davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
A MOST REMARKABLE RECORD.
Houston's Wonderful Growth and Progress During
the Past Twelve Years.
More Than Doubled Population
Building t--Soms Facts and Figures That Tell
Wonderful Story

the eVrnpletioa o: which The Pos. has been
permitted TO chronicle. may be raep,iop>d
without attempting 10 Eiyo them in The
Chronological order o. their construction.
the two hrewer.es. he American and Mag
noiia: the pos.otfics building. The Lgh,
Guard srrrory. the Prince bailiiaE.
sweeaey & Coonhs' orera house. Chris;
1 church. the Hsnke store building, the Kci-
Ter store building. Browne & Boil:iass'
! store building. The Converse building a;
The lover end OF Main street, Rice aad
Khan building % Congress between Main
and Fanuiu. J. H Lang building on Pres
ton street between Milan And Louisiana,
the KAN bu.ls-+s. shaw haldlae. Con-
sTess All san J4c!nto; Rich building, ssu
JAc.u,o between Congress aaa Franklin;
the Frank Dunn hotel building. corner
Louist4n& and Cosgrrss. Kennedy building.
e9rueT Congress and Travis. Foley build
inE. Travis street. tetveea Congress and
Franklin: StuAr; huHdiag. Travis street,
between Coagrezs AID Erzzkliu: Aaay.
Clay building. corner TrEvss and Capitol
Flock building. Congress. between san
ja1ia;o a1a czroiire, ?. ". House hank.
MAJ Eireei. z. P HiH build
iHr fsoVih Tcx&s Na,ieuzI bank.
Main ard F'aakiia: Seaman huild-
tx. nres,ou. between Nan ana Travis +;
loaes building. Congress between san ia
ein;o and Caroline. The Mason b7ildirs
Nan and Eusk; BiaE building, Main a.d
I1xEs area1e .Prrsarteriaa church. MA.z
Az Mckinney. s. JoseDh's infirnary, Rice
buii1lng. 7e1Es sYeage aac Travis. Hasnpe
bulldog. Fanu.a sns Prairie: Larlor no
~. bT.ztol aoesl. BrAshea- building. Main
and capltel. ths High Sshool. new jan anl
court aease, Outlay ana Weiss buildings.
Travis street oe;~eea Prairie and Preston.
Scassiinzki bu.2inz. Travis between
Prairie a-a Pres,0a, thu Ki-ilcks building
Travis. between Franklin AID Commerce:
soers f Burnett sud D c. s,a.:h hspa-
'ags. TeEaa Rvenue 80 ~eg. Main ara
fanni1; W'adi-S! b1iia!us. Fa.nln and
Prairie; Bslfw!ns ns.stu-.1.n. Mflsy
Dow building. Travis and Capitol; the
1oaehsTt & Eeiie- building on Franklin
avenue These are all aubs,antiaI briek
structures ranging from oue to sig stories
IN height, the maturity tire. stories. all 81
.oo1esa at?is o. Architecture. Included
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
ovEn ruInrY-rHREn YEARS.
A Letter written puring the wnr
Was Finally Delivered

Corpus Christi, Texas. April 2.-on the
sth day Of July, 1864. near Chattaboochie
river. Georgia, +. H. Blossman brother 10
Mr. r. O. Blossman, prominent mer-
chant Ct this city, wrote a letter to his
mother. describing the fearful scenes OF
the battlefield and the hardships OF war
The unfortunate man was killed about a
month after writing the letter and his
mother VINO died In this city several years
ago. never received h. This week MIR
Blossman received the letter. which had
been delayed thirty,threc years. on the
upper left hand corner Is the following:
~ V. bloLsmpn, company A. sixth Texas
infantry cicburne Division" Across the
letter 10 written the following: Captured
hy the L. $. s. curlew. ON the night OF
July 10. 1864. al Rodney, Miss. with a
large Rebel mail" The letter was sent
to Mr.. Blossman by a lady OF South Bend,
Ind, who found It among the Historical
secisty's collections in tina. city.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
FIRE DETACHMENT.

