Document text
N6L,a;:tt
No. of wordst 2280
,--Miss Effie Cowan, F. W., Flle No. 240.
McLennan County, Texas. Page No. 1.
District Jo. 8.
Interview with Mrs. Emma Falconer, Marlin, Texas.
"I was born in Green County, Mississippi, in the year 1830.
My parents wore Theodore and Mary Shaw. y mother died when .1 wrs
ten years old and 1 went to live with my paternal grandmother, who
was the wife of. Judge D. C. Shaw. She was a cousin of Captain
lEillie Lang who came to Texas in the days before the Civil War and
settled on a plantation ph the Brazos' bottom near the then little
village of ',r,sco. came to this plantation withm husband in 1886
to live, he, being a nilphew of Captain Lang. You will therefore see
why later- in my narrative,/ can give you quite a. lot of information
about t3, is Car Am Lang who was re1,5ted to me throt my grandmother
as well as to rny husband.
"My grandmother lived in Wayne County, Mississippi, near the
Chickasahay river. The town of winchester was the county seat, and
ve.en the Court was in .sesclion the attendants and the lawyers stopped
at her house. This place was famous for its southern hospitality
and for its excellent food.. My grandparents had to send by wagon
train to-obile for their supplies as it took large quantities to
take care of their needs. Illan the robile and Ohio railroads finally
came through our town, the whole population of the town and country
were at the station to see the first trnin COLA -in. I can remember
how .the ,and hearted conductors would give ice to families who had
sickness fro:.. their own ice they used for drinking water. Mnny
;times.tey gave help in long :,ells of fever in this way.
"Uside the plantation my grandfather owned a leather factory
where he rade all kinds of leather goods, from saddles -bridle's, and
FOLKLORE*
Vise Effie Cowan, P. 11,
McLennan County, Texas.
District No. 8.
File No. 240.
Page Mb• 2.
harness to shoes, boots and leather jackets and hats. When the War
between the States came, be.madethem for the government, or the
soldiers of the Confederate armir l will tell you atout the things
that we lived throe in the war times, but first I will tell you
about the Lome, customs and characteristics of the southern people
prior to this war
'"The twenty years before this war between the 6tates, or the
Mill War, were the most prosperous years the South had experienced.
I was eleven years old when it started and so in my own memory it
stands out clearly in my early life. pith the assistance of the
slave labor and the rich soil, as well as the high prices for their
prodime the plantation owners lived in luxury and many rer,ped large
fortunes. It is true that today we have many luxuries which we did
not have in that time, on the other hand, there were many things
that is beyond the reach of most of us today that were thought
nothing of in that day. Yost of the parents, both man bnd women had
the advantage of 7Zuropean travel and education. They had slaves
for all their or,:, even to the bodyguard for the 1;ester and the
maids for the women. .They enjoyed all the advantages of the pleasures
of the theaters in the cities close to them, and both the young men
and woLsn had much more time for cultivating their musical, literary
or other talents than they do now.
"The commerce of the towns on the :-ississippi and those in the
state was sent by way of the 41ssissippi to New Orleans and memphis
Tennessee to the .-.arket. Mew Orleans had the largest market on
account of the ships from the ports of Europe docking here with
FOLKIANZt File NO. 340.
Miss Effie Cowan, P. W. Page NO. 3.
NOLennen County, Texas.
District Nos 8,
their oonmerce and also taking the produce of the country'beek to
Surope. The coastincerofts from New 'fork, New England and Ealtio.
more also lined the river front. regrows sang as they rolled
'hogaheads of sugar and bales of cotton on beard these ships. The
day of industry had dawned for the south.
"On the plantations the families of the American planters were
growing up, the young men and women were dissatisfied with the little
simple dwellings of their forefathers, so this was the day the fine
old colonial Mansions ierelbeing ulit. These houses were built
betweeerthe years 1820 and 1880. If you Were to take a steam -boat
ride down the !qasissippi you would perhGps see a few of these old
mansions of that day still standing, althot the. Mississippi has
widened and many have been swept away bY the Father of Teter..
"The custom not only on the Wississippi river but on the other
rivers anywhere in the southern states was to build the houses back,
from a rale or Lea: facing the river situated in e grove, of trees.
At some distance in the rear would be the servants quarters, usually
they were between the raster's house and the fields. On awe
plantations they were arranged in rows across a road giving the
road the aprearance of a street. They were usually built of brick
and lumber, the slaves preferred the log houses or these made of
lumber as.tbey felt that the brick held thE, dampness an caused
rheumatism. !Iefeh cbbin woe furnished a small plot of ground for
their garden end as a rule, if they sold any thing from it they were
given the money.
