Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-12

anu SiOuhuo -
b. Conley, and approved BY
Governor Colquitt. can be car
ried into execution. the historic Ala
mo will present different appearances
TO visitors TO San Antonio, and. Tor
that matter, to San Autonlans them
selves. Governor Colquitt wants the
old mission, whore the seed that
sprouted into Texas liberty was first
plan ted, to be restored to az nearly us
original condition as possible.
There has been for years a differ
ence OF view. as to just what was the
physical condition Of the Alamo on
the 6th Of March, 1885, and an even
greater divergence OF opinion as to
the actual arrangement Of the old con-
vent structure adjoining. But Coy
ernor ColQuitt Is not willing for mere
differences of this nature to longer re-
terd tho doing OF a public work that
should have been attended to long
ago.
At \ cost Of $4,000 the state. sew
sral years ago, bought OF Hugo
Schmeltzer & Co. the old convent
property adjoining the Alamo chapel.
This wholesale grocery arm had been
using tor commercial purposes part OF
4 property dear to liberty lovers eT'
er.where.
Nobody thought any the less OF
them under the circumstances. and
when movement to have the state
take over the land and the old walls
was crystallized, the prize fixed by tins
Hugo Chmeltzer intereEss was so sat
isfactory as to seem generous. The
property bought for $4,000 would
probably sell Today for ten times this
gum
1t ia the purpose OF the governor 10
hare the entire mission renovated and
made to look just like it did when 1t
was used by the Franciscan monks
and the sisters who conducted the
convent Already the tenants VINO
were using the old buildings have
been ousted It is desired after all
the debris is removed, TO make a park
OF the Enclosure and 10 have it just as
much Of a beauty spot as Is the re-
niainder OF Alamo plaza. Architects
and landscape experts say this can be
done within very few years. and
there is not San Antonian who does
not hail the plans with pleasure.
Nobody ought TO form The idea that
the Alamo chapel. the old church
where the massacre Of Crockett and
Bowie and The rest OF those dauntless
souls took place, has ever been used
except as a show-place, as the shrine
OF many thousands who have journey
ed thither from all parts Of the
world 1t Is true. however. that
tradesmen for years occupied the old
convent. which once formed the lar.
ger part of the mission proper 1t
was not until few months ago that
all these men were forbidden to use
the premises.
No other spot In Texas. and few
anywhere in the world, are filed with
half the historic interest that at
known to historians for rs years az
the cradle Of Texas liberty" and 1t
deserves, In the mind Of every Texan.
I'll the glory that has been heaped
upon it. 1t is matter Of regret and
humiliation to every Texan that bet
ter care has not been, taken Of the
old pile and all its adjuncts By tbs
state authorities.
Story Of tbs Alamo.
Know the story of the Alamo! It's
an. stuH for American men It stands
out In the historic pages OF tbs
past century as the true expression Of
the Lons Star spirit.
1t was on the 2Sd OF February. 1856.
that General Santa Ana. with an army
Of 1000 Me1icans. invested the VII
lase Of San Antonio, and stornled the
Alamo. Texas had been declared in
I state, OF rebellion. the inha bitanls
had heen ordered TO d.sarn, and the
Invasion Of Santa Ana had followed
rs thur der follows the lightning lash.
Gen. Sam Houston, the military lead.
sr. OF the rebels" hao no army. There
we're DO railroad or telegraph lines BIZ
atieh to summon the scattered 6sht.
srs. But Colonel Travis. with Darv
Crockett and jim Bowel B. Bonham
J. Washington and iS3 nexas frontiers.
men, We're in San Antonio when the
Mexican army appeared, and at, ones
rssolFsa,ta ..basrisaae ihs Alamo On"