Letter from A. J. Wheeler--Dewitt & Lavaca County

Contributed by: Carla Ratcliff (pratclif@swbell.net)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FROM TEXAS" Dear Copiahea: Yesterday was my birthday ( this was dated
Aug. 18, 1875- so we now have a birthdate for Andrew- August 17, 1842),
and I feel a little blue. The road from San Antonio to Castorville is
equal to a macadamized road.  The country looks very much as it did
before entering San ANtonio, except an occasional sprinkling of post oak
with the mesquit.  I noticed the moss sometimes entirely disappeared
from the trees.  I suppose it was due to the absence of proper
nourishment in the atmosphere.  As we approach Castorville, the
beautiful farms nestle in the valley, and tell of the industry and
thrift of the people.  I was somewhat surprised at the appearance of
this city,- There are stone buildings-- The Catholic Church is a
splendid stone edifice.  The town is situated on the beautiful Medina
river, one of the lovliest streams in Western Texas.  Here we turned for
Kerrsville north. The country is very broken.  Arriving at Kerrsville,
we found a small but lively little village where we purchased supplies
_____as a nice vension __. I wish you had been with us that night for
supper.  We camped on the banks of the beautiful blue Guadalupe we had
venison, turkey anf fish in abundance and you may imagine I did justice
to it.  Here we took the Johnson fork of the Guadalupe, and are now near
the head of the river.  This is the mountainous country you ever saw. 
We passed through what is called the BAndora pass.  It is between two
mountains I suppose 300 feet high or more.  The valleys between the
mountains are very small.  We left this palce for the head waters of the
Llano river, which we struck in Kimble county.  This is a fine country,
though it is thinly settled.  The Indians visit this county quite
often.  There is not an officer in the county, nor is there need of one.
Here we found time fishing.  We saw no Indians nor was I at all anxious
to see them.  Game is here of every kind-bear, turkey, deer, panther,
wolf, & Snakes, good Lord!- We left after three or four days for Fort
MAson, a beautiful town, and formerly an old military post.  From here
we made for Fredrisburg, another fine town, the beautiful wheat and corn
fields show the industry of the people.
	I see Capt. Horne has drawn, a jewel.  Tell the boys not to come too
fast to Texas after wives.  Ras and family were well when heard from
last. 
		A. J. WHEELER Aug 18, 1875"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free
information on the Internet, material may be freely used by
non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied
material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file.

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit 
or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations 
desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain 
the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of 
the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of 
this consent.