West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-03-04
REMEMBER THE ALAMO"
A Short sketch OF the Historic Old
Fort Where DaVey Crockett aud
Bowie Knife Bowie Fell Fight.
Ing For Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAs. !
February. 1897.

y
Dear Mr. Editor-CThats Us)
This is the most historic place in
the "Lone Star State" aud also
the most beautiful city in Texns.
The climate is fine and the place a
great health resort, there being
about 5000 visitors here all tho
time from al over the Union. The
streets and parks are clean ana well
kept, and the many old Mexican
and Spanish buildings leLd en-
chantment TO the view of visitor
from the north. have spent the
day riding and walking around the
city, visiting the leading points OF
interest. The street car service is
excellent, and you can ride for
miles and miles on the electric cars
for nickle. have just been out
for pleasant stroll with Louis
Burkhalter, Of Rowlesburg, who is
down here for his health. lie is
well known b. & o. engineer and
is suffering with weak lungs, and
was advised to come down here by
his physician. His brother, Rev.
Fred Burkhalter, used to preach in
the Baptist church Of Kingweod,
and was well known throughout the
county. Poor fellow died in the
service Of the church, of lung trou-
BILE, and his brother fearing the
same early demise, is here To save
himself and Is improving rapidly,
having gained five pounds the first
month, and says his lungs do not
trouble him a bit now. lie came
around to the hotel to hunt me up,
having learned of our presence in
tho city from the daily papers. He
was ever-joyed to meet some one
from old Preston, and | was equally
glad to see him. lie asked partlc-
ularly after Bill Lavelle ana Bob
Hollis, the "Heavenly Twins" Of
the Political. base. ball railroad new
Jerusalem.
But now must get down to my
text as indicated by the heading to
this article. San Antonio has a
population of over O,OOO, and right
in the center Of the city stands the
historic Old Fort Almo, almost ex
actly as it appeared sixty years ago.
when the brave band of Tex ,ns
gave up their lives in its now hal
lowed walls to sell with blood the
liberty Of the Great Republic Of
Texas.
The picturesque building OH the
east side Of Alamo Plaza, which is
now named and known so widely
as "The Alamo is all that re
mains to us Of what was once the
extensive Mission Gel Alamo, or
Mission San AntoDia de Valero. 1t
is really but the walls OF the Church
Of that Mission, yet 1T has truly
earned the right TO it's name in a
baptism of blood and fire. The
greater portion OF the whole mod
e1n Plaza was once inclosed by
walls, barracks and Convent build.
Ings, but it was IN the Church that
its heroic defenders, on March G.,
| 1886, made the last desperat stand
in defense Of liberty for Texas.
Travis, Crockett and Bowie died
here with about 40 others. Their
death stirred the hearts Of the Rev.
oluliopists deeply, and il was to
The relentless cry OF Remember
the Alamo that these heroes were
fearfuily avenged at the battle OF
San Jacinto six weeks later Gem
eral Santa Anna commanded the
| Mexican troops at both battles and
| after bis capture at San Jacinto by
| General Sam Houston there was OK
tended to him a mercy and msg
nanimity be hardly deserved The
/ "FaIl Of the Alamo" his been cell
ebrated in many o song aud story.
/ It is The oyershadowiug incident iu
. its cycntful history The structure
is very dear TO The hearts Of al
7 Texans. It's state property. hay.
ing been acquired by act Of Legis-
laturc in 1888. 10 is in charge Of
q regularly appointed custodian.
/ Founded jos 1903, ON tbc blu1s Of
the Rio Graude, DO was determined
I by Spain to erect The Mission here
in 11lC. At fret 10 vas more Of a
preside, or camp. The founda-
ton stone Of The Church was laid
ln 1144 and ttc Church was dcdi-
Gated few years later The old
Mission gpryp1 for "a rofto, t.,