The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-05-12
STATE ENCAMPMENT.
BEAUTIFUL SITE SELECTED AT THE
CAPITAL CITY
Probably the Finest Camp and Drill Ground
in the Union-Improvement on
Natural Adaptability-Gen.
Mabry's Work.

ton correspondent, Mr.. O'Connor. 1t
is the best description of the Encamp-
ment grounds and the work being
done on them The STATESMAN has
a yet seen, and it hastens to reproduce
\ the article in full:
M When the work now in progress
Sxhall have been completed the state
n encampment grounds near Austin
n will beyond doubt exceed the expec-
| tations of the public, as well in the
. lay of the ground as in beauty of APP
pearance. For three months past
4 force of men have been constantly at
work clearing up and removing
stones, underground and trees where
too numerous. Where trees were not
removed they have been trimmed up
to considerable height. Roadways
are being opened up through the
grounds and large force of carpen-
tiers are employed erecting the neces-
sary buildings for permanent use at
encampments.
The site of the encampment is a
beautiful one. 1t is located upon an
elevated plain overlooking the Colo
RADIO river, which is plainly discerna-
BILE at distance of about mile to the
southwest. The grounds extend from
the International railroad on the cas-
to the foot of that we'll klown bluff or
escarpment extending irregularly
across the state from north to south
and Familiarity known as the BAL
cones" They contain 1876 acres. Of
this the city purchased outright and
will rive a deed to the state for 81
acres. The remaining los acres it has
leased, expecting to purchase it later.
An area of about so acres on the east
ern side of the ground, that from
which the windings of the Colorado
are visible, as the river energies from
the bluffs into the open plain east of
the BALCONIES, is an entirely level
plain, clean and smooth as an urban
Aiawn, with a few scattering trees
Which General Mabry permitted to
stand as relief to the prospect.
This space, which will be used as
the drill ground, is fringed on the
south and west by forest of live oak
and mountain ceGars that furnishes
an abundance of shade from the hot
test sun. On the west side of the drill
ground the grand stand is being
erected, from which the antics of
hare can be seen on every foot of the
ground. At the rear of the grand
stand the plain ends in bluff that
descends, not very precipitously, for
$50 feet to a ravine that courses
through the grounds. Across this
ravine, that in wet weather becomes
a raging torrent, a strong dam has
been built and deep pool prepared
for bathing purposes. The dam is
faced with thick wall of brick laid
in cement, and the bottom of the pool
paved with flag stones fitted well to-
gether. If rain does not fill the pool
it will be replenished from the water
works of the city, a pipe being laid
for that purpose. 1t is in contempla-
ton to construct at the pool bath
house provided with sprinkling or
shower bath apparatus, where a
whole company of men may be delug-
ed at once.
The Irregularities of the ground
west of the drill ground proper, with
the ravine running through it and the
.Nuffs, all covered with forest of
Y trees trimmed to q height of fifteen
feet, make it wonderfully attractive
and picturesque. In several places
are found level areas suitable for ar
tillery drills and exercises OF other
kinds.
From the higher points can be seen
the undulatipg line of hills that mark
the course of the Colorado for miles
westward, and to the northwest is
seen the eastern face of the BALCONIES
fading away in the dim distance.
While a view of the city is shut out,
4 the dome of the capitol, three miles
eastward is not. For miles in what
ever direction you may go from the
city that grand monument is still in
view.
The drive from the city to the camp
ground is three miles; by rail it is six
miles. The International railroad
will operate an accommodation train
during the encampment between the
city and the grounds. 1t has lately
put in siding or switch of 1000 feet
at the camp ground and will construct
depot there for the accommodation
of the public. The grand stand is to
be 1872 feet long, with a seating ca
pacity of 1000. If this shall be found
inadequate it will be enlarged
Mess sheds are being erected along
the edge of the timber bordering the
drill ground. There will be sixty
nine OF GneSe Sn6uS, OF OHo loI oaCh
company. A large store and maya
zine building will be erected. Water
will be supplied from the city water
works at an expense of $24OO for the
necessary piping, which is yet to be
! put down.
. All of the buildings constructed and
NJ work of whatsoever sort done on
the ground are of the best. There is
nothing cheap about it; no temporary
makeshifts for day or a week, but
solidly built and properly designed
structures and improvements. Every
thing done has about it look OF per-
manency and stability.
General Mabry has been indefati-
gable in supervising all work done on
the ground He and the committee
on behalf of the city have worked ad-
mirably together to the one great pur-
pose of making the camp ground one
of the best equipped and appointed in
the Union, and they think they have
succeeded. The committee may be