Houston has an Efficient fire department,
equipped With al modern Appliances for
frn'ins FIRE These include six hose car
Iiases eech having tao Bahcock extin-
EdishHfs, three superior steamers, one
chemical engine two hook ana ladder
Trucks. cue being serial. AID a full COM
plrinsn, Of the best hose There are over
W hycranis and The pressure from tho
"ainrwogks y sufficient to throw a stream
oyer any building IN the city The depart
msni employs fiiy -,hTce ricu
ofieess Tom T Rayeil. chlof; Fred
k'fs'~f. sHisiant chtef George G. Eel
ton. superintendent, fire alarm system
DegtEo NaHghsn assistant.
l(ostiouE Of fire stations: Central sta.
ton. eornrr Prairie ard San Jaeinto. CON i.
Iany 10 !. on Fannin, between TEXAS
sYohlle and cantoi company No g. on
Satin street. between Prairie and Pres
ton company No g. ou Washington street.
near i'fesion company No. g. on Crawford,
hfwcen Polk aad Clay, company 30. 3. on
hardN, heiwscn fsipmea and Liberty
tpiupony M 30. cD Chartres. between
coogresf and Franklin
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
PUBLIC PRIDGEs.

The following bridges for the use OF the
general public span Buffalo bayou In Its
route through the city:
Sabine street bridge, connecting the
Fourth and Sixth ward: iron span with
wooden approaches; cost SIS 600.
Louisiana street bridge. between the
Fourth and First wards; iron. cost SID, 900
Franklin avenue bridge, connecting the
Fourth and First wards, wood. cost $780,
200.
Milan street bridge. connecting divisions
OF First ward iron. cost sl6. 5000.
Crockett street bridge. connacting First
and Fifth wards; iron. with wooden APP
proaches; cost sic, 900.
San Jacinto street bridge between Sec
pnd and Fifth wards; iron. draw: cost s32, =
COZ.
I'M street bridge connecting Second and
Filth wards; iron, draw. cost s39, 900.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
THE CITY MARKET

The city market is an institution O;
which Houston can we'll feel proud, as
something that no other Texas city has and
few others in the United States possess to
such perfec dion. II occupies an entire
block. Here in addition to meats, fish and
towl. the vegetable crop is perennial,
knowing no season. but furnishing food
the year round in no stinted quantity, but
in ample abundance and at reasoable
prices. The market Is an object OF inter-
est TO all visitors and source of pride 10
every Houstonian.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
PROPERTY WALES

The actual value Of all property within
ihe municipal limits q Houston Is about
'f9'oo. }9o The following is a compare
ilTe siaienent Of values As rendered to the
ciiy tax assessor. at an average Of about 80
pr eout of the market valuation:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
BUILDING IMPROVEMENT

During the period coextensiyo with IN.
NE OF The Post under tia present man.
aKemcnt improvements In Houaton bay.
peen 80 general that 1t Ia difficult To In.
create those arteries Of progress that have
peeh the most vitality responsive to tho
universal spirit OF advancement. Whateyo.
may have been the improvements in Other
directions, the many magnificent busines.
buildings that have been constructed since
1855. not to speak OF tho CORRESPONDING
number Of beautiful residences, are ike
10 many monuments erected to tho enter
prias' thrift and energy Of tho citizens.
Among tho more conspicuous building.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04

Ihe municipal tax FOR all purposes Is 2
Frr cent 81 The assesrcd valuation, equal
10 ~ on Tho hundred ot actual property
yaines The bonded indebtedness Of the
Guy Is 81 .s9s,Ie0. and 1t owHs $685.. 900 OF
rial extate.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04

The ciiy IL veil suppl,~i With backs as
follOSs;
Commercial National Rapk. 100 hain
,u'e'. eoTnor Franklin svonpe-W. Is.
chew. president. p +. nm. Tiee rresi-
dent q L. Price. aAsistsht cashier. Cup
itsl sz3o.eoo, surplus. t32. 200.
FifS National Bank of Houston 2Ci
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04

n ihis list the Binz is ,oae Of the Isrgett
ana certainly the haAdrorres. and bes,
squipped medsfn o,fce building in the
sfat'. paragon g beauty 10 another
style " architecture Is tho new preaby-
terrain church. corner q Maia arA Ne
Ninnry. hui; within the past year. a mag
hliicea' stone structure undoubtedly the
abandonment church building in the state
HFsideo these there are nov number or
ou''r buiii'nss under contract and In
e'uis' of construction. The drawings AZ
me majority Of these appear In this iss,ie
embracing the psrl,ery. under coustrtir-
Ton IN the VoIkafest PARK. the Flnnsgan
prlhing. being constructed corner O, ga,
Jaeln'o and Franklin. the Camp building
TO occupy site in the rear Of the PRICE
M9ch ca FanI = stfest. he new cathosi,
church 'saered Heart). corner Of Pierce and
ran Jaeinio. the aeYer bulldog, three.
Nofy brick contract lett. corner Of I>,,-
lS'ana and Preston the sterueuberg build.
lhsa. three-story bricks. both adjoining
INC Meyer building. one facing On !1,nirl.
ana the other on Preston sire,t the Frauk
Dnnn building tundcr contraction eo,-
het Of Milan and Fiankiin. the Dcpaebtn
Faith home. the crilteniou home, the I,er.
ins building tbeing consirictedl. corner a,
Milan and Prairie John II. Lag building
ibelng eonstruetedl. corner VI Corsr.ss
and Louisiana.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
AT DIENSTAG'S|
ThePertect Filter, \
y pae|
Pure Water

