The Mankato free press., 1900-03-02
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Texas, and Texas is where we are and
have been since Sunday morning. The
change of climatic conditions from Is
degrees below zero to so above is charm
ing. Frozen streams and snow covered
grounds linger only remotely in mind
as we view the sparkling waters cours-
ing their way along shallow banks un-
der the glare of sun beaming as warm
as in Minnesota July day. 1t is truly
delightful, and no one can better ap-
preciate the luxuriant warmth of this
locality at this time of the year than a
Minnesotian.
We took the train at Minneapolis
Thursday night, the 10th, at 1886.
via the Chicago Great Western, and
reached Kansas City the following
afternoon at $50. The weather was
cold, and as we write this in room
with windows wide open and our coat
lying beside us, we are reminded that
it was mighty cold it being 16 degrees
below zero at midnight. The cold con-
tinued for long distance In Kansas
City there was snow, but not enough
for sleighing. The day we arrived there
was reported the coldest of the season.
At Kansas City we met our old friend
JOS. Bookwater, whom many of our
readers know well. He is president of
the Inland Grain Co. and is doing nicely.
At 900 o'clock in the evening we left
Kansas City oyer the M. K. & T. for
Galveston. Texas, reaching the latter
point at 11:30 Sunday morning. Here
we met Mr.. and Mrs Chas S Hale of
Minneapolis, son-in law and daughter
of our townsman. Mr.. L Patterson.
Together We did" the sights of this
gulf city until Monday night, when
they departed for New Orleans and we
for Houston, Texas, fifty miles from
Galveston.
We spent only day in Houston, but
found it thoroughly busy city of co.
900 people and much enterprise. Leav-
ing there Tuesday evening we landed
in San Antonio Wednesday morning,
over the Southern Pacific railroad and
here we are. 1t is not the object of this
letter to write of the country nor of the
busy, interesting cities we have visited
up to this time-preferring to leave that
for subsequent. or rather for subse-
quent letters, for the farther we go
south and west the more of interest we
find to attract our attention, some of
the principal features of which we hope
to give to the readers of the Free Press.
How to reach this salubrious winter
climate is what we believe viii interest
many of our people, and SO believing
we accept it as pleasant task to give
some points that may prove not only of
interest but of profit also to those who
may contemplate trip to Texas, old
Mexico and California.
The Chicago Great Western, thanks
to the enterprise of that enterprising
co mpany. have been and are still run
ming through tourist car service from
Nor thwestern points via their own line
to Kansas City, thence via the Mis-
souri, Kansas & Texas San Antonio &
A ansas Pass and Southern Pacific
railways, passing through many of the
more important points in Southwestern
Texas, on through TO Los Angeles and
San Francisco This is the only through
car service from North western points
to Indian Territory, Oklahoma, Texas
and Southern California, making con-
nections at Spofford Junction for all
points in Old Hexico To persons who
already have made the trip to Cali
fornia via the northern routes this, the
true southern route, will prove de-
lightful change, while for those travel
ing to Texas and Mexican points it is a
great improvement in service.
This through car leaves Minneapolis
ev ry Friday night at 1O:45 p. M, ST
Paul at 1870 p. M. and runs through
to Los Angeles and San Francisco, ar
irving at Los Angeles at 1900 o'clock
noon the following Wednesday and at
San Francisco at 8:45 a. m. the next
morning (Thur- day.. This service is
personally conducted" that is, each
car is in charge of an experienced rail-
way official who personally sees to it
tina the passengers have every atten-
ton.
The tourist cars in this service are
operated by the Pullman company.
They are wide vestibule, we'll heated
and we'll ventilated, and have porter
in attendance, with all the necessary
linen for making up the berths at night
that is provided for the same purpose
in regular frst-class sleeping cars.
They also have special stove facilities
for heating water or making tea or
coffee, and are furnished with tables
upon which meals may be served. In
short. they have all the conveniences of
regular sleeping car, the seats and