FOLKLORE:
ruts Maio Cowan, Po W.
MiLennan County, Texas,
District Me. 16
File Do. 240.
Page 104, 44
"I started to tell you of the typical colonial houses, they
were set in a grove of trees and facing the river if there were
a river with the plant-tion. These houses hcd the tell white columns
and the porches on each side, the trees were mostly the oak, hickory,
and magnolia. As a rule, an avenue led down to the gate which was at
lamest a quarter of a mile from the house. The houses were built from
heavy timbers and the chimneys were of brick an mortar. Altho' the
work was supervised by an architect the labor was always done by
the slaves who belonged to the p-anter.
"The whole impression was of stateliness, specious and grandour.
The furnishings were the boot that could be afforded and many of
these were brought from urope, since the ships made the port of
New Orleans, from these' the same as from New York. The beds were the
four.poster type with the high posts, it was not an unusual thing
for a bed to have posts twelve feet Ligh and the sofas from seven to
eight feet long. This was necessary for samll furniture in thee,
rooms would have been entirely ort of place. A clothes closet was
practically an unknown thing, instead large ward -robes an cupsiboards
of walnut or mahogany were used.
*The plantation families were fond of flowering trees and shrubs,
as well as the 'smaller varieties. The yards and gardens were the
private recreation grounds of the family. One f the shrubs which
they took great pride in was the Pride of India, this grew quickly
and gave luxuriant shade in the sum er. nmy had botanical glirdons
and imported sweet oil and tea plants. There were camelias and the
spice trees also in these gardens. Other plants were the oleanders,
FIC4ELOREs
Mies Effie Cowan, P. W.
Woman County, Texas.
District No. 8.
Pile NO. 240.
Page Now 50,
the pomgranetes, the figs, and grapes, and 'the orange trees. There
were johquils and hyacinths bulbs that were brought from Holland. 1
"The air was fragrant with these trees and shrubs as well. so
from the old fashioned roses. There was the cinemon4 the York and, the
Demasdus together with the beautiful Cherokee rodevhioh trailed over
the garden wall and was crowded with the jasmine_ and the honeysuckle.
According to the fashion ,of the times there were arbors where the
gentlemen soked their pipes and the ladies drank their tea. MOst of
the finest hones stood in the vicinity of a river, most of them facing
it. Aside from the appearance this gtve it was also eliatter of
convenience, as the produce was cheaper sent by boat to the market.
"March and April were the months that the farm work was in full
swing the grain was firti.t sown and the busy season was in full sway.
This was ono of Ute most delightful times on the plantation. The
vegetation, was springing up and the air was filled with the fragrance
of the redid, dog...wood and the magnolia, while the Lockinu birds
and the red birds sang on ..!very tree.
"Down in the Vississippi bottoms, or other river bottoms if the
family had a summer home or a hcme in the, nearest city they woulci
leave the..riantatIon in ",lty and stay until eptember to avoia the
malaria. The ponds were green am ugly and until the use of quinine
was learned, it was common for the :slarial fevers to do its Lleac4y
work. At the time I am speaking of they had not liscovered thit the
resalto carried the germs of raiaria and the fevers were thought
to be from too 7.uch exposure from the' sun.
FOLKLORZI
Dias BMA Cowan, P. N.
Maennan County, Tessa.
District NO.. 8.
1110 No. 240.
Page No. 6.
"The plantation owners were said to have some traits of
character in common, among them they were supposed to be brave,
truthful and manly, to be less would be considered a disgrace. They
were formal in their manner with the courteous ease and poise which
only ocxles from generations of secured position. To the women they
were carefully polite; the wives ana daughters were as queens to
the men. They were quick of temper, proud and passionate, but
generous to a fault. Their ruling passion was their honor, in all
probality the old saying that "a man's word should be better than
his bonds because ungaranteedl originated with this code of
traits of character.
