Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1888-05-10
SKETCHES or TaAVEL OVER
The SUNSET ROUTE.
p zAzT rs4sE w

SITS no longer. The name Sau
Antonio. is now applied to q
.ily o more than 10000 inhabi-
ants spread out over thirty six
square miles. IL is 4 beautiful
.t.d delightful city, with broad
streets aud many plazas.
It's ancient aud modern archi-
lecture, its population OF whites
aud Mexicans, its elegantly at
tired !adies in splendid private
equipages and It's d0nkey-Iidins
girls, form a quaint mixture tor
the eyes Of a stranger.
TIE ALAMO
With Nr. aud Mrs. Baird. |
visited the old fortress, the Ala
mo. erected in lis IL wac lie
signed partly for defense, part
~ for religious purposes: and
was used as Il citadel IN time OF
war, rs 8 monastery in time of
peace.
II has been the scene OF many
terrible conflicts. II was SO
well fortified that each rival
combataut Ot border warf Ie in
this region. endeavOred to gain
possession Of il. Ii gave the
holder aa advantageous foot
hold against the opposing force
AS We enter the wIde-aTched
doorway. a gentleman employed
by the state rs guardian of the
house. comes forward and c0ur-
teously offers to show us the
building.
About fifteen or twenty feet
from the entrance door, is an
inner arch formed Of heavy tim
bers. supported on columns.
and spanning the room. Pass
ing under it into the part be
yOud we are in the chapel.
which, as usual. is in the form
of a cross. There is 10 parti-
ton, now, between tie chapel
aud the yeStibulc. Together
they constitute one long. broad
aud lofty division. extending
from the front TO the rear wall.
On each side of this central
apartment is = row of doors
reading to cells aud dark rooms.
OF TO stalTways that reach the
upper floor. There ia no open
ing IN the outside wall of any of
these lower. lateral divisions.
Over the main body Of the
house is one large room. having
embrasures in each OF IT'S four
walls. Here were stationed tie
soldiers. and here were placed
the cannon that did the most ef-
tective work upon the approach
ofau cnemy.
In this upper floor, directly
over the yestibule. is a reetan-
sular opening incl0Sed ~ bal
listers Ii. 40 doubt. was used
tor the transition OF heavy ar
tillery, ammunition. etc. II
served. also, Tor admitting light
into the central apartment be.
low. HERE Just above this
opening. are the only windows
IN this upper division
There are very few windows
IN the Alamo. Most Of them
open oil the landings Of the
winding stairs. and have sheir
bases on a level with the top OF
the door in the frontage.
The walls Of the Alamo are
four feet and four inches in
thickness. and are constructed
OF solid blocks ct stone. Neither
time nor cannon balls have made
upon them any peTcepuole i'm.
preston. Tie entire building Is
characterized by massiveness
rather than elegance.
1T one side stands the old
magazine. built of adobe.
Formerly. it was as high as the
fortress: bu' having once cram-
Died down. /: was rebuilt 10 on
" halt OF its first height. Spaa.
taneCus shrubs are growing in
the soil that has accumulated
ON lis hat r0Of.
Adjacent TO the Alamo. and
considered as a part OF il. is a
long building how used for mer
camille purposes IL. perLaps
was used for barracks when the
Tort WAS gaTFiSOuett.
While conducting us from
place 10 place. cur guide relates
many historical events that
have occurred here. We listen
HteGt!y 20 these "reminiscences
as we follow him about the ola
which, 50 real in itself
vivid realization to the
past
Sometimes We pause. while
with newly awakened interest
We talk of and reflect upon oe.
cufFences that have made Alamo
so noted a name in history.
At one 0fthese hating pIseeS
oar conductor crosses the chan
aasi nmenS a doc a..-
Assuming an air slightly
mysterious, he beckous to rs 10
him. We quickly iojn
with the impression that We
IRE aJOut to receive a surprise.
~ enter one of the small apart.
nenis that have 10 aperture IN
he wall outside.
Passing through the dimlv
lighted room, We enter 2 darE
aEnw.Rr.