Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-03-18


who, looking back not many seasons,
finds two worthy pilgrims from Grand
Rapids Zen visit in Galveston, they
returning home to tel. of winning in
vestments in corner lots. Per above
We mention one chance better, and call
attention to an interest in the whole
shooting match, corner lots and all the
rest The solons of many decades have
prophesied the building of great city
on the Gulf of Mexico, and, recognizing
the geographical advantage of Calves
ton, have pointed to it as the proper
place above all others. Hence real es-
tate holdings there should be valuable,
with promising chances of constant
increase and encouragement to all in
vestors.
Galveston has a beautiful beach,
noted as one of the finest in the world
bordering for the entire length Of the
island on the Gulf of Mexico. Its surf
bathing is unsurpassed in any land. A
splendid driveway, and the finest place
for a bicycle spin that could be con-
ceived, stretches for miles over the
hard, white, shell sprinkled sands at
the rolling pillows edge. Mid the cool,
refreshing gulf breezes that are almost
constantly in circulation, we wonder if
there is tourist traffic most eXacting
that could not find attraction here. To
US it was delightful, inspiring picture
and many hours were passed leisurely
lettering up and down the beach gath
ering souvenir sea shells, catching star
fish, and watching shore fishermen
dipping and hauling in their long nets.
The jelly fish, resting along shore in
seeming lifelessness, a transparent,
shapeless mass of glutinous looking
substance, was an especially interesting
study. And so we found numerous
little ocean animals, with unmention-
able names, a novelty for every glance.
From the beach we were 10th to de-
part.
Another attractive place for strangers
is the long Bay wharf, with about two
miles of highly improved frontage,
where hours can be proftably spent
watching the arrival or departure of
stately sea-going vessels Of every de-
scription-the great passenger steamers
to foreign ports, the big iron-clad
freighters loaded to waters edge with
cotton or grain, tramp boats moored
and waiting for a cargo, others loading,
and innumerable craft plying in every
which way upon their several missions.
1t is an animated scene, full of life and
motion. There is no idleness off tae
wharf. Three grain Sr7vators, with a
storage capacity of 100000 bushels,
are found standing like giant sentinels
along this wharf.
Galveston's harbor is the largest and
deepest on the Gulf coast. The govern
ment recently expended over Sc, 900, 900
to make it port of the first magnitude,
on improvements in the shape of sand
stone ietties or rock walls, with broad
bases capped with heavy granite blocks,
to confine and give securing force to
the ebb currents and maintain Il chan
nel of ample depth, width and capacity
to accommodate the largest ocean going
vessels and the commercial and naval
necessity Of the country. This has been
accomplished Thursday afternoon,
Feb. 16, the Mallory Steamer company
performed a gracious act in rendering
the large steamship Nueces to the mem
bers of the Editorial association for a
delightful trip down the above men
toned ship channel to the Gulf of
Mexico, giving all IL chance to view and
learn more fully Of this greatest of all
the world s achievements i'll this line.
Every moment spent on board the
| spacious decks and parlors of that big
| boat was full of interest to the 500 visit
ors. The breeze from the gulf was
warm and exhilarating, though the sun
was scarcely visible any Of the time.
| None had to search for their sea legs,
as the bay was as smooth as the pro.
verbal mill pond. The jetties are the
longest in the world and Captain Saw
yer steamed us out their entire length,
six and one-half miles, before the turn
was made on the homeward trip. AS
the vessel passed the life saving station
we were treated to the unexpected
| Six men in a life boat were observed
leisurely pulling out into the bay. Sud-
denly she capsized and all hands aboard
went under. The ladies screamed, and
men looked grave. In a moment, how
ever, six heads bobbed up serenely and
then it was observed that each wore a
cork belt The boat lay bottom mp.
The men climbed up on top of her,
seized the ropes on one side and. drop
ping back into the water with a pull,
brought the boat right side up. Then
the people on board understood. 1t
was boats crew out practicing.
Scarcely had the excitement of this
little incident passed when the atten-
| ton of those on board was called to the
big battleship Texas proudly sitting at
anchorage in the harbor. The ship had
been ordered TO Galveston by Secretary
of the Navy Herbert, and was awaiting
the presentation of a $1,000 silver SER
vice which the people of Texas had
purchased by popular subscription and
were anxious to bestow upon their
namesake. As our excursion steamer