San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-01
An Interesting Letter.


We find the following in the San An
tonic Express. We intended it for our
last iss sue, but it was crowded out:
SAN MARCOS, August ID, lSSl.-The
last of the Normals leave this beautiful
city to day, and San Marcos regains her
stutu quo. All seemed TO enjoy their So
iourn in this poetic city, and cast long
ing, lingering look behind.
San Marcos has the natural and arti-
fetal facilities for becoming one Of the
finest inland cities in Texas, we don't
mean the largest, but the neatest, most
classical, Venitian like. Her salubrious
atmosphere, her charming scenery, her
wonderful springs, her boundlcss water
power, her choice residence location, her
surrounding fertile country, and her al =
ready national reputation, have placed
glorious future within her grasp.
Neither is the moral elevation other cit
izeDs to be forgotten. A Sunday in San
Marcos is unlike Sunday in Western
towns. 1t seems to US that one had
slept as long as Rip Van Wrinkle, and
awakened suddenly on Sunday in San
Marcos, he would not have to 80 to his
almanac to find out if it were day OF
rest, Tor the very atmosphere seems to
Gay, Remember the Sabbath day to keep
il nuly," as, instead Of the clanking OF
hammers and the noise and the brstle
OF business, the shops are closed. the
church bells ring, and those OF the pops
ulatlun who are not attending divine
service at some OF the churches, observe
quictude appropriate to the day. Such
was our impression Of sunday III San
Marcos. She is not ha wing u gourd>yine
growth, but it is substantial and such
That will last. am informed that about
fifty new houses have been erected this
fall. At present, her business stands
about thus: Two hotels, fifteen stores,
two banks, two saloons, two drug stores,
five churches, three schools, one college,
six lawyers, five doctors, one photog-
rapher. one newspaper, two millinerlesS'
two livery stables, three mills, one rail-
road and several mechanics. We guess
tie population to be about two thous-
and. Vacant house are scare and rents
are good. We became imp G sed with
tho idea that San Marcos, with her ma
tionsl reputation rs summer resort,
should possess more commodius hotels.
The finances OF the county are in u
good condition, as am informed by the
treasurer that the countyis about four
thousand dollars ahead. The county
met with a calamity in the abandonment
of the present court. house, the commits
sioners having decided it unsafe, and
rented another building for court purpos'
CD. So it will take more than that cash
balance, according to modern ideas OF
court houses, to erect new one. Since
they have fire and burglar proof clerks
Office, for the protection Of valuable doc
uments, it seems to us all unnecessary to
tax the people to build superb thoater
Just for chow and for lawyers to crate
in. If we can worship, and live, and
teach school IN elegant frame houses,
why not administer justice? -
One thing We noticed that should
bring a blush to the good citizens OF
San Marcos, that is the condition of the
old cemetery now almost IN the heart of
he city. We know that when the at
tention OF her ladies is brought to it
twill be a shame no longer. Nothing
adyertises civilization more than the re-
spect the living show the dead. Well,
the snort Of the iron horse tells US that
we must bid ndieu to San Marcos, with
her lovely river and beautiful women,
until we meet again. NAB.
u,uuc mr. Capn,uu ,,r.s ;rraouI,r