Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-03-05
OF ANT OLD TOWN
NEAR THE BORDERS OF TEXAS AND
OUR SISTER REPUBLIC.
San Antonio Texas Innate and People
Strange sights in and Around the
City Domestic Habits Gardens and
Park Mission al Conception.


Doubtless san Antonio, on account OF
its old associations, j. one Of the most in
tereSting cities ia the Union. The old
missions on the san Antonio river are
worthy of attention, and carry the mind
back to the times when the padres had
control Of the Indians and endeavOred TO
teach them the ways Of peace. These
missions of the Roman church, of which
there are several IN Texas, gathered
round them many ~ the sons Of the forest
and formed little settlements in the will
derneSs OF the ancient rdlttCeS that
were the seats Of these missions, con
struCted of massive stones and wearing
the aspect more of feudal castles than
temples Of religion several now remain,
although most Of them are not IN good re-
pair They were built on the same plan,
consisting Of church within the walls Ot
a fortress
The beautiful San Antonio river runs
through the middle Of the CIty-OnCe
pure and lovely stream, now little better
than an open sewer. The sides are clothed
with vrgetatiOn presenting most capt.
waiting spectacle and broad fig leaves and
immense frathery banana fronds shine
out in summer And fall In old times this
was desirable locality on account of its
healthfulneSS and situation. but does not
stand 50 well nowadays. | believe, on ac-
count of the ImpurIty OF the water sup
ply.
CLIMATE, POPULATION AND CUSTOMS.
The climate is not cold, even the win
ters reminding one Of that peculiar con
diti0n known as late in the fall in the
north During the latter part Of the sum
mer vegetation becomes dried up and
dust covered to the last degree, giving n
feeling Of depression which is hard to
shake off The roads are dusty and huge
columns feat along with every wind. The
locality may br good place for invalids,
but does not strike a stranger as such on
this account, but there are many con-
sumptives here who have come from
long distance.
The Mexican population, so far as can
see i giving way before the Americans
and Germans The latter have strong
hold upon the place. and their peculiar
habits are felt in all directions There
are many strange sights in and around
the city which shall strike a newcomer as
peculiar, and 81 they really are. The
dOnkevs loaded with firewond. the blank
eted Mexicans, the enfranChiNed Africans,
and the humble people from the far-Otf
frontier, form studies not to be found in
many other places in one land, and give
to everything an interesting appearance.
The old time reckless men are now sci
dom seen; all are quiet. well behaved, and
orderly, and no man is staggering about
loaded down with reyOlVerS.
One OF the customs handed down from
former times is that of having tables
spread in the Alamo and military plazas
after nightfall, where one can be treated
to specimens of Mexican cookery in the
shape of Chile tOmales tOrtlllas trijOles.
etc besides COtfe. and chocolate. These
things are most dear to the Mexican pal
ate, but the children of the north need
something more substantial and in better
style. The bright lights Of these tables
are pleasant in the darkness and attract q
good many customers.
THE GARDENS, THE PARK, THE MISSION.
Close to the city are many market
gardens where all kinds Of vegetables are
raised in prOfusiOn, and there seems 10 be
no good reason why mankind should not
do well and have an abundance of every
thing. san Pedro springs, in San Pedro
park, is a pleasant place in the outskirts
of the town, embOwered with trees, and
containing springs of pure water in which
catfish, turtles, and red horse hold sway
and are fed by the visitors. The greed of
the large catfish almost exceeds belief,
and the erterpriSing mud-turtles stand
no chance among them.
At the Mission of Conception. about two
miles from the city, an important action
took place during the Texas war of indie
pendence between the MeXicanS under
Gen. Cos and the Texans under Col. James
Bowie, the inventor of the famous bowie
knife" This was on the 2sth of October,
1895. The Texans had possession of the
church and the Mexican regulars endeay-
ored TO dislOdge them. The effort was
made in vain, however as the latter were
driven off with very considerable loss,
and Bowie's reputation for bravery was
much enhanced He was man Of great
energy of character and natural leader
of men.
In walking in the Alamo plaza one
sometimes thinks whether or not he is
treading on the ashes of David Crockett,
the eccentric Tennesseean, or James
Bowie, just mentioned, both Of whose
bSlies were buried in the plaza, together
with those of their companions who fell
in heroic defense of the Alamo The re
Election is not pleasant One.-San An
tonic Cor Inter Ocean