| Pure w dTer
is es.
sential to good health. If
you wish to be healthy,
filter the water you drink.
Here is a perfect Purify.
ing Filter within the reach
of all.
The great demand for a
high class Water Filter has
been supplied by these
Celebrated Filters. They
are not only ornamental,
but are highly artistic in
design, being made of the
very best material and fin
ished in colored glazing.
Our filtering blocks are
a natural stone, quarried
from the earth, which is
of such a nature that it
does not allow the filth it
extracts to enter its pores;
but retains all impuri.
ties upon its surface,
whence they are removed
in cleaning, which is as
simple an operation as the
cleansing of an ordinary
jar or pail. Our Filter
block can be cleaned in two
m in u e 5 ready for use,
when it is the same as new.
Every part of our Filter
is easily gotten at for the
purpose of cleansing.
Our Filter is all stone.
and there is nothing to
rust and corrode or be.
come foul.
Our Filters never become
water soaked, the water in
them retaining its sweet,
natural taste.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
AS A COTTON MAnKEr

Houston Is the largest iciand cotton
market In the world. ana It's annual ro.
ceip's are orcesded by only one port ssx
orleans, In the United gtatoa. Tho foi.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
lowing shous It's receipts In bales Tor the
years cadirs August 81. since 1884:
HOUSTON SCHOOLS

Her magnificent public school tystcm
forms ons Of the creates: adiuncis to hor
many advantages. The Houston schools
are equal TO those OF any city in the South
west. attracting patrons Of culture from
'ai and near.
The census Q, 1895 reported $685. chill
arca within scholastic age tin Houston
This Is 10 49,. Of which 627s we're white
AID dTi7 were colored. TIE total number
Of teachers employed In he city schools
during 1895 was Ito. OF which 70 were en-
ployed in schools for whites and il in
schools Tor eoicred people. The following
IS the official valuation Of school property
be.cn Eng 10 the city:
Fer white pupils
Hlsh school - rooms. 30 s.ttings SIS. 900
Lonstellow, 5 rooms. SO sittings.. 1900
Pa1nla street s rooms trented),
90 sl;iings. value OF furniture
rad apparatus -. ......... 100
Taylor. roo1as. al sit;inzs ...... 5000
Dos ROOMS, 500 siitinss 800. 5000
Houston Avenue. 8 rooms 32i
s,,tinrs ........ =. -. 49,. $4,000
Hamilton Street, 10 rooms. $50
Eiysisn Street, rooms. $50 att
Csscara, s rooms, 34i sittings -. 10000
Total ...... ...... -. ........s 3c9, 200
For colored pupils:
First Ward. rooms, 1902
sseoai wari. rooms a2l ''''''
Douglass. rooms. 243
sittiugs ...... -. 49,. 1900
sixth Ward, rooms. III
si-t:ngs 60. ...... ..... $500
Finh Ward. rpoms. PIG
Slimss.-.... -. ....... $500
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
iNDusTRIAL IMpRovEMRNrs

There are olghtyeix manufacturing in
aua'ries IN Houston employing a capital Of
b'szop9O Chief among these Gre four
isfse oil mills With an aggregate capital
OF '2,.9o'00o; one Of the largest car Wheel
shops IN tho country turning out 800,
whoels per annpin; railroad machine shou.
mar employ $500 men with q pay roll IN
sovvoVo per month the brewerifn glfh IN
aggr"Hate capital Of s5a.eJ1. gas vorss
,"o elesulr lls,ht plants and Euudry Other
industries on smaller char,etes. IN al
nilon 10 SIX cotton eompfes4es. ons tus
,Isvst IN the world, also a number of
mlgo lumber NILS near tho city AMI con
trolled by Houston capital
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04

To show the increase in population year
by year since 1856. the following figures
are taken from the city directory generally
regarded as an accurate and reliable
source:
The population is ascertalnoi on the
basis Of three persons TO each name in the
directory:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04
Impure Water,

