Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-05-05

Two Hundred Years Ago, Must civ
way to March of Progress-It
Walls Have Sheltered Many Maker
of History.
Inc march of progress is to do VIVA
centuries and two notable lombard
ments failed to accomplish. saws n Sa1
Antonio CTex.) special dispatch to tn,
st. Louis Republic.
The historic Veramendi palace, bull
ID san Antonio In I'LL by the Span
lards, is soon to be torn down by the
city government This palace was the
residence and office of the earliest
Spanish and Mexican governors of
IeXas and Chihuahua. 1t was there
that General Santa Ana had his head
quarters previous to his final attack on
the Alamo and the place of refuge Of
his officers when they fed panic strlck-
en- toward Mexico after the humiliat
ing defeat at San Jaclnto.
In the sitting room of the palace
Colonel Bowie, that great Texas hero.
courted, won and wed his bride. II
was the temporary fort of Ben Milan
during the battle of San Antonio, which
resulted In the capture of the city from
the Mexicans. In one of the rear rooms
Milan received the wound which re-
suited in his death.
The building stands far out into
Soledad street, which has now become
one Of the clty's busiest thoroughfares
Owing to the fact that the street in
front Of the building is not wide enough
10 let two ordinary vehicles pass In
comfort the city council has decreed
that its historic walls must be torn
down, Historic sentiment must not
impede the wheels of modern COM
merce and force the busy vehicles to
go block out Of their way In the rush
and hurry of business
The condemnation of the building has
raised a storm Of indignant protest
from patriotic Texans all over the
state. The Daughters of the Republic
OF Texas, led by Miss Adina De Ia
vala and Miss Clara Drlscoll, fought
hard to save the building, but the city
government has no time to heed what
they term mere sentimental folly.
The Neramendi palace is only one
story In height and is a typical adobe
building of the early Mexican times. II
mas but six rooms and courtyard. and
IL Is built on the banks of the San An. |
tonic river. For many years it has
been occupied as a cafe and restau |
rant. Despite this fact it has been
pointed to with pride by the old citi |
zens as one of the most interesting
sights of the city. In the walls had |
Deen placed bronze tablets reciting the |
many historic events which had taken
place within its walls.
The entrance to the palace is guarded
oy two immense cedar doors made
from heavy planks sawed from the
trunks or trees by hand and studded
Win large nails, which had been ham.
nered into shape with prodigious Ia.
Dor. These doors have swung on their
hinges continuously for 1S9 years and 1
ire In as good state of preservation
Is the day they were completed. They
VIII be presented to the Daughters of
he Republic of Texas and preserved
n the Alamo with other historic relics.
Inc citizens of San Antonio have long
'ointed with pride to the room used az
sleeping chamber by the naughty
santa Ana, the room which he used as
Is audience chamber, and the cellar In
when his defeated officers huddled aft.
their long tramp from the field which
Venged the massacre of the Alamo
'mers took pleasure in taking the sem
mental into the sitting room and
olnt1ng to the large open fireplace. in
ront of which Bowie toasted his toas
rter long and dangerous hunting ex.
edition and whispered sweet nothings
his sweetheart.
In the rear Is shown the room which
en- Milan used as his temporary
eadquarters during the storming of
an Antonio and in which he received
lie wound which resulted In his death
1t was In the audience chamber of
is palace that Santa Ana wrote tho
famous proclamation previous to the
1al attack on the Alamo, In which he Is
I've orders that all of his men who 81
ltered as they approached the walls 81
ere to be bayoneted In the back and
at no Texan within the Alamo was to
! spared. From this room he walked
18th the red flag which waved In the
INKS Of his men on the day of the .
assacre and which meant mercy to
me. Death to allr'
The palace was built as the residence
I'd offices of the early Spanish and
exican governors, and 1t was here
at Austin, Edwards, De Witt and 4
hers discussed with the governors =
cir preliminary plans for the coloni-
ton of Texas with American set.
RS. Until Texas finally threw off the
Ike of Mexico 1t was the seat of gov.
1ment.
The walls of the old building are
AIRED from being struck with many
nnon balls, which carried away part
the adobe,
Inventor of Watch Springs.