the first page
of to-day's paper, will visit our
town, may-be to-day. We can re-
commend him to our planting friendB.
tgf. We return thanks to Mrs.
Jno. S. Blair for a fine lot of vege-
tables. That Cabbage was hard to
beat.
Q&* We bad a fino rain on Thurs-
day night last, accompanied by
thunder and lightntog.
ggr We learn from the Houston
Republic of the 8th inst., that Dr.
Anson Jones committed suicide on
last Saturday morning by shpoting
himself in the head.
Ü5* From a friend, we learned
yofitcrday that the Democratic Con-
vention which met at Austin lately,
nominated for Comptroller, Major-
Johns; for Sjato Treasurer, Mr Ran
dolph; Chief Jnsticc, R. T. Wheeler;
Associate Justice, C. W. Buckley.
Major Johns suite us very well.—
Of the others we know nothing per
uonally, therefore we arc r.ot in the
ring.
r<rGs. & d. of s.
We have again been appointed a
deputy for tho purpose of organising
lodges of this Order, and would
reBpectfuly aak that all persons who
are solicitous of joining such an in-
stitution should call on us.
£3T Throe young men, residents
pf our county passed thro' town,
Jay-before yesterday on their way
to tho Colorado to join tho Rangers.
JDttr At the lato city Election in
Houston, B. P. Buckner, Esq., was
eleetcd Mayor by 19 votes.
MrWhen our vices quit us, we
flatter ourselves with the belief that
f. is wo who quit tlwin.
Mcstako Gray.—Wo are indebted
to tho Meases. Armstrong of Gal-
veston, for u copyof this truly admi-
rable work by Jere Clemens. It is
a historical romance, having for its
scenes 00190 of the most exciting
circumstances connected with the
early history of our Star State, and
the hero is, we learn remembered
by many old Texans, as one of the
most daring Rangers of that time.
It is well worth reading.
Messrs. Eastland & Co. have lain
on our table from the celebrated
publishing house of A. S. Barnes
& Co of New York, two very valua-
ble School Books:
School Amusements.—This is some-
thing entirely new, and at once re-
commends itself to every teachers.
In it are taught "Military Organiza-
tion," which has become so popular
in all the schools in the Eastern
States, and among the advantages
of which may be found habits of
promptness, exactness and unanimity of
action, erectness of carriage, a regard
for a neat and clean appearance,
gentlemanly and respectful beha-
vior: besides this, such an organiza-
makes a school more attractive to
to the pupil:
Gymnastics.—Walking, running,
skating, arching, rowing &c. &c., all
of which serve te developo and form
the man;
School management, and in fact
many, very many things too often
neglected by the very best tcachcrs:
Porters First Book of Chemistry.
—This is the best book for beginners
in this branch we ever saw. It is
sufficiently simple, yet not too much
so, and all or very nearly all the ex-
periments mentioned can be perfor
mcd with such materials as every
house in the county affords—common
glass tumblers, pipes, glass tubes,
&c., &c. We should be glad to see
it introduced of the common schools
of the country.
jar We have been furnished by
Mr. Grimes, of whom we spoke last
with a few notes relative to the In-
dian outrage. From them we learn
that Mr. Jno. Beene and his negro
man Daniel were mnrdered by In-
dians about 35 miles from Gatesville,
in the mountains, on Wednesday
the 30th December, '57, and were
found on the 2nd inst. They were
buried by Mr. Neil and others on
the 5th inst.
Mr. Beene was shot 15 times with
arrows, and was struck three times
with his own gun. Tho negro bey
was shot with seven arrows. The
corpses were found unmolested.
Mr. B. has left a wife and eight
childrery besides many friends, who
not only mourn his loss, but who are
indignant at the means by which
he camo to his death.
How long are (hese things to
last?
Appollo Minstrels.—We learn by
their Bills, that this celebrated com-
pany of Ethiopian Minstréls will per-
form in our town to-night. From
frequent notices of them in the Aus-
tin prints, and from persons who
have visited them, we learn they
are very good, and wo would rec-
commend all real lovers of fun and
a goad hearty laugh, to go and see
theflfr They will make tho cobwebs
in your throat and spleens in your
sides disappear like magic.
03^ yffi have heard from but a
few members of tho Agricultural
Society in regard to the crops &c.
&c., they are now cultivating or in-
tend to cultivate. Do the members
intend to let tho matter fall still-
borne, right here, or will they, by
complying with the resolution pas-
sed at the laBt meeting to the effect
above named, look to their own in-
terests exclusively? Now is the
time if you want to gain by it for
the forthcoming season. Remem-
ber, that those who do not furnish
us with the estimate called for in
the resolution, will not be recipients
oi any seed which may be sent to
the Secretary by the Patent Office
St Washington.
