San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-08-13
QUINTANA, Texas, Aug. 10th

Daily LIGHT:
Here I am, ready to redeem my
promise and let the LIGHT readers
know what this land of promise has
to offer. But by way of introduction
will premise that series of letters
will be needed to set matters properly
before the public. This letter, like
Rip Van Wrinkles drink, don't
count" and is only rambling intro
duction of what will follow in series
of weekly Letters from this point.
San Antonians reach Velasco, the
future sea port of Texas, four miles up
the Brazos from this point, In twenty
two hours, including five hour lay
over at Houston. Taking the 8 p. m.
train on the Southern Pacific,
Houston is reached about $50 next
morning. At 1890 the train starts
for Columbia over what::is known as
the Columbia Tap" rallwaywhich
bears as much likeness to q genuine
Nineteenth century railway as a cor
durOy road does to first elias. mac
adam. was informed that the road
had been very much improved since
it was made daily line, and that 1t
was now very seldom that two days
we're consumed in the trip. The run
to Columbia Is made in q little less
than four hours, schedule time, and
traverses as fine agricultural lands as
can be found In any part OF Gods
country. Vast herds of sleek, fat
cattle were grazing in sight, and a
IN 10
range far as the eye could reach.
Fine groves of oak and wilderness
of tangled vines were passed at inter-
walls, the succession Of grove and
prairie affordipg delightful contrast.
The wild grape vines hung full of
rich clusters, ripe and rlpening in
the sun. These native grapes, par
ticularly the mustangs" make a
fine, fruity wine, and hundreds of
barrels are manufactured in this
region some seasons.
Columbia, the present head of
steamboat navigation on the Brazos
river, forty miles from the mouth, is
an old town of about 900 population,
the dark complexiOned American
citizen of African descent predOmi-
mating. From this point to the mouth
of the river the "trip Is made by
steamer,
ALICE BLAIR.
This staunch little steamer, cap
able of carrying 900 bales of cotton,
and with comfortable quarters for so
passengers, makes the trip down 70
the mouth of the river in about four
hours and the return trip up stream
in five hours. She was built for the
Missouri river trade about year
and q half ago, and is staunch,
speedy boat. She will be remember
ed as the craft that was run into the
bank between the Corpus Christi and
Arkansas bays some months since
with $50 excursionIsts on board, who
had made no provision for the north
or that swooped down upon them like
q wolf on the fold, and who will not
readily forget that experience. The
Alice Blair is owned by Perry & Blair.
was put OH the BraZOs July q and
since without delay or accident of any
kind. She is furnished with steel
boilers and strong engines and very
efficiently managed. Capt. X. r.
Blair, son of her builder, is in com
mand; Capt. J. II. Gray Is clerk, su-
percargo and manager, and no more
pleasant gentleman can be found
afloat. The trip down the river Is
naturally delightful one. The banks
green and inviting, and the panorama
in Its constant changes relieving the
eye and precluding any feeling OF
monotony. All that Captain Blair
and Manager Gray can doto minister
to the comfort of passengers is done,
and the man or woman who does not
enjoy the trip down the river must be
hard to please. These gentlemen will
please accept the thanks of the LIGHT
for substantial courtesies.
Dinner was served as soon as the
boat was reached, and like all steam
boat tables, the spread was ample and
well cooked.
Brazoria, the only place Of import
ance below Columbia, ten miles down
stream, was reached In an hour.
Here considerable addition to our
passengers was made, among them
w. s. Brooks, attorney at law, wife
and little daughter. The little girl, q
most charming and engaging child,
pleasantly hammered and sweet tenn
pered. 10 Mr.. Brooks, who was born
in this region, the LIGHT acknowl-
edges its obligations for valuable in.
formation as to the soil, products and
settlements of the lower Brazos, as
well as to stage of water, overflow of
banks, volume of water, etc., etc.
Velasco or New Town" as IL is
generally called, was reached before
dusk, and there was all the hustle
incident to "a new town" just chip.
ping its shell. All sorts of commits
slons and commands and requests
were rapidly responded to, freight