The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-05-24
The Alamo City.
SAN ANTONIO, May 20, 1883.

Jan AN1ONIO, MAY w. 1000.
To the Editor of The Statesman:
San Antonio's principal industries
at this time seem to be the building
OF residences, business houses and
substantial improvements generally.
The various branches of trade and
traffic is proof OF what is being
done In the material improvement of
the city. l will cite from the books
of the mayors office the building
permits issued last week for build
ings to be erected, and will add that
this is only fair sample week of the
average since January: For lumber
dwellings twenty-three permits were
issued; one concrete dwelling, one
rock dwelling and two of brick.
Many of our merchants are putting
up more commodious and sub
stantial business houses and others
are intending to build as soon as con-
tractors can get workmen. Labor,
although there is plenty here, is all
employed, and in great demand.
Wages arehigh, three and four dollars
per day being readily paid for carpen-
tiers, plasterers, bricklayers and me-
chanics generally.
Since the Waco Baptist excursion
lists passed through the city last week
we have had preaching at the Baptist
church every night, rs some of the
most talented divines in attendance
remained over for few days and
have delighted large audiences with
excellent sermons each evening.
Since the purchase of the state of
the Alamo property the grocery wares
which have for so long been stored
within its hallowed walls have been
removed, and Major Joseph Dwyer,
the executor of the Grenet estate. has
very literally donated to the state the
Alamo museum, of Texas curioSities
and rarities. The city will soon fulfil
its part of the contract by taking care
of the building and having a janitor
in attendance to show visitors around.
The Arkansas editors have been
here, looked at the city and returned
home. They were very poorly enter
tanned, and treated with very little
consideration by some of our close
listed hotel men. What they will
write in their journals about their
visit to San Antonio, fancy, will be
free gratis ''for nothing" as they are
under no obligations to say ought for
the good of our city. They paid an
extra price for what they got here.
The Texas press association passed
through here last night on the way to.
Monterey, Mexico. They are fine,
body of men, and will compare favor
ably in looks and in brains with
the same men of other states.
They will be back here next
Wednesday. and it is to be hoped they
will stop and look at the city,
Our amusements, despite the warm
weather, is quite numerous. Picnic.
after picnic by this public school,
or that private party has occurred
each day pleasantly for the several
different classes of our population,
and in the evenings there have been
church sociables, and dances. Medina
park excursions will soon be resumed.
Only seven marriages occurred last
week, and but two of them are at all
notable. On Thursday night Mr.. S.
n. Steinhardt, the popular western
A. Oppenheimer, was married to Miss
Lilly Schmitt, at her parents resi-
dence. Yesterday at IL o'clock Mr..
| o. Andraca, Messrs. Bell & Bros en-
| graver, was married to Miss jose
mony they took the train for Austin
for short stay. Both weddings were
strictly private and unostentatiOus.
Our courts of law and justice nave
been very dull lately, so little crime
is there that many of the lawyers are
/ thinking of taking vacation out of
town. Civil business only occupies
our district court, and only a few
chronic cases of drunkenness serve to
keep the balance wheel of our police,
court in motion.
Travel OH both railroads of this city
has slackened up somewhat, in COM
parison to the winter and early spring
months. Capitalists. spectators,
commercial travellers and invalids,
however, still serve to keep six hotels
and numerous private boarding
houses filed, and few of the latter
class leave the city otherwise but ben
Gifted.