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Story
July 22, 1851
The Southern Press
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Letter from J.B. in Sabineytown, Texas, dated July 2, 1851, describing travels in Eastern Texas. Praises the region's superior cotton lands, productive soils, dry picking seasons, rapid profits for planters, and suitability for railroads. Notes dry weather hindering corn crops and immigration.
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Following were a glowing account of the
fortune of the road steamer region of Texas:
SABINEYTOWN, July 2, 1851.
DEAR PICA: I have set apart an hour or
two for the purpose of writing to friends, a few
lines may not be uninteresting to yourselves. I
have this spring had occasion to travel over a
considerable portion of Eastern Texas, and
prompted by natural inclination have made close
observations as to the agricultural capacity of
the country. I think it the best cotton region
that I have ever seen. The lands generally are
well located, very productive, easily brought
into cultivation, and produce fine crops from the
first. The soil appears to be thin and light, but
nevertheless very durable. I met with fields
that have been cultivated for ten, and some fifteen years, without any care for the preservation
of the soil, and yet in many instances they produce as good crops as at first. There are yet
large tracts of this country in a state of nature,
in consequence of their distance from navigable
streams. It is a great section for rail-roads, being nearly level, and having plenty of good timber to build them. One fact peculiar to this
country, which makes it so fine for cotton is, that
the fall or picking season is invariably dry, enabling the planter to gather, in good season, the
most heavy crops. The immigration this season
will be seriously retarded, in consequence of
short crops of corn, the season being entirely too
dry for that crop. A few good showers of rain
just at this time would produce the heaviest crop
of cotton that has been made for years.
The planters generally of this region have
made money very rapidly; more so than any-
where else that I know of. They are beating
the Red River planters altogether in the way of
clear profits.
The planting interest is improving every year;
the country was settled by a sort of devil-may-care set of farmers that are giving way as fast as
they can, and going west for the purpose of
raising stock. I have met with many cotton
planters that have been west to look at the
country, and not having been pleased, returned
and purchased land east of Trinity. I see a
movement in the city in favor of a rail-road contemplated to pass through Texas, which I look
upon as being a grand project for New Orleans.
and bound to be the most profitable rail road
stock in the South.
The weather has been for some time dry, and
there is no appearance of rain. It looks as if
the dry season had set in. Yours, truly, J. B.
fortune of the road steamer region of Texas:
SABINEYTOWN, July 2, 1851.
DEAR PICA: I have set apart an hour or
two for the purpose of writing to friends, a few
lines may not be uninteresting to yourselves. I
have this spring had occasion to travel over a
considerable portion of Eastern Texas, and
prompted by natural inclination have made close
observations as to the agricultural capacity of
the country. I think it the best cotton region
that I have ever seen. The lands generally are
well located, very productive, easily brought
into cultivation, and produce fine crops from the
first. The soil appears to be thin and light, but
nevertheless very durable. I met with fields
that have been cultivated for ten, and some fifteen years, without any care for the preservation
of the soil, and yet in many instances they produce as good crops as at first. There are yet
large tracts of this country in a state of nature,
in consequence of their distance from navigable
streams. It is a great section for rail-roads, being nearly level, and having plenty of good timber to build them. One fact peculiar to this
country, which makes it so fine for cotton is, that
the fall or picking season is invariably dry, enabling the planter to gather, in good season, the
most heavy crops. The immigration this season
will be seriously retarded, in consequence of
short crops of corn, the season being entirely too
dry for that crop. A few good showers of rain
just at this time would produce the heaviest crop
of cotton that has been made for years.
The planters generally of this region have
made money very rapidly; more so than any-
where else that I know of. They are beating
the Red River planters altogether in the way of
clear profits.
The planting interest is improving every year;
the country was settled by a sort of devil-may-care set of farmers that are giving way as fast as
they can, and going west for the purpose of
raising stock. I have met with many cotton
planters that have been west to look at the
country, and not having been pleased, returned
and purchased land east of Trinity. I see a
movement in the city in favor of a rail-road contemplated to pass through Texas, which I look
upon as being a grand project for New Orleans.
and bound to be the most profitable rail road
stock in the South.
The weather has been for some time dry, and
there is no appearance of rain. It looks as if
the dry season had set in. Yours, truly, J. B.
What sub-type of article is it?
Journey
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Exploration
Triumph
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Eastern Texas
Cotton Farming
Agricultural Capacity
Dry Weather
Railroads
Planter Profits
What entities or persons were involved?
J. B.
Where did it happen?
Eastern Texas, Sabineytown
Story Details
Key Persons
J. B.
Location
Eastern Texas, Sabineytown
Event Date
July 2, 1851
Story Details
Traveler J.B. observes Eastern Texas as the best cotton region with durable soils, dry picking seasons, and rapid profits for planters. Notes dry weather retarding corn and immigration, potential for railroads, and improving planting interest as rough settlers move west.