The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-02-15

HGA DldlS oupSA iAlCAuSAI "a W.
RM lie Buildings and Grounds A.
II ~ B. Conley, and approved by
Governor Colquitt, can be car
ried into execution, the historic Ala
mo will present a different appearance
TO visitors to San Antonio, and, for
that matter, to San Antonians them
selves. Governor Colquitt wants the
DID mission, where the seed that
sprouted into Texas liberty was first
planted, to be restored to as nearly its
original condition as possible.
There has been for years a differ
snce of view as to just what was the
physical condition of the Alamo on
The 9Th of March, 1886, and an even
greater divergence of opinion as to
he actual arrangement Of the old con-
vent structure adjoining. But Gov
srnor Colquitt is not willing for mere
differences of this nature to longer re-
tard the doing of a public work that
should have been attended to long
ago.
At a cost of $50, 900 the state, sew
sral years ago, bought of Hugo
Schneider & Co. the old convent
property adjoining the Alamo chapel.
This wholesale grocery firm had been
using for commercial purposes part of
a property dear to liberty lovers ev-
erywhere.
Nobody thought any the less Of
them under the circumstances, and
when a movement tt have the state
take owe the land and the old walls
was crystallized, the price fixed by the
Hugo-Schmeltzer interests was so sat
lsfactory as to seem generous. The
property bought for $4,000 would
probably sell today for ten times this
sum.
1t is the purpose Of the governor to
have the entire mission renovated and
made to look just like 1t did when 1t
was used by the Franciscan monks
and the sisters who conducted the
convent. Already the tenants who
were using the old buildings have
been ousted. 1t is desired after all
the debris is removed, to make a park
of the Enclosure and to have it just as
much of a beauty spot as is the re-
mainder of Alamo plaza. Architects
and landscape experts say this can be
done within a very few years, and
there Is not a 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 s~how-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. II
vas not until a 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
taches to the Alamo. 1t has been
known to historians for rs year as
the cradle Of Texas liberty" and 1t
deserves, IN the mind Of every Texan,
all the glory that has been heaped
upon 1t. 1t Is a matter of regret and
humiliation to every Texan that bet
ter care has not been taken of the
old pile and all It's adjuncts by the
state authorities.
Story Of the Alamo.
Know the story of the Alamo?. It's
fine stuff for American men. It stands
out in the historic pages OF the
past century as the true expression of
the Lone Star spirit.
IL was IN the 23d of February. 1896.
that General Santa Ana, with an army
Of 1000 Mexicans. invested the vii
lage Of San Antonio. and stormed the
alamo. TENS had been declared In
p state of rebellion. the inhabitants
had been ordered to disarm, and the
invasion of Santa Ana had followed
as thunder follows the lightning fash.
Gen. Sam Houston. the military lead.
er Of the rebels" had no army. There
were no railroad Or telegraph lines by
which to summon the scattered fight
ers. But Colonel Travis. with Davy
Crockett and Jim Bowie. j. B. Bonham
T. Washington and 1873 Texas frontiers.
men, were In San Antonio when the
Mexican army appeared. and at. once
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