San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-20
SAN PEDRO FANpANoo HOUSE.
A Caustic Criticism of the Destruc-
ton of the Trees at the
Springs-An Old Citi-
zen Speaks.
Editor LIGHT

SprinGS-An Ola Cttl-
zen Speaks.
Editor LIGHT:
A few days since We had occasion to
go to San Pedro springs. We were
prompted to do so partly because OF the
pleasure such visit has always given
US, and partly out Of curiosity to see how
far the criticisms OF the press on the des-
truotiOn OF the grove TO make place for
a cheap rendezvous for fandangOes and
beer drinking, were warranted. Ii did
not take long to find out the facts, nor
to see that the half of the vandalism had
not been told. Indeed 1t is not easy to
find language adj quste 10 describe ones
feelings on seeing this wretched piece Of
business. Sixteen large beautiful trees,
most Of them live oaks and the growth Of
q hundred years, have been cut down to
make room for q low dance shed and
shelter for beer guzzling. IL such things
are necessary for the pleasure
seeking people OF this city, u
spacious ground OF $50 feet to
the southwark could have been occu.
pied for the purpose without cutting
down a single tree; and why 1t was not
selected ii Is difficult to understand. Ii
would seem that nothing short of the
grossest barbaric instincts, ignorance,
and fendish malice prompting one
clothed In a little brief authority to do
all the mischief possible while In power
could induce the preparation OF such
an act. And to what endp For pu blic
assemblies? And of what kind? IL
seems that the perpetrators hope
to induce come OF the great state
gatherings TO come here and then the
structure now being erected can be
rendered them. So be ii, perhaps, In
few Instances. But what Of IL? We will
wager a thousand to one that ninety
nine out Of every hundred strangers
who may possibly go there will condemn
In unmeasured terms the destruction OF
this beautiful grove for the erection of
building more In keeping with an ex-
tended cowehed than . tasteful place Of
public resort. While we were on the
ground we overheard one stranger re-
mark to another, land there were sew
eral strangers there) that. IF we had
these beautiful springs and grounds at
Bolton, what delightful and charming
place we would make OF them" Ii was
evident that condemnation Of the de-
struction Of the grove was uppermOst In
them all. To see natures grandest handi-
work cut down to make room for the
erection OF a cheap John BOndescript
thing was shocking to every sense OF
propriety.
And what is the nature of the struct-
ure which the people are to have In the
place Of the grand old oaks? Aye. what?
An extended oowshed built of coarse
undressed lumber and this white
washed! This is taste and culture with
a vengeance. II any old Teuton god OF
the Black Forest had ever caught a re-
probate cutting down his grand old
trees, as has been done here for the pur-
pose OF erecting a shabby genteel ehed
for fandangoes and beer drinking, he
would have impaled the wretch on some
dead limb and held him there until his
bones were bleached whittier than the
winter SHOWS. Nay, the Hibernian
Druids would have burnt alive one who
had desecrated their forest temples In
this ruthless way and thrown hts ashes
to the winds that they might obliterate
the last trace Of his existence. But 1t
would seem that neither the love and
generation Of ancestors for their forests
nor modern taste and culture have had
any effect In staying the hand OF the
grOveling despoiler.
But they have located 1t 80 as to have
the shade of the surrounding trees! How
much shade. forsOoth, will the shed get
in July and August with nearly venti-
cal sun?
Viewed in any light 1t Is an outrage
and there is not an extenuating circum-
stance for this vandalism. As we have
said before, 100 feet from this, a better
place could be had for the structure, and
the grove have retained its beauty.
If one thing more than another ought
to send the authors Of this crime against
dition where everlasting broiling should
be the measure Of their comfort, this
disregard of public trust should have
preference. Political damnation is in
adequate punishment for their iniguity.
Let IL be understood, however, that
we have no objection to people going to
the springs when they please, and as
they please, to drink beer or to dance so
long as they do not disturb others who
have ar equal right to enjoy the pleas
ures OF the grove; but we do object to
Its being monopolzed for such ends and
its beauties and charms destroyed for
the better class Of people that the others
NAV revel In their low instincts and
orgies at any and all hours. IL is a place
OF resort for visiting strangers who come
here to spend the seyerer seasons
Of the year In the enjoyment Of
the delights Of this climate and
such OF the surrounding sttrao-
lions as the city affords. They are
accustomed to seeing the better phases
OF public pleasure grounds and IL should
be the aim of every resident here TO
make the natural beauties Of the valley
a leading feature OF its allurements. But
TO this end. what have the authors Of
this mutilatinn OF San Pedro park done
Bah! The sight tills one with indigna-
tiOn and dIspnsti nm