San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-06-07

which 10 our mind is amucn more ho"'''
state of affairs, giving rise to good comihu
mites to defend their country III war aho
sustain her in peace, to establish schooiS
and advance mental and moral progress
in the land. There are also various never
failing streams and springs in this part OF
the county, which favor its settlement ano
improvement. The absence or priok''
pears and mesquit bushes was one Oh 'p'
noticeable textures on our route.
We arrived at the village about sundowr
and-Mr. Barber leading Output up
with Mr.. Davis, of the firm of Chapman
Il Davis, merchants. Everybody and hi'
wife and responsibilities were moving upon
| DRIPPING SPRINGS ACADEMY,
Where the closing exercises OF the "herhe'
sian Society" of said institution were 70
come of. After supper we also repaired to
the scene. In fact this was one OF ON
points in visiting the locality ut this time' IN
pursuance of pressing invitation.
We found the Academy building large
stone odifice of two apartments. We did
not learn the dimensions, but it will seat
some seven hundred persons, and all the
space was fully occupied on the present oc-
casion. 1t was built in 1881, we believe
under the superintendency of Rev. W. NJ
Jordan, who has had charge of 1t rs prlnci-
pal ever since. Prof. Jordan has filled SINH
lar positions ut New Albany Ind, and 9TH
er places, and is most accomplished teacher.
disciplanarian and general manager. I'm
der many difficulties he has made the Drip
ping Springs Academy success and bless
ing to the community in which it is situated.
1t has caused the hamlet of Dripping Springs
to grow into quite village, with the prom
Use of being in few years thriving coun-
try town. There were one hundred and thirty
pupils in attendance during the late term
many of them from various distant points. In
short, Prof. Jordan. like Mrs. Andrews, of
Science Hall, is doing most excellent work,
but of which there is not the least danger OF
too high appreciation at the present day.
And before leaving this point, we feel 1t
would be doing great injustice not to In
clude Mrs. Jordan in liberal share of this
commentator. Even to a casual visitor it
was manifest that this worthy lady, who had
charge of the music department as well as
the boarding house, was tasked to the full
capacity of her strength.
We have got ahead of our story, and re-
turn to the evenings entertainment, in re-
gard to which let it suffice to say that we
have scarcely ever attended anything similar
where the exercises were more uniformly
creditable to the participants, or where bet
ter order Prevailed in so large an audience.
Several of the readings, orations, etc., of
the young ladies and gentlemen we thought
worthy of special praise, but where all did
so we'll it might be thought invidious to
particularize We must say however, that
dialogue, THE Quiz Family" was remark
ably we'll rendered, and fairly brought down
the house.
On the forenoon of Saturday, an educa-
tonal convention was organized at the
Academy, which was ably adore -sed by Rev.
Mr.. Hilyer of Blanco and Judge Kone of
San Marcos. Mr.. H:lyer is rs years of age.
but seemed to possess more physical
and mental vigor and enthusiasm in the
cause of mental and moral progress than
multitudes of younger men. In fact we
could not but regard him as quite an extra
ordinary man, considering his years. We
believe he is the father of the well known
photographer of Austin.
A fine dinner was served in grove near
at hand by the fair ladies of the village,
which was excellent, and to which ample
Justice was done by the multitude in attend
ance A contest between two baseball
clubs in the afternoon closed the day, but
before it was over we were compelled to
leave for home.
THE VILLAGE.
Dripping Springs derives its name from
spring which drips from the face Of a cliff in
the midst of the town site, forming very
picturesque scene. The name is in fine con-
trast with Devils Backbone, Dead Mans
Hole and other abominable appellations of
interesting points in Western Texas. The
site is beautiful one for q town, and has
some fine springs and rocky glens around it
worthy of Central Park. New York city.
We will close with list of the principal
business houses Of the place:
Chapman & Davis, general merchandise.
The Post Office is kept in their store in
charge of A. L. Davis. jr.
Crow & Estille, general merchandise.
Naioy Uorthann general rnerchandisa