Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-02-07
KOdaking a KOntinent,
with Texas, New Mexico and Arizona
Gliding through the Cameras Field.

with Texas, New Mexico and Arizona
Gliding through the Cameras Field.
As intimated last week leave the route
from Cairo to New Orleans for a special
letter and make my first camera shot where
we cross the river Sabine which is the
boundary line between Louisiana and
Texas. From this point to the crossing of
the Rio Grande del Norte, the boundary
between Texas and New Mexico, is 900
miles. Northward, the state extends $50
miles from the Gulf of Mexico on the south
to Oklahoma on the north. Within these
limits lies the imperial state of Texas with
its 260 counties, averaging more than 1000
square miles each, representing great va
riety of soils, conditions of improvement,
adaptation to cultivation, etc. One old
geographical myth, however, we can ex-
clude from the list of typographical pecu-
iarties, that being the bette noire of the
Lano EstacadO, or staked plain, which has
no existence whatever, the proper transla-
ton being, "palisaded plain" Instead of
being desert this enormous plateau Is
covered with thick growth of grass, has
the average rainfall of the state, but the
soil being porous, soon soaks up the sur
face water, which is readily brought back
again by digging wells, from % to 40 feet in
depth. There are more than 1900 of these
wells now in use, affording water for
thousands of cattle and horses which are
being reared on these verdant pastures.
The population of the plains is more than
10000 people, mostly engaged in stock
raising, while the state has recently sold
more than $4,000 worth of these lands
in payment of its elegant capital at Aus
tin.
Houston, on the San Jacinto river, with
10 900 to $4,000 population, has the best
railroad facilities in the state and is anx-
ious to be labeled the largest town in Texas.
Westward from Houston the country is
comparatively level and the soil rich and
dark colOred, but as the annual rainfall
grows less in this direction, less acres are
cultivated and the great cattle ranges are
more in evidence. Stations where cattle
are shipped are often seen and cars laden
with the genuine "long horns make en-
tire trains en- route for the North
The mesquite, cacti and low brown sage
brush begin TO appear on the broad plains
as we still journey westward. San An
tonic is reached POO miles from Houston
What historical associations cluster around
this old town, the Oldest with one excep-
ton, founded by the pious Spanish monks
in the interests of Spain and Christianity.
Four separate missions yet remain to tes-
tify to their zeal and devotion.
The oldest mission, San Jose, was com
pleted in 1871 Another old church, yet
standing, has more interest for the travel
ers of today than all others. In 17l3 was
begun the foundation walls of what has
become the most sacred temple of Texas
hallowed ground for all who venerate the
heroism of men who could die for prin-
ciple,-the Alamo! The soil on which
these old walls stand is sanctified by the
blood of Travis, Crockett, Bowie, Benham
and III of their compatriots, who, within
these walls, withstood the repeated charges
of the whole Mexican army under Santa
Anna, from Feb. % to March 9, 1886.
Hundreds of MeXicans were killed, but
one by one the heroic Texan band grew
less. When the final assault came nc
quarter was asked or given. Each Texan
died in desperate hand-to-hand conflict.
Col Bowie, sick and unable TO rise, was
bayoneted in bed, Crockett, amid a circle OF
slaughtered foes; Travis fell on the wall
giving inspiration to his men, and when
the last Texan died, blood was ankle-deeI
and the CHASTITY corpses lay in heaps on al
sides. On the monument Texas has erect
ed to these heroes is inscribed the legend
"Thermopyle had its messenger of defeat
the Alamo had none" The government
has an extensive and finely equipped mill
tary post at this town.
Starting again on our journey, we be
come more impressed with the immens,
amount of land on either side that is los
to the use Of man for the want of water
Precious water, what does it not mean tC
this semi tropical, arid country.
| hn 10 haa II
palms are taking the place of less hard,
shrubs, and the boundless alkaline en-
crusted sands stretch out on either side Il
the very horizon about us. Not birC
dare risk its flight above; the gaunt coyot
skulks behind the sand covered sage brush
the gopher sits complacently beside hi
"dug-out," like Kansas farmer watchin,
for cyclones; the bones of thousand fam
ished cattle lie bleaching on the glstenin
sands, while the dropping saw palms
waving in the breeze, mark their resting
places. Over all, standing as sentinels o
deserted world, are the great barrel
mountains with no green embems of lif
on their rugged sides, no drop of shinin
water in their deep and dismal ravines, n
ray of hope for men or any living animal
or plant, only desolation and death TO
evermore. At Spafford junction we cate
the first glimpses of the Rio GIande de
NoTte, the boundary line between MeXic
and the United States. Mexican laborer
and Indian lOafers are seen at the station
in all their conventional attitudes, Away
leaning against something or somebody
with their serapes drawn closely abou
their shoulders and sombreros hig
perched above their shining black hail
At PaisanO, at an altitude of 50S2 feet, tn
summit of the Sunset route is reached, an
from here there is a gradual descent TO I
PasO, BIB feet above sea level. Abou
FL Paso the country seems like an oasis /
a sand drenched desert. Here one see
! conclusive evidence that with plenty {
water this country would "blossom like tn
rose" Such splendid orchards and fires
vegetation, green fields of grain, now nearl
one foot in height, and other evidences {
fertility, caused by irrigation only, make
, makes one think the barrerness of Ii
, last 100 miles was only dTeam-all ha
been changed by water taken from III
9 sleepy Rio Grande, which we cross near tn
! thriving city.
! From FL Paso to Tucson there is little
] interest the traveller. Arizona lands ma
be of great value to the people engaged
, mining gold and silver, and there are L
i apparent reasons why their attention shou
be diverted from that industry, for there
: nothing else to do unless to take the shorte
: course out of the territory, where the san
! of the desert seems to be the only thin
: that possesses life enough to move of i
. own volition. Salt river is an Arizonia