Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-02-23
OLDEST
CITY IN
TEXAS
Especial Correspondence.)

Texas Is big state to cover. One
realizes this after tackling the job.
1t was our intention to cover as much
as possible In order to become ac-
quainted with Its resources and ex-
listing conditions. but we are going to
give up further Investigations except
passing through certain sections by
rail. We left Corpus Christi Monday
morning and journeyed to San An
tonic. reaching that place about 2
O'Clock In the afternoon. Texans
say visit to the state that does not
| include stop at San Antonio Is like
the play OF Hamlet with Hamlet left
/ out. San Antonio is the Oldest city
of any size in the state 1t Is about
the largest. too. being on a par with
Dallas and Houston. 1t has finer
streets and some very fine buildings.
1t is noted. however. for the fort
known as the Alamo, that withstood
the onslaught OF Mexican troops dur
ing the siege when Texas seeded
from Old Mexico. 1t is a mecca for
every visitor and guides show you all
the points OF interest and tell about
the siege. The fort is a large stone
structure erected some two hundred
years ago as mission by the San
Franciscan fathers and occupies a
place in about the center of the city.
1t Is where the gallant Colonel Bowie
and his band of Texans withstood the
onslaughts of the Mexican forces
when Texas threw OFF the yoke Of op-
preston. Various scenes are depict
ed and prove interesting The Ala
mo is visited by every person stopping
in the city for any length OF time.
The walls of the building are In
good state of preservation, the only
modern improvements consisting OF
new roof. The Texans were finally
starved out, after their ranks had
been decimated to large degree but
in turn 1t was not long before the ar
mics of Mexico we're compelled to sur
render and Texas Joined the great
sisterhood of states-or rather be-
came United States territory, being
admitted to sisterhood some years
later. There are three other missions
close to the city, two in good state of
IA poNi 'oeiohb ohC Vi tnoll uOltu hb
containing holy water several hundred
years. There are many other places
of historic interest which interest the
visitor, including the old Spanish
forts, cemeteries, etc, also the U. s.
barracks and arsenal, but our time
did not permit of an extended visit
outside of the principal points of in
terest and ride about the city, in
cluding the parks. This Is the most
populous section of the state, al
though only four trunk lines enter
San Antonio. The city is supplied
with artesian water from IL wells
with a capacity OF 35,00O,O00 gallons
per day. There are 35 artesian wells
in the city with double the above ca
pacity. Fifty-fve miles of electric
railways traverse the city and many
of the streets are paved. Churches
seem to flourish. as the city boasts of
SO, although 1t is said San Antonio Is
the most immoral city In the state.
everything being on wide open
scale. saloons, gambling. card-playing
and general all-around lewdness
None Of the laws 30 strlngently en-
forced in most Of the other cities of
the state. and especially in the small
Ter towns and counties. are needed,
officers closing one eye and winking
the other.
Austin is about 40 miles from San
Antonio. We arrived last night and
spent a few hours sightseeing this
morning The state capital is located
here, and the capitol building is said.
with one exception, that at Albany.
N. Y, to be the finest Of any similar
legislature Is in session at the pres
ent time. Being a member OF the
governors stan Of Colorado. we ac-
companied Col. Calvin in paying his
respects to the governor. who extend
ed a cordial reception. but limited
time prevented an extended inspection
OF the building. The building Is To-
Gated on high plane and looks well
from a distance.
Austin Is a city OF about $4,000 peo-
pie, the people deriving a livelihood
largely on account OF the state head
quarters, there being little else to
keep the place up. One or two paved
streets with few prominent build
Ings, and no stores which compare
with three or four In Durango.
From this point our journey takes
us to Milano and thence to Fort
Worth and then over the Texas Pa
cific to New Orleans. Considerable
data for future letters has been Sc
cured, which will be Of general Inter.
est. especially concerning laws and
enforcement thereof, obtained for pur'
pose of making comparisonI with
| ,boua nf CnIorado X.