San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-07-10
SAN MARCOS.
The Beauties and Health Advantages OF
q Lovely Texas TOwn-Material and
Social Prosperity.
Galveston News


SAN MARCOS, June 25, 1884.-San
Marcos is my first choice as place
of residence, and the county of which
it is the site--Hays-has my prefer
ence as q location for the farmer
and stock raiser, for the following
reasons:
Health is as good here as it is any
where. There is very little malaria
or congestion-none at all in most
localities. There are some enteric
disorders, but they are very rarely
fatal. What sickness there is, is
caused by utter indifference to hygi.
enic laws and sanitation, and yields
readily to treatment. The contagi'
GUS and infectious disorders, when
introduced, rarely spread, or soon
die out, under the influence of that
sovereign prophylactic, pure air.
The manly strength and womanly
perfection of the young people show
that this climate can ever counteract
the results of sleeping in inadequately
ventilated houses and of eating i'm
proper food. Nature is violated
with less impunity here than in most
countries. Those whose habits are
correct enjoy health, strength and
elasticity of spirits, but many spend
their lives without everthinking Of diet,
exercise and the laws of health, suffer
ing the inevitable consequences. The
physical development of the young
people is, considering the latitude,
phenomenal, I have never seen man
lier men, brighter eyes, clearer skins,
roster cheeks, white, teeth, feet more
light, steps more true, finer forms or
fairer faces than among those who
have grown up here. The lower
animals attain any degree Of perfec-
ton, and are singularly free from
disease. There are good private
schools, which have assistance from
the public funds. 1t is to be hoped
that free public primary and high
schools will soon be established
There is no longer, even in Texas, q
question of their overwhelming ad-
vantages for the great masses Of the
children and youth.
San Marcos is situated on the
southern slope of most beautifully
wooded and picturesque hills, over.
looking a boundless expanse of
country, partly wooded and prairie
pasture and farm lands, gently
undulating, and commanding a dis
tant view of the valleys of the San
Marcos and Blanco rivers. To the
north of the place the country is billy,
in places mountainous, alternately
beautiful wood and prairie, affording
fine stock and farming advantages.
Commencing at the town with an
elevation of 700 to 500 feet above the
level, an altitude of 1900 to 1900 feet
is reached in a days ride. The air
is pure, dry and bracing. 1t is per-
feet. 1 know of nothing more
invigorating and delicious than the
cedar perfumed breath of these hills.
During the summer the extremes Of
heat are more moderate than at points
east and north, and the intensity is
greatly mitigated by the dryness Of
the atmosphere and the fresh, cool
breezes. The mornings, afternoons
and nights are invariably cool, cover
being required for the bed, and sleep
always refreshing. In the winter the
changes are sudden, producing
inflammation Of the lungs occasionally
among those who are careless in
exposing themselves without sufficient
clothing but pneumonia is rarer here
than in any country east There are
many here who have entirely reooy-
cred from diseases of the lungs
When the invalid comes IN time and
leads AZ active outdoor hfe q cure is
almost sure 30 follow N /. few years,
aud tins cure is permaneut II the
invalid either renzins OF only goes to