San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-05-15
OUR OUTING.
To Houston and the battle-ground OF
San Jacint0.

| ufU uihuuHo w bNs va w s
meeting Of tho Press Association at
Houston. We joined the Association
in that city in May lS8l--its second
session, wo believe--and as we recol-
lect have attende a every one OF them
since, save that Of last year; and felt
that it would be pleasant and appro-
pirate to meet with "the brethren
once again, not unlikely for the last
time, at the birth place Of the Asso-
citation, tue hospitable city which was
ITS nursing mother.
We left on Tuesday night OF last
week, via San Antonio, being q day
late in consequence Of reported high
waters. Wednesday was devoted to
passing on to Houston by the
Southern Pacific. The most notice
able features on tue way were the
evidences OF destructive high waters
on the Colorado and Brazos. Much
Of the bottoms were still under water.
Arriving at Houston, We found the
city in gala day attire. The stars
and stripes ard the lone star flag OF
the Texas republic were appropriate
ly intermingled everywhere with
flowers and greenery. We were met
at the depot by committee and es'
corted to quarters at the Hutchins
House. The city teomed with visi-
tors, for not only the editors but the
bankers and drummers were also in
convention and the Volksfest celebra-
ton was set for the next day.
Tine night Of our arrival n mag
nifcent banquet was given the edi-
tors and bankers. A band OF music
enlivened the occasion, and IN all re-
spects it was brilliant affair. We
left at midnight, and learned that
later the effects of the champaign
became unpleasantly conspicuous.
On Thursday we were present at
tie closing exercises OF the Press
convention. We missed many OF "the
old familiar faces" The present ses-
sion we are told was more OF busi-
ness character than has been usual.
The Volksfest parade WAS had on the
principal streets, and at night an
enormous crowd OF people were
present at the further festivities at
their grounds about mile out OF
the city.
A grand excursion to the lead
ing cities of the Southern States had
been planned, but owing to the high
waters and wash-outs OF rail roads
was found impracticable at this time.
Inslieu of this the editors were given
the option to attend the opening Of
the Spring Palace at Fort Worth, or
to visit Galveston or Corpus Christi.
Prior to their departure Houston
rendered to all of them an excursion
down Buffalo Bayou to the battle
field of San Jacinto. The great
body of them accepted the invitation.
To us it was by far the most interest
ing part of the occasion. Two steam
ers each with barge attached, were
enlisted for this service, and between
800 and 400 persons embarked, COM
prising many ladies. A good band
accompanied, and the greatest pro
fusion of good things for the inner
man were provided and dispensed,
with the most cheerful and polite
att ention.
The scenery as we moved down
stream afforded succession ofcharm-
ing wildwood views, Of which stately
magnolias in full bloom were one OF
the features. j. T. Brady of Houston
owns q magnolia grove of 1900 acres
along this wonderful waterway. The
stream was to us q genuine surprise.
Starting in the guise of deep mar
row channel, it gradually expanded
to hundred yards in width and q
depth of 80 feet. The Rio Grande
at Laredo would show small by CON-
parison. We steamed down to Full
ton before attempting to land, when
one OF tho steamers, approaching too
near the shore, ran aground, and an
anchor had TO be cast in the middle
OF the stream and cables and wind
lasses put in operation before it could
be got of. The time thus lost abbre-
waited our stay at the battle ground.
To reach that you land at a beauti-
ful elevated grove, back Of which it
lies. An old veteran who was in the
battle was in our company, and from
him we derived clear idea Of the
positions and movements Of the two |
armies on that memorable occasion.
A tall marble shaft on the bluff near
the river with appropriate inscrip- |
inns MARKS tho snot where q num- |