History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 147

HISTORY OF TEXAS. 147

Free Methodists. . ........ 100
Catholic. .... ........ .........157,000
H ebrew ........................ 300
Methodist Protestant............. 6,300
Colored M. E. Church in America. . 12,162
African Methodist Episcopa'....... 12,900
Colored Baptist .............100,681
It must be borne in mind that it has been
impossible to obtain exact data with reference
to a few of the above named churches.
THE PRESS.
The first printing-press in Texas was put
into operation at Nacogdoches in 1819, and
was brought to t'lat place by General Long,
who established a provisional government
and a supreme council, which issued a (leclaration
proclaiming Texas an independent
republic. The office was placed under the
management of Horatio Biglow, and was
used for the publication of various laws enacted
and proclamations issued by that shortlived
government.
The first regular newspaper, however, made
its initial appearance about 1829, at San
Felipe, bearing the name, The Cotton
Plant. Godwin B. Cotten was editor and
proprietor. In 1832 its name was changed
to The Texas Republican.
The second paper was the Texas Gazette
and Brazoria Advertiser, published in Brazoria
in 1830. In September, 1832, it was
merged into the Constitutional Advocate and
Texas Public Advertiser, with D. W. Anthony
as owner and editor, who died in
1833, and the paper ceased.
Next was the Texas Republican, at Brazoria,
by F. C. Gray, in December, 1834.
This was printed on the old press brought
into the realm by Cotten, before mentioned,

In January, 1835, this was the only paper
published in Texas, and in August, 1836. it
was discontinued.
The fourth newspaper was the Telegraph,
started in August 1835, at San F'elipe, by
Gail and Thomlas II. Borden :td .Joselh
Baker. A Mexican for.e seized Lliih in April,
1836, and threw thle uiaterial of the otfiec
into a bayou at HIarrisbulrg, to which place
it had been moved after the abandonment of
San Felipe by the Americans. In August,
that year, the Bordens bought new press and
material and revived thle Telegraph at Columbia,
and subsequently moved to Houlston,
where the paper was published for many
years, under the name of the Houston Telegraph.

After the establishment of Texan independence
the number of newspapers inincreased
rapidly, until now the State has as
many newspapers as any other in proportion
to population.
The first daily paper established in Texas
was thle Morning Star, by' Cruger & Moore
of the Telegraph, between 1840 and 1844.
The Texas Editorial and Press Absociation
was organized September 10, 1873, and afterward
incorporated.
RAIL ROADS.
During the last fifteen years railroad systeins
have been established at a comparatively
rapid rate. In 1870 there was less
than 300 miles in operation; in 1876, 1,600
miles; in 1885, over 7,000 miles; and in
1890, according to the last census, 8,914.
In the time of the republic numerous
charters for railroads were granted, but no
road was built. It was not till 1852 that the
first road was commenced. That year a pre

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