Tl,e Beginnings of Present Nacogdocl,es
boring tribe of the Bidais lost almost half of its people. The malady was attributed to excessive dampness caused by heavy floods and appears to have taken the form of malignant dysentery. By 1777, when a census was taken, the population of Bucareli consisted of one hundred and twenty-five men, eighty-seven women, one hundred twenty-eight children, and fi,·e sla\'es, making a total of three hundred and forty-seven persons. 31 '11aterial progress t111d plans for tlee futt,re. The first year the settlers planted their corn on the east bank of the Trinity near some permanent lakes. But the heavy floods of the year destroyed the fruits of their labors. The Bidais, who knew the country better, showed them a place on the west side of the river where crops could be raised safely without irrigation. Here an abundant crop was gathered the following year. Sample ears of corn were sent to San Antonio which the governor described as being over twelve inches long with grains of good quality. At the same time they planted some cotton as an experiment. It grew with such vigor that it surprised the settlers. The same was true of the truck gardens that had been attempted. A bushel of wheat had been planted which yielded an abundant crop. The land was suitable also for cultivation of rice. Early in 1776, Governor Ripperda permitted lbarbo to take to Bucareli a mulatto weaver, who was then residing in San Antonio in order that he might teach his trade to the settlers and "to see if cloth similar to that of Puebla can be-made." For this purpose a supply of wool had been taken as well as a number of sheep and some cotton seed to produce the necessary fiber and wool in the new settlement. Much was expected also from the advantages offered for raising horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. The abundance of buffalo and wild cattle that roamed one day's journey west of Bucareli led the go\'ernor and settlers to hope for the production of fat in sufficient quantity to make possible the manufacture of soap "to supply [the soldiers of] our presidios who are now dependent on Saltillo." Communication with the new establishment was claimed not to be so difficult as the distance might imply. Although it was more than one hundred leagues to San Antonio there were only three large streams in the intervening area: the Brazos, the Colorado, and the Guadalupe, which were fordable most of the year. There was no other danger than attack from the Comanches between the Guadalupe and San Antonio by 30 Ripperda to the Viceroy, January 25, 1n6; De ?.lezicres to Croix, i\larch 18, 1778; Ripperda to Croix, January II, 1778. A. C. '1/. Historia, \'ol. 51.
Powered by FlippingBook