Agricultural Society.
In pursuance of a call to that ef-
fect, the Agricultural Society of Bell
County, met at the Masonic Hall on
Monday last the 11th inst.
Neither the President or Vice
Presidents, were present, and on
motion Cary White Esq., wag cal-
led to the chair.
The minutes of the last meeting,
together with the by-laws were read
by the Secretary.
Seven gentlemen then enrolled
their names as members.
The subject of Doura Corn having
attracted considerable attention, Mr.
Jas. McSpadden at the request of
the members present made someexr
planations as to his mode of culture,
proceeds of his crop, &c., which
were highly gratifying to the mem-
bers, so much so that quite a num-
ber, who had hitherto decided not to
plant it, have expressed a determi-
nation to put into cultivation a
number of acres.
Rev. Mr. Morrell, the father of the
inventor of the "cotton seed and corn
planter," made some remarks con-
nected with the history of the ma-
chine, whici) were so satisfactory to
the members that it was
Resolved, That a committee of 3
members of this club be appointed
to have constructed a "Planter" af-
ter the model exhibited by Mr. M.
at the expense of the society. Com-
mittee, F. E. Foster, Jno. Danly, A.
Marschalk, Sr.
A committee consisting of E. S.
C. Robertson, Joel Blair, D. R. Hill,
and JSlisha Embree were appointed
to test the utility of this machine,
and to make a report, either to the
society direct, or thro' the columns
of tho "Independent."
Mr. Mori ill made a very munifi-
cent offer to tho society, to this ef-
fect:
If upon a thorough and fair trial
it is proved to the satisfaction of
the society that his machine is one
of usefulness and utility, and they are
willing as an Agricultural Society
to recommend it, and will defray
two-thirds of the expense of getting
out a patent right, (application hav-
ing already been made) he will give
them one-third interest in the sale
of rights, throughout the State, and
he will place the management of
the affair with this society.
On motion it was
Resolvtd, That a petition be sent
to the Legislature, requesting that
-a Charter be granted to this Society*
On a call made to that effect, 12
members of the Society reported the
following as the amount of crops
now growing, and the amount of
land they intend to "put in" this sea-
son; of Cotton 107 acres; Wheat
305; Corn, 41C; Oats, 55£; Dourah
Corn, 54; Sorghum Sucre 30; Mil-
let, 2; Barley 1; Rye, 1.
On motion the Society adjourned
to meet on Saturday th« 23rd inst.
C. WHITE, Pres't. pro tem,
A. Marschalk, Sr, Sec'y.
Mails.—We had tho pleasure of a
meeting, and part of a days travel
with our gentlemanly and efficient
Mail Agent, Major Scott, during our
lato visit to Galveston. He infor-
med us, that after the 1st of July
next, we will have a daily mail from
Houston to Waco, and from San An-
tonio to Waco; that several daily
lings have been obtained, but that
the lino petitioned for by our citi-
zens last summer—trom Beltoa via
Cameron, Boonville, Independence,
&c., to Houston, could not be obtain-
ned. He bade us give a hint to
those^who intend to bid for the route
from here to Marlin, to bid for two-
horse post coaches, instead of one
hors6 mail-route, as by so doing we
can accomplish almost as much as
tho' we had the route by Cameron
&c. We will thus intersect the
great mail route from Waco to Hous-
ton, at Marlin, and save travelling
from Belton to Waco or Austin, so
that we may get a seat in the Stage
for¡the Bea board. We hope that
contractors will take this matter in-
to consideration, as all will be bene-
fitted by their so doing.
Doura Corn.—We have ascertain-
ed to a "dead certainty," that tho
grain which has been hitherto known
in this region a "Doura Corn" is the
Egyptian Wheat. We received some-
time last spring a package of seed
from Mr. S Miller of Pennsylvania,
among which was a paper of "Holen't
Sorghum Egyptian Wheat" which on
an examination proved to be inden-
tical in shape, color and taste with
the seed raised by Messrs. Embreo
and M'Spadden.
It is well known that among a
large number of our planters great
predjudices exist against the Doura
Corn, and indeed, since a conversa-
tion we have had with the venera-
ble Dr. Nieblet, of Grimes county,
we do not wonder that such pred'
udices should be entertained. Tho
real Doura has a very small seed,
and the Dr. says when once in {fee
ground nothing can get it out. It
spread all over a fine plantation of
his in Harris county, and has com-
pletely ruined it. The corn or wheat
which we have here, on the contra-
ry is an annual and requires to be
planted every spring. We enquired
of Mr. Embree, whom it will be re-
membered raised a fine crop of it
last season, as to its spreading and
coming up the next season after be-
ing planted, and he assures us that
he planted a crop of wheat last
spring on land which the previous
fall had produced a crop of the
Egyptian corn or wheat, and that
not a sign of it in any shape what-
ever was to bo seen; that subse-
quent to the first conversation on
the subject he had again examined
his lands where it had been planted,
and he saw no vestige of it. This
is cheering; and we hope, now that
this objectionable feature in this
matter has been set aside, that a
large crop of the Egyptian corn will
be "put in." It yields enormdbsly,
standslhe drouth well, and frieud
McSpadden says, makes as good
flour as he ever ate.