"In the way of recreation there were many entertainments, for
the houses were large enough to accomodate everyone of any cones.
guano* in the town or community. Most families gave dinners, carpet
dances and a grand formal ball every year. The time for the ball
was around the Christmas holidays, the dinners and carpet dances
were given impromptu on the occasions that they were needed or
desired, Nothing gave the slaves any more happiness than the word
to go out that "Nets awing hab'a carpet dance up at de Big House
tonight". The rugs and carpets were rolled back and removed, the
waxed floors rubbed until they shone like a mirror. The chandeliers
with their long glittering crystals drops and the/glrandoles on
the convex mirrors were filled with wax candles. The linen slips
from the becks of the chairs were removed and the high oarved
mantel was decorated with a few boquets placed in tall china or
out glass. The rooms needed no decorations with their high ceilings,
FOLKLORS1
Miss lane Cowan, P. Ws
MeLennen County, Texas,
District No. 8.
File MO. 240s
Pogo No. 7.
panelled wells, rorved "woodwork and long cirrors and fanny portraits
on the walls.
"The whole family-, from the youngest to the oVest went to
these tails and all who were old enough danced sedately in a minuet,
gaily at the carpet dances. At the formal balls a minuet was
usually the opening number led by the most prominent guest of the
evening, high and stately, but there was nothing stately at the
carpet dances, the grandfathers &need with their grand children,
father and sons dances with young and old alike. When the fiddlers
struck up "Hands Across and Down the Viddle" young and old joined
in this dance as harpy as little pickininies on a summ r days
"As the time drew near for the sets to be called the young men
who wished to dance approached the mothers and daughters and asked
"if he might be -:,ermitted the honor of the next dance"? The maids
bowed and looked at her mother or chaperone, and if that lady nodded
her head then he was "permitted the next dance". She replied that
she would have the pleasure with just the right tone of reserve.
"The customs and styles had changed from the Revolutionary
period, instead of the rich damask, the plumes an the powered hair,
the 6irls dresses were made of Uo finest muslin, satins or silks.
The skirts were full and short,' with the, bodies from six to eight
inches long. The hair was worn in curls hdnging round the nrck.
The dinners were works of art by the cooks. There were boned
turkeys, terrapin stow called "cooter stew", there were chickens
stuffed and baked as well am jellies, creams and pies. joves would
FOLKLORMI rile No. No,
Visa Effie Cowan, P. W. 'Page NO. 84
MeLennan County, Texas.
District No. 8.
be cooked in neati of fine colored Shred°, of oranges peelings*
Last them would be a tall iced cake with the American flag on the
top layer. Wring the Civil War the Confederate flag was used instead
.of the stars and stripes*
"There were. wines and tLe old lidira that had been warming and
ripening for many a year in cedar shingled garrets, port and rum punch
made with pineapple, limes eta. used for anpetisers. Cf ccurse, the
gueets enjoyed themselves, but the ones who had the biggest share of
the enjoyment were the-s/sves who hod watched with longing the pre-
parations for these denote which were given cboutrthe7holiday **roma.
No ster could ,keep them away from the, w ndows, at every window there
were the black faces of the slaves gating in fascination at the scene.
As soon as the company left the big dining hall the slave musicians
1
adjourned with the rest of the slaves belonging to the household where
the remain(' of the feast was carried out with the musicians playing
for them until the rising of tbe sun. I will tell you about the last
Christmas before the Civil Tar which changed this way of living entirely.
"Christmas in the -ear 18893 The last One just like it on. the
old plantation. As a child thelmemory still is with me of haw for
days before there was the hurry anti preparation in 3oth the home of my
f therian6 the quarters as well. The family is more than usual itself
and for' the time there is banishment of the war clouds that were then
hangiri over. the south. I can see our old ma:my servant as the brings.
in the tray of w.ine to serve to .some guests as the older ones ask
about the plans for Christmas, for on a plant tion Christmas is the
imrvrtant time of the year.
FULMORM File MO. 140*.
kiss Effie Cowan, P, MO Page NO. 11,),
MaLennan County, Tee.
District NO. 8.
"In the "hig house" as the servants called our house our folks
have preperecl the candy and the presents for the slaves. It is
Christmas eve and the night is warm enough for a tree to be nut in
thc beck yard for them. They come fro7 all of the cabina ana they play
some Christmas /amigo on their flutes and juice, harps. Then the presents
were distributed to the house -servants first, then to the field servants.
There was candy, pocket knives, pipes, dressee, shoes and so on down
the list. These presents the slaves acknowledged with a "Thankee,
then after the jug of whiskey was brought and each one of ,the men
given a drink, they marched *way for their weeks holiday from work.
