UC-NRLF B M SD3 flIT It^ ^^-^^M^ I4.1^^^^ ^^T^ ILLIAM CORNER. (^ry^() ltU>-^^^>^ San Antonio de Bexar A OriDK A XI) HISTORY COMPir,P:D AND liniTHI) BY WILLIAxM CORNER ll ILL USTRA TED San Antonio. Texas \\ A I X li k I n ci ic & Corner CllRISlMAS, 1800 C()]'VKI<-.IIT, ISSIO, HV I'.AIXIJRIIXUv cS: CORNl': A 1. 1, KIC.iiTS RKSICRVlvI). PR I{ PACK. It \-et remains forme to express thanks to my helpers. To such Texans as Mrs. M. A. Maverick, Mrs. Canterbury, Dr. Cupples, General H. P. Bee. Dr. Herff, Colonel I'ord, Colonel Withers, Mr. John Dobbin and to others I owe much more than perhaps they are aware of, for it was my talks with " old-timers " that put me in touch and sympathy with theirs and earlier times. Not all, of course, that I have learned a])OUt vSan Antonio has been herein written down, but every smallest detail was counted by me as a help towards the better understanding of my subject. I was continually impressed by the excellence and accuracy of Sidney Lanier's Historical .Sketch, and designed very early that it sliould form a ])art of this work. To ]^)ishop Nera/. I owe thanks for a glim]>se of the older Church Records. As to the County Records, the kind directions of Messrs. Thad. Smith and Theo. Rozeine, have been of much service to me. To all these mentioned, and to many others who have unconsciously helped me at the cost of being bore;l, I return my thanks ; nor do I forget that an acknowledge- ment is here due to my brotlier, Charles Corner, tor work and encourage- ment. I trust my book will not only be a satisfaction to the inquiring visitor, but I should like to think lliat it could furnish a few notes and suggestions to a future historian of Texas. Further than these remarks, I ha\e no use for the preiatory privilege, so for the rest, " for better or for worse," my book, with its illustrations, shall .speak for it.sclf. December. IS'.K). \V. C. 781082 COXTHXTS. PACK Introductory •. . . . 1 Railroads 3 Mallory Line of Steamers 4 ^V Transfer 4s^ Hacks and Carriages 4 Hotels 4 Boarding and Lodging Houses, Flats 5 Restaurants .... o Street Car Lines and Street Railways (i What There Is to See 7 The Alamo Church as it is in ISSX) 8 vSome Further Notes on the Alamo 8 The Cathedral of vSan Fernando 12 The Missions- How to Get to the Missions 13 Mission Concepcion 14 Mission San Jose 17 Mission San Juan i!il Mission vSan Francisco de la Kspada Jl The Plazas 24 The MiIvITarv Establish:mext— Headquarters Department of Texas and Fort Sam Houston 2o Military Drills 2(> Some Further Notes on Military Affairs -' Churches •">! Educational >''2 International Fair Grounds 33 Riverside Park, San Pedro Park 34 Opera Houses o4 Public Halls 34 Newspapers 34 Stock Yards 35 City Additions • . • 35 Artesian Wells 35 Real Estate, Land Grants and Field Notes of Town Tract 3(3 to 3!t Public Buildings ■ 39 Banks 40 San Antonio Club 4il Other Clubs 4(i Young Men's Christian Association 4i> Military or Militia Organizations 4(1 Friendly Societies 41 The Waters of vSan Antonio and San Pedro — The Ditches or Acequias 41 The Pajalache or Concepcion Ditch 43 The San Pedro Ditch 44 The Alamo Idadre Ditch 44 The Upper Labor Ditch and the History of Its Construction 4"i The vSan Antonio River ">n The Water Works . 