The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-03-14

oered than southwest Texas in general
SUNSHINE.
Y NO accurate record of sunshine or cloud
mess is at hand, but it is fair to state
mat the record of San Antonio, which is
izS clear, 146 fair and 102 cloudy days,
Is not lar from the facts at Austin.
WATER SUPPLY AND POWER.
2 The water supply of the city is OBJ
famed from the great artificial lake be-
lore mentioned. This lake is simply an
expansion of the Colorado river, there
lore the water is from a mountain stream
passing through hundreds of miles of
practically unsettled country. This sup
ply is not only ample but inexhaustible
even in the dryest seasons, furnishing
enough to supply many such cities as Aus,
TN. The purity of the supply is unques-
toned at present. There may come a
time when the latter statement could not
be made, but it will be far in the future,
and should such a contingency arise, an
ample supply of spring water is at hand
to supply the service pipes while the lake
furnishes the power to distribute it. The
| quantity is so large and furnished so
| cheaply that the city will be able to supply
its citizens with an abundance for every
| conceivable purpose at q mere nominal
| cost, thus making possible the beautify-
ing of private and public parks and
grounds, in which Austin abounds.
The power from the lake is also utilized
in the most perfect electric lighting sys'
TEN of any city in the country. Thirty
one towers, $50 feet in height, each sus-
tanning six 1000 candle power arc lights,
are placed in all parts of the city at dis
lance of not to exceed 5000 feet from each
| other. This is guaranteed to enable one
to see the time on q watch at any point
| in the city on the darkest night. Be
sides the two functions of furnishing
| water and light, there is a surplus equal
| to 10000 horse power available for man
ufacturing purposes, which can be ap
piled either direct or as electric energy
generated by the water power, thus max
\ ing Austin one of the most eligible man.
| ufactuCing centers in the whole south.
west AS this power belongs to the city
| it will be furnished at q merely nominal
l cost to manufacturers.
Besides the water above mentioned Aus.
| tin has an artesian supply of hot water
very similar to the Padget we'll described
in the report upon Waco. 1t is thought
| that by going deeper the same water may
A natatorium to utilize the wafer
now supplied is about to be erected,
| which will add another attractive feature
to Austin as a health resort.
THE SANAT MONICA SPRING.
which flows from rift in the cretaceous
limestone bed of the Colorado river (now
lake McDonald) at q point 16 miles
above Austin. was first brought 10 no.
tice by a Spanish exploration under
] Don Francisco Nasquez de Coronado in
! l34l, for the purpose of tracing the source
OF the gold found in small quantities in
| the rivur sand.
| They found at the springs village of
| CaranGua Indians, who informed them
of the medicinal powers of the waters
as handed down through the tribe.
The water has been locally famous ever
] since, as attested by throngs Of campers
who come here every summer.
A park has been opened along the slop-
ing lakeside, and fenced against intru-
sion, that visitors may enjoy the cool
shade of the immense forest trees for
| camping or picnicing.
SANITARY CONDITIONS.
The city is naturally NEST favorably
situated for perfect drainage, almost
every block is a separate hill or knoll so
that there is SEQ standing water anywhere,
but in addition an extensive and quite
complete system of sewerage affords
facilities for carrying off all offensive
matter. The soil is in many places a
thin covering over a limestone or chalk
rock, and during long seasons of drouth
it becomes quite dusty if not kept well
wet down. This will be obviated in
time by the paving of the streets which
has not yet been done, also by the full
ufe of the water for sprinkling which
the completion of the water power plant
now furnishes. The death rate of Austin
is very low, in fact the lowest of any
city of my knowledge, being only rs to
the thousand population including every
thing, even interments from the country,
on basis of $4,000 population for the
city.
SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL.
Austin being the state capital has like
all such citseS, attracted ito it the best
society elements of the state and it is
essentially a social city. 1t has also in
its function as a capital city been fa-
vnred with many fine public institutions
and these in various ways have fur
nished large portion of the revenue of
the city. The state capitol stands pre-
eminent among the state capitols of the
nation as one of the handsomest and
most substantial, ranking as seventh in
size of the large buildings of the world.
The state University also raIike among the
first in the land in efficiency. The pub
lie schools are of high standard of eX-
ceilence. The churches are both numer-
Gus, commodious and well manned.
The city abeunds in handsome homes
with ample lawns and every evidence of
comfort.
ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES.
Austin has more than the average ia
cilities for the entertainment of tourists
spending either a few days or weeks or
months. AS the political center of the
state the sessions of the legislature offer
source of entertainment to many who
are fond of listening to debate. The
capitol is building of interest, the state
University and the various state insti-
buttons are all objects of interest. A
good opera house and a play going COM
munitg attracts many of the best com
panies on the road to Austin. But the
browning star of Austin's entertainment
feature is
LAKE MCDONALD,
formed by the great dam before men
toned I fear that if / should try 10 eX-
press my admiration for the beauties of
this body of water and its picturesque
borders, should endanger the established
reputation of this journal for conserya-
tism, therefore l will not attempt to do
the subject justice, but acknowledge my
inability to do so. There is certainly
nothing equal or similar to it in the South
and nothing like it in the North, All the