The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-02-06
A FEW HINTS TO THE VISITING ODD
FELLOWS.


Things to See and How to See Them
AS many of the delegates in attendance on
the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows, are stran-
gers, and here for the first time, few hints
about our city, its 'ints of interest, ETC., will
no doubt be appreciated.
THE ALAMO.
The Alamo stands out in Texas history as
marking the spot where the most heroic event
of the Texan revolution occurred. What is
left of it can be found on the northeast corner
of Alamo plaza. The old convent wing has
been converted into princely mercantile es-
Enlistment belonging to II. Grenet,
who also utilizes the old fort, or
chapel, as warehouse. The old
tort or chapel will interest you most, for it was
the point of resistance and attack. Its appear
ance is changed; originally it had no roof,
never having been completed by the monks.
An carthwork extended to the top Of the wall,
upon which was planted the Texas canon
The whole face of nature has changed since the
day of the memorable fall Of the Alamo, forty
SIX years ago. Then it was largely surround
ed by prairie and fields; now it is in the CEN
ter of a populous section of the city. BY call
ing at Mr.. Grenet's, he will take pleasure in
conducting you through the premises At
tached to the store, Mr.. Grenet has very in
teresting museum of stuffed animals and birds
Of Texas, prepared by Mr.. Tudo, French
man living on the Medina. You will then
pass into the old building, and by remember
ing that it was 4 roofess fort, except the front
side rooms you can have some conception of
how 1t looked on the day of the battle; in fact
there is painting in the museum that will give
you good idea oft. Croket is supposed to
have fallen in one of the small rooms in front.
Travis was killed on the ramparts, and Bowie
was taken from his sick bed and shot after the
fort was taken.
THE MISSIONS,
of which there are two Of special interest. lie
before the city on the river. The mission San
Juan N miles below on the east side, and
San lose about d miles below on the west
side. The San Juan is the best preserved.
The San Jose is an interesting ruin. These
edi6ces being built nearly century and half
ago in the midst Of wild savage region
marked more distinctly than any other mon
ument, the first efforts of civilized men to
plant christianity and civilization in Texas.
These missions were the work of the Francis
can monks, an order that retired from the
field of action in this region about the close of
the last century; hence the ruined condition of
these edi6ces.
THE vERAMENDI AN OLD BULLRT-PIERCED
DOORWAY.
Our visitors must remember that San An
tonic was an old Mexican town that its
houses were mostly of the old Mexican style
flat roofs and thick walls. These houses have
been largely supplanted by modern buildings
or modified SO as to change their looks. On
Soledad street, just below the street railroad
turn-table, stands the Veramendi house on the
east side of the street. The building has un-
dergone some changes, but the old carved
door is there still, and the visitor will recog-
nize it as curious relic Of the past; it is
pierced with bullet holes made during the
battle when the town was stormed in 1885 by
band of Texans comm 'nded by Milan, who
was killed just inside the archway.s
AN OLD KEYSTONE.
On the west side of Military plaza, over a
doorway in the building now occupied as a
pawn shop, is an old stone arch, in which is a
keystone Of remarkable history, the Austrian
coat-of-arms is plainly carved upon it, with
date of I749. 1t was the old Spanish military
headquarters at that date, and the stone COM
memorated the marriage between the two
royal houses of Spain and Austria, and San
Antonio was then called San Fernando de
Austria.
UNCLE SAM.
On the highlands just above the city, on the
east side of the river, and not over two NILS
from the Alamo, is the government depot
the largest in the south.
A tower ninety feet high stands in the CEN
tire of the grounds, and affords a splendid
view of the dity and country. To those who
like to climb and see the wide world, we say
visit the tower. Adjacent is the cluster of
buildings for officers quarters.
TIE WATER WORKS.
Our city water works will also interest