1t has been proven tAt
typhoid fever, cholera a
arrhoea, diphtheria, ,ni
other zymotic diseases Az
chiefly caused by drinkin,
impure water. Our Nhs /
makes the most foul waite /
wholesome and good.
These celebrated watu +
Filters and Coolers CON
bined, have be e n fully|
tested and their merits 81
tablished as pos S e S ind
every practical adapted
for family use, rendering
the most impure and foul
rain, river or hydrant val
ter free from all organi|
matter, g a $ e S, taste d
smell. 1T is the best Filtsl
on the market. 1t puri
fies as we'll as filters th,
water
SEE WINDOW
DISPLAY,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04

Total valuation 800. =. ..... 1852 $50
The total value OF school property In
Houston in 1855 vas about $50 600.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-23
idIReAcnMENTS oy SpAai5Al TROOPS.

General Weylers appointment was
announced Feb. :. 1896. He had carte
blanche TO conduct the affairs OF gov
ernment I'm cuba. Ills dictum wyS-Io he
supreme. both over the army and the
people.
This modern PiZarro reached Havana
Feb. lG His first act was To have a
large map OF cuba prepared. ON which
the whereabouts and movements of the
insurgents were marked by small pins
General Weylcr conducted an indoor
-f--++-t-of campaign several months.
moving the pins from place To place and
following them with larger pins. which
represented his own forces. He chased
the rebels all over the map aud event
ually drove them into the sea-
Then Weyler went out to reconnoiter.
after establishing a strict press censor.
ship. In Pinar del Rio he narrowly es-
capped capture when I'm moment ~
excitement he departed about 200 yards
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-23

march and capturing the towns ana
forts of Altagracia, I'll Mulato and san
Jeronimo, together with large quantl-
~ of war munitions and number OF
horses The rainy season then was at
it's height. and the Cuban general
ceased active operations for time and
permitted his antagonists TO wear them
selves out searching for him.
Marti's death made IL necessary to Sc
lect successor to the head of the rev
oiutionary party, and the choice fell up
on Tomas Estrada Palma. ex-presdent
OF the Cuban republic and resident of
the state of New York. Headquarters
were opened at 66 Broadway afterward
removed 10 56 New street. Several eff
forts were made by Spanish agents To
connect Senor Palma with the sending
OF war material TO the Cubans i'm vio-
lation of the neutrality laws. but It was
impossible TO secure any evidence
against him. and hc was never legally
accused.
AS soon as the rainy season % 1895
was over Spain began pouring more
troops into the island Thirty thousand
had been sent up to June and 10000
more in July. The total Of the Cuban
army did not then comprise more than
i'sNvV lltlf anu llbl ii'lf AhoAi 'f'''
were armed. IL became necessary 10
supply them with rifles and ammuni-
tion, and expeditions were fitted out
from time 90 time. sailing from Phila-
delpha. New York. Key West ;tiitE
other points along the southern coast.
The great majority OF these enterprises
were successful. and the insurgents
gradually were supplied with what they
needed Co carry on their war against
the Spaniards. The only complete fan
ure was the Competitor expedition.
which was captured and several Of the
crew drowned. Those who were cap-
tured were thrown into prison and still
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-23

bans. The cane grinding season was
about TO open. and Gomez issued an or
der that no cane should be ground any,
where. The Cuban soldiers rigidly en-
forced the order, and IL proved a seri-
Gus blow to the enemy. Gomez enter
ed and passed through Santa Clara
province without interference, and for
a time IL was feared that he intended
to attack the capital itself Troops
were called from the front and addi-
tional defenses were constructed around
Havana. Campos made a requisition
for more men, and they were sent by
thousands. Not less than $4,000 arriv-
ed in the bay of Havana i'm October
and by the end of November 1870 900 mad
been poured into the island since the
beginning of hostilities i'm the previous
February. This. added to the regu-
lars and volunteers. made a grand to-
tai of 10000 Spanish soldiers to op-
pose less than $4,000 Cubans.
General Gomez's command consisted
of but 5000 men, only 1000 of whom
were armed with effective weapons. He
marched TO the west as he pleased de-
stroying everything I'm his path. Cam
pos remained meanwhile, tied up in
Havana. Gomez and Maceo together
crossed the western trocha into Pinar
del Rio province, and there Maceo es-
tablished himself I'm the natural for
tresses afforded by the hills. His force
gradually was increased until il had
swollen to an army Of 5000 men, most
Of them armed with machctes and two
fifths mounted. Muskets and ammuni-
tion were scarce.
Gomez parted with Maceo a few days
before Christmas. 1895. and moved back
10 the eastward. passing close to Ha-
vana. The government was seriously
and Spain was in a white heat
OF rage.
Campos was recalled. His humilia-
tion at Bayamo had discredited him,
and the extraordinary achievement of
Gomez i'm marching back and forth
within cannon shot OF Havana capped
the climax
General Marin succeeded Campos. but
his forces were cut TO pieces and put
TO rout at Candelaria and Artemisa.
near the western trocha. and Marin was
speedily superseded by Weyler.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-23

