San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-07-03
A Flying Trip to Dripping sprinss...Ths
Masonic Barbecue etc.

A Flying Trip 10 Dripping springs...Ths
Masonic Barbecue etc.
After considerable difficulty In procuring
a seat In a suitable conveyance a fnK,
PnEas reporter finally got started on his first
visit to this interesting village. Our team, .
stout span Of mules, from Bells stables, wal
artistically managed by II. 4. Runnels, oul
popular barber. who, In days agone drove
his four-in.hand ON the U. 8. mail routes In
Colorado and New Mexico. We left San
Marcos at half past four o'clock, travelled
till eight and camped within about ten miles
Of our destination, on the wayside, near q
small creek. At 8 O'Clock next morning We
were again on tho road and after some mis-
givings as to the way, arrived at the Springs
at 8 o'clock, Thursday, June &c.
The country along tho road after leaving
Nance's mill is picturesque and beautiful
its altitude steadily increasing until Drip
ping Springs is reached. Cedar-crowned
hills, narrow valleys, aud high park-like
plateaus combine 10 form scenery Of sur
Punniuk ohioh NAochf m boeubAest
mountain stream as one need wish 10 see,
with Its border Of cypress trees is crossed
three times en- route. and as We near Drip
ping Springs We meet another fine stream
whose waters clear as crystal, remind US OF
our own peerless river.
Just before reaching the Springs and di-
rectly on the road il the Walnut Spring, So
called from the trees which surround It.
Gurgling from the top Of a high ledge Of
rock, surrounded by beautiful ferns, nota-
bly, the '.maiden-hair" variety which we
have never before seen in such profuse
abundance, and wrapped in the outrageous
folds Of the surrounding walnut trees, II i'm
pressed us as one of the most delightful
spots we have yet seen in Texas. We were
told that these were not the true dripping
springs, yet the miniature cascade descend
inc fifty feet or more over the serrated ledge
certainly most forcible suggests that appel
lation.
After passing the finest field Of cotton we
have seen this season, we soon pulled up at
the hotel for breakfast,
San Marcos was represented at the
Springs by large delegation, among whom
were o goodly sprinkle Of candidates. We
notice among others Messrs. Green, Barber,
Burleson, Fortson, Prof Jno. Pritchett DR..
Combs, Rose Ford, and Jno. Patterson
several Of the aforementioned gentlemen
were accompanied by their wives and fami-
lies. From Kyle were Capt. Ferg Kyle, Mr..
Weatherford, Will Manlove, Mr.. Wallace,
VIM. Jackman, Col. Jackman, Ed. Vaughan
of the Netos, and many others. The Kyle
folks camped overnight at driftwood cross
ing on Onion creek en- route and had grand
fish fry and good time generally in which
they were Joined by several from San Mar
cos. Blanco City was also represented at
the barbecue by Mr.. Smith of the Ne,os,
Mai. Burnet, Sheriff Jackson and several
others.
After the dedication of the temple OF ten
O'Clock the Masons marched In procession to
the grounds where the public installation Of
officers was made, after which the assem-
bled multitude was appropriately addressed
by Rev. Mr.. Poindexter of Austin, on the
and moral obligations of Free
Masonry.
Dinner was next on the programme and
lasted couple of hours, there being two or
three "sets" at the tables. The dinner was
excellent of its kind and plenty of it. After
dinner the venerable DIR. Hillyer delivered
m address on education. He was followed
by Judge Kone who made few happy re-
marks on the same subject. The speakers
stand was neatly fitted and an organ with
! choir of fair young ladies furnished good
music for the occasion.
The crowd in attendance was much larger
than we expected to see, and was estimated
at from 500 to 1000 persons. Later in the
the evening the Dripping Springs base ball
clubs played game on their ground near
the barbecue and attracted much attention
by their experiences in our national game.
They have an engagement to play the Sun
set Club of San Antonio of next Saturday,
the 9Th inst and we opine they will show
their metal on that occasion.
The closing exercises of the Dripping
Springs Academy were to take place at
o'clock, the attendance on which was the
chief object of the reporters visit, yet as
The majority of those who came in the hack
with him decided to return that evening,
the vote stood four to one) and as no 9th
or means of return were offered he was
obliged, though reluctantly to acquiesce.
TIE swallows are disfguring our new
court house, etc., by building their nests
QQQer Tue cOEulC6. OOIuo AutiAo nCeoAhPoo
have been made to dislodge them by means
of the water works, but their admirable en-
ergy and perseverance have thus far been
100 much for Texans this hot weather.
Well. we rather sympathise with the under
log in fght"-even if it be in the shape
Of swallows..in an upper story.
The moral for architects and others is to
10 build in this country that swallows, bats,
&C., cannot find Judgement.
Since the above was written, by destroy
ng their young ones as well as nests, the
Iwallows have been compelled to give up
he unequal contest-at least for the present
Alert Hose Company No. 1.
Regular meeting tomorrow night July Sd
o'clock sharp. Business of importance.
Full and prompt attendance is expected.
THos ]. PEEL, B. B. ROSE,
Seo'ty. Pres.
July I'd. 1884.
Stock for Sale.
The subscriber has about sixty head of
attic for sale, consisting Of cows, calves,
and two year olds-s large pro-
ortion females. But four old ones in the