San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-28
CHARMING FLoRESVILLE.
The Light Correspondent Takes in the
ity-Surroundings, Etc.

| City-Surroundtngs, Etc.
| Editor San Antonio Light.
FLoRRsvILLE, Tex, April q, 'SG.-Your
correspondent left San Antonio this
morning by the San Antonio and Aran-
sas Pass Railroad, on the train which is
supposed to leave at S:l5, but from some
cause unknown to the writer. we did
not get started before 8 o'clock. but as a
great deal Of express matter. etc., kept
accumulating on the platform and the
officials, keeping in view the interests
| Of the public, did not wish to leave with
out taking every package, &c, on the
train, it Is presumed that this may in
measure account for the delay, but not
withstanding this, every station was
| nearly made on schedule time, which
| speaks well for the condition Of the
track. The train was composed of %
loaded cars and two coaches filed with
passengers. which dashed along one Of
the loveliest sections of country, bring
ing into view on either side Of us mag
nificent gardens and extensive corn and
cotton fields.
So grand, beautiful and pleasing TO the
eve Is this scenery that one forgets he Is
travelling at any great rate Of speed I'M
til the announcement Is made by some
fellow-passenger that We are crossing
the river SaladO, which Is distant from
San Antonio ii miles, and there Is To-
Gated the first section-house on the road.
neat, substantial two-stOry dwelling,
with Mr. John Barrett, a well-known
trackman, in charge.
After we cross the river, the road PEN
etrates the large pasture of Mr.. Chavez,
and, as in other pastures along the
route, the grass looks nice and green,
while all the stock which came under
our notice appeared, as far as the eye
could reach, in good condition.
Nothing Of importance happened to
mar or interrupt our pleasure until we
approached ElmendOTif, and on looking
out there could be seen in the distance
heavy, dark and ominOus looking clouds,
and it was not long before the whole
sky presented very dark appearance,
the air became chilly, so much so that
even in the coaches an overcoat would
have been a luxury, but this awful look
ing scene was not for nothing, for on
approaching the Calevaras, the heavens
opened, the lightning flashed and
thunder rolled. and one Of the
heaviest hailstorms, that we ever wit
messed came down in one solid sheet,
cutting down everything before it. So
great was its force that 1t actually car
ried one Of the brakemen, MIR. William
Black, from the top of one Of the box
cars, but luckily the train came to
standstill about this time and he fell In
the sand and was thus saved from very
severe accident. But, strange to say,
when we arrived here lat F.oresville)
the people did not know anything about
1t, as the storm did not reach that far.
On arriving at Floresville the first
thing which attracts attention is the
large and extensive lumber yard
of Martin Il Schryver and that
of Mr.. Ira Ezzell. The company has
erected at this place very fine depot,
with Mr.. d. B. Saffold as agent. a gen.
tleman to whom we are indebted for
much valuable information, and, from
our experience, we believe the company
has exercised good judgment in making
such an appointment.
The depot grounds are located on or
about the suburbs of town, while what
may be called the town proper, is one
half mile distant. There are in the town
two drug stores, seven merchandise, two
butcher shops, five doctors, one saddler
shop, one tin shop, one skating rink and
one livery stable, besides q great many
other minor businesses too numerous to
mention at present writing.
There is published In this thriving
town an excellent paper, the Floresville
Chronicle, a paper devoted to the farm
ing and stock interests, immigration,
education, internal improvements and
local news, and edited by that genial
and whole-souled gentleman, J. W.
Dickey, and who has rendered much
valuable assistance to your correspond
ent.
We had the pleasure OF visiting the
Floresville academy, where we were
courteously received by that eminent
scholar, Professor Lopez, who took great
pains in showing us the building and its
furnishings. The building is IS feet long
by 80 feet wide, Is two-story, the lower
floor being used for educational pur-
poses, while the upper is used for relig-
ious and literary work. Here at this
academy Is taught all branches, includ-
ing algebra, geometry philosophy, Latin,
Spanish, etc.
There are three hotels here, the prin-
cipal one being the Thomas house,
which is conducted In style to suit the
NEST IAstldlOus, ana Visitors 10 THIS place
will find in this house comfort and every
| thing to satisfy the innerman.
There Is one enterprise here which
attracted our attention, and that Is the
new brick yard Of Reid & Rich. We
were shown some very fine brick, and
also the fine store OF Griffith q Scott,
which was built entirely of brick from
their yards. and was pointed out to us to
illustrate their finish and quality, and
really without exaggeration, we have
never yet seen their equal. The pro-
prietors say they can not supply the
demand, and will be compelled to
| enlarge their business and soon be in a
position to ship to San Antonio, as sew
eral builders there are making inquiries
for this article.
The LIGHT met with response unex-
pected by your correspondent, and the
few copies which we carried with US
were at once seized and all subscribers
requested that the same be sent regular,
as they were anxious to read 1t daily.
As our time is limited. being near
mailing hour, we omit some important