The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-04-06
ICorrespondence Of the News.
Letter from Texas.
SAN ANToNIo March 4. 1S76.

SAN ANTONIO March Z, 1876.
San Antonio is the largest, and
with one exception the oldest, town
In Texas. Its settlement dates back
to about the first of the last century,
that is, as Spanish Mission. It's
present population is about 10000,
composed of Americans 5000, Mexi-
cans 5000, Germans 5000, and the
remaining 1000 Negroes, Jews,
French, and few of all nationalities.
About 1000 persons, it is estima-
ted, are temporary residents here,
for their health. It is said to be a
fine climate for eonsumptives, on ac-
count Of the dryness aud purity of
air. At all events, there are persons
here spending the winter, from all
over the United States, and from
other countries.
The San Antonio river rises about
four miles above the city, and runs
in almost every direction. We never
saw SO crooked a stream. In walking
about the city you are constantly com
ing to the river, or some of the bitches
leading out from it, which flow in
every direction, watering yards and
gardens. aas
The fall of the river, from the
springs which are its source, is said
to be over eighty feet, or twenty feet
per mile. This gives good current,
and instead of flowing sluggishly
along, carrying malaria and death,
as do the Trinity and some smaller
rivers in the eastern part of the
State, it carries the filth from the
city, and is Of great benefit on this
account. This is the first irrigation
that we have see1 in the State, al
though it is practised in some other
parts.
San Antonio can not boast of a
fine farming country surrounding it.
On the contrary it is q city not quite
in wilderness, but city in chap
paral, which is not much better. In
a short ride in two directions to the
outskirts of the city, we failed to see
an improved farm, and very few gar
dens, and those few very small.
The trade of vast country south
west, west and northwest, is tributa-
ry to, and is the life of San Antonio.
A train arrived here day before yes
terday, from Northern Mexico, by
the way of Ell Paso, which is nearly
seven hundred miles distant. It
was composed of great many wag-
o1s, with a small army of mules, and
twenty mounted guards. It's freight
consisted IN part of wool and hides,
and one item of very valuable freight
in the shape of S13O,OO0in coin from
Mexicans mines, for shipment East.
The Army Headquarters are here
for the Department of Texas, Gen.
Ord in command.
Commissary and other stores are
hauled in wagons from here to the
Forts and stations upon the Rio
Grande. Do not know the number OF
soldiers upon the border, but it said
to be far to small too protect the lives
and interests of the citizens from the
raids of Mexicans and Indians, and
the lawlessness of desperadoes.
Nearly every town and city in the
State has its military organizations,
and at some schools the boys are
drilled as soldiers. This is partly
for exercise, but the military spirit
pervades the rising generation more
than in our Northern States.
Public interest is divided just now
between the Mexican question and
Tom SCOTS Railroad. Many per
sons think sooner or later a war will
settle the Mexican question, and
some favor the annexation of that
territory to our already large do
main. We don't want it. There i.
lanl enough yet unoccupied in
this State, and with climate mucI
like Mexico, to support population
of one million people
A person need not fear ''crowding
for a quarter or half century yet, a;
any rate, and if they should get
crowded in that time there viii prob
ably be room in New Mexico, Arizo
ma, or further North and West, some
where this side of, or in, Alaska
n. T. A.
P. S. Mulberries are getting ripe,
as was announced in yesterdays
daily. They are turning red.