The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-04-07
FROM TEXAS.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March %, 1877


room, reckon "Any good boarding.
houses?' Yes, heaps. Mrs. Blanks near the
business center Is tip top; will set you down
there" "All right; thanks"
Accordingly rode about one block aud was
left at Mrs. BIS one mile from the business cen.
teri Time, 20 p. N. Knocked; no response
Again; ditto. Once more; same result.
Then saw IL ana shoudered my baggage and
started in the direction the bus had taken.
looked awful lonely out in the suburbs, with
only here and there house and not soul 40 be
seen or sound TO be heard save the distant rumb-
ling OF The bus as it bore its more fortunate pas,
sengers to the town.
The horror of my situation flashed upon me,
visions of bloody grcasers, sable Africans, land
they are not classed as among the very best peo
pie here away) and Of the traditional cut throat
Texans pressed themselves before me, and--wcl
| did not run o, no, But | went fast and
made all sail for harbor of safety port OF
refuge.
Still it was so lonely and my nice little reyol.
yer was safely packed away in the bottom Of my
satchei.
After a short time ! heard footsteps behind
following me; put on more sail and shot ahead
but the strain was too severe, and just as had
decided to yell "p-o-olice,' tie parties came
alongside. On CHANGING ut the desperadoes
thought they did not look so very ferocous after
all, and coolly O. asked them TO direct me to
the Menger. Keep right along till you come
TO the plaza there bear TO the left past the Ala
mo and you will see the light"
Lucid, wasn't it? But found the hotel and
the genial, pleasant face of Mr. Menger dspelIcd
my fears and Gained my perturbed mind.
The next day was Sunday, but the first thing
in the morning started TO see the classic Aid-
mo, which every school boy has read about and
which it seems TO me no true American, no per-
son who admires hcrosm and bravery, can ever
view with feelings unmoved Just think OF it
1888 brave and noble Texans defyng and fighting
$500 Mexicans well knowing that not one Of that
gallant band would ever survive, but tirIaly de-
termined to fight, as they did, TIL the last man
had persisted.
shall not attempt TO tell the story, although
it is one that might inspire any pen, but ADLER
ones than mine have described the battle and 1t
has become, as Il ought, a brilliant page in his.
tory. Some say that Crockett and Travis were
only severely wounded and then basely murder
ed by order Of Santa Anna, but Gen. Ord, who
has closely cxamir ed the authorities, told me he
thought this was a mistake, and was glad to-
hear him say so-glad to know that this bril-.
liant action was not stained by owardcc and
brutality, even Of the Mexicans.
ii Is not easy to write OF this quaint old city.
th.-a - 81. T..
and describe that am fairly bewildcred and
scarcely know where to begin or where to end |
Viewed from the top Of the Alamo it seems toI
sit in Il bowl or basu with hills of moderate Gle.
walton on every side, and the rapid, scrpentine
San Antonio river flowing through; many of the
dwellings and even business houses extending
nearly or quite to the rivers edge. The streets
are narrow and crooked, say 80 feet wide; the
Sidewalks many Of them scarcely wide enough
Tor Two to walk abreast; the buildings, largely OF
stone, are solid and substantial and low, many
neat cottages and some few Mexican huts appar
emily built OF mud and sticks in a very primitive
style.
II IS said that the city was founded in l123 by
order Of the king of Spain and that thirteen
families were imported from the Canary Islands
Tor this purposc The population Is now about
$1,000, Americans and Mexicans predomnating,
but representatives from almost every country
IN the world may be found here So much
IS this the case that almost felt as though
| was foreigner, especially vixen walking
ibodt, would attempt to gain some information
and be met with reply in language that was
more than Greek to me. This will more plainly
appear when | tell you that there are fifteen
'hurches, and among them are English, German,
y -Glcan, French and Polish
There are public schools in each ward, several
private ones and Catholic college and convent.
semi-tropical plants and fruits abound in and
bout the city, and yet it is not ruitc correct TO
ny That any fruits, except those OF natures
planting, abound, for here as elsewhere in Texas
rut culture has not received the attention that
ought or will receive after a few years. II was J
a'u 10y those who ought to know that figs
oranges bananas, pomegranites, grapes, peaches,
Sc will thrive here finely with proper attention,
ma yet scarcely saw any fruit at the table of
my sort or description, and but few fruit trees
N aud about the city.
the San Pedro river, narrow but rapid
he city, and at the spring are pleasure grounds
MN meandering walks, bridges oyer the river, '
'''aA lakes, pleasant glades and shady retreats
spot shat should be, il IL is not, kept free from
every communicating influence and made popu '
~ heaithful resort for all, both citizens and
strangers The San Antonio rises some three 4
miles further up, but instead OF one there are
many springs which form the river, much larger
'Sd more beautiful than the other saint. These
grounds are now owned by 4 gentleman who
has been so annoyed by visitors. some Of whom :
have abused his hospitality, that he now only
opens his gates TO the public once week. and q,
did not happen TO be there on visitors day.
could only, much TO my regret, view the little >
paradise within from distance, and can not !
therefore give more minute description.
The San Antonio river has. am told, a fall Of j
sDOut GO feet within distance OF ~ miles. and r