"Attar the depci'ture of the slaves whose voices and laughter
could be hoard' long ate the gate was closed, we rushed around to
complete preparations for our own guests. They began to arrive in the
afternoon fm, ur and Jown the couttry. Some bed driven for miles
in their carriages with their baskets of clothes tied on behind (this
was the .4.ind of ,suitcases of that time.) Some of these (terrines were
the old style coach with the drivers seat up high in front, and if
it were too erowoded the maids, who came with their young mistresses
would ait with the driver. Other guests came in boats from up and
"own the river. In the bed rooms the maids and mothers of the young
ladies would be busy dressing them for the Christmas dinner and dance.
After the big diningiroom was filled and Ue famlAy and guests had
finished their meal, then along car.e the plantation rusicians with a
violin, flute or tambourine Then the dance begun and they danced
until daylight as I have already described to :iou.
PtiLXLCHNs
Miss Effie Cowan, P. 1.
Meadannan County, Texas,
District No. 8.
File NO. 2413.
Page NO0 100'
"This last Christmss was something for a child as I was, to remember
little did the older ones think it would be the last of its kind and
of course we children thought of nothing but the happiness of the
season. ry information is that the next Christmas, the war being on,
some of the old slaves had given up their sons to go with the young
Yasters, and many did not ooe home for the holidays, so no one had
the heart to have the regular celebration. The children so happy
this last Christmas time were not children any more when the war was
over. The war had matured even the innocent ones into thoughtful grown.
ups, and it was many years before they 'earned again to be as haopy
as this last time borore the war came.
"When it came, my father and tow of !y uncles went to fight for
their sUte. They were in the Missisaippi Company of 7Jayne's rifles
and fought in the battle of Panasses. I do not remember all the
battles they were in but py Uncle John was wounded and taken prisioner
in Virginia and sent to a northern hospital. Re was still in prison
when peace ce..e.
"This uncle was finally sent home from the northern prison after
weary months of waiting. Several times during the war there were rumors
of negro uprisings but this did not happen, and as a rule they stayed
and helped to take care of the plantation when the men were away at
the front. I remember how the plantation owners had to give their
biggest part of their feed crops to feed their own soldiers and of
course when the Union army car.e down into rississippi they took what
was left.
PCLXI•Orni
Niles. Utile Cowan, P. W.
Notennan County, Texas,
District No: 8.
File NO: 240.
Page No: 11.
"I will not attempt now to tell you more about the ware I am
sure you have Leard the at-ry,over and over. You have rend the story
of how they held the siege over Vicksburg and how, when the Union
officer Gen. Butler Was in New Orleans the people who lived in their
path had to refugee. And so in my neXi, interview will tell you
how the ones who came home from the war took up their lives and
comwenee, the task of reconstruction. Also of my marriLge and my
leaving my old home for the new country. of Texas after I had a family
of my own.
"The memory of my first Christmasses lingers with me yet, how, on
awakening I could hear the ringing of the old plantation bell with the
dawn, the baying of the doge, and the little bleak maid as she opens
my door with her greeting of "mornint Yisses", end then in a breath
"Christmas Gifei" Way we meet in the sweet bye and bye with her
cheerf01 "Morninslifiss"- and "Nappy Chriamus".
FOLKLORE,
Miss Effie Cowan, Pa.
McLennan County, Texas.
District ho. 8.
No. of Words 1750.
File No. 840.
Page No. 1.
RKIERENCS
interview continued with Mrs., Emma Falooner, Marlin Texas, (White Pioneer
I was fifteen years old when the war between the states ended
and still living with my grandmother in blasippis It would be imposs-
ible for me to give you an exaot picture of conditions at this time.
The civil laws of the south were not in operation and the military
government that had charge of affairs was not enough to meet the de-
mands made upon it. The negroes had been set free and were supported
by the office of the "freedmans buerau". Many left the plantation on
which they were born and went from to place like lost sheep expecting
to be previded for. Most of them believed that freedom meant idleness
and to live as they had seen the wealthier class of whites live.
"Many went to the cities expecting the freedmens bureau to feed
and clothe them and this body could not care for all. Therefore,
stealing and inoendiariam took place. The white people could hardly
the slaves were free and the old faithful slaves were still dependent
on their former masters for their support. We all know how the un-
principled politicians came down and took charge and deprived the
whites who fought in the rebel army from voting and the vote and many
offices were given to the former slaves or their off -springs. It was
the time of the "carpet bagger rule and scalawags" as they were called.
"There is no dolibt but that the indignities that were heaped on the
south led to acts of retaliation. When there were political conventions
it was these unprincipled politicians that ruled the day. For this
FOLKLORE,
Miss Sffie Cowan, P.W.
MoLennan County, Texas,
District No. 8.
