 The Dallas Morning News
December 17, 1887 Census Taker Morris reports 5200 in the First and Second Wards. The Third and Fourth are the largest, and the population will reach 13,000. THE SHERMAN REGISTER, in its issue of Sept. 24, 1887, received yesterday by THE NEWS, discussed the benefits of immigration to Grayson County in a manner most interesting, because it was discussed practically and sensibly. That journal shows that Grayson county, one of the most populous counties in the State, has 519,520 acres, 467,565 of which, according to the sworn statement of the Commissioner of statistics, are farming lands; that there were at that time 13-1/2 acres to every person in the county, and, putting each family at seven members, 93-1/2 acres to every family. It shows that only 240,000 acres are in cultivation and the balance, some of the best land on earth, awaits people from other States to take hold of it. Grayson County is among the oldest and very best counties. Its lands are choice. If this state of affairs exists there, some idea may be gained of the wants of newer counties. Every man put down on these vacant lands is valuable to the whole State. A little figuring, such as has been indulged in by the REGISTER, will spur up the immigration movement. A comparison of the number of vacant good acres and the number of people in any neighborhood in the State astonishes one. These vacant acres must be filled. The immigration movement now inaugurated, if prosecuted in a vigorous and business like way, will fill them. The Dallas Morning News December 28, 1887 IMMIGRATION MOVEMENT SHERMAN COURIER A wave of immigration excitement has swept over the State for two weeks, culminating in a convention at Dallas on last Tuesday, where representative citizens from all over the State met together to consult with railroad men and others to devise ways and means whereby a desirable class of immigrants can be secured for Texas. This move will direct attention to Texas and will be the means of adding many good citizens to our population. Will Grayson County try to induce any of them to settle within her borders? There are those who do not believe in trying to induce strangers to come here, arguing that the only legitimate way to increased the census is in following the scriptural injunction to "go forth and multiply upon the earth." The COURIER is not of that number. Right here in Grayson County we need more people - good, industrious farmers, who are able to own a small farm and know how to cultivate it profitably. When the small farm owners become numerous enough to force all the large cattle ranches and farms to be cut up into small tracts, the country will be prosperous. Then we need another class of immigration - men with money to invest; to start factories, mills, and shops to furnish work to the unemployed. With these two classes liberally increased, a demand would soon follow for skilled laborers and mechanics. The is one way, and only one, in which to successfully inaugurate a movement by which this class of immigration can be secured, and that is for Grayson County to work together in harmony. Let Sherman, Denison and all the smaller towns and the country join together, put aside their individual localities and pull together for Grayson County. If the county prospers we will all get our share of the benefits. And if we will all pull together and properly advertise our advantages we could accomplish wonders. Sherman History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |