The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-05-23
ROUGHING 1T IN TEXAS.
JOurneyings of an indianapolis Party
i'm the Lone Star State-The Beautiful
Scenery of am Earthly Paradise.
[Special CORRESPONDENCE of the Sentint

Especial Correspondence OF the Sentinel-l
SAN ANTONIO, May II, 1S77.-According to
promise l give you a short sketch of our
trip from Austin here, having written Mr..
Woollen from that place last Tuesday even
ing. We completed our outtit-consisting of
an ambulance, span of mules and camp
equipage and provisions-and left the beau
tiful city of Austin, crossed the Colorado on
the new bridge and assembled the hills on the
other side. It was clear, beautiful evening,
and We could look back when miles away
and see the capitol building and bird's-eye
view of the city, which was grand sight
After some four or five miles we began to
descend to the valley of Onion creek
which we crossed, and followed its
course for a few miles and biv-
ouaeed in a little grove of live oaks
Just before stopping, however, we called at
house to inquire about water The land
lord came out: and we had some conversation
about Texas, which he seemed welded to.
We asked him If he had shotgun he would
loan us for the trip. He replied, Yes" and
went in and brought out fine gun, and
said, "You are strangers, but | will trust
YOU" His name is Hancock-a relation
of Congressman Hancock. We thanked
him and went on. But few men
would have done what he did. First
camped, built our fire, cared for our team
and then there were four hungry Hoosers.
Soon our table was spread upon the grass
and our bill of fare was handed around,
which was buffalo meat, breakfast bacon and
boiled eggs corn cakes and hot coffee. Ali
| of our little family was delighted with our
| fine meal. This job through with we then
prepared our beds with earth for a mattress
and the canopy of heaven for cover We
spread our blankets upon the bare ground
and turned in, making pillows of our
cushions and covered ourselves the best we
could with our shawls. Here for the first
time for many years
| THE CAMP LIFE
began with us in the edge of HAYS county,
/ Texas. We were up early to rest our bones,
/ as the ground was not as soft as spring mat
| tresses. which we had been so used To-.
| Breakfast over and all aboard for San Marcas,
the county seat of Hays county. Just before
coming to the San Marcas river, which is 6
/ big spring, we broke wagon spring. but one
of our company being a mechanic, he soon
had it repaired. and on we went and arrived
at and crossed over the river and stopped
/ for dinner. We saw the beautiful noun
| tain trout playing in the clear sparkling
water. Here we'got our spring welded and
/ put in its place, and passed on, but only
made IL miles that evening. We eamped
/ again and went through the usual routine.
| Our beds made, we were soon asleep as-we
were getting used to it. In the morning we
were off again and viewing along the beauti
1
on the right the corn and cotton fields 10
| green as far as the eye could see. The wheat,
| oats and barley were all nearly ready for the
/ sickle. We saw already some cut corn from
knee to waist high and of good color, the
hoppers having left and done but little
| damage except TO gardens This is certainly
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY
in the spring time 1 ever saw. We had an
/ other accident between Sannewaas and Nam
franbels. Broke spring again, got 1t mended
| and arrived here last evening at 81 O'Clock
We camped on San Antonio river in the
north part of the city. By this time camp
| life had got to be favorite, and our living
| is equal with that in the best hotels here. We
/ have spent the day in sight seeing and calling
on old friend,, among whom was Dr. Howa
| and brother and mine host, Col Tobin, the
/ proprietor of the Vance house. The colonel
| Is a joyial old Texan, and makes all his
| guests comfortable We dined with him to-
i day. and he has not forgotten his business
since we stopped with him over year ago.
He keeps first class house, and is centrally
located near st. Mary's school and the iron
bridge across the river Ii is q commodious
house Of so rooms and large dining hall,
! where all the delicacies of the season are
1 served up in manner to satisfy, the most
fastdious. Dr. Lotion likes San Antonio
very much, and is surprised that the climate
Is so refreshing and comfortable. This
evening we visited the Sanpadru
springs and other places of interest.
We leave here in the morning for Burney
and Kerryille, thence to Kimble county,