Letter from H. J. Grimes - 1859 - Davidson County, NC - Misc.


Submitted by Claude Medlin
CMedlin@aol.com



Walnut Creek, Texas

February 21, 1859

My Dear Sir -

Your letter of January 8th arrived here in due time, but I did not receive
it until a few days ago, as I have been absent from here, for the last six
weeks. I was truly glad to hear from you all and learn that you were well.

Since I wrote to you before, I have traveled over a good deal of Texas and
seen some curious people and things. I have been in portions of umpteen
counties but to give a description of each would be tedious and
uninteresting to you. I have written so much about the rich land of Texas
that I wish to change the subject. If you wish to learn anything of the
advantages and disadvantages of Texas through me, ask Mr. Adams or Henry
Hage to show you their last letters and it will save me the trouble of
repeating. I gave them a true statement as far as I was able.

I have been at San Antonio, the largest town in this state and I guess the
most singular one too. It contains about a population of 10,000. The San
Antonio river runs through the middle of the town. The streets are very
crooked and narrow. The houses, or a majority of them, are old Mexican
ones, some of which look as if they were built in the year 1. There are a
great many things of curiosity and interest, among which are the old
missions some three miles below, the old Catholic Church and the Alamo,
around which there was so much bloodshed during the Texan war with Mexico.
I saw the place where Old Crockett fell, after he had killed so many. San
Antonio is said to be older than Philadelphia. I should suppose from
accounts that there has been more blood spilt in and around it than any
other place in the US. It is situated on the frontier about 90 miles from
Austin. It does a large business with Mexico. About half the inhabitants
are Mexicans. From San Antonio, I trekked out west for 160 miles through
the frontier to the Rio Grande, and went over in Mexico. The country from
San Antonio to the Rio Grande is inhabited principally by Mexicans and
Indians. There are some houses near San Antonio. I traveled several days
without seeing a house. There was only one person with me, and we probed
right through the Indian country, with whom they at are war now. We were in
danger but I did not feel the least alarmed. We did not see any Indians,
but I have no doubt but they saw us. They are not apt to attack persons
that are well armed unless they are in large crowds and have the advantage.
We were well armed, I had my five shooter, a government six shooter, double
barrel shot gun and bowie knife. If they had come on us, I would have had
some scalps or lost my own. Every person out on the frontier, goes armed
all the time, even to church on Sunday. We had a wallet of provisions and
blankets, done our own cooking, and camped where ever we could get grass
for our ponies. I enjoyed the trip very much. Saw any amount of wild
animals, killed what meat we wanted. Sic. I will stop at the Rio Grande in
my narrative and finish it when I write to Henry, which you can see.

Persons living out on the frontier are rough looking customers. Modesty
there might adorn a woman, but it would ruin a man. You have just got to
roll up your sleeves and pitch in like a "thousand of brick". You will find
all kinds of people out here, some very clever and kind, others great
rascals. I think you ought to bring out your school committee and put them
out among the Indians and perhaps they would stand a fair chance of losing
their scalps. I wish I could have George with me when I went over in
Mexico, I think he would have been a second Paddy or Joe. Tell him I want
to make another trip of the same kind and want him to come out here and go
with him. I think it will do him good. Also tell him that I do not wish to
dictate to him concerning his house but suggest the propriety of setting it
on wheels and then he can change it's position as often as he may choose. I
wrote to him some time ago but have not heard from him yet. I have only
received one letter from Tommy yet, don't know why he doesn't answer my
last letter. I do not know where he is or what he is doing.

I do not know how long I shall stay out here but if Mr. Adams will send me
the amount of money I have written for, I shall remain until I either "make
a spoon or spoil a horn". I think if I remain here and have good luck, I
can do well. You need have no fears that I will put my self in any more
danger than I can help.

Tomorrow, I expect to start out in company with three others on a tour of
some ten days. We will go horseback and camp out. I anticipate a pleasant
trip if the weather is good. Farmers here are planting corn. I have seen
some corn up. Peach trees, what few there are here, have been in bloom for
the last two weeks. This is a very pleasant climate sic.

When you write to me again, send me a copy of that receipt of those notes.
If you wish to know anything of this country that I have omitted, "ask and
you shall receive" if I am able to give. Tell Henry I will write to him
when I get back here. I am scarce of paper as you can see, so I must stop.
I am in a hurry so I shall not look over to see how many mistakes I have
made. I suppose you will find them. Give my love to all and write soon.
Austin is my office.

Yours truly,

H. J. Grimes




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