The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-29

known.
Away back in the early morning OF
Texan glory, before the sun of freedom
and civilization had penetrated with Its
noontide rays this particular portion OF
this great state, these rude build
ings marked the western frontier, and
military post known as Fort Croghan'
was established here for the protection OF
the people to the eastward from the depre-
dation of hostile Indians. Burnet was
then only village in the possibilities of
the future, and the "oldest inhabitant'
can only give the traditions of the place
as somehow or other they nave been given
to him.
have not been able to find anything
definitely connecting General Lee with
this place, but don't mean to throw the
least shadow of doubt upon this interest
ing tradition. l value the good will of
this people too highly. One had as well
expect to doubt the greatness of this big
state and be spared the consequences, as
to doubt the truth of this story and re-
tam the respect of Burnet county. We
may have been deceived about Washing
ton and his Ratchet, and our faith may
even find nothing to cling to in the story
of William Tell and the apple, and we
may feel faint as all our most cherished
legends seem slipping away from us, but
here is something to which we may cling
with the certainty of no rude awakening,
at least from the people of the place, for
this is one of the things the average citi-
zen believes in as he does his bible, and
woe be to the historian who shall attempt
to shake his faith.
Just on little way from the last house,
right in the middle of the broad highway,
is an enclosure about twelve feet square,
rounded by stone wall a few feet
high, and here are said to be buried SOL
diers of the regular army, who either died
naturally or were killed by the redskins
and were buried here by their comrades.
Our party of half a dozen or more clamb-
cred over the stone wall among the weeds
and briars, to find, if possible, some
record of the forgotten and nameless
dead, who. here in the midst of a public
highway, sleep undisturbed that mysterious
sleep, which comes after while to all life's
weary ones. Nothing rewarded our search,
h viewer, the only lettering to be fund
was an advertisement painted in large red
ing the gratuitous advice, TASK for Mel
sons shoes" etc. Nothing more fully il
Illustrates the prosaic tendency of the
times than this use of something which
should be sacred. as the vehicle for an
advertisements; and it rather shocks ones
IDEAS of the fitness of things to be stared
in the face by letters like these, when try
ing ones best to get up little sentiment
in The memory of the fallen braves. There
was no dim, religious light" pervading
the place; the cheerful warmth of the sum
was everywhere, ard the surroundings
were not conducive to a sentimental turn
of thought, and when one tenderhearted
femininity tried to arouse little emo
ton in the party, all her well-turned SEN
fences were drowned in the clatter of a
wagon, which numbered slowly and noisely
up the hill, and l imagine most of the
company felt about the same emotion as
did Mark Twain, who came across the
tomb of near relative in distant land.
and endeavored to weep over the grave of
his ancestor Adam. There must be, how
ever, in the most Irosaic heart, some
chord which may be touched by the sacri
flee of these nameless dead, these brave
pioneer soldiers who made it possible for
civilization to cultivate these fertile val
leys and develop these wonderful noun
tains, and to whom, indeed, we are in
debted for the very opportunities that
have made our own homes delightful re-
alities.
1t is duty the people of Burnet
owe to their own sense of propriety to
tend these graves as they do the graves of
their own dead, and it i, to be hoped the
fence which seems fast crumbling away
will be kept in proper repair.
From this spot is to be had lovely
glimpses of the town; not free, full view
like that from the top of the mountain,
but just delicious bits of views: handsome
houses half hidden by the trees, church
spires ever pointing heavenward, and on
the opposite side of town, on an eminence,
in full view, is General Johnson's hand
some residence, with the wheel of the
windmill overlapping it, and outlined
against the sky like big round eye, ever
watching over the peace of the household.
As this is probably my last Burnet let
ter, | beg leave to refer to the first one
from the pen of Ralphine which appeared
i'll HE STATESMAN. Some reader may re-
member the invalid boy mentioned in that
sketch, and will be glad to know that the
little sufferer now rejoices in a shining
new carriage, and the peculiar gratifca
ton of the writer may be imagined when
told that "At Church" and the new carriage
followed each other in the natural relation
of cause and effect.
At the thought of Burnet as among the
of the past there comes a
dreamy memory of enchanting drives over
purple mountain tops, and down among
the shadows of misty valleys, with all the
weird effects of sunset and moonrise
among these delectable mountains, and
then the hospitable welcome of a thor
oughly delightful farmer family, and it
seems to me there is more beautiful
scenery. more interesting sights and more
charming people in Burnet county than
any other, perhaps, in the great state of
Texas. RALPHINR.
oho o1 81