The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-03
AUsrIN, a - q a sERANGER.

AUSTIN As SEEN ~ a STRANGER
Here is what the special correspondent
Of the Memphis Appeal says about oul
beautiful city Of the hills:
AUsrrS, TEXAS May s6. 1s7S.-We
doubt II classic Rome, or any city in thc
world, can boast Of such magnificent and
picturesque scenery as Austin, the capital o.
Texas Standing upon some eminence,
you have a panoramic view Of the rolling
Colorado dashing its crystal waves at her
feet; the distant hills to the west and north.
with their white limestone SUBMITS, present
a lovely scene, and the majestic prairie to
the south and east, with its grcen sward,
herds Of cattle and meandering stream, as
far as the eye can reach, present a sight
much 10 be envied by those Of less favored
climes. Austin, with its wonderful sur
roundings, presents the most attractive and
pleasant city in appearance that it has ever
been our good fortune to gaze upon. The
county of Travis is decidedly rolling, pre-
senting considerable mountains, with rocky
SUBMITS The white limestone rock quar-
ries, near the city, afford beautiful building
material, of which it is principally built
They claim eight thousand inhabitants, with
rapid increase in population, and superb
stone buildings dotting various portions of
the city. Since the completion Of the Texas
Central to this point, business of every
character has greatly increased, and as
other roads will soon connect at this point,
she viii soon become an important and
prosperous city. Her business men
are intelligent, industrious and active,
having means and brains sufficient
to compete with larger cities. There are
many Tennesseeans and Kentuckyans here.
Upon our arrival, the first man we spoke to
was Judge Henry Cooper, who appeared as
bright and jovial as in days of yore. Cap
tain John ii. Wood, of Kentucky, took
charge of our corporal system and baggage
during our stay, and his family treated us
with true Kentucky hospitality.
Here follows the description Of the San
Marcos. Western Texas has many other
springs and streams with equal clearness
and beauty. Don't everybody come at
once:
NEW BRAUNFELs, Texas, May 81 1873
Since our last we have seen much to admire,
as well as some peeuliarities of the country
San Marcos has perhaps one thousand in
habitants, is situated on a beautiful stream
bearing the same name, which rises from
its subterranean beds about mile above the
town. OF this river we propose giving a
few facts. It is perhaps the clearest stream
in the world, its principal crystal fountain
coming directly up through the earth in the
center of large bed of water, and several
minor streams gurgling from the craggy
mountain sides a hundred yards distant.
The main stream comes boiling up in great
agitation, as if from some huge cauldron
beneath To examine this famous river,
gentleman kindly proffered his services, his
boat and fishing tackle, all of which we
gladly accepted. After being launched
upon its fair bosom, we do not hesitate to
say it was the grandest scene of the kind
we ever saw. Then we were floating upon
IT'S surface and looking at beauti-
full pebbles and gamboling trout and perch
fish at least fifteen to eighteen feet beneath.
An abundance of fish are caught from its
crystal depths. AS we have ever been pc
culiarly fond of this species Of sport, we
gladly arranged our tackle and dropped in
our line Our hook with the bait approaches
near the bottom, some fifteen feet, but is
perfectly visible-be quiet, here comes a
large perch; he plays around the bait
seizes it in his mouth and away he starts,
but halt-a line and pole attached soon
forces him to the surface. This was con-
tinued some hours and was fine sport in
decd