The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-16
.t,ous for Improvement BY an
Old Team.
/. CANAL FROM THE HARseR.
aid BE the Beginning or I
s,stem Of Canals for the
Coast Country.
ra,,or o, The Post.

vour issue OF January Z.
I srst visited Houston, in 1856 or
have been under the Impression
ever deep water were secured on
N It would be Houston wh.sh
derive most benefit from this i'm
.,nt in the end. derived this con-
trom what had seen done ana
projected elsewhere. an glad to
aston Is. in its turn, coming now
frunt and entering its claim TO be-
IN inland seaport.
then. my visits to Texas were re-
several times. until settled down
State for good. some twelve Years
that time / never ceased studying
progress could be enhanced ard
operated in this direction as best ]
At the risk OF being misunderstood
my suggestion being unworthy OF
eration, | will, with your permits
uggest the following plan to make
81 the Amsterdam of the Texas
Hands.
quite natural that we should select
waterways, at first sight, TO facili-
bland navigation from one point to
r. AS rule it is even better mere
improve what nature offers us. Hut
are some times exceptions to this
nd it strikes me that the plan l
of in your issue mentioned would
i've Houston half of the navigation
les its fortunate location entities 1t
hat half would even be more Estle
IS Of all kinds. most of which would
ided by the following suggested plan,
on second consideration, strikes ME
best, even probably the cheapest
end. How would 1t do to select, at
enient point, due south Of Houston,
cation for the Houston har5or and
les and from the south end of the
Houston harbor to cut straight
due south, through Sims creek and
Clear creek to point west of Erin
Id station, only nine or ten miles
the harhor. and then widen aud
Clear Creek bayou to the bay and
el to deep water?
advantages ! see in this plan are
llowing, to which | could add many
|: II would shorten the enamel in
~, which will be very much exposed
ny Wdttt OU
ority, because of the wide extent and
rous nature OF Trinity bay under
winds. 1t would avoid the effect
rushing streams which empty into
o bayou.
numerous meanders of This last
b would not need be Strengthened,
aying very circuitous deep roadway
Houston
city would be saved, for many years
ne, the enormous expense of creating
sewage outlet. The traffic east OF
hannel from the bay and he Trinity
which is certain to increase materi-
ome day, could be continued via the
and later on by Sims creek. 10
on, instead of being forced down to
Their end OF the channel at Calves
where 1t is sure to stay. 1t 'son't
have gates along that channel
plendid shaded boulevard night tie
on both sides of the elevated en-
nents OF the grand straight canal
could be made the finest drives in
yorld, and. besides, they would give
hmense value to the land scattered
on both sides OF this canal aud
roads Little Sims creek would
DAY or another, be made. besides, a
to the canal and harbor. An arm
e main canal leading TO and frcm
ey, north and east. II not needAt IT
be syphoned under the canal,
p creek on its upper side would be
to be treated the same way to Clear
and II lock and dam or two were
Fary before level bottom be obtained
gnout the canal. feel satisfied that
custom citizens would soon have them
would give them another outlet TO
ilf via the Brazos river.
last Improvement would be OF i'm
value 10 the Houston port. 1t would !
houston degree of independence
rs simply incalculable. 1t would |
lne harhor proof against any possible
upton in navigation: finally It would |
nuen IN insurance risks.
Is the kind of plan which would. |
lkes me, be the most profitable to
"a and which its topography entities
whether II We're to he executed |
shout at once is another question, |
Is wen 10 look into the rushing |
ana very desirable that whatever
cone from the start he the be-
IL OF well organized system OF |
winch VIII some day transform the |
roast district into new Holland CT
aneied fertility. Since my first I'M
y on the future Of Houston seems
approaching realization ii encour-
IL 10 stale here what was and IN
pure forcibly than ever the full
VI my expectations as to the Texas
country.
'oss that Houston be made the har-
Snussested-that is. with the Trinity
ue. ana the Brazos outlst-it would
~ ue great achievement aud
lAoent acquisition for that city and
F'o'e state. II would have two water
n, arms opening wide into the gulf.
snis would only be the beginning Ct
ssrsrcus era, The ditching OF some
u'es' say only three feet 10 bsHin
u Tue northeast coast would connect
II, also by fresh water. with Port
4 and the Sabine and Neches val
ttue TIMBER and the iron and tho lig-
knere, most of which. as from the
rtver. could be floated to Houston
Pusnt to 1t on light draught steam
Paddy before this coas;wiss canal was
q our neighbors OF Louisiana would
80 oesun their own coastwise cod
IT,, he aggregate length Of which
~ teSas line to the Mississippi river
STOUT the same as ours.
WI ms connection Is inaugurateh
|,crn MISS OF Texas waterways. which
|ssus.y demonstrated obtainable. will
opening into ihs great fuvial
ce'a system OF the Mississippi valley.
r no less than 1910 miles ac-
a'igaten, the improvements of
~ cSs u. over $50. 1000. 900 and inhabited
.vo,oe0 people.
II houston steamboat can be maze
p,n new Orleans. st. Louis. Circin
uD urg, St Paul. Minneapolis ard
~ 90 CITY In North Dakota, or 1t can
Snicaso Via the Illinois and Michl-