Melchior Opiela

Melchior was listed on the 1880 agricultural census for Karnes County with assets that included 10 acres of tilled land and 120 acres of woodland, 2 horses, one working ox, 1000 sheep, 5 swine, and 10 barnyard poultry. The farm was valued at $300, implements at $10, and livestock at $50. For the year 1879, Melchior reported that 40 head of cattle were sold, 4 acres of corn yielded 60 bushels, and 30 cords of wood were cut valued at $60. This special census also provides an insight into what the family ate: two head of cattle and five sheep were slaughtered in 1879, and 100 dozen eggs were produced (U.S. Federal Census, Agriculture Schedule, 1880, Karnes County, Texas, p. 5, line 8, Mikell Opiela).