The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-02-08
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
Officers and Sailors of the Batteship
TeXas Pass Through Here.

The first movement of United States
marines transported by rail across the
continent through Texas and the second
overland voyage Of its kind in the history
of the United states navy was Witnessed
here yesterday in the passing through this
city of a special train en- route from Nor
folk, Va. to San Francisco. cal
The transportation of this large body
of gallant sailors, in whom all Texas
takes kindly interest if for no other
reason than the fact that they have
served on the hattloship named in honor
of the Lone Star State and conceded to he
one of the finest men-of-war atloat was
secured through the lndefatgable efforts
of the general passenger department of
the Seaboard Air line presided over by
Colonel r. j. Anderson, general passenger
agent. Portsmouth, Va.
The special train. consisting of FIVE
tourist sleepers, one Pullman car, one
baggage car and commissary car rolled
into the Grand Central depot at 2l5
o'clock yesterday afternoon. A large
crowd of IIoustonans of all classes, ages
and nationalities cougregatcd at the depot
early in the afternoon and anNiously
awaited the arrival of the marines from
Texas prded man-of-war Tho large and
cosmopolitan assemhlage at the depot re-
minded one OF the crowds that greeted
the arrival Of the big Indian chief Ccrou-
trip west as prisoners OF the government
a few months ago
The marines numbering six officers and
1Cj suilurs were in charge of Lieutenant
Jesse Roper Of the bGttloship Now York,
Tho other officers aboard, all from the
Texas, are Lieutonnnts please and Nor
gan aud Ensigns Mcdonald ana Miller nnd
Or. Steel, the Texas surgeon. Mrs.
Roper. wife of Lieutenant Roper accom-
panied her husband who has been trans
forrcd from the New York.
The officers and sailors were dressed in
the regulation naval uniform with caps
bearing the magic name Texas in gilt
| lettering across the band. They are a
fine looking set Of men and bear no re-
semblance to the clustering tars of dime
novel fame. Among the crew are many
youths ranging in age from 1G to q years.
hoyish in appearance, hut OF athletic
| physique The train remained here hut
a few minutes and pulled out for the west
amid n shower of souvenirs thrown from
tho cars by the sailors in the shape Of
! cap bands of black ribbon hearing
| Texas In gilt letters, ard numerous
/ red checks with the following plain let
/ tering: ~ s. Texas Good FOR One Beer"
| The officers and sailors are part Of the
/ crew who manned the hattleshlp Texas
until that ship was ordered out of com
mission to undergo extensive overhauling
/ to remedy some CONSTITUTIONAL defects
| Many OF the men have two or three years
enlistment vet to serve and have been
, transferred to the bnttloship Monadnock,
now at the Mare Island navy yard near
San Francisco ready for sea
The special train is under the personal
care of Mr. r. A. Newland, general agent
Of the passenger department Of the Sea-
board Air line. headquarters at Atlanta
| GA. and Mr.. Clarence W Murphy tray
I.rlinr passcngcr agent OF the Southern
Pacific. headquarters at Savannah. Ga
These two representa- iycs will accompany
tie party the entire trip across the ooun-
try. They are assisted by the various
travoiin;: representatives Of their com
pauics. who net rs chaporones over their
roeDective territories Mr.. J y. Wisucr,
travelinr, Messenger agent Of the Seahoard
AIR line. headquarters in this city nc
comnaniod the special from here TO san
Antonio. .
lieutenant Roper expressed himself ms
dollrhtcd with the kind treatment ana
excellent service accorded the entire party
nv the Seahoard Air limo, Louisville ana
Nashville. Atlanta and West Point and
southern Pacific roads and their renre-
sentatives on the trip md paid warm
and deserving compliment 10 Messrs
| Murphy and Ncwland FOR their many
7ourtosics and @untlrlnE efforts In pro-
vlding for tho comforts and pleasure or
their charge.
The Officers and crew have their meals
served on board the train from New Or
leans to san Francisco. East of the Mis-
sisslppi the meals were served from sta
lion eating houses en- route.