Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-03-04
WITHIN THE TROPICS.
TEXAS AND MUCH OF THE MExI.
CAN REPUBLIC TRAvRRsRO.
A Visit TO the Alamo Hours aud Days
Of Dull, Desolate and Wearlsome
Wastes, Followed by sights Of Ex.
treme Interest.
clrY or MrxIco. boz. 8. lsal.


CITY OF MEXICO. Feb. IS 1897
DEAR READERs:-Since | wrote
last we have passed 130 miles into
the torrid zone and changed to the
lighlest apparel in our wardrobe
aud again changed halfway back.
Ii 1t we're lighter still and yet met
the requirements of society we
should at times have been more
comfortable. As we have only
Just reached here, this letter must
be devoted to the incidents of ths
journey, chiefly, and | will try and
"do" the city later on.
We left Galveston Friday night
and spent Saturday in San Anto-
MO, the alamo City," by all odds
the historic city of the state and
the pleasantest in which to live.
Being a "resort town" a great deal
of attention is given to appear
ances. Man can do nothing for
the climate, which is what the in
valid comes here Tor, but he can do
wonders for his earthly comfort,
"while the light holds out to
burn" And while on the subject
of "holding out" it must be ad-
mitted that this is a country deeid-
edly conducive to longevity. The
only survivor Of the Alamo, Madam
Candaleria, is now living at San
Antonio at the age Of ia, and her
appearance confirms her reported
age. Her picture is given with
The building in which was enacted
the tragedy which made her known
to fame.
And as the Alamo is the spot
around which clusters so much of
the history Of Texas'independence,
to pass it by without consideration
would be to turn one Of the golden
leaves Of the great states history.
Early in the 18th century Spain
determined upon the establish
ment OF a chain Of strongholds,
which should serve the double use
Of churches and forts. The pur.
pose was a double one-parily to
forestall France in the event of
boundary disputes and partly for
The subjugation and conversion OF
the natives. Besides the Alamo
there were four important missions
within a few miles Of San Antonio
aud their ruins remain. They fol.
low the river Of that name to the
southwark and are situated alter.
nately on the east and west banks.
While the decision to build them
was reached in 1716, their compile
ton consumed forty years. or
course the Alamo is the one best
known and is what are all the 9th.
ers aud more too.
The building itself is all which
now remains 10 remind the visitor
of what was once the extensive
Mission del Alamo, or Mission San
Antonio de Valero. Ii Is really
but the walls Of the church OF that
mission, yet it has truly earned the
right to its name in a baptism Of
blood. An acre and a hall Of
ground surrounding the old church
was once enclosed by high walls,
but all trace of them has disap-
peared. Ii was in the church,
however, that its heroic defenders,
on March 6, 1886, made their last
desperate stand in defense Of liber-
ty for Texas. During the fight
which closed a seige of sixteen
days, Travis, Crockett and Bowie,
with 10 OF their men were slain,
and with their blood was mingled
that Of several hundred Of their en-
emies and which is satd to have
flowed ankle deep. II is reported
that during the sixteen days' siege
the Mexican forces under Santa
Anna were decreased by 100. Six
weeks later, at the battle of San
JAcinto, Santa Anna was over
thrown aud captured and Texas
freedom was accomplished. To
the valor and superb generalship
displayed by Sam Houston, who
was in command at that memo
rable battle, Texas owes and &C
knOwledges an unending debt OF
gratitude and the relatives of the
great general in the Cherokee ma.
ton may we'll be proud of the
achievements Of their illuslrious
ancestor.
The Alamo was founded in 1903
on the banks Of the Rio Grande,
but It's erection at San Antonio was
determined on in 1716. The foun-
dation stone Of the church was laid
ia 1744 and its erection marks
many a weary days toll for monk
and communicant. The old mis-.
sion seryed for refuge for many
contending armies in the early
days Of the century, until Texas
independence was declared. AZ.