San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-09-07

winter being n foot or SO deeper du-
RING the summer months. This, it is
copjectured, is owing to the melting
of the ice and snow at its far supter.
raneau source, but where that Is Is yet
but conjecture. BE that as u may IL
| is certainly an inestimable blessing 10
Thirsty land like Texas.
During the coolest days Of winter
steam as from boiling cauldron rises
| from the surface of the water, as IN
smaller springs.
The finest view Of the river Is 10 DC
had by going on boat on its upper
waters. The many-colorcd flowers
plants and stones on the bottom give
out from its crystal depths all the
varying hues of the kaleidoscope,
forming fairy world of wonders OF
incompatible beauty. [See letter OF
Bishop Doggett in another column.
The San Marcos is::iudeed a joy, glo-
nv and blessing forevermore, to all the
lovely region round about.
Jacobs Well" in the upper part OF
the county, is q similar river fountain
turning out stream of about halt the
volume of the San Marcos. There
are several other springs Of the same
sort in the mountain district, around
which are good settlements. There is
also quite large mountain lake seve-
raj miles above the well" vulgarly
insulted with the name of dead
Mans Hole" perhaps the greatest
natural curiosity in the county; but
we cannot at present go into a de-
scriptiou of it. [For descriptions OF
both dead Mans Hole" and Jacobs
Well'' see article entitled Hays Coun-
ty Scenery" in another column
There are also some quite large and
remarkable caverns in the mountain
region, and some of the most grand
and lovely views known to any coun-
try.
What We have said has mostly a
general application to the county. We
shall now make some special notice OF
the principal towns or settlements.
And first, of the county seat,
SAN MARCOS.
The town is beautifully situated i'm.
mediately on the San Marcos river,
about half mile below its source. 1t
is located on the great highway and
stage route from Austin, the capital OF
the State, to San Antonio, thirty miles
from the former and fifty from the lat
ter, and is also on the line Of the Inter-
national railroad, which has been
completed to Austin, (also the termi-
| nus of the western branch Of the Texas
Central Railway and it is confidently
anticipated will soon be extended to
this place. 1t is only eighteen miles
from Kingsbury, on the Galveston,
Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad,
and the Narrow Gauge Railway, from
Houston, which is now in process of
construction, is expected to reach San
Marcos. 1t is thrifty, growing town.
with almost every branch of trade and
industry represented. 1t also contains
six organized churches, viz: Metho'
dist, Christian, Baptist, Presbyterian
Cumberland Presbyterian and Episco-
palian; and one principal institution
of learning-Coronal Institute-be-
sides other private schools. An effort
is in progress to combine the Free
School and the Institute under one
management so as to unite the edu
cational interests of the place, which
it is hoped will result in raising the
standard Of both. There are flourish.
ing lodges of Masons and Odd Fellows
who are uniting in erecting spacious
and handsome hall. The future OF
our village, as a lovelycountry town,
seems to US very fair, and we confess we
sympathize in the anticipa.ions of the
resident rbymer from whom we
quote. He is singing of SanMarcos-
hear him !:
|