Correspondence Times-Herald.
     DE SOTO, May 14.--Take the country that embraces the thriving villages of Lisbon, Wheatland, Ka and De Soto, with its magnificently improved farms, and you have a country that outrivals the far named valley of the Nile in richness and the diversity of its products. There has not, in ten years, been a better prospect for a general crop. Wheat will make from twenty-five to thirty bushels to the acre, while other grain crops are all that could be desired. Morris & Staples are adding a large amount of new machinery to their already big gin with which to handle the expected increase in cotton this season. It was your correspondent's good fortune the first night out from Dallas to receive an invitation to stay the night at the residence of Parson Terrell, about two miles from Wheatland. The parson has a number of blooded cattle, a few of which, are Polled Durhams, which the parson says are the best cattle extant for general purposes. Among the many pedigreed horses shown your correspondent was one magnificent black, of which he is justly proud, being a son of Endower, one of the horses matched with Ten Broeck in his record-breaking race. Mrs. Terrell has sold since the first of January, three hundred dozen eggs, and in speaking of the market report in the TIMES-HERALD, said: "I find your reports absolutely valuable and I would not be without it for several times its price, as it enables me to successfully cope with the hucksters who usually take advantage of our ignorance of the condition of the market and give us their own prices." As it rained heavily a short time after starting the Arabian that pulls the TIMES-HERALD'S special cart over the road, was slowed up before the country residence of Mr. J. W. Allen, where was found a model farm and household. Having seen Messenger, a grand two-year-old lineal descendant of the Messenger known the world over to lovers of the turf, ye scribe was taken to the house where he was the recipient of a good old fashioned welcome, characteristics of southern hospitality. The interior of the residence is done in a hard oil finish, being the creditable handiwork of Mr. Allen in person. Mr. Allen is a believer in the efficacy of home education for his children and has a governess who is their constant instructor and companion and there could be no more convincing proof of the wisdom of this course than the remarkable proficiency of his children in the different branches and especially in music. The TIMES-HERALD daily and weekly are regular visitors to this house and it is humbly suggested that many who are as near their offices as Mr. Allen might, emulate his example in this particular respect by taking, in addition to their weekly, the daily edition, for as Mr. Allen aptly says: "Were they once to take the daily, they would not be without it for anything." Regular corespondents will read the doings of the people from the villages mentioned near the head of this article, which will reach the people through the medium of their favorite paper.

Special to the Times-Herald.
     DE SOTO, Tex., June 17.--By an election here, it was determined that school district No. 30 in Dallas county will not have the 20 cent school tax. The vote was as follows: For the school tax, 20; against the school tax, 41. This majority signifies "retrenchment and reform" in school affairs as expressed by many, the general impression being that the economical investment of existing funds will give ample school facilities.
     David Trees, George Morris and T. J. Parks were elected school directors for the ensuing year. The election of these three men, when we consider their known sentiments, makes their duty plain in one respect, viz: They must employ a female assistant teacher in the De Soto school next session.
     Cotton worms have done some damage, but are now though to be subsiding. On account of them, a few of our farmers have had to replant portions of their crops.
     H. L. Love has started his new steam threshing machine. It is doing most excellent work. He has thrashed his own, and F. H. Hines' crop of wheat, obtaining a yield of 14 and 18 bushels per acre respectively. The quality of grain is fine.
     The spring oat crop is about ready for the sickle, and is good, though injured somewhat by rust during the last few days. The outlook for growing corn is flattering indeed in this immediate vicinity. A few miles to the southeast, rain is needed badly, so I am told. Farmers are generally up with their work.

    The Odd Fellows of De Soto celebrated the birth of their order in the United States by giving a grand picnic at Morris' Grove. This lodge branched off from the Lancaster lodge in 1887 with a membership of five. It now has forty members and is reputed to be one of the best working lodges in the state. The officers elective are J. M. Park, N. G.; D. M. Waters, V. G.; C. S. Crave, secretary and J. J. Chastain, treasurer.
     At the picnic grounds, a grand march was formed by the home and visiting Odd Fellows. They marched to the grand stand, where they were received by appropriate music, after which, the first speaker, John T. Witt, was introduced by Mr. E. S. Denguid. Mr. Witt made a telling speech, in which he held forth the beauties of the order in glowing terms. He was followed by Col. S. H. Russell, who, it is needless to say, made an eloquent address. At the close of his speech, the Colonel introduced to the audience, Dr. J. A. Lindsey, of Lancaster, an Odd Fellow for 38 years, and called attention in a few well chosen words to a medal given him by the Grand Lodge of the state for efficient and long labor in the order. Dr. Lindsey was followed by Mr. Geo. White, who, for 37 years, has worked for the good of his beloved order and is, to-day, proud of it. The next feature on the programme was dinner, and in keeping with everything undertaken by the people of this wealthy neighborhood, a success.
     After dinner, Mr. W. Illingsworth, on behalf of the visiting members, made a felicitous address, which was frequently interrupted by loud applause. The crowd dispersed at 6 o'clock, impressed with the hospitality and good fellowship of the people of De Soto.

To the Times-Herald.
     DE SOTO, Tex., May 2. -- There was an election at De Soto on the 30th ult. to determine whether we should have a school tax or not. The result was 18 for the tax and 58 opposed. About one year ago, we had another election for the same purpose, with almost exactly the same result. It is hoped now that the boomers will let the community rest, for with two elections, they ought to learn public sentiment.
     Judge Nash of Garland and Judge Marshall of Dallas were out at the election and gave us a nice little talk each as to their respective claims for the county judgeship. They had a good hearing and were each advanced in the race, we think.
     So far, the crop prospect is fine about De Soto, especially the wheat crop. The acreage is greater this year than last.
     There is a great deal of complaint of grub worms eating the corn. Some small crops have been destroyed, while most crops are comparatively exempt.
     There is a great reduction in the acreage of cotton planted in this vicinity, fully one-half.
     The corn and oat crops are large, though rather late.
     The closing exercises of the De Soto school will occur on the 10th, we believe. It seems to be the general sentiment that our teacher, Prof. Gabb, has discharged his duties faithfully.

     J. E. Turner and wife of Franklin, Va., to DeSoto lodge I. O. O. F., one-half acre in town of DeSoto, $200.

DALLAS, April 8, 1893.

     About one month since, I placed my wife, who had long been a great sufferer from lung and stomach trouble, under the care of Dr. J. A. Hunter at his institution in Dallas. We had tried many other physicians, but all failed. She has steadily improved under Dr. Hunter's skillful and faithful care and attention. All her distressing, most painful symptoms have disappeared and she has gained ten pounds of flesh. We are grateful to Dr. Hunter, and in the interest of the sick, as well as kindness to him, publish this fact.
                                                   M. BRAGG, farmer,
                                              DeSoto, Dallas Co., Texas.

     Bob Saunders, who has been dodging the sheriff for six months past, was arrested and jailed yesterday. He is charged with seduction, having been indicted by the grand jury on evidence furnished by a young lady in the De Sota [De Soto] neighborhood.

     E. R. Parks to DeSoto Schoolhouse Association, April 25, 1886, 1 1/2 acres at DeSoto Schoolhouse, gift.
     T. A. Morris et al. to T. H. D. Sewart [Stewart?] et al., September 26, 1888, 1 1/2 acres at DeSoto school house, gift.
     T. A. Morris et al., to W. H. Walker, September 26, 1888, 1 1/2 acres at De Soto school house, gift.
     W. H. Walker and wife to D. S. Goble, August 28, 1890, 1 1/2 acres out of E. R. Parks survey at De Soto, $1500.