UNRECORDED HISTORY. 15 



but surely developed conditions destructive to the perpetuation 

 of such a system. 



The conditions under which the people were living were so 

 unequal and distressing that the idea of relief from some source 

 became the general theme of conversation. It was discovered 

 at all times and under nearly all circumstances, and resulted in 

 an effort to bring about the reforms that were unmistaka- 

 bly needed. The Alliance of Texas originated in Lampasas 

 County, about fifteen miles north of the present village of Lam- 

 pasas. The date of the first organization is given as some time 

 in 1874 or 1875. There is considerable vagueness about the 

 date of its formation, which doubtless is unknown at the present 

 time. It was probably the result, as an old member states, of 

 an attempt to formulate a plan for purchasing supplies, that was 

 made directly after the panic of 1873. This attempt led to a 

 partial organization of a sort of farmers' club, which enabled 

 those early settlers to consult together in matters of mutual 

 interest. 



The financial disasters of that period drove many northern 

 people to the West and South, and quite a number settled in 

 this portion of Texas. The feeling engendered by the war had 

 not fully died out, and there was a certain restraint between the 

 newcomers from the North and the old settlers, which was 

 quite plainly seen at certain times. Soon, however, a common 

 danger threatened all alike. What is known as the land-shark 

 made his appearance, and with him came litigation over land- 

 titles. Expensive law-suits followed, which the impoverished 

 settler could not stand. Settlements were made with one set 

 of these people, only to be repeated by others of similar charac- 

 ter, until forbearance ceased to be a virtue, and a determination 

 to unite upon some plan of defence began to obtain among 

 them. Nothing was more natural than recourse to those trade 

 clubs, which had fallen into disuse to a large extent. After dis- 

 cussing the situation thoroughly, it was decided to use peaceful 

 means, if possible, but to defend their homes at all hazards. 

 Here were men from the North and South banding together for 

 mutual protection, under the name Land League, which soon 

 took the more proper designation of Farmers' Alliance. The 

 old members of these organizations point with pride to the fact 



