San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-01-09
AUSTIN LETTER.
AUSTIN, Tex, Jan. 7, 1892.

AUSTIN, Tex, Jan. Z, 1892.
Everybody that comes to Austin now
goes out to see the dam, and no one fails
TO wonder at the magnitude of the under
| taxing. The trip out is an easy one now
and quite enjoyable 100, for trim yellow
dummy makes the round trip each hour,
and all who wish may ride. The system
has not been long In operation, but the
patronage has been good enough and the
scheme seems paying very we'll.
The work on the dam Is progressing
finely, and the structure has been built
far out into the river. The work hereto
fore has heen on the East end, where an
extensive excavation had to be made
some 50 feet deep by 60 feet wide, so as to
get solid rock foundation. This end Of
the dam is some 300 yards from the river,
bed, and all the work that has yet been
done is below the level of the ground.
The masonry Of the structure is strong
enough to stand the. severest test,
the material used being blocks of granite
weighing nearly two tons. These i'm
mense stones are carried about as easily
as ii they weighed only few pounds by
the magnificent system of ierricks, and u
stone can be placed upon any part Of the
lengthy structure with ease and rapidity
Some drought the building of the capitol
great undertaking and many say they
wondered 1T was ever finished, but the
building of AuStin's dam is something far
more difficult, yet still the scheme goes
admirably on, and before long the pure
waters OF the Colorado will have to call a
decided halt.
Bycicles are thick In Austin now and
nearly every day somebody's bran new
machine glistens in the sunlight. The
favorite is the safety" and in fact the
big wheeled affair, is seldom seen. The
ladies too have taken up the fad and SO, m
to enjoy the sport. One OF the most
graceful riders In town is leading So
ciety belle and she looks pretty enough in
her trim riding habit. or that Is to say,
the costume she wears when she mounts
her safety"
The broad asphalt pavement around the
capitol has been called most appropriate
| ly a cyclists paradise, for II Is as smooth
| as floor and nearly third OF mile
| long. 1t really takes brave person 70
| take the capitol walk on a pretty after
| noon. so thick are the flying wheels:
| bycices. tricycles and creaking little red
| called experts" to show off, and some
| really interesting feats are performed.
| One smart young fellow goes around the
| whole circle at high speed with his
arms folded upon his breast.
| The University students are back again
| from the holidays, and at work once
more. They all had lots of fun, they say,
/ Uub are Rldu w Htb OdCh. hC uSouOut~
\ examinations are not so severe this year
as last, inasmuch as they are quarterly
instead of bi-annnally. 1t Is to be hoped
| the popular system of examinations Will
soon pass away, for the anxiety and wor-
| ~ caused thereby, not to speak OF the
detriment to good health, are sufficient
argument against them.
Gov. Hogg has not yet appointed DR.;
| asylum superintendent is not altogether
a most desirable one, from personal
I standpoint at least, In as much as each
| succeeding incumbent has round of
narrow escapes, though the late snpeTn-
tendent is the first one who has lost his
| life. The position pays well though and
one can put up with good deal on good
pay.
| The corner stone of the new Cumber-
land Presbyterian church was laid on the
1st inst. This will be handsome struc-
ture.
Some or 4 houses have been entered
by thieves lately. but no great amount
has been taken. The gang that is going
the rounds seems slick enough for all their
purposes.
Society people are having good
time now, and there is quite Ia run
of entertainments of all kinds The town
i is full of visiting girls, and of course each
vies with the other in having good
| time and making the biggest impression,
+. w. Curtis, in ''Sam'l Of Posen." was
at Millett's on Monday last, and he will
| appear again in Saturday matinee.
| There was some diSappOintu emit in Lis
| acting, but it seems he is not the original
Curtis who made such success in the
| play.
A troop of acrobatS will be the attrac-
| ton on the Sth and 9th instant.