The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-22

Holiday Traffic Continued to Pass Through
Houston Yesterday.
II IS LARGER THAN EVER BEFORE KNOWN
List of Rate Changes In Commodi-
ties-Promotion for MIR. Kent-Pee
Gee Reorganization.


ed yesterday afternoon and last night
with men, women and children. They had
come from all parts of the State TO take
advantage of the holiday rates to the
gateway from the State of Texas, all roads
to the 'old home lead through this city.
The various railway officials are very
much gratiied at the holiday traffic which
has responded to the exceedinly low rates
which were offered. 1t was not known at
first how many would take advantage OF
this excursion this season, but the result
has been exceedingly gratifying to all
concerned. The trains of the Houston
and Texas Central, the Katy, the
International, the Houston East and West
Texas, the Santa Fe and the Southern
Pacific company came into Houston loaded
with those anxious TO reach the other
States in time for Christmas. Many OF
them spent the day in this city aod a
great many came in on one train and
left on the next,
The weather was Indictment and little
opportunity for sight seeing was allowed.
but the Grand Central station was com
fortsbly warmed and those who waited in
that building were at no inconvenience
Some had their baskets OF lunch with
them. others dined at the counter in the
main station, while others We're attracted
by the inviting appearance Of the Lawlof
and went across the street to partske of
a meal
Mr.. William Doherty. assistant general
- tlo INYfc fny1 q a a
West Texas railway. received telegram
from General Passenger Agent Smith of
the Queen and Crescent advising that on
account of the heavy traffic in holiday
business over the Houston East and West
Texas that a special train had been run
out of Shreveport to carry those destined
to the Southeast
The trains on all roads came into Hous-
ton carrying extra coaches, and several
sections of regular trains were necessary
to accommodate the large crowds. The
Southern Pacific company found that they
were called on for additional rolling stock
on account of the many who had been
ticketed over that route, and thousands
have passed through Houston eastbound
within the last forty eight hours.
When asked for a reason for the i'm
menee increase in holiday business over
previous years, the general officers of
the various roads stated that they were
satisfied that the early close OF the har-
vesting season, the late furry in cotton
which brought the farmers good p ices, as
they were disposing of the last few bales
of their product. had something to do with
It. They also believe that the action OF
the roads in extending the exceed ngly low
rates which were offered has hem an in
ducement, and then another point is that
the territory to which tickets have been
sold Is larger this year than he ofore.
One feature of the traffic yesterday vas
that of the return OF many students fro y
the colleges throughout TEXAS to their
various homes. Many young ladies' and
young men from various places through
the State arrived Yesterday afternoon and
took the trains out of Houston last night
for their places Of abode. large del
egaton came from the Agricultural aud
Mechanical college, and the gray uniforms
OF neat young men were seen about the
streets during the afternoon. the cadets
conducting themselves with that dignity
which is truly commendable and which is
an indication of the thorough training
they are receiving at College Station.
From st. Mary's college at Dallas there
were quite large number en- route home,
this being an institution for young lad es
in North Texas, which has quite num-
Der of students from the Southern part
OF the State
To accommodate the heavy traffic north
bound from Houston, the Houston and
Texas Central railway yesterday sent out
two sections of train No. /, leaving here
at 800 o'clock yesterday morning. II
has been decided by the management OF
the road to run hereafter two sections o.
| trains Nos. and 4, the first being the
train out OF Houston at 10 p. m. daily and
| the latter being the one arriving in Hous-
ton in the early morning. This Will be
continued until after the holidays to &C
commodate the local holiday travel in tbs
| State
Texarkana. Ark, December 21,-The
Christmas traffic in the passenger depart
ment of the different railroads centerine
| at this place Is very heavy and sur
passes that of all previous years The
Texas and Pacific came in today witt
| twenty-seven coaches from Dallas anc
gathered them full OF people along tht
route. The Iron Mountain was compelled
| TO send out two sections of trains on tnel'
noon departure, twenty coaches to iht
| train all loaded with visitors TO the OIL
States The Cotton Belt passenger trair
with twenty 1--WE coaches was four hour.
late coming out Of Texas, the delay bent
caused by so many stops at stations To-
passengers 1t is estimated that over 20,
900 excursionists have relayed at this
place since the commencement OF th'
week going eastward, this number added
Ito the southbound travel, which is 90 pc
cent greater than previous years, woult
swell the trade in this line higher thar
has ever been attained in the history o
railroads here. Railroad officials attribute
the unprecedented increase OF traffic i
the passenger department to the earl!
completion OF crop gathering and the goo
nrices raceiyed for cotton throughout thl