San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-08-20
The Texas Chautauqua.


News presents some points concern
ing our Summer Institute. which vii
bo found pertinent at this time. W.
copy most of the article below:
We have tho aTexas Chautauqus
School :, which will bring several
hundreds, IL not thousands, here ey
cry summer. The name OF the insti
tuition is, The San Marcos Sunday
School Assembly and Summer Insti
tute. 1t is not local, but . state en-
terprise. It's managers do not live
here. 1t is chartered by the state
The Rev. Mr.. DuBose, Of Houston
one of committee appointed 10 So
iect a place, traversed the entire state
and Mt last came here, and was shown
the grounds around the head of the
river, and carried TO that pretty emf
nence. the Wood Hill (now Chautau
qua HilD, overlooking the city, San
Marcos springs, river, adjacent hills,
valley, farms, stretches of woodland
and prairie as fur as the eye can reach,
He said, II shall go no further. II
you will give us the land, we will To-
cate here" OF course we were bul
too glad to accept, and in six hours
enough money was raised to insure
the grounds--about 80 acres - cost
ing $4,000. The lands have since
been enclosed and grounds cleared
up and rough places made smooth,
leaving the greater part as nature
made it, laid out drives, made wind
ing buggy roads, as well rs foot paths
to the very summit of the mountain.
The pipes Of the waterworks company
are running all through the grounds.
1t takes about five minutes for the
watert to come from the spring, insur-
ing fresh and cool water. Fountains
play here and there, cascades, falls,
lakes, fish-ponds, and so on. So you
see we hnve been "up and doing A
large tabernacle, 40x70 feet, has been
shipped from Houston. Now, for
the benefit of those who may not
know the objects and aims of the IN
stitution: It is undenominational |;
it is Sunday-school convention q
Christian summer resort. Nothing
immoral will be permitted on the
grounds. Lectures will be given
daily on literary, scientific and relig-
ious subjects. Popular instructions
will be gwen in all departments Of
education. Preaching every Sabbath.
A branch of the Chautauqua school
of.New York will be established here
if desired, which will be run after the
following style: 1t is school for
home study--at the freside, in the
office, ut the counter, in the work
shop. One must put in somuch time
for each day, though he aynotstudy
every day. If one wants to study
philosophy, geology, astronomy
music, both instru-
mental and vocal, or surveying, - no
natter what state he may live in, he
writes the president, informing him
If his purpose to study geology, and
sttend lectures at San Marcos. He
'eceiyes an answer telling him what
books to get, then Just before the ses-
ion begins he is informed what days
viii be devoted to these studies, and
le can attend those and no others If
lesired. At the end of four years he
,ets his diploma, or white Seal, If
deserving. The student pays for his !
,wn books, and perhaps rs or so cts.
year. The school, OF course, is open
o both male and female and female
tudents. Any white person can be-
ONE member Of the Assembly by
aging so. This gives him the right
o lease or own lots ON the grounds,
% in and out at will without charge,
nd right to vote on oil questions
4 business. Those not members
annot do this. Persons not mem
ers will be charged 15 cents day,
r rs cents week. All moneys Ia
en- in, from every source, Will be ex-
ended on the grounds. None OF the
fiicers can receive anything for their
eryices, as the charter prohibits it
10 one will be permitted to occupy
he grounds when the Assembly is
ot in session.
The State Summer Norrnpl School
now in session here, and some have
xpressed themselves as desiring il
ermanontly located here, that they
lay get the benefit Of the Summer
institute. All lectures will be free.