Tallapoosa Times [Dadeville, AL], September 6, 1860
Deplorable Condition of the people in Texas.
The following addendum to a very lengthy account of the depradations committed in Texas, was received by Tuesday night’s mail, from our old fellow townsman, now residing in Texas, who will be readily recognised by our citizens by the signature. The accounts accompanying this letter are so old, dating back as far as the 15th July, that we suppose our readers have become familiar with them. Our friend is mistaken about old Tallapoosa staggering under the burden of corn, though we have every reason to believe that her citizens will make enough for all necessary purposes.
“Since the above the city of Austin has been twice fired, and the celebrated flouring Mills at Glascock totally destroyed. The city of Jefferson has been set on fire twice, and on the 6th day of this month the beautiful and flourishing town of Henderson in Rusk County was burned to the ground with a loss of a half million dollars of property. The country is in a deplorable state of excitement. Vigilant Committees have been appointed in every village and community, and the country, the whole country, sleep upon its arms. Coupled with these disastrous circumstances, is the mournful fact of an entire and absolute failure in the crop, both corn and cotton. There will not be corn enough made for bread, and thousands will suffer for the necessaries of life. Land has rapidly declined in price, horses and mules turned out to starve or driven in droves to the seaboard to winter, while hundreds of families are moving to favored localities or leaving the State. I hear that you have plenty to eat and that old Tallapoosa staggers under the load of the ripening corn; we rejoice in your prosperity, while we stand literally knee deep in the tears of the most cruel, and bitterest calamity ever visited upon any community.”
Your friend,
DAVE.
N.B. Your old friend, Dr. Jordan’s house and office I learn was burned up. Vigilance Committee of this place hung a man yesterday.
D.