File No. 240.
Page No. 2.
reason there were prejudioes,arOnsed against the Republican party
that to this day has not been entirely overcome by the, honesty of
later officers of that party.
',There was the union League, a seoret political sooeity that had
its branches in most of the southern states, some under different
names. They told the slaves their old masters were making arrangements
to re -enslave them and this aroused more trouble and caused some of the
many unlawful acts of the reconstruction period, it was believed, It
was by means of these sooeities the negroes were made to believe they
were to be given forty acres and a mule. These soceities were offset
by the Ku -Klux Klan which was intended to restore order, as well as
a protection to the communities which were suffering from these troub-
les. However the spirit of it was often violated by parties doingu
unjust things in the name of the Elan,
"When the southern man who were capable leaders gained control of
affairs, after several years and much needless expense which the states
had been subject to by these politicians who were making their offioe's
an excuse for their own private gains, the troubles began to gradually
die down, When the northern opinion had become disgusted with the dis-
honesty that had been practiced in the name of the Republican party
there came a welcome end to this humiliating and bitter rule,. While
both factions were busy trying to solve this problem it solved itself
with the help of their former masters. When the negroes saw that they
had to go to work to live they let the white man arrange for them to
FOLKLORE,
Miss Effie OdWan, P.W. File he. 240
MeLennan Count", Texas, Pagm No 3.
Distriot No. 8.
work the land for a part of the crops and their supplies. After all,
it was the southern plantera who solved the !Nigro problem as it is
solved today.
"When I was nineteen years old married Willis Lang releaser, he
was born in Wayne County Missippi June 27, 18484 He wee a son of
Hon. Thomas P. Falesiner, a,planter and a lawyer, also an owner of
slave property, who was elevated tO the judgeship of his district.
He was tarried.twieel(and my husband was a son by his second:marrai80)
to Miss Ierusha Lang, of Scotch ancestry. This seeond wife was a
sister of Captain Willis and William Lang who settled on 4 plantation
between Waco and Marlin on the Brazos Bottom, and was later inherited
by the Billingsley's
"I must patios here tit tell you a little about the Langs. Captain
Willis Lang, was first a soldier under General Sam Houston when he was
governor, just before the war between the sates broke out, and with a
eompany under Captain Ross of Waco went on an Indian scout, hunting
the tribes which were giving trouble along the northern border of
Texas. After he returned the war was soon deelared and he organized
is company at Marlin was sent to New Menlo° where he met his death at
the battle of lal!pliarde this oompany was known as the Fifth Texas Cav-
alry, Army of the Confederate States of America. The roster of this
eoinpany\oonteins the, names of many ancestors of Marlin residents today.
"His brother william Lang was a master of the State Grange and
Patrons of Husbandry for many years. His body lies buried in Cavalry
cemetery at Marlin while that of Captain Willis Lang was interred on
the Val-Vered battlefield in New Mexico.
FOLKLORE,
Miss Effie Cowan, pa.
MoLonnan County, Texas,
District No. 8.
File No. 240.
Pegs No. 4.
"My husband Willis Falconer Lang was the only child by this second
marriage. He was reared as a member of the family of an Aunt on ac-
count of the death of both parents. In 1864 he joined Company E. Merman
Is battalion, General Wirt Adams brigade. He saw service in a detach-
ment detailed tit run down deserters untill near the end of the war.
When he was contemplating more arduous service in General Forrest cm
mend, the end of the confliot came and he was discharged at Gainewille,
Alabama, and returned home.
"After the war he again entered school and obtained most'of his
education at Pierce's Springs Missippi near Red Bluff On the Chickasahay
River. It was when we lived near this river that I have already given
you a description of the way the houses were built and the grounds that
faoed the river. It was a typical plantation home. Later we lived near
Langsdale Misiippi on,a plantation also.
"In 1885 his relatives, the Billingsleys, who had come to the plan-
tation on the Biazos Bottom that had belonged to Captain.Willis Lang,
sent for us and we decided to oast our fortunes in the new country of
Texas.. Here the plantation life was very much the same as in Missippi,
only it was a wilder and more unsettled country. We lived in Marlin
and my husband still farmed on the Billingsley plantation untill he
formed a partnership with Mr. Nettles of karlin when they increased
their operations to include ranching on a more extensive scale until'
his death in 19E9 at the age of 81 years.
