The Dallas Daily Herald

FROM LANCASTER.

LANCASTER, March 29, 1873.

Dear Herald:-This place, the second town in the county in point of business and population, is prospering far beyond the anticipation of every one. At the time the railroad was built last year, and located its depot some four miles east of here, at the now town of Hutchins, it was feared and generally believed that Lancaster would be ruined, and that the trade, which has so long centered here would, leave it and go to the railroad. Such fears, however, have grown less. After nine months time since the railroad came and a strong effort made to induce the old merchants to move to Hutchins, Lancaster "still lives," and gives promise of a still more thriving trade than ever. As an evidence of the confidence had in its future I will enumerate a few of the new buildings in progress and in anticipation. First, on the list is the large stone steam mill of Messrs. Moffett & Nance. This building was commenced in 1866 or 67, to replace the carding factory and mills, which were burned the year after the war. The walls, which are enormously thick and substantial have been built some four or five years, and in this unfinished state, have been an eye-sore to the public spirited citizens of the place. Within the past four weeks contracts have been made for the completion of the building, and Mr. W. T. Nance, one of the proprietors, is now in St. Louis, to purchase the latest improved machinery for the mill It is expected that the house will be completed by the 15th of the coming month. This mill will be one of the largest in the country, and first-class in every respect, running three pairs of burrs, and capable of grinding nearly a thousand bushel of wheat in twenty-four hours. Its completion will bring a large addition of trade to the town.

Mr. B. J. Green is now erecting a new building on the square, which he designs as a furniture store. He is now in St. Louis purchasing a complete stock.

The Masonic Fraternity, of which there are a Blue Lodge and Chapter here, are contemplating the erection of a new and commodious hall, to be occupied in the lower story as a first class seminary, under the patronage of the Masons, and the upper by the two bodies as their Lodge room.

The Methodists and Missionary Baptists have already made contracts for the erection of church buildings, and other denominations are contemplating building.

There are in Lancaster eight stores, in which are to be found a general assortment of merchandise. viz : Messrs. H.J. Moffatt & Co.. A. H. Rawlings & Co.., C. Freeman & Co., Ellis & White, Robert George, Hatter & Bro., and Paul Henry; one saddle and harness shop by Josiah Porter & Co.; a large and well kept livery stable by A. Carroll ; a first-class hotel, the 'Moffett House,' by W. B. Moffett, and a steam grist mill by Freeman & Hatter.

There has been, until quite recently, a large white free school here, but as the pay of the teacher ceased to make its appearance, the school was closed, and in its place, I understand, there will be two or three private schools established in a few days. The "colored" school is still running.

Take it altogether, Lancaster is a growing and thriving place, and has a bright prospect before it. It is now and has been for many years the trading point of a large and thickly populated section of country, and commands a trade second only in this county to Dallas.

Hutchins, the new railroad depot, is situated four miles north-east of Lancaster, and ten miles south of Dallas. It is the point where all freight from and for Lancaster, Cedar Hill and Mansfield are received and discharged. It has several stores with good stocks, viz: N. K. Gune & Co. M. O. Bledsoe, J. Rafferty & Co., H. M. Rawlings & Co, Dr. Adams, Paul Henry and perhaps others. It is a pretty site for a town, and will probably improve fast. There is already a large new school house, built by Mr. Lacey, and nearly ready for occupancy. I am told, also, that the Cumberland Presbyterians and Christians are each about to erect church buildings. Hutchins will be a good place for business, as it has a large scope of country tributary to it on the east and south. It will get but little of the western trade, which has always gone, and will still go, to Lancaster.

Many fears were entertained that the freeze of last week had about, if not quite, destroyed the wheat crop. The development of the last few days, however, show that the crop is only slightly damaged. It will be set back some, and perhaps the yield will not be quite as large as it would have been, but that is all. The oats are killed, and I hear of some farmers re-planting. Corn is cut down to the ground in many cases, but will come out. Gardens, of course, were destroyed, but they can be replanted. The most serious effect of the freeze that I hear of is the almost entire destruction of fruit. Our fruit crop will be very short this year-that is evident.

The weather is very dry in this part of the country. Rain is needed badly, both for filling cisterns and for the growing crop.

Adios

J. W. S.