the letter. and with such unanimity
that the authorities realized that they
had an organized movement 10 meet.
The home government at Madrid imme-
diately was notified, and the situation
was deemed serious enough 10 warrant
the minister OF foreign affairs. Senor
Abruzza, in announcing that martial
law had been proclaimed in Cuba. say
ing that IL was In order 10 check the
brigandage instigated by Cuban refu-
gees in America. The captain general
began Immediately TO strengthen the
defenses OF Havana, and, following
favorite Spanish custom, arrested and
threw into jail scores OF Cubans sus-
pected OF sympathy with the insurrec-
tionists. The volunteers were called in
TO active service, the regulars were dis
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-23
Review Of the Rebe||ionAqainst Spanish Tyranny,

decided Pthat Marti and Gomez should
move their forces farther TO the west
and enter Camaguey, where they were
TO proclaim the civil government. When
they reached Holguin. they were greet
ed by 1000 recruits under Colonels
Manduly and Miro. Immediately after
their arrival at Camaguey the mani
festo was issued TO the world, and the
march was continued TO Dos Rios.
where. May /. a Spanish force was en-
countered, and battle ensued Here
the Cubans suffered their first serious
loss. General Jose Marti, while lead
ing 2 charge. was shot through the
heart. ON the very day that he met
his death the eloquent appeal which he
prepared and proclaimed at Camaguey
reached the United States and was
published throughout the country
The commander i'm chief OF the Span
ish forces at once announced that the
loss Of Marti had broken the backbone
OF the rebellion. but I'm this as he had
been i'm his previous statement, he was
mistaken. Instead OF discouraging the
Cubans. Marti's death seemed to in
tensify their feelings. Recruits fiocked
to the insurgent ranks, and the sub
scriptions TO the war fund increased.
The trocha, which was TO have been
such an effective bar 20 the progress of
the rebels. proved a complete failure.
Gomez crossed il and entered the south
ern part Of the province OF Puerto Prin-
cipe, where his force was augmented by
the enlistment OF several hundred of the
most prominent young men in the prov
nce.
General Campos saw by this time that
the task he had undertaken was by no
means an easy one. He was forced 10
change his plan OF campaign and. i'm
stead Of following Gomez up and crush
ing him out of existence. he declared
the province of Puerto Principe In a
state of siege. But the declaration did
not stop Gomez from making a circular
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-23

are there, awaiting trial, although their
alleged offense was committed more
than 10 months ago.
The Spanish navy proved altogether
inadequate to deal successfully with
these filibusters. Recruits continued TO
get i'm until at the end Of August the
army had increased from $1,000 TO 20, 900
Up TO that time $1,000 soldiers had been
sent from Spain, but Campos still was
unable TO make good his boast Much
dissatisfaction was expressed i'm Mad
rid with his humane policy, and the ul-
ira monarchists were constantly urging
war Of determination. The Spanish
commander narrowly escaped capture
i'm the latter part of July, and his ex-
periencc led him TO admit that the
strength OF the insurgents was greater
than he hadegiven them credit for
Campos was at the head OF 5000
troops. including the Sixth Peninsular
battalion, and had advanced 10 Bayamo
To engage Gomez, whom he hoped TO
catch between two fires. He expected
10 destroy the Cuban commander and
follow up that coup by advancing on
Maceo and either capturing or killing
him. This he felt certain would crush
the rebellion. But General Campos. in
stead of doing either Of these things.
not only suffered 'disastrous defeat but
almost lost his own life. His vanguard
fell into an ambush and suffered heavy
loss.
His main column was about a mile in
the rear. with himself and General
Santocildes at its head 4 quick ad-
vance was made. and an engagement
ensued which lasted six hours. Gen
eral Santocildcs was killed while gal
lantly defending his superior officer.
The Spaniards were forced To retreat
and took shelter in a building which
was hercely besieged by the Cubans.
Toward sunset the firing ceased and
General Campos succeeded in making
his escape by being carried out on