The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-06-24
THE GLoRIEs OF WATERS.
An Ideal Place for Romancers and
Picnickers.

| Every observing traveller over the Aus
tin and Northwestern Railway has been
struck with the variety and beauty of the
| adjoining landscape, the solid and well
kept roadbed and the substantial and
picturesque depots at stopping points,
which prove that the road is under the
management of Il man of fine taste and
good judgment. One of the most notice
able stations is at Walters, fourteen miles
by rail and ten by road, from Austin,
on the headwaters of Walnut creek. Wat
ems by its popularity as a holiday resort
to soon develop into a town if not city.
Not only is the village itself interesting,
but it is surrounded by a country so
varied in character and favored by ma
ture as is rarely met with in Texas. Be
fore the advent of the railroad the vii
lage was known as Summerville, after
one of the old settlers, but the railway
builders gave it is present name, as one
of the natives explained, because the
waters of the two branches of Walnut
creek met there, but of this deponent is
not in position to speak. 1t has always
lovers of outdoor religious meetings. and
tilder the spreading branches of the
giant pecans that now shade the new
bandstand and dancing platform, many
a sinners has been shaken up and steadied
down to new order of life. There is
nothing narrow or intolerant about Wat
tiers and its community. The festive
pleasure seeker and the devout Worship
per are alike welcomed and made to feel
at home. This was noticeable twice dur
ing q recent week. when protracted
meeting was in full swing at the camp
ground about 100 yards east of Waters.
while the coIofed folks enjoyed themselves
in Pecan park, 100 yards west, without
any conflict Of interests or enjoyment.
We are cosmopolitan people.
visitors to Waters can always ioin
heartily in singing, 81 have been there
and still would CO." ms it supplies un-
expected sensations and revelations to
the "cribbed cabined and confined deni-
zens of the city and the residents of less
God-favored sections of the country
a brief description of the more inter-
estlng scenes near Walters is now in
order. The first place of interest to the
holiday, maker is Pecan park, which adj
Joins the depot and covers about ten
acres. 1t looks as if specially designed
by nature for picnic purposes, being stud
ded with noble pecan trees, many of
which would be in full bearing when Col
umbus said to the king of Spain! IT
will 90 and discover America Under
the outrageous limbs Of one of these pa
triarchs,. Capt. LeitnakerT has erected a
neat, substantial and commodious band
stand and platform, which will be found
equally well adapted for social. political
and religious festivals. Benches and
tables are supplied free, pro bono piiblico.
Within the park is a spring of never
failing water of the ptrest brand. If
Walters had nothing beyond the park as
an attraction for pleasure seekers, it
would have a solid and sufficient excuse
for inviting strangers; but, with an az
gregdtion of natural beauties and scenes
made famous locally in prostate and
ante-bellum times, she should become the
Mecca of pleasure seeking pilgrims.
Within mile of the park can be found
"bits" of scenery and historical spots that
may some day inspire latter-day Cooper
and Sir Walter Scott. Old settlers have
thrilling tales 10 tell of adventures and
combats with Indians who had their head
quarters at spring, which forms the
head of Walnut creek at Duval, and they
point out spots where settlers were scalp |
ed and red men dispatched to the happy
hunting ground. Innumerable mounds
adorn or disfgure the landscape, below
which the warriors mortal remains, to- |
yether with those of their faithful ponies !