San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-15
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
The City that Sits by the Seattle Situa
Business-Prospects Peo-
pie Advantages, Etc,


! I he whole west IN extremity Of the gulf
Of Mexico is lined with series OF reefs
or low living islands, between which
shallow openings lead to the bays, or
sounds. which lie between these reefs
and T. c main land. These islands are
from a few rods 10 many mill 8 In length
Just where the curying lines of the coast
reach their farthest inland sweep, Mus
fang island stretches its twelve miles OF
length along the coast and receives
| the swell of the gulf At the
upper extremity of Mustang island
between that and st. JOseph's island. is
the Arkansas Pass, now become historic
AS the entrance to Corpus Christi bay,
and the gulf terminus Of the main line Of
the san Antonio and Arkansas Pass road.
At the lower extremity of Mustang,
between that and Padre Island, is the
Corpus Christi pass. Lying directly
back of Mustang Island is n deep in
dentation into the land reaching at it's
extremity some twelve or fourteen
miles This body Of iDlsnd water lying
between Mustang Island and the main
land is known rs Corpus Christi bay;
Arkansas Pass being its northern and
Corpus Christi its southern outlet. The
southwestern shore of this bay rises into
II bluff headland fully fifty feet above
the water OF the gulf. A level plateau,
about ten feet above the ordinary gulf
level, reaches back from the water from
one hundred to two hundred yards, then
the bluff rises preCepitOusly. just where
this level plateau Is widest, fronting
Mustang Island twelve miles distant
and looking out upon the beautiful
waters of the bay. stands the city Of
Corpus Christi. a well built pier runs
out into the bay a distance OF 1000 feet,
and here the ships OF the Morgan line
ard coasting vessels load and discharge
their CargOes
Corpus Christi bay is quite shallow
for body of water its size. It's greatest
depth does not exceed from fourteen to
sixteen feet and vessels OF more than
eight feet draft cannot come up TO the
dock. This is the only drawback to the
commercial situation. In all other re-
spCCts the little town is most adyan-
tageously situated. The principal bust
ness Of the town Is done upon the lower
plateau, and is Of much greater volume
than the appearance Of the place would
indicate. Ii was formerly one of the
most important wool markets in Texas.
II is the northern or Texas terminus OF
the Mexican and Texas railway connect
ing at Laredo with the Mexican
National, and so opening cOmmunica
ton with the republic to the south OF
us. The transfer business alone at this
point, now that the Aransas Pass road is
completed to Corpus Christi, will add
very materially TO the business OF the
Ci Y, and every year will see its volume
cnlarging and the town so long Isolated
F.A fntl t.,tn
trade, population, energy. wealth and
importance. This whole bay is the home
OF the oyster, and the fish taken in it's
waters would supply the markets of a
state. Ii is not so much, however, the
province of this article to speak of the
commerce and trade of the little city rs
of its natural location, and the beauty
of its surroundings and the advantages
it offers as summer resort.
From the bluff above the business
plateau. overlooking the town and the
bay and the sailing vessels that dot its
surface, one of the most beautiful of all
coast views is spread out. The low lying
shores of Mustang Island are seen in
clear weather rising just above the level
OF the water, lying like horizon cloud
upon the surface of the deep sea. The
chain of islands that skirt the shore out
side the inland bays break the force of
the gulf surf. and sailing on the lovely
waters is One of the delights which
never grows wearisome to those who
love the sea. In the winter season this
whole region is alive with innumerable
water fowl. Geese and ducks are found
in immense flOCks and the inland
reaches of wafer and the semi-sub-
merged lands become veritable sports
mans paradise. Deer are also abundant
on the larger islands, and for years to
come Corpus Christi bay and adjacent
waters are desti'.ed TO be sought by
northern spcrtsmen as the very Mecca
OF n hunters pilgrimage. TO those who
enjoy the luxury Of u bath in the salt,
salt sea, every advantage is Tered dur
ing the summer season, and that with
out any of the danger and discomfort at
tending SO much ocean bathing.
The oyster beds are innumerable,
mouths water for genuine roast in
the shell can very readily become their
own cooks and serve up the bivalves on
almost any shore for miles around.
Few cities of the size of Corpus Chris
ii In the south can show SO intelligent
and highly cultured a population as Cor
pus Christi possesses. This fact was
generally noted and pleasantly common
ted upon by our San Antonio pilgrims
during their stay in the beautiful little
city by the sea. Their churches, schools,
newspaper office; the character Of their
dwellings; the appliances Of culture and
intellectual increase; the means of in
struction, the attention given to all the
work of education, mental, moral and
social; the tone ofthe people; the adorn-
ment of their dwellings, all spoke one
language. To those accustomed to
travel and to read in these things the
revelation of a peoples character, hab-
its, tendencies and development, the in
dicatiOns OF universal intelligence and a
high degree of culture were most unmis-
taxable. This city, now that direct
communication Is established by rail
with northern centres of population, is
destined to come into notice as a most
eligible summer resort, particularly dur
ing the later months of the heated term
just before the winter colds come down
upon us in the form Of northers. As a
summer residence for San Antonio bust
ness men, Corpus Christi will very soon
dispute the palm with the northern
watering places. The hottest day
that ever blsitered earth is not
without its cooling breeZes sweep.
ing in from the gulf and max
ing life as enjoyable as it possibly
can be In the summer heats. There Is
none Of the mugginess and deafness Of
foggy northern resorts; none of the sui
try, pulseless air so oppressive, and
which is not guaged by thermometer.
cal registrations. Facing the south west
BreeZes as no town on the Texas coast