The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-04-03
VISITORS.
THE EXCURSION WHICH VISITED
THE CITY YESTERDAY FROM
OTHER POINTS.
Some Interesting Talk on Texas, and
What Was Seen by the
Gentlemen.
The Unanimous Verdict of Stran-
gers That Texas Takes
the Cake.

Austin was yesterday favored with
a visit by a party of distinguished
gentlemen from st. Louis. The party
consists of Col. Frank j. Bowman
and wife. and Messrs. Oliver A. Hart,
Chas. H. Peck, 3. +. Gray. T.
S. Hogan, and r. S. Thomas. They
are all residents of st. Louis, except
Mr., Thomas, whose home is in Ash
land, Wisconsin. Col. Bowman is
largely interested in real estate in st.
Louis, and was a distinguished officer
in the federal army. Messrs. Hart,
Thomas and Chas. II. Peck, are also
large capitalists. MI. Stephen Peck is
a merchant, Mr.. Gray a real estate
agent, and Mr.. Hogan prom
inent attorney. Colonel Bow
man is well known as one
of the most successful lawyers OF the
future great" city, and indeed of the
whole country, his fee in single case
being So, 500, no mean fortune in
itself. The party came from st. Louis
in palace car provided for their spec
ial accommodation, and have taken
their trip leisurely. stopping over
where it suited their fancy, to visit,
hunt or fish, or otherwise interest
themselves in examining different
parts of the state in which it is
their
PURPOSE TO INVEST
largely in lands, and possibly manu-
featuring interests. They have
already visited Galveston, San Antonio
and other places, and will return to
st. Louis by way of Dallas and Fort
Worth. They were especially pleased
with Austin. Mr.. Hogan with whom
a representative of the STATESMAN
had the pleasure of speaking, was
somewhat enthusiastic for gentle
man of his evident equanimity, ia adj
miration of our city and her people.
There were certainly more beautiful
ladies here than in other places OF
similar size, or he had been more for
tunate here in meeting them. There
must be something, he argued, in our
climate to favor such beauty of com
plexion, and general grace in theiI
carriage as characterized the ladies OF
Austin.
The party were most interested in 9
large body of land near Arcola, be
tween Houston and Galveston-s
tract of about $4,000 acres-whict
they considered the finest lands they
had seen so far for cattle raising, and
in all probability they will buy it
They noticed that San Antonio wa.
being rapidly improved, to judge from
the number of new houses being built
San Marcos, for small place,
WAS BEAUTIFUL
on account of location, and remark
able for its fine springs. Hon. JohI
V. Farwell, having joined them, they
INDUCED in fishing on thu
San Marcos. Mayor Saylor, O.
Austin, was with them a
San Antonio. Col. Bowman has a larg
agricultural interest In AtascoSa coun
ty and owns large quantities of lanC
in several counties in the state, il
some of which he is preparing to farm
and in others to raise cattle on an eX
tensive scale. He is the leading spiri
of the party who will all no doubt &C
upon his judgement and follow his ex
ample in investing largely in Texas
as they all seem to be favorably i'm
pressed with her resources and posi-
bilities.
Austin's various points of interes
were visited by the party in compan,
with Mayor Saylor. Mr.. Farwell anC
Col. Abner Taylor. In conversation
with Gov. Ireland, Col. Bowman tool
occasion to elicit the fullest informa
ton regarding the affairs of the stat
and especially its policy as to the dis
position of the school lands, in which
the party
WOULD LIKE TO INVEST.
for themselves and others to the eX
tent of several million dollars. They eX
pect to lease large tracts and establish
big ranches under the provisions Of
the existing laws. AS they are ap
parently gentlemen of energy CORE
spending with their ample means
their visit will doubtless be Of gTea
advantage to the state. They are al
ready negotiating for the large trac
referred to at Arcola, and may fine
others to suit their purpose before they
leave the state. Me5srs. Bowman
and Hogan in fact will return
again from st. Louis to make
further Investigations, and con
summate such negotiations a:
may be ranged. Their visit indi
Gates the confidence with which the
keen eye of capitalists is looking Il
Texas as a field for profitable invest
ment. Other states nave been ahead
of us in this respect all along, but nov
the speculative interest Is
CENTERED ON TEXAS
from all parts of the union.
In their visit to the capitol grounds
Colonel Down IN was surprised to
meet General Walker whom he recol
lected On account of the marked an(
distinguished manner in which thu
latter had confronted him with hii
command of confederate troops at thu
battle of Gettysburg. The rec
ognition at their meeting here
after so many years following
the great battle seemed to be recipro
cal, indicating that the federal troops
under the gallant colonel, had Ia ade &
corresponding impression on the con
federate general.
All the party resumed their triI
from this point except MIR. Hogan
who will join them in few days al
Dallas.
| AuStIn's Inventive Genius.
The following is description Of
| tho oor-OOnplar rocenfly natQntQH hX