The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-04-23
The Reporter Editor and Wife Enjoyed Pleasant Out.
ing in the Lone Star State with Iowa Press Association

members of the Iowa State Press Assoc
iation enjoyed their annual outing it
being delightful trip to the
great state of Texas this year. The
party consisted of Sd persons, among
the number being sixteen ladies, and
their bright smiles added pleasure to
the trip. The party assembled at Des
Moines on Friday, April 5, leaving that
citv at 1l:50 a. m. in the special Pullman
sleepers, Fama and Niota, which were
occupied by the party during the entire
trip. From Des Moines to Kansas City
the cars were taken over the Chicago
Great Western road. At st. Joe and
Kansas City we found about four inches
of snow, and the weather was exceed.
ingly chilly when we departed from
Kansas City at s O'Clock that evening,
our cars being attached to the world
famed "Katie Flyer, the crack train of
the M. X. q I. Ry, whose guests the
editors were during the trip to Texas.
Saturday morning everyone was up
bright and early for all knew we were
passing through Indian territory, and
at $50 o clock the cars were side track
ed at the thriving city of Muskogee, the
principal city Of the territory. Here we
found a royal Welcome awaiting us, be.
ing met at the depot by the members Of
the reception committee and Muskogee' 8
excellent band, and all piled out to get
their first glimpse of the indians which
were supposed to be found in great
numbers living IN their native style,
clothed in blankets; but what disap.
peintment. There were indians in
plenty, but they showed all the marks
of civilization both in dress and man.
ners, and in fact it was hard to tell
which were indians, as many of them
were educated and polished ladies and
gentlemen. The entire party was en-
tertained at an elaborate breakfast
served in ithe aining room of the Katy
eating house, one of the finest in the
south. After breakfast the private
carriages of the citizens were at our dis
posal and we were driven over their
beautiful city and shown their public
buildings, schools, etc. Following the
ride reception was held at the Elk
club rooms, where we're gathered bevy
of beautiful and stylish dressed ladies.
A short musical program, few social
dances and then it was announced that
the editors would also be entertained at
luncheon. Muskogee is thriving city
which Phoenix like has risen from the
ashes, as three years ago every business
house in the city was destroyed by fire
except two, but they have been replaced
with modern brick blocks the equal of
any in the north. There is great activ-
ity in real estate in that vicinity, as the
Greek indians have been given the
privilege of selling 120 of each l6O acres
indian. The Dawes commission which
is allotting the lands employs over 400
clerks and stenographers, last year re-
ceiviDg as salaries oyer S300,000 which
was mostly spent IN Muskogee. Here
we visited the federal prison and looked
in at the famous '.bull pen" in which
in space about 40 feet square are hud-
died over 200 prisoners, awaiting their
hearing charged with every crime from
murder to selling whiskey. Luncheon
finished it was with many regrets that
we bid adieu to the good people of Mus.
kogee and started on cur long run tc
San Antonio, Texas.
Entering Texas when we crossed the
Red river near Denisop, that evening
we found trees in full leaf, and early
flowers in bloom. A ride of all night
brought many changes, for when We
awoke Sunday morning we travelled fol
miles and miles through the most beau
tiful fields Of wild flowers we ever saw
and the many cacti, growing every
where in great profusion, and hanging
moss and mistletoe growing on tae
large trees were indeed interesting
sights to the majority of the party who
had never been in Texas before.
Sunday was spent in old San Antonio
one of the most interesting and 'histori
cal cities of America, being first settled
in 1859. The first point of interest
sought by all tourists is the old Alamo
on Alamo Plaza. the Oldest building il
America, being built of stone in th,
E year 171S. The building is now owned
by the city and kept open each weel
day for the inspection of visitors. Tn,
custodian kindly opened the Alamo TO
the inspection of the editors. Man.
other historical buildings are still stand
ing in and around the city, San Fernan
do Cathedral built in 1874, and the fou
mission houses built at intervals of tw,
miles south OF the city. Eight battle
for the independence Of Texas wer'
foughtin and around San Antonio ii