The History of Austin County, Texas: Edited and published in 1899 as a supplement to the Bellville Wochenblatt

This is a reproduction of the translation of the text of the article that appeared in German in The Bellville Wochenblatt. William Trenckmann, who edited the original, wrote in his introduction: For a number of years the Wochenblattmann has been concerned with the idea of publishing a special edition dedicated to the County of Austin, in Texas. Certain hindrances such as lack of time and of the article which is quite as essential to pay for printing jobs as it is to waging a war—have thus far prevented its publication. But we are convinced that this supplement, which we now send forth into the world, will be welcomed by all those who live in the county, even if much that we present here in word and picture is already familiar to them through hearsay or through actual personal experience. Many of our loyal readers who have set up their homes elsewhere will be happy to have more information about that section of the earth where Stephen F. Austin made his first settlement and where once stood the first capital of Texas. It was also the place where the earliest German pioneers in this state erected their first cabins and where, since that time, so many men and women of German blood have found homes and have helped to transform the wilderness into a fruitful garden. We have spared no effort or expense to make this booklet as rich in content and interest as possible, and we here with express our right hearty thanks to all those persons who have ably assisted us. We are fully aware that this historical sketch and topographical description of the county which, like our state capital, took its name from the Founding Impresario, cannot lay claim to completeness. Months and years of preparation and research would have been required to make it so. But we have striven within this limited frame to portray the material which is most important and worth recalling, and we believe that we have succeeded reasonably well. We hope, as they read this booklet and study the features of the aged men and women who created a new home for German culture and language on foreign soil, that our readers may gratefully remember what we their sons and grandsons owe to the German pioneers of Texas. If this aim is achieved, then the primary purpose of the little book has been accomplished.