Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-04-05
LONE STAR STATE.
Observation of a West Virginian In
Texas.
A Glimpse at the Cities and Their Com
merce-lts Vast ex9anse Of Terri
tory and Fertile Soil
Cattle Ranges.
MISSIONS OF FRANCISCAN fATEeRs

uCn as one OF the natlOnS OF the WOrlQ,
and because one of the States of the Amer
ican Union. She is an Empire within her.
SELF containing as yet only 2,O00,0OO peo-
pie, but capable Of supporting over 1o,ooo,-
600. Her territory extends 1000 miles
north from the mouth of the Rio Grande,
and about the same distance from Ell Paso
in the southeast, embracing more territory
than Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
New York and the whole Of the New Eng.
land States combined. and possessing every
variety of soil, mineral and climate. The
southern portion Of the State is level with
black sandy soil and peculiarly adapted to
the cultivation of sugar and cotton; yet
cotton is grown with profit as far north as
the Indian Territory. The middle, eastern
and northern part of the State embrace as
rich and productive fruit, vegetable and
grain growing country as can be found
IN America. Western Texas is
the great cattle and sheep country. "Skin-
cries" were established here before-the war
and hundreds of thousands OF cattle were
killed for their hides. Only II or Is years
ago cattle as they run, which means cows,
calves. one, twos and threes sold as low as
four and five dollars. The same class OF
cattle readily briLg eighteen dollars now.
They generally run loose and fatten on the
native grasses. Texas has no large city,
but many containing from 10000 to 10000
people. Some of her towns are the oldest
in America and her history more thrilling
than that Of any State in the Union.
Galveston
Is the largest and chief commercial city OF
IL 7. =. - tnl Ea1r ton q
land, which is y miles long and and a
half miles wide, and separated from the
main land by beautiful sheet OF water
TWO miles wide. Many of its broad streets,
gardens and private grounds are marked
with the luxuriant growth OF evergreens,
oleanders, oranges, figs, live oaks and
other indigenous trees. 1t is said
that Galveston WHOLESALERS more goods,
especially groceries, than any other city
OF its size in the world. They claim a
population of over 80, 900. The government
is deepening the harbors, many fine build
ings are being erected and property has
more than doubled in value within the
past few years.
was the first capital of the Republic OF
Texas 1t is beautifully located IS mi lies
north OF Galveston, at the head OF nayiga.
ton on Galveston bay. 1t is great rail
road center and has a population OF 20,
The Capital Hotel, the finest in the State
and the pride of Houston, was erected last
year by Mr.. Groesbeck on the site OF the
old capitol building, where General Sam.
Houston founded the Republic OF Texas
hence its name Capital.
Austin, the capitol OF the State, is GEN.
trally located on an eminence overlooking
the beautiful Colorado river. 1t has popu.
lation OF 1900. The capitol building with
nearly everything in it, was destroyed by
fire eighteen months ago. 1t was built OF
stone and supposed to have been almost
fire proof. A Chicago company has agreed
to construct a new building for 3,OOo,OOO
acres of land in the panhandle OF Texas,
to cost $4, 500, 900. They have been working
on it one year, and have six years in which
to complete it. 1t will be over 700 feet
long and the dome 300 feet high; when
completed it will be the largest State build.
ing in America, The Legislature is nOwi in
session. An appropriation has just been
made to build State University here.
There are :, 100 convicts not in the peniten-
tiary, for they are making sugar cotton and
building railroads outside the prison walls.
The Legislature has been fighting this con.
vict labor question all winter. The people
here, unlike some OF our West Virginia
friends want them employed within the
penitentiary walls.
San Antonio
Is situated at the head OF San Antonio
river, in the southwestern part OF Texas,
about l25 miles east of the Rio Grahde. IL
is the second city in wealth and population
in the State, having nearly 10000 people,
mostly Americans, Mexicans, Spanish,
French and negroes 1t is the most cosmo.
poitan city on the continent. In its gem
eral aspect it presents the harmonious
blending of old Spain with young Ameri:
ca, The olden streets bear the impress OF
their Spanish origin, being narrow, crooked
and quantity foreign III appearance. Ihe
modern, or American, which constitutes
much the largest portion Of the city, is
marked by handsome parks, broad ave,
nues, large mercantile houses, gas ahd
water works, a good fire department, street
railways, many fine churches and public |
buildings To the historian, the pleasure |
seeker. the invalid in need OF pure, dry, |
warm climate, the capitalist seeking proht |
able investments, San Antonio presents
charms and advantages such as are al.
forded by no other city in America, II
indeed within the limits OF civilization.
No CITY in America can boast of q history |
more rich in deeds Of valor and devotion TO
principle, TO more determined conflicts be-
tween armed forces productive OF the
erandest results. Every street and plaza,
almost every foot Of ground and stone
within the city limits, has been baptized in
human blood, and marks the grave OF
hero, friend or foe. He who writes the
history of San Antonio
Writes the History
O! Texas. Vailed in the romance OF Span
ish conquests its early history posses q
magnetic charm to every lover oil historic
literature. Spain established settlements
on both sides OF the Rio Grande prior to
tha ri 10
that long prior 10 this. date the ancient
town of some powerful tribes OF Indians
was located here 1t is known that the first
white men who visited this valley were
Roman Catholic missionaries, the Francis
can Fathers who built the irrigation
bitches and a series OF eight missions some
are now in ruins, while other, are still
standing as monuments OF early civiliza-
ton. The Alamo situated in the center
Of the city, was perhaps the most import
ant and is certainly the most in interesting TO
Americans. 1t is the ThermopylR OF Texas,
where was re-enacted the heroic deeds OF
the brave Spartsns nearly twenty-three
centuries before, there having been here
only 1T Americans in place OF 300 Spart-
ans. This is the altar on which Col Travis,
Davy Crockett, Bowie ana their heroic
companions offered mp their lives on the
9Th of March. 1886, in the cause OF liberty
used by the Texans as a fort. Santa Auna-
with 5000 Mexicans, gave orders TO take
no prisoners; he stormed the for, captured.
butcbered and then burned every one OF
the III men there. Dayy Crockett said.
among many other wise things BE sure
Won are right and go ahead" Bowie vas
the inventor Of the boHie-knife.
some or These Mbsioas
were very large and costly build
ipgs. The walls are built out
OF beautifully carved andS engraved
stone four feet thick. In 177e the csle-
brated artist Hucia wss sent from Spaiu
and spent several years carving the vsrious
ornamen tations Of the buildings, numerous
statues OF Christ, Joseph, the Holy Virgin,
&c, some OF which still remain This city
| is indeed living link between the super
,titions of the sixteenth century and the
/ sdvspced thought OF the present day.
wrested from the savage founders by the
followers and eotenporaries Of the Spsni.h