The Washington herald., 1909-11-07

San Antonio, Tex. Nov. 6.-There is
one chapter in Texas history that is read
by few although it might have grown
into a large volume had conditions been
slightly more favorable. Few in this
country have even heard OF the attempt
made by some German mobiles to estab-
lish in Texas a German monarchy. The
proof OF this is on the map to-day. and
there are several towns in the Llano and
Gaudaloupe hills to the northwest Of this
city that are stlH wholly peopled by the
descendants Of those who dared in this
instance.
The promoters Of the scheme had not
fully gauged the republican spirit OF the
North American continent, or else they
would not have made the attempt Some
times it is said that their ambitions were
the establishment OF a German republic
on this side Of the ocean. Taking into
account Teutonic leveI-headedness and the
fact that those who followed Prince
Solms and Baron Won Meusebach were
ralcontents from the fatherland for the
greater part. this looks more probable
than the monarchy idea. Be this as II
may. there IS little known to-day that
would positively prove either.
In "A Land of Promise.
Guadalupe. Comal Kerr. Kendall. Gil
lespie. Hays. and Caldwell counties. Tex.
are as fine a country as man ever lived
In. There are hills with an elevation OF
1900 feet. beautiful valleys in which run
clear streams. an exuberant climate and
fine soil. When the forerunners OF the
emgrants landed at Port Indianola short
" after the battles OF the Alamo and
san Jacinto. which led TO Texas inde-
pendence. they made their way toward
this territory and found 1t all they de-
sired. Soon afterward shipload upon
shipload Of German men and women
landed on Texas soil. and many a cara
van braved the dangers Of the chaparal
to reach New Germany or the Free
State Of Comal," as the country is often
called to-day.
The Arst town founded was Neu Braun
fels-New BraUnfels to-day The little
town took It's name after the castle OF
the Prince Won Solms and was laid out
much along the lines Of Brauufels. other
settlements followed. The emlgrants were
used 10 living I'm villages. and FOR this
reason one OF them spranE UP wherever
conditions advised this. The Indian was
then master Of the greater part OF Texas,
and 10 protect themselves aggregation
became necessary. Solms, Schumansville,
Niederwald, INLAND. Anhalt. Lange, New
Berlan. and Aue are some OF the names
that we're then placed on the map by the
newcomers. Not a few Of the immi-
grants settled in San Antonio, and to-day
mpny OF It's best citizens look proudly
UIon these as their fathers. There were
many who had been traders in the OLD
country CT who had professions. and TO
them an established city looked better
than a bowling wilderness.
Attracted Little Attention.
For many years little attention WIS
paid to the newcomers by the dc fncto
government Of the territory they were de-
VeloPine. Institutions typically German
in character developed undisturbed in
the region between the Guadalupe end
Llano rivers. The raids OF the Indians
necessitated the existence OF a large
fghtirz force, and this Baron Won Meuse-
bach organized in typical German fash
ion. 1t is said that his men went through
the ''paradCschritt" the German review
step. with IS much gusto and precision
as did those I'm the German barracS
yards. German uniforms even, slightly
modified. We're worn by the army OF the
state that was to be
German was the only language spoken.
and the customs OF the fatherland were
fcstered and perpetuated with Jealous
care. The farms and ranches Of the i'm
migrants were soon the most productive
in Texas, and al, indeed, looked well.
But the new colony was not without it's
troubles. The depredatlons Of the In
dians to the west did not cease, and sup
port which had heretofore come from
Germany was gradually withdrawn. To
overcome the first handicap was COM
paratively easy. On May s. 1876, Baron
Won Meusebach founded Fredericksburg.
now in Gillespie County. which. as its
name implies, was a fort. that being The
English definition Of the German word
'burg."
Up to this time new citizens for the
colony were still being sent by the pro-
moters OF the undertaking. There was
still hope that a German State might be
carved out OF the weak Texas republic.
But with the friendly annexation Of the
republic by the United Stetes the case
presented a new aspect coup detAt
against the Texas government could have
been carried out very easily, but with the
United States it was different OF a sud-
den support from Germany was with
drawn. Prince Solms went home and the
cOlonists became good American citizens
or fktar
mobiles remained, and their descendants
may be met here to-day
COmal an Ideal State.
But the Free State of Comal had been
established morally and continues in this
respect to-day. Admittedly, the counties
inclosed by it are the last and the best
governed In the United States. While the
colonists came here with designs perhaps
not wholly agreeable to American insti-
tutions. they also brought their virtues
Poor men among them are unknown To-
day The sheriff of Comal County had
nothing 70 do for years, and to keep him
employed at something he asked year
ago to be put In charge Of the roads In
and around New Braunfels. The fine
county jail az the same place has never
harbored any one but an occasional
tramp or outsider who made himself dis
agreeable and would not listen 10 advice.
Bankruptcy cases are so rare that when
ever one does come up the community e
horror-stricken. 1t is nothing new for
the county Judge to open session and
close II on the same day. for the reason
that the calendar is a blank
What holds good Of Comal County
kClds good Of every other named. though
unfortunately an increase in govern
mental activity has to be recorded where
strong influx OF others has taken place.
Many times has the Free State OF Comal
figured as an example OF good comraunal
life. and more than once have its inhao-
/ tants been lauded IN Congress by men,
| hers familiar r.iAh L. -.-...-a L,-n-.. ha..-