HomeMy WebLinkAboutBryan in 1872
BRYAN IN 1872 Compiled by Bill Page The Bryan Appeal, for the information of all who may desire to settle in Brazos County, says that about two-thirds of the county is timbered land,
including a large quantity of rich bottoms. The prairie and uplands are all good, and yield an abundance of corn, cotton, and other products. The Central Railroad, connecting at Houston
with various other roads, runs through the county about 35 miles. From Millican to the northern boundary of the county, the road runs on the dividing ridge between the Brazos and Navasota;
hence passengers see only the poorest of the county. Bryan City, the principal place of business and county seat, is situated on a beautiful elevation, part timbered and part prairie
land. It has a population of about 4000, built up principally since the war, and is in a prosperous condition. It has several fine schools and one college, at which about seven hundred
children are educated. It has eight churches with a large number of communicants belonging to each. Six Sabbath schools are in successful operation. It has a Masonic and Odd Fellows’
Lodge, a Hebrew Benevolent Society, each with a numerous membership. No city of the size of Bryan can justly boast of a more peaceable, law-abiding, intelligent and religious class of
people than they have in Bryan. The manufacturing interest of Bryan has assumed an importance that demands attention. They have a first-class cotton seed oil factory, a gin and mill
factory, and several other similar enterprises of a smaller grade, all in a flourishing condition and employing a large number of workmen. The Appeal says that there is probably no county
in the State that can offer greater inducements to immigrants than Brazos. With an abundance of rich land at almost nominal prices, corn at 50 cents a bushel, pork at from 4 to 5 cents
per pound, and beef at from $8 to $12 per head, no man need fear to locate there. The Daily Picayune (New Orleans), 15 June 1872, page 2 * For some slightly different views of Bryan
and Brazos County: The following seems to be a rather left-handed compliment from an editor to his own town: “We notice that the Legislature has changed Bryan from a town to a city.
While at work at this job we wish it would also change its name, and call it either Dogtown or Pupville. Either would cover the case. As Bryan has outgrown her town breeches they are
for sale cheap. They can be bought at a bargain, and they will do as well as new ones to start a town with. Apply to the mayor. The contents of the pockets go with the breeches without
additional charge.” – Eagle. (San Antonio) Daily Express, 11 Nov. 1871, p. 2. The Jewett Experiment says that the railway waiting rooms at Bryan are the nastiest smelling apartments
in the state and advises the Central Railroad Company to use some quicklime or burn the place down. Galveston Daily News, Feb. 7, 1872, p. 1. [Leaving Hearne] …the weather being cold,
rainy and gloomy, I did not feel that the ride was very enjoyable. As bad, however, as the day’s trip was, it might have been worse if I had not luckily reached Bryan, just in time to
house myself and animals from a severe Norther, and still heavier rain than I encountered in the morning … I was surprised when I awoke in the morning, to find the sun shining brightly.
I started for Welborn Station, or rather, I should say, for Minter Springs, a mile below. I could not help observing what a fearful havoc the demands of the Central have made on the
time, and if it goes on at
the rate I am told they are using fuel, 5000 cords monthly, they will soon have to seek some other mode of making steam than wood fires. The past and present generations have been destroying
the timber; the next generation will have to plant, and plant very extensively, or fuel in certain localities will be very scarce. A word to the wise should be sufficient. It seems to
me that many a proprietor, at a small expense, at present, could leave substantial benefits to his children, if he would commence now, and plant groves of quick growing trees. Austin
Statesman, 15 February 1872, p.1