The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-12-09
WRITES OF SOUTHERN TRIP

10 " i'-'h'' ~
Writing from San BenitO, Texas, a
Brookings resident who is spending
the winter in the south tells of the trip
TO that city and Of the conditions there
in a most interesting manner. The
letter follows:
San Bcnito, Texas,
November 26, 1915.
To the Brookings Register:
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the
Sunny South. We are far, far from
home down in the southwest part of
Texas near Matamoras, Old Mexico.
Just across the Rio Grande from
Brownsville. We did not know that
city was on the map until somebody
shot up the town one night. Some
thought it was Mexican bandits, .ome
thought it was the colored troops sta
toned there but that hot-hecded occL-
pant OF the White House was so sure
he sentenced every niger Of EN- to
perdition first and then spent a mint of
public money to prove them guilty The
street cars pass here running from
Brownsville north know not how far.
AS we were preparing to take a trip
south for the winter the c.gCnts of the
landseekers' excursion to southern
Texas called on us inviting us to go
that we would not buy a farm or ranch,
but might if we liked the place buy 4
house for a winter home. They were
still anxious for US to go and go we
did, having the time of our lives. These
tickets included railroad fare, meals,
sleeper and such side trips as the com
pany decides to give.
We joined the party at Elkton. Here
we a into now which increased as
we went south. There was no snow
at Kansas City but that Geld wave fol
lowed US all the way to the gulf. Nor
has it left us yet. At Waco, Texas,
Thursday morning we were shivcring
in u berths.
The company did everything possible
for our comfort and pleasure on the
trip. At Sibley, Iowa, boxes containing
a neat lunch was served to each of the
party and again near Council Bluffs. At
Kansas City we were taken into the
dining room in the union depot and
given a nice breakfast. At Kansas
City we went aboard the company's
cars. They were clean and neat; ali
the towels, napkins. etc., rel en-
broidered E. l.. Hall. q think those
were the initials.) l remember 1t
wasn't quite Ellis-Hall but nearly SO.
Our meals were good. everybody
was sociable and we had a concert on
the train in the evening occasionally
These were much enjoyed, especially
was the singing fine. eve did the sing
ing ourselves.) At Waco, Texas, we
were shown the lone skyscraper, per.
haps 20 stories or more, and saw the
parade of the l. w. w. All the business
houses at Waco were closed during the
hour of Booker T. Washington's fu'
neral. The schools were closed. prom
inent educators were secured and me-
mortal services were held in the
schools of the city. At 3 O'Clock Thurs
day afternoon we entered Houston
where II railroads meet the sea-" W.
were shown around the city. taking the
elevator to the top of one of Hous
toms 40 tall buildings, the Rice Hote
of Is stories, containing 600 guests
rooms and costing $3.500.000.
Houston was built at the head O
what was known as Buffalo Bayou. 81
miles inland from the gulf. 1t has beef
deepened to q depth of Is feet and wild
ened to 200 feet at the bottom and II
now known AZ the Houston ship canal
The next forenoon our train was side
tracked in front Of San Benito's BIZ
9. gar mill. Dinner was our last mea
aboard the train. Here We found !
automobiles waiting to take us to tn
Santa Clara fruit belt. the 0oldahre
Il think they are called. thence to tn