The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1889-02-08
VISIT TO THE ALAMO CITY


Special Cor Of the Echo
WACO, Tex, February |.
Recently, the rare pleasure was afforded
a merry little company of Baylor University
students. On the 23rd of last November We
stepped on board the Missouri Pacific train,
accompanied by our beloved aud honored
president, DR.. BurlesOn. We secured com
Portable seats aud were soon hurried away as
If on the wings of the wind, from scenes of
pleasure and paths of duty, to enjoy day of
profitable recreation in the beautiful and
historic city of Ban Antonio.
A very pleasant journey of a few hours
brought us to the spot we had so long de-
sired to visit. Upon arriving at San Antonio,
the visitor is struck with its antique appear
anCe-its narrow streets and ancient looking
structures, Not only Its picturesque beauty,
but The IustrOus historic associations con
neCted with 1t, render it of much interest to
the nquiring mind of the traveller
A feeling of surprise thrills the mind of the
| traveller who expects to fnd San Antonio
crowded with cowboys aud city officials en-
| gagged in deadly strife, Or the streets lined
with drunken men. As nice and gentemauly
a set Of hackmen as greets you in any city
| will meet you at the depot and conduct you
to the hotel of your choice. True the COW
! boy comes in occasionally riding his pTanCing
| steed, but it is only TO spend day or two in
| pleasant rest and recreation.
Our first impulse was to visit the ruins OF
the Alamo; place dear and sacred in the
memory of every true TeXani spot hallOwed
! by heroic deeds of Valor aud self-sacrtfce
| On entering, We were met by gentleman
who conducted US through the different
/ apartments, giving us the history connected
with each We quilted this grand old place
reluctantly.
We next sought our way to the exposition
grounds, situated four miles from the city
Here we spent the remainder Of the day
| viewing the exhibits, charmed occasionally
by strains Of sweet band music. Judging
| from the exhibits il every department, We
decided unanimously that in tho sciences
arts aud Industrial pursuits, this prosperous
| state could not be excelled. We saw much
to eviuCe the success achieved by the me
chaMic aud the artist, as well as the in
dustrious farmer.
That evening, just as the radiant glow ul
day was being suftcned into holy sunset
We visited San Pedro Springs, must beuutl
| full and fayoritG resort. | never viewed
| more perfect sunset. As We gazed on The
western hOuzOu, we Jeheld the many cloud.
| Of purple and gold rolled up along the deep
| clear sky, while the silver light shed Its long
| Quiverug rays over the beWtCblng land
scapc. We had rambled alI day, and were
| tired; but here We rested as the gentle
| twilight stole over the scene. Twas time
ior meditation. Every russet leaf had re
Election Of Its own, while darkness sIOWB
| gathered over the dying foliage which sc
| late had been allame with crimson and gold
After a short time spent here very happily
| We returned to the city, where We enjoyed
kind hospitaIities for the night. The dawl
Of morn brought the holy sabbath Immedi
atcly after breakfast visit to the United
States government depot, on GOvernmen
| hill, was proposed and TO which We all gladl}
| consented. This Is situated two miles lrou
the center Of the city, and is one Of the mos
splendid military posts in the west, Her,
are the homes Of a great many soldier
| lever ready, firm and steady,n to sacrifice
their lives, If necessary, for their country
| good. Great pains and much labor is ex
| pended In the 0raamentatlou of thest
| grounds. grand avenue Of umbrella Tree
| i'm f I'm q
| very beautiful scene. After our mornini
| ramble we felt much inVigorated by the fresh
pure air aud the genial sunshine. fcy
| minutes before II O'Clock we wendell ou
| way to the Alamo Baptist church, where w
listened to an eloquent sermon by DR.
| BuTesOn. | never saw al audience Civ
better attention to q sermon, or one NOR
respectful Of Gods worship. Many Wer
moved TO tears by the tender words of tn
sermon, as the Holy Spirit alIed their heart
full Of Christian love and praise.
feeling, peculiar to itself, creeps over th
soul Of Que visiting San Antonio, which /
| indescrbable. 1t seems a world Of Itself
cut of from the rest Of mankind. have
from my early childhood, had ProfouDC
reyereuce for the Alamo city, because 1t wa
here that SO many brave Crockett
Bowie, Fannin and a host Of others--hay
poured Out their rich blood In sacred free
dom's cause; but never did feel this hol
reverence 50 perfectly and 80 fully as whe
| stood on the hallowed spot where the
fell.
But must not give over to such patriot
feelings, US fear shall make my letter to-
long. On the evening Of the 25th "
boarded once more the train, which bore II
over wide extended prairies and across beau
tlfully running streams, until VIC reache
once more the athens Of Texas" and wer
aoon housed In the classic balls Of Baylo
! University, ip our dear old college home,
Having thought that these lines might b
Of interest to the readers Of the Echo, hay
huwbly Pepned them, hoping they may ne
be consigned to the waste basket.