Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-11-29
THE LONE II A STATE.
The Key to tho Next Election
The Famous Alamo at San
Antonio.

Antonio.
Editorial Correspondence ut the Ledger,
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, November
22.-The editorial exc~ursionista
from Missouri reached this quaint
city at noon to-day. The weather
is glorious, but | an told that it is
only what the inhabitants of this
beautiful city are used TO. As
stepped from my train | exclaimed,
"What II beautiful day ~ where
upon several gamins and two or
three Mexicans who were standing
near, looked at me in amaze
ment, then they broke into
a loud laugh. | am of the
opinion, however, that the day
wa$ unusually beautiful, in spite of
the derision | was subjected to for
saying so; and | think my deriders
at the railway station We're mere
boomers ofthe town. BY the way,
this place is infested with this class
everybody has the town lot craze.
All the States are represented at
the editorial convention by about
two hundred delegates. The In
ternational Fair is also in progress
and this Spanish city in the United
States is receiving a waking up.
The thing that first attracts the
visitor is the famous Alamo. The
Alamo is an old adobe structure,
half church, half-fortress, situated
about the centre of the city. 1t is
now owned by the State. Some
years ago it fell into the possession
of a gentleman from Jerusalem,
and was used as 4 store-house for
his goods. The sentiment of the
State revolted and the legislature
authorized the Governor to buy the
old building and preserve it for the
State. The gentleman from Jerus-
alem saw that he had a chance to
drive a good bargain, and the State
had to fork over $40, 900 before the
vulgar trader would evacuate the
temple of liberty. But the old
structure is now owned by Texas
and one of these days it will be
used to shelter all the relics of the
war for Texas independence in the
possession of the State.
The Alamo won its glory during
the war for Texas independence.
On the 23d of February, 1886,
Santa Anna, Dictator of Mexico,
with an army of from 5000 to g.
600 men, well armed and equipped,
invested the Alamo, then garrison
ed by 145 Texans. The garrison
was commanded by Lieut.. Col.
William Barrett Travis. Travis
had been commissioned lieutenant
colonel of cavalry by the provision-
al government, but his corps had
not been raised, and those under
his command in the Alamo were
volunteers. James Bowie was sec
ond in command, and the gallant
and.eccentric David Crockett was
there as a volunteer in the ranks.
There were seven women in the
garrison, including a Mexican and
a negress. The Mexicans lombard
ed the fort. The siege lasted for
- days. On Sunday, March 6,
1886, the Alamo was stormed and
all its defenders killed.
All Of them were killed-144-
but nearly 1000 Mexicans bit the
dust. The Mexicans had to kill
every man in the fortress before
they could call it their own.
~ThermopyIae had her messenger OF defeat
The Alamo had none.
Four noncombatants escaped the
slaughter. They were a negro
servant of Col. Travis, Mrs. Ais
bury, Mrs. Dickinson and the in
FAINT daughter a days eld) of the
latter, and SO it is that the Alamo
occupies a big place in the heart of
the patriotic Texan.
Missouri is represented at the
convention as follows:
J. G. Newbill, Springfield, En-
press; J. West Goodwin, Sedalia,
Bazoo; John c. Pigott, Pilot Grove,
Leader; R. NJ. White, Mexico,
LEDGER; w. J. Powell, Rolla,
New Era; Walter Williams, Boon
vile, Advertiser; Adam Rodemyre,
Centralia, Guard.
Texas, l think, will hold the key
to the next Presidential election.
The next census will give her
more than twenty-five, instead of
her present thirteen electoral votes.
Our party leaves for Old Mexico
Sunday, for an extended tour
through that country. Bob.
Editorial Correspondence of the Ledger.
IN