"The Brazos Bottom land was the first in this part of Texas to be
put in cultivation, the higher land av,s not thought to be good for
anything but grazing for stook. There were lot of ranches both in
the bottom and on the prairie country. Most or the work was done by
negrees, many had brought their slaves with thsmibefor, the 'or own
FOLKLORE,
Miss Effie Cowan, P.W.
MoLennaa County, Texas.
District /do. 8.
File No. B40.
Page No. 5.
on, and %Ley were still in the oommunity and most of the still with
their former owners. When we, came we brought fifteen or twenty negro
families most of them were deoendents of our former slave,.
"Yrom about six miles of wee° starting on the Tehuaoana there were
famillea who had settled on plantations down to Marlin, they were first
General Harrison, who also came from Missippl, Dr. W. W. Dunklin, Dr.
Bedwell, the Shaklefords, the Mullins, Punohards, BilAngsleys and the
Oakes. Most of these families came either in the Sterling Robertson
colony or seen after. We oame much later. But even when we came it
was in some ways a little wild and unsettled.
"The "Waco Tap" railroad as they called it had just been completed
from Houston to Waco. This made Wave the terminus and brought trade
trOn farther west as they brought their produce here to be shipped to
Houston to the market. For years Waco, Fort Worth and Dallas were
said to be wild cow -boy towns. Everything was what they called wide
open, saloons occupied the best business stands. The bars were in front
and the gambling dens were in the rear behind closed doors. A special
stunt of the cowboys was to ride into the saloon and shoot a barrel of
whiskey untill they coul*ake a glass and catch their drink, then ride
away and the next day return and .tell the owner to put his prioe on the
damage. This has happened here in Marlin and some of the oldest famil-
ies boys have been among the number, but who as they grew to manhood
made law-abiding citizens.
"Under, the reconstruction period the lawlessness had continued in
Texas, theives were numerous and bold and found a secure retreat in
the thickets and timber of the Brazos bottom along the Brazos River.
Many a man has been trailed and oaught here in the bottoms with blood
hounds. But it was said that this was *hanged when the BOA.; RiOhlOW4
FOLKLORE*,
Miss Effie Cowan, P.Wip
Naannan County* Texas,
District No., 8*
File No. 240
Page No. 6*
Coke of Waco was made governor and Oen* Sul Ross the Sheriff*.
"Another thing that we had to be on the watch for was the Brazos on
its floods,. In the years gone by it has flooded the eountry much
worse than now since they have terraced the farms and learned better
how to work to hold the floods in cheek* However it is net so many
years since bni of the last big floods came and took half the big
bridge over the river, about six miles east of Marlin, and with it some
of the people who were on it watching the river, among them my son-
in-law Dr* Allen Of karlin* It .Was a sad time, the bodies floated
down the river to the bend and then men threw ropes and caught them
as they, drifted around the bend in the river below Marlin* In the
past years the men would have to take their boats and rescue the
negroes in the bottom when the river was up. However it is this
overflow that comes every few years which makes the soil so rich. /n
days gone by before the worms destroyed the crops the land always made
a bale to the acre,
"With it all we were not diseouraged, for the country wns over the
trials of the pioneer days snd eomforts wore to be had. Ws had plenty
of negroes to help do the hard work just as we did in Blieippi. Some
of the deoendents of the slaves we brought were still with us* I had
ten children and raised eight to be grown* Three sons went to the
Phillipines, one Albert died there, another, Theodore, returned, went
to the World War, was wounded in action and died later* The oldest is
Dr* Boliver Lang Falconer who was director of the Civil Service in the
Phillipines, and for many years in the United States held post in this
work. He is retired at his own request and has sinee aids several trips
around the world* The last being by air and hea writte4 a book called
"Flying around the World"* I have one boy living in Map lei three
FOLKLORE,
Nies afie Cowan, FOG
MoLenn5n County, Texas,
District No. 8.
7110 110.140.
Page No. 7.
girls.
"In conclusion lot ma tell you my impression when I ease to Texas
and saw the sunrlse,*the Texas Bluebonnets and the wild flowers, the.
Ifidian head, the "Teller Bose of Texas", the wild verbena, and Al the
many beautiful Texas flowers. The traveller may be oblivious to the
wonders o' his own land and feel that distance lends enehentment, he
may gxow rapturous over other sunny clines, but if there is a sunnier
or more beautiful country than Texas, I have not seen it; The Brazos
valley has unequaled or unsur,assed anywhere in the state for its fer-
tility, and I have seen Marlin develop from a mare village to the thriv-
ing health resort it now is, end entertains its visitor from all over
the United States.