Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1907-01-23
TEXAS LETTER FROM
CARL |. SIEBERT
Tells Of Houston, the City of Steps,
San Antonio a Fine City, a
Well Lighted One, and the
Neighborho0d a
Garden Spot
SAYS RAILROAD SERVICE IS POOR

San Antonio, Texas, Jan. ID, 1907.
My dear Mr.. Dubois,
Wildwood, N. J.
We arrived in San Antonio, Texas
at last, after travelling under difficulties
We found Washington, ID. c., fin,
city; left after two days stey fo
Atlanta, Ca, where we arrived fv,
hours late. Found this most beautiful
city and the weather warm. w.
stayed there two days, then left fo
New Orleans, La, where we arrived
five and half hours late. We founC
this very quaint city. filthy and
dirty every where. No wonder the
yellow fever prevails here the veal
around, it is the dirtiest city in the
United States, but business galore
The weather was very hot while we
were there, five days In all. There one
hears all languages spoken. One
does not know it is January here,
rather July. We left New Orleans for
Houston where we arrived ON time;
this is city of steps; when one crosses
the street he must go down and up
steps TO cross over street. The side
walks are even with the wagon bodies
but fine city never the less. We left
Houston for San Antonio where we
arrived on time, and here wish to
state, that from New Orleans to San
Antonio, 573 miles, is the garden spot
of the earth, as level as the floor as far
as the eye can see both ways. The
ground is fairly black, for it is the
sugar cane region, also some cotton
grown here. We see all kinds of
vegetables growing, such as lettuce,
onions, radishes, strawberries, in fact
all kinds. Strawberries 20 cents per
box, fine ones. Winter is not known
here. San Antonio is fine city; they
believe in electric lights, tens of
thousands burning here at night. One
would think it July 4th every night,
and as for Sundays, they do not know
what it is-every thing wide open,
saloons and all. Even hardware
stores wide open for busir ess; in fact
they are worse than heather for they
surely know better. / am sorry for
this state of affairs in the South, but it
is 30 everywhere South. We passed
through small villages with three
saloons, one blacksmith shop, one
general store, one church, (Which
looked very much neglected. two or
three shacks of houses and one racket
store; this would constitute the town;
every thing run down and neglected,
shiftless class of people with every
thing in their favor that nature can
give. Myself and Mrs. Siebert have
felt fine so far; the food is nothing to
brag of, service is still worse, but they
know how to take your money alright.
This seems to be their only redemption
South, and as rule the people are
sociable, but the railroads are fierce.
If the good old w. J. should treat its
patrons as they do here in the south,
the people would mob them in Camden.
1t is nothing for the roads to be five to
twenty-four hours late in the south; it
is common occurrence with them.
Niggers and Mexicans everywhere; the
Mexicans are fine featured people.
Negroes are a fierce looking lot. We
stay here for a week then move on to
Eel Paso, Texas. Tomorrow we will
visit fort Sam Houston here; 1t is fine
place.
Send me. the JOURNAL TO Los
Cal, the next two weeks and
oblige.
Yours very truly,
e. l.. SIEBERT.