The National tribune., 1890-04-03
DOWN IN TEXAS.
Mrs. Plummer Describes the situation In the Lone
Star State.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / reached
Fort Worth on Jan. 81, and was most royalty
welcomed by w. 5. Parmley, Past Commander.
GAR. Department of Texas. During my stay
there the most distinguished courtesics were
shown me by the brave men and bright women
who uphold the honor OF the Stars and Stripes
in this Southwestern country.
This city has about 10000 population, one
third Of which is of Northern blood and sympa-
thy. They hold their own boldly, with all the
progressive force aud shrewd energy of tho
rare.
Fort Worth gave me fine audience to wit
ness the public installation of Corps officers on
Feb. 3. spoke 10 them rs would have spoken
on any platform in Michigan or Ohio and they
cheered me unanimously
With song and speech and campfire reminis-
cence the evening passed delightfully."- away, and
amid "A general chorus of congratulations We
parted, feeling mutually cheored they be-
cause hearing through my voice the echoed
garmcnt-sweep of $4,000 loyal women rising
up in gentle majesty 30 do honor 90 the Nations
heroes; while was cheered at their fraternal
welcome aud by bright hopes of this country's
future, because OF the permanent presence OF
patriotic people.
Waco is a very quiet very Southern town,
beautiful for its many live oaks. Its Grand
Army people arc not numerous and arc mostly
OF the class who deprccate having whipped the
rebel army into submission. They have their
homes here. their money is invested here their
Interests are here, aud on the 9Th Of May he
Grand Army Post OF Waco marches with the
Confederate Camp, aud drapes the monument
10 the Confederate dead, with the rebel flag
gracefully intertwined with the Stars aud
Stripes. Ny soul rose up in wrath aud horror
at this outrageous travcstyl
Waco people treated most kindly and
showed me the beauties of their truly lovely
city in a hospitable manner But tho same
speech which set Fort Worth on fire and reused
San Antonio 20 a white heat of enthusiasm,
fell dead ani tame in this Llodicean city.
Most Texan towns half-masted the Nations
flag when JEDI Davis died. The pnbic schools
were closed on the day Of his memorial services.
Pupils were instructed to march in procession
TO hear the arch traitors eulogies pronounced
from pulpit and platform. One little boy in
San Antonio said " Teacher, you may cut me
into pieces, but I'll never march in that pro-
cession"
! do not despair Of planting a wRC. in
Waco but the time is not yet.
call from Dcnis1n took me up on the
border Of northern Texas. / fell in love with
Deuson, as the Encst residence town in the
State. Almost like 4 Northern city in is public
improvements aud cleanliness besides having
lovely Summer climate nine months in the
year. The thrift Of tic Yankee aud the balmy
air Of the Southland combines 10 make Dcnisnu
desirable place To live in. A N0inan's Relief
Corps has been 10 existence since Nov. -. ls59
The National officer gave this body tile uH-
written work. aud left them with a charter
numbered 3. detached Corps OF Texas
Dallas claims G3, 900 residents, which claim
San Antonio admits but Fort Worth frantc..liy
denies. There are two GAR Posts IN Dallas,
aud since Feb. Is. ls9Oa Wonian's Relief Corps
Of good material. Here are many fine homes
and much public spirit. Street improvements
are going on ia all these cities. and nowhere on
earth is there greater need of IT, Or the five
towns visited Fort Worth has the best paving
aud sidewalks aud yet the dirtiest streets.
Refuse aud dust Hccumulatcs on the really fine
walks 90 an astonishing degree.
And Sau Antonio, where ! write Is the most
ancient, the qucercst, The most fascinating of
all! Ii has $1,000 people. The tourist or
visitor passes indiiIerenty over familiar things,
snd fasfens upon tho strange and TO him UNI
usual characteristics and sights Of any place
I Thus ia this old Spanish Mexican town, have
not 50 much needed the smart residences and
modern business blocks as the adobe houses,
the McLicans, the mules the lovely ponies, the
negroes spaniafd-. Indians, AngOra goats, moro
mules, more Mexicans, and the mulberry, hg
a8d banana trees
Then the bitches FOR irrigation, dug long ago
by hands since m0ldercd. deep, green edged
aud running clearer than most Texas rivers
along the principal streets Of Old San Antonio,
arc certainly things Of beauty 10 the eye, aud
add a quaint, odd flavor 10 the town. Que sees
/ that the old streets are prepO9tcr1usly crooked
aud narrow, that tie majority Of the houses
are OF one story, aud that tho Mexican street
laborcrs lift the pick clnmsiiy ~ If all cter-
Mtg Was before them ia which 20 bring ID down
/ again. Here arc hundreds Of iHclosed cottage
/ homes, where only cleanliness, thrift and en-
/ ergy are lacking 70 transform them into beau.
! tiful residences. High picket-fences, solid
/ board walls, or fences made Of upright rough
/ sticks, pieces sunk side by side in trenches and
! withed together, surround every house and
Rarden-plaL There are some streets well paved
with mesquite blocks, and South Fi0ru5 street
| lie broad aud pleasant. The new Government
building here is gem in its way. We reached its
! lovely white columns only 10 find Positively
no Adnitiance" on the temporary plank door.
| Ny ladies sat down outside rcsgnedly, 10 wait
while went on tour Of inspection. crept
Il inside through space which just admitted me
| into the lime and mortar. A work man came
| toward inc with the deprccating air Of man
with disagrecable duty TO perform. ! ad-
yanced TO meet him with lead pencil In my
1 hand and confident smile OH my face. got
! In two or three questions about the building
while he was thinking what TO say 10 mo.
The building was constructed Of cilcia lime
stone from kerryille, Texas, and he would be-
| happy TO show IL to me. The door was opened
and my ladies came in. We walked through
| corridors foored with white Vermont marble
and blue slate from Tennessee In alternate
| squares. The Limestone exterior was lined
with brick, interlined with terra-cOtta, and
plastered. The wood finishing was of red oak
native timber from Fayctte County. The gen
eral shape OF the structure Is rectangular, three
stories high, with asqnarc tower above one cor
! z5r. There is curious minglng of Corinthian
and Gothic styles, with something indescrib.
ably Southern about it all. Ny kind guide was
| not Southern. however, but from Boston, Mass,
and lac told me that tho F. G. and L. on my
recognition badge caught his eye at the first,
and he mentioned his brother, killed at the
| Wilderness, and then the tears came 10 his eyes
| We shook hands and blessed each other aud
gloFifed the Union, and culOgized Massachu-
setts and Michigan 10 our hearts content and
parted like old friends "And," said my ladies,
:" we will procure recognition pins immedi.
etely. There are heaps of Northern people
here, IL they would make themselves known
The special mission Oh which we came to
Texas has prospered. L. o. q. Ord W.RC was
organized here Feb H. aud, as at first instructed
| by the National President, issued call for a
Department Conference March 5, when the
| GAR. Encampmelt Of Texas meets will
write you of that Convention later-SARAH
| A. Q. PLUMBER.