Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1893-06-23
THE ISLAND CITY.
Galveston-The Queen of the Gulf.

GueeN OIL llle JUL.
With many persons the idea OBJ
tains that Galveston is situated
upon the main land of Texas
while in reality it occupies part
of an island two and half miles
from the coast. This island
stretches twenty eight miles in
length, following the coast line
from northeast to southwest.
The greatest breadth is at Tre-
mont street, which reaches from
gulf to bay. The city being built
upon the north eastern part of the
island commands visw of water
from three sides, the gulf on the
east, the bay ON the west with the
two waters conyerging at the
northeast. Across the bay from
mainland to island, two railroad
bridges are erected and much
needed bridge for wagons will
soon be completed.
Less than eighty years ago this
island was uninhabited saye as the
home OF a pirate band, whose
fame is equal to that OF Capt.
Kidd at the north. LaFitte, a
Frenchman, by birth was a..'Pirate
bold AS ever sailed the seas" and
many are the stories told of his
princelv wealth gained from
plundered vessels and from
negroes captured on the African
shores, which were sold ct 30
much per pound. Yet with that
strange Inconsistency which
strong natures often possess, al
though bandit by profession, fo1
him no toll was to ardnous, nc
peril too great. for the welfare OF
his comrades, while they, with
true clanman's spirit worahipped
their adventurous leader.
This island he named Cam
peachy and here he made his
home until 1920, (at the time Mis-
souri, was knocking for admission
into the Union, when the govern
mental troops, after fierce battle,
broke up the pirate settlement,
and LaFitte, with his band, sailed
to Mexico. His treasures are sup
posed to be yet buried upon the
island, but if undiscovered it has
not been from lack of explora-
tions.
But to return to the present
Galveston. This city is q resort
for northern visitors both in the
winter and summer, for the winter
season compares with our October,
vegetation being green the year
around, while in the summer we
have the cool breeze blowing off
the gulf, the surf bathing, togeth-
er with that magnificent driveway
of twenty eight miles along a
beach considered the finest in the
world.
The surf is high to-day and the
roar of the water can be heard in
all parts of the city. After the
tide has ebbed, beautiful shells
will be found scattered along the
beach, but one must be on time TO
secure these for the shell vendors
are always there to capture the
finest prizes.
Not less attractive than the
beach iz the bay shore, where
is erected miles of wharves
against which steamers of various
make and nationalities are anchor
cd. The Mallory lire sends out
the handsomest vessels, their
route being from Galveston via
Key West to New York.
Sailing eastward up the bay the
ships pass through the channel,
and by the light. house which en-
sbles them to guide safely oven
| the sand bar which lies at the en-
trance of the harbor. This bar is
a canstant source of trouble as the
large vessels have to be lightened
of their burdens before crossing,
then reloaded on the other side.
However, the work upon the jet
ties is now progressing SO rapidly
Ills hoped the channel will soon
afford the long looked for deep
water. A VISITOR.