Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-04
HOrEs OF rIxAs TRAVEL-EO. 4.

MOTIFS or TRXAs TRAVEL-E0. A.
San Antonio before the railroad,
wasFexteaded here last February,
was the largest interior city of the
United States not reached BY water
navigation or railroads. Its popu-
lation has more than doubled since
the war, and now that the place Is
connected with the cutter world by
a f~rst-class railroad touching the
focal system of Texas railroads at
Houston and salt water at GalyeE-
ton, its rapid growth is assured.
The gap of eighty miles to Austin,
now crossed daily by stages, viii
soon be spAnned by a railroad, and
an extension 10 the Mexican border
is only a question Of time. The rail-
way nov IN operation from Corpus
Christi on the coast to Seguin viii
in an probability be extended to San
Antonio or . point on the road east
of here, and thus in time this. an
Gent interior city may become quite
a railrosd cnnfar It's at all events
the commercial emporium Of West
ern Texas, and likely to remain so
for all time to come. This has been
military headquarters for many
years, and is vet. General Ord was
absent at the time of our visit on
public business, but his family and
some Of his staff we're to be seen at
the old Menger House, where We
stopped. But Escobedo was in
town, and we had a glimpse Of
the famous Mexican general who
shot Maximillian. He resides with
the Mexican consul, is attended by
quite a staff and keeps to himself.
Seen on the street or in the yesti-
bule Of a hotel in citizens, plain.
dress, and without any insignia OF
rank, he locks more like a German
music teacher or professor Of Ian
guages than a prominent figure in
history. He is perhaps fifty years
old, medium sized, rather dark
complexion, hair and beard cut
close and wears gold framed eye
glasses, thus suggesting the
scholar or teacher. We also
met General Mexia afterwards
at Houston. lie owns a large
estate near the town of Mexia, but
is not a citizen of this country. He
was recently paroled by some Of
Diaz's officers, but has been ordered
to report on the frontier. He is a
splendid looking man, representing
the wealthy and educated classes of
his unfortunate country. The story
invented on the coast and tele-
graphed to the Eastern papers that
Escobedo and Mexia are recruiting
a filibustering expedition in Texas
is too incredible to require a denial
in the State. The people here are
friendly toward the Mexicans, and
all they ask is that the cattle thieves
be punished, and the border made
secure against the inroads of ma
rauders. Whether this can best be
done by Stationing a large army on
the Rio Grande, or extending our
frontier to the Sierre Madre noun
tains, is strictly an international
question for the government to
decide. Protection is deserved and
should no longer be withheld.
A mile northeast Of the main
plaza, at the foot Of a little noun
tain, so-called in this country, rises
in the center of a deeply shaded
park, the famous San Pedro
Springs. This charming spot il
open to the public, and is a mos
delightful resort, Artificial lakes.
ornamental trees, vines and shrub.
berry, shaded arbors, refreshment
stands, bridges, and a ~luxuriant
growth OF cacti, plantain banana
and other rare plants and trees
wild beasts in cages, tame fsh anC
turtles in the bright and deceptive.
ly clear water, the MARBLE Of bird
in the trees overhead, and the fra
GRANGE Of flowers peryadmg til,
air,9 all contribute to make this on,
of the loyeliest spots on earth, al