Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-03-18
IN FAR SOUTHL LANDS.
BALMY BREEZES AND A CLIrIATE
THAT DELIGHTS THE NORTH
ERNER.
National Editorial Association at Gall
weston and San Antonio, Texas.
On the Way to City of Mexico.

you may say what sights you see.
-Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona"
4 letter was written from Galveston,
Texas, Feb. IS. by your REPORTER rep
resentative incident Of the beginning of
the twelfth annual business session and
pleasure tour Of the National Editorial
association. That letter was incomplete
"a hasty sketch, written midst a clatter
and chatter surrounding the hotel desk
such that the writer scarcely knew the
words he penned. 1t was partly prom
ised that further details would be given.
Hence, upon request of frie nds, we will
attempt to say some more of the sights
that were seen.
In the spirit and enthusiasm of true
scenery hunter, and with anticipations
of sunny skies and pleasant mid-winter
days just ahead, let us take another
start from st. Louis, the place of rendez-
vOuS for the western contingent of edi
tors. Saturday evening, Feb. Is, at 8
O'Clock, the merry party has boarded
and filled the long line of Pullman
sleepers at its disposal. All aboard.
The big engine sounds its bell for
starting and everyone welcomes the
first revolution Of the wheels that take
Us out on long journey Of some seven
and One-half thousand miles before we
shall again reach home.
Embarking on an outing of this kind
with common purpose in view-seeing
and enjoying everything-all restraint
is cast aside and everyone seemed to
take it upon himself or herself to con-
tribute in every possible way to the
happiness and enjoyment Of all. Hence,
an hour in the cars and pleasant
acquaintanCeship was formed with Jolly
good people from north and south, east
and west. The particular sleeper as
signed is our home for the next twenty
days and after introduction to all mem
bers of the new family, we seek rest
and sleep while the reliable St. Louis &
San Francisco. .Ry., more generally called
the "Frisco Line" speeds US smoothly
through the night, southwesterly across
the state of Missouri. Sunday forenoon
he train cuts across the northwest
corner Of Arkansas, passing rock-set,
desolate, hilly and scrubby country, in
teresting only for it's picturesque rug
gedness and wild, uncultivated appear
ance. Nothing prosperous looking here
to attract either capital or the sturdy
| tiller of the soil. The first stop of note
was at FoIt Smith, on the extreme west
| line Of Arkansas, just a good jump
across the line from Indian Territory
An hour was spent in this quaint look
ing town, with its long, wide main street,
brick paved, and old style one and two
story business houses. Fort Smith
claims 10000 population, but activity on
its streets would not suggest half such
| number, although it has some extensive
wholesale places. A government prison
| is located here, on the site of old Fort
Smith, and in one corner of the large
| of punishment-the gallows, covered
| by rude shed. While examining this
| thing Of death we were told that we
were upon the spot where Arkansas
state holdsits numerous hanging parties.
A neatly kept national cemetery is no.
ticed just across from the Jail yard.
Darkles commence TO get thick down
this way and we see as many colored
gemmen as whites.
The afternoon ride through the south
east portion of Indian Territory goes
without interest, except that there is a
noticeable Improvement in soil We
| have entered the cotton belt. Truck
gardens along the way, as we'll as the
| large plantations, grow cotton and it is
said that the best results are reached on
small farms, with home labor. The
Sabbath day is finished with chorus
of voices in Sunday evening song SER
vice.
Monday morning at Temple, Texas,
| special refreshment car was attached
to the head OF the editorial train bv
courtesy of the Texas Press association.
| Appropriately decorated in flags and
| bunting, it was car of welcome, and
to the hungry fraternity welcome car.
1t was indeed a refreshing idea, greatly
appreciated, and found us all in a re-
| freshing mood. At noon an appetizing
| lunch was served Ell route from this
car, including all the good things of a
complete menu, with side line of
| bottled Texas Pride" brewed at San
Lntonio, wines, cigars, fruits, etc.
Texas flies tbs pennant as the biggest
state in the Union and the bounties of
the 7. P. A. committee were in keeping
with this largeness. No wonder then
that the pencil pushers reached Gal
weston, Monday evening, with their
faces wreathed in smiles and their
hearts beating kindly toward all.
| GALVESTON, TEXAS,
| Is the commercial metropolis of the
great Lone Star state and the natural
sea port of the vast region west of the
Mississippi river. As SAID before, its
liberal handed, enterprlsing people
gave generous entertainment to the Y.
Z. A. while thew remained in the con-
fines of that city. The Galveston Trib-
une put it terseIy thus:
! We" is here in large numbers, with
his wife, his children and by his lone
] l. IL