Those who want to plant it had
better apply soon, as the amount of
seed on hand is small. We suppose
Messrs Embree and McSpadden both
have small supplies of it.
Correspondence.
Austin, January 11, 1858.
Editor of Independent:—Tho Gov-
ernor has sent all the correspon-
dence in relation to tho late Indian
to Ge . Twigge, with .
for midling cotton now. In our opin-
ion we shall have receipta pf 95,000
or 80,000 bales fer the Months of
March, April and May, and if this
opinion be correct, a verv large
Sugar from the Sugar Corn.—We
have seen a number of publications
lately to the effect that sugar can
be made from this cane, and profita-
bly made at that. Some of them
have gone so far as to state that as
much as 1000 lbs to the acre can
bo made with limited means for
manufacturing. In Massachusetts
a very good articlo of sugar has
been produced. In the refinery of
the Messrs Belcher at St. Louis, they
were compelled to admit that a very
fine articled cane sugar was dis-
covered in tho syrup, which by a
proper mode of treating could be
caused to crystalize in great quanti
ties.
The Beau Show.—We visited Mr.
Woolley's Varieties on Monday night,
and found that he was no humbug
his bear does just exactly as he ad-
vertises. He answers correctly all
questions put to him by the exhibi-
tor, and shows that considerable
skill has been evinced in his train-
ing. Of coursc all sensible persons
are aware that any other person
than his exhibitor could not make
him answer the questions, and that
it is by a peculiar mode of asking
them, that Bruin is enabled to under-
stand what is wanted of him. But
still for all that it does not argue but
the Bear is well trained. A visit to
him is not amiss.
As to the balance of the perfor-
mance: we have it is true seen bet-
ter, but it does very well. The fig-
ures aro pretty well worked, and
cause a good laugh, which seems to
be the end and aim of them.
Illinois Railroad Land Sales.—
Since the 1st of January the Illinois
Central Railroad Company has sold
327,475 acres of land, for which it
received $4,498,704. It has sold al-
together 1,192,686 acres, for $15,
206,989,
news \
to call on him for three companies of
men, and a reply is expected in three
days. If the General cannot order
or send out men, I shall endeavor to
carry out a measure which I have
commenced: that is, to have a bill
passed to call out more men by the
State.
Tho county of Hamilton was cre-
ated by a bill making 6 or 8 other
counties, on a general plan, laying
off most all our territory into coun-
ties, near the sizo and constitution-
al limits, so as to prevent the contin-
ual chango of county boundaries
and county seats. For Comanche
county, the boundary was altered so
as to give both counties constitu-
tional limits.
It is late at night; I have not time
to write more, before the mail closes
With best regards, I am your obe-
dient servant, G. B. ERATH.
Houston, Jan. 4th, 1857.
New Year's day dawned uright
and beautiful. Fifty-Eight came la-
den with hope and promises; for al-
altho' to-day is raw and chcerless
enough, there is that about a pleas-
ant first of January morning that,
can give one comfort for a long tiuie.
Most of our large houses shut up
and gave their employees holiday—
and we wish every one of them
would always insist on having these
gala days to themselvei. We have
too few fete days in the American
calender. We would not see men
superstitiously blind in observing
too many days religiously, but we
would express our conviction that
Uncle Sam's young ones should
throw up work and play a little—
tho' soothe to say in some parts of
Texas tolks do not hurt themselves
with too much work.
The city election which come3 off
to-day, has been a prominent topic
of conversation for somo time. The
candidates for Mayor aro E W Tay-
lor Esq., and Judge Buckner, and the
friends of each of conrse, feel equal-
ly sanguine of their favorite's elec-
tion. It would seem that the con-
test has been conducted thus far
with good feeling; as it quite early
in tho iftorning, we shall be unable
to give you the result in this letter.
You have probably received, or
will receive with this a paper we
send you containing the news of Gen.
