The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-12-08
A TRIP TO THE IRON CITY,
SMOOTHLY GLIDING OVER THE AUSTIN
AND NORTHWESTERN.
Admirable Railway service-Running Thro'
Country Beautiful Beyond Descrip-
tion-Llano and her Immense
Magnetic Iron Deposits.

| tain Leltnaker, Cne elllclelG supeIlh-
tendent of the Austin and Northwest
ern railroad, a STATESMAN representa-
tive yesterday stepped into one Of the
elegant new coaches for trip to
Liano, the future iron center of Texas.
The train was in charge of handsome
George Penn, one of the most compe-
tent conductors ia the South, and with
Dan Mcnamara at the throttle, and
with Sam Gaut feeding the snorting
iron steed the scribe felt sure that his
millions were in no i'm mediate danger
of disbursement among his heirs.
Captain I.eitnaker had delegated Mr..
R. J. Swancoat, general claim agent of
the road, to watch the reporter to see
that he was neither lost, strayed or
stolen on the trip.
At the conductors signal the train
slowly moved out from the depot
gathering speed as it passed around
the curve at Govalle, through the
lovely valley dotted by cosy farm
|
berry and pretty native trees; through
the postoaks now rapidly shedding
their summer robes of green, with an
occasional Spanish oak gorgeous in its
many colored foliage, ranging in tints
from FURNISHED gold to crimson red. as
though blushing because OF the stolen
kiss by saucy jack frost; then there is
modest cedar with its never chang
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while the stately live oak stands out
above all, proudly waving its green
branches, defying the winds OF heaven
and the blasts of the storm knights
heart repelllng the stroke of the wood
mans axe and its fibre hooking the
ravages of decay-typical Of the
Southern race, its stout heart as theirs
and its everlasting foliage as their un-
dying fealty to country and their fell
low-lnan.
We are out on the great billowy
prairie now. The iron horse, like a
blue blooded racer, is gaining speed
with every bound. Swiftly we fly, but
so smoothly over the finely ballasted
roadbed that reading and writing are
as pleasant as in The STATEsMAN's
luxuriously upholstered sanctum.
We look westward and the eye
rests pleasantly on the mountains
through which the Colorado cut her
bed ages ago. The mountain tops are
countless, ranging back until blended
with the hazy atmosphere. Their
sides are covered with the sombre
green of their cedar garb and the
imagination pictures the sunny slopes,
the rugged cliffs and the sylvan glens
hidden in their deep recesses. Then
arises o mental vision of the glorious
lake to be formed by Austin's great
dam-the broad expahse of pIacid
water, the shady bayous formed by
water backed up Tito Gebouching
creeks and rayines, the merry picnic
parties with happy youths and maid
! ems clambering up the mountain sides.
But while We are dreaming Engineer
Dan has been putting spurs to his
steed and we dash into the first sta
ton, Walters, where a new Sec
ton house and large, new water tank
reflect the enterprise of Superintend-
ent Leitnaker. The run to Cedar
park consumes but few minutes, and
after Postmaster Emmett Chuck has
taken off the mail a short run
through the blackjaeks brings us to
the famous Bagdad prairie, which is
famed for its fertility and beauty.
Here is Leander, pretty little viii
lage on the prairie, having five stores,
shops, gins, etc and is the center of a
fine trade.
Liberty Hill comes next, the largest
town between Austin and Burnet,
with several stores, shops, gins, hotels,
livery stables, etc., and especially
noted for it's excellent schools A
pretty new depot building with orna-
mental lawn and 3 large section house
betray more of Capt Leitnaker's pen
chant for distiguring the face of La
ture.
Bertram comes next-a fine cotton
deal of grain has been shipped this
season. Improvements and evidences
of thrift are seen on every hand.
Here we strike the mountains. The
soil is covered with shinoak with lux
uriant heritage on which vast herds of
horses and cattle keep fat and sleek.
In the distance on either side of the
road vast mountain chains loom up,
and on the long slopes cozy farm
houses ard clean fields are spread out
to view as on an artists canvas.
We reach the summit OF the noun
tain chain, 1860 feet ABOVE sea level
and 900 above Austin. The air is pure
aud the invigorating breeze suggests
that a reef be taken in your wraps.
For the first time since leaving
Austin there is jar in
the trains motion as Dan throws on
the air brakes to ease her down grade.
Post Mountain rears his hoary head to
our right and at the giants feet we
see nesting the lovely little Granite
City, Burnett The train does not go
up to the business part of town, but
enough is seen from the car window to
Indicate the business activity of the
growing city. The public square is
surrounded by a row of substantial
two-story stone buildings. Numerous
church spires and school buildings
attest the religious and educational
standard of Burnet's Inhabitants.
Several miles down the road
at Falkland. the Marble Falls
branch takes off. Here is a
depot building that takes the
eye of every railroad man that sees it.
From the arrangement of the win
dows the telegraph operator can see
~ nd &c 81 n