The times., 1901-06-02

to make any attempt to ape Eastern style
but to receive Mr.. Mckinley in the old
fashioned, unfrilled manner so typical OF
| Texas, and it was even more acceptable.
AT Austin one prominent member of the
reception committee came down to greet
the President attired in a silk hat. long
coat low cut vest and russet shoes, but
! felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed
in this regalis that he went home and
donned his old sack suit and broad rim
med hat, and extended glad hand of
welcome to the distinguished guest of the
city. The story was circulated in FL Paso
and readily conceded to be true that the
mayor and the postmaster being impor-
tuned to wear silk hats to meet the Presi-
dent had each compromised by purchas-
ing a derby, which the mayor thought
might not so greatly imperil his chances
of reelection as if he should be seen
wearing plug"
AT THE LONE STAR CAPITAL.
The Presidents address from the state
house steps at Austin was followed by a
reception rendered by the ladies' in the
Senate chamber. and it was unanimously
voted by all members of the Presidential
party that for beautiful women the Texas
capital is entitled to the first prize among
all of the cities included in the tour.
The great Texas capitol, built of ma
tive granite and second in size only to
the statehouse at Albany, N. Y, was an
object of especial interest. The exterior
is most imposing but it's interior is al
most totally devoid of any decoration or
embellishment. The present Legislature
is composed of thirty-two Senators ana
12S Representatives, but their respective
halls were made large enough to seat
thrice that number when, as Texas grows
| in population, as she is rapidly doing,
the membership of the houses will doubt
less be increased. Both bodies are now
solidy Democratic; occasionally a Popu-
list slips in, as there did in the Last Leg
islature. but a Republican member is al
most unknown.
The first real evidences of Mexican
characteristics in Texas were witnessed
when the Presidential train reached San
Antonio. where were to be seen full
blooded Mexicans, 'greasers,'' their pc
culiar adobe dwellings. the broad pIazas,
and the ancient cathedral. San Antonio
is the metropolis of Texas, and 1t is also
| In the State. 1t has come to be a great
| winter resort for Northern and Eastern
people. Here is Fort Sam Houston, whose
| barracks are the second largest in the
country, and through whose beautiful
grounds the President drove, but most
interesting of all from historical point
of view is the Alamo. in front of which
the President delivered his address.
There died Crockett. Travis. Bowie, and
their brave band of 1S9 Texans, in
hand-to-hand encounter with twenty
times their number of Mexicans. under
Santa Anna 1t was the massacre of these
men which aroused the spirit OF liberty
in Texas. and precipitated the struggle
which achieved independence from Mex
| leo.
ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER
From San Antonio to EI Paso the trip of
go miles was over the great arid lands of
western Texas. and at times Within sight
of the Rio Grande and In view of the bor-
| der country of Old Mexico. 1t was the
longest jump of the tour For miles and
miles the train passed through a region
without any evidences of human habita-
| ton. At some of the small stations where
the train stopped for water cowboys and
ranchers gathered. and while apparently
rejoieed to see the President they enauired
| in almost every instance if TEDDY" was
| aboard, and seemed much disappointed
when told that he had been left at home.
| During the long journey several of the
ladies of the party enjoyed a ride on the
| engine, which they pronounced most
thrilling and exciting.
Two Interesting foc{daD+s ooc,,r-ol L..
! ing the trip. Just at nightfan the train
reached the famous railroad bridge upon
which the Southern Pacific crosses the
PecoS River, or the bed where the river
runs In the wet season. 1t Is one of the
most remarkable structures of its kind in
the country, having span Of more than
2loO feet and its centre being S11 feet
| above the little stream whose soft gurgle
| could scarce be heard. The train halted
for several minutes on the bridge, and the
Presidential party alighted and gazed into
the chasm below
AT Langley the President was greeted
by Judge Roy Bean. by courtesy and by
| reason of his Office as justice of the peace
known as the law west of the Pecos "
and one of the best known characters in
Texas. The ermine which this distin-
guished jurist and proprietor of the 'Jer-
sey Lily saloon wore when he came out
to welcome the Chief Magistrate to west
ern Texas consisted of a broad Mexican
hat, shirt with large checks. and pair
of trousers held up by one suspender.
Judge Roy Bean has lived a romantic and
thrilling life, and many interesting stories
are told of his experiences. When the
Pecos bridge was being constructed n la
borer fell from a lofty pinnacle into the
gulf below and was killed. 1t was nee
essary to hold an inquest and the Judge
ofhciated as coroner. on the body of the
man a pistol was found and also $40 The
jury returned a verdict finding that the
deceased came to his death by accident
but the court imposed a fine of $40 upon
the dead man for carrying concealed
weapons and this sum was appropriated
by Judge Roy. The story has gone the
rounds from one end of the country to the
other and has not infrequently been re-
garded as fiction. but his honor. the law
west of the Pecos." assured the Presi-
Dental party tkgt the narrative was
founded IN fact.
Ell PasO, the gateway to Mexico. had
the honor of entertaining the President
on his first Sunday out from Washington
1t was a quiet Sabbath for Mr. Mckinley.
fer he only rested and attended church
The people of the city, however did not
rest, for Sunday is the liveliest day of