Walker's surrender to Com. Pauld-
ing, and hi3 being taken to Wash-
ington and released. It seems to us
that General Walker has clearly a
claim on our governmeat to be ta-
ken back to Nicaragua, for although
the Government disavows the act of
Paulding, it ought to bo held respon-
sible for its agent's acts so far as to
put Walker in the same position he
was in when captured. If our Gov-
ernment has tho right, under the
neutrality laws, to prevent an armed
expedition leaving our shores, it
does not follow that it has a right to
play the police officer for Great Bri-
tain on foreign shores; and though
by the Now York English-American
journals Com. Paulding may be lau-
ded for this unwarranted act, we
feel assured the Southern press will
give utterance to their indignant
protest against him. We are pleas-
ed to see that the administration
does not sanction tho action of this
over-zealous official
Our accounts from the interior are
of high water and continued rains.
We are having a veiy wet winter.—
The work on Clopper's Bar has
done away with many difficulties
which used to hinder the Galveston
and Houstob boats. They make
trips regularly, and are doing good
business.
The stock of cotton on hand, Dec.
30th, 1857, amounted to 7,224 bales,
against 4,714 bales, Dec. 81, 1856.
There is a great deal of cotton yet
to come in.
The Spring trade will hardly open
under four or fivo weeks. We sup-
pose to 8{c is about tho outside
There was a meeting at the Court
House Saturday night, and speeches
were made by Messrs. Allon and
Thompson, who are out for the Sen-
ate to fill the vacancy occasioned by
demise of Hon. H. G. Runnels.—
There aio other candidates in the
field—the election comes off on the
12th inst. Yours truly, L.
Houston, January 8,1858.
Last Monday our city election
came off. The early part of the day
was rainy, but it cleared away plea-
sant about noon. A fair share of
local excitement prevailed. Judge
Buckner was elected by 19 majority.
Yesterday, Friday, and the day
before were rainy and dreary enough.
It seems as if heaven now and then
wept over the vanity of mortals.—
However, it will woik good to tho
tiller of tho soil, so nobody need
grumble
The latest news from Europe gives
another decline of ^ to -Jc in the Li-
verpool cotton market; which makes
tho corresponding rato in our own
market only 7 a 7£c., at which price
production is of little profit. Thero
have been received for the past week
466 bales; shipped 794; leaving on
hand the 6th inst., but 6,896 bales.
There were on hand last year, for
the corresponding date 2,611 bales,
and middling cotton then, Jan. 7, '57,
was worth 1 a 12$.
We arc sorry to tell you that R.
& D. G. Mills of Galveston suspen-
ded payment Thursday morning.—
This suspension is to be regretted
for many reasons; we arc iuclincd
to believe it is but temporary, how-
ever.
The election for Senator, to fill tho
place made vacant by the demise of
Hon. H. G. Runnels, comes off on
the 11th. Tho candidates, in addi-
tion to those mentioned in a former
letter, are Col. Henry Fisher and B.
P, Tankersly Esq. There has been
no regular convention—consequent-
ly there is more than one Democrat
in the field. The result is dubious.
Without expressing our individu-
al preference, we may say that H.
N. Allen Esq., would do honor even
to that high office. He is a good
Democrat, and a thorough-going
rail road man. He is sure to receive
a respectable vote, at all events,
even if he should fail in getting a
majority. Col. Fisher stands in this
race in a prominent position, and is
an able and influential champion of
the Democracy.
We sincerely hope the newly elec-
ted "city fathers" will do something
for our streets. That a town of tho
commercial importance of Houston
should have such miserable side-
walks, is indeed an anomalio.
Yours, L.
Great Increase In Population
in Texas.
There is one Southern State, says
the Cincinnati Enquirer, which is in-
creasing in population with a rap-
idity that quite, or almost, equals
that of our new Northern States.—
We allude to Texas. At the late
State election, in August last, about
sixty thousand votes were polled.—
As its population is scattered over
an immense territory and in many
places is quite inaccessible to the
polls, and as it contain 3 a large
number of slaves, it is safe to esti-
mate that not more than one out of
every ten in the population voted,
This would give a population of si*
hundred thousand. That this is not
too high is evident from the fact
that it polled moro votes than Mis<
sissippi, which has over six hundred
thousand inhabitants. In 1850 tho
population of Texas was but little
over two hundred thousand. It is,
therefore, trebled in seven years.—
The probability is, that by 1860
when the next census is taken, Tex*,
as will have at least eight hundred
thousand inhabitants. Supposing
the apportionment not to be matern-
ally changed, this would give her
about seven members of the
of Representatives.—News.
Tho widow of Lieut. Herndon hat
Iust received from tho New England
jife Insurance Company, of Boston,
$5,000 on a policy signed only a year
since.
a •••
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Marschalk, Andrew, Sr. The Weekly Independent. (Belton, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 37, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 16, 1858, newspaper, January 16, 1858; Belton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth180553/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.