54 vi SAX AXTOXIO DK P.ICXAR. Sail Antonio as a Ilcalih Resort .58 Some Resources of Western Texas (il List of Charters and Amendments i;-) I/st of ISIayors of llie City of San Anluiiio Ci; San Antonio dk Bkxar, hv Sidnkv I^anier — Anthony Crozat, 171:.'. Huchereau St. Dauis, 1714. New Philippines. Spain's Earliest Claims. La Salle, 1U85. San Antonio de Valero, 1715. Franciscans of Queretaro. San Antonio de Valero, 1722. Spain's Mission. French Claims. Correspondence of D'Alarconne and De la Harpc. The San Antonio Missions. "Lastekas" — Texas. Indians. Testimonio de nn Parecer. .Vpaches, 17;^2. vSandoval and Franquis — j^reat lawsuit. "San Antonio de Vejar." Foundation of the Church of the Alamo, 1744. French and Spanish Policies, 1762. San Saba Mission, 17oS. .Seculariza- tion of the Alamo Mission, 1783. Partition of Alamo Mission Lands, 1793. Closinjr the .\lamo Records, 1793. Americans, 1800. Philip Nolan. Lieutenant Pike, 1807. San Antonio Society Prior to 1810. Troublous Times. Colonel Delgado. Revolutions. Magee and Gutierrez. Colonel Kemper. Colonel James Gaines. Governor Salcedo. Battle. Surrender of San Antonio by the Royalists. ISIassacre of Rovalists. Don Elisondo. Another Battle. Royalist Loss. Captain Perry. Don Jose Alvares Toledo. General Arredondo. Another Battle. Royalists Victorious under Arredondo, 1813. A "Black Hole "of San Antonio. San Antonio .Almost Abandoned, 181G. Moses Austin, 1820. American Colonists. Treaty of Cordova, 1821. Secession from Spain. French Merchants in San Antonio, 1824. The Bowie Brothers, 1831. Shawnees and Comanches. 1832. Sam Houston, 1833. Texas and Coahuila. Stephen F. .\ustin and Mexico, 1833. Revolutionary Meeting, 1834. Ugartechea and Cos. vSanta Anna. Deaf Smith. Dr. James Grant. Burle.son. Maverick. San.\ntonio Besieged by Texans, 1835. :Milam and John.son. San Antonio Taken. Karnes. Surrender of the Alamo by Cos. Travis. Crockett. Arrival of Santa Anna, 1836. Siege of the Alamo. Bonham and Fannin, .\ccount of Rose. Fall of the Alamo. Mrs. Dickinson and the "Child of the Alamo." Indians, 1840. Captain Howard. War between Texas and :\rexico. Raids of Vasqnez and Woll, 1842. Annexation, 1845. Cosmopolitan San Antonio. Meteorological. (Teo- graphical. San Fernando. Religious. Points of Interest. Conclusion. . . 68 to 91 lNTI':kVIHW.S AND ]\lKM()IRS OF (^1,1) Tnil-: TlvXAN.S. Extracts from the Memoirs of .Mrs. M. A. ]\Iaverick 95 t,) 106 Interview with Mrs. Canterbury 107 .\ Talk with Right Reverend BisliopNeraz 109 Interviews with Dr. Cnpples 112 .A.n Interview with Dr. Ferdinand Hcrff, .Sr 115 An Interview with Mr. John Dol)])in IKi Senora Candelaria 117 Colonel Ford's Memoirs Hi) The Alamo Monument at .Austin 124 The County Records 125 The P'ounding of the Town of .San I'ernando 126 Historical, interesting and statistical dates of, and relating to, the Citv of San .\t.tonio, 12!) to 166 ILLUSTRATIONS AND I'LAiXS. Church of the Mission del Alamo . . I-roitlispiccc Mission de la Concepcion (First jNIissioii") ■*< Mission vSan Jose de Aguayo (Second Mission) 1- Group of Views of Missions and Mission lUii'dinij,s 1<> Plans illustrating the Alamo. Concepcion, San Jos^, San Juan and Espada INIissions, San Jose Granary and the Villa Capital de San Fernando, with References IH Group of Views of Portals and a Window of San Jose -<• Group of Detail of Mission Carving --i Group of Views of J^Iilitary Post -^ Federal Building •"'- The San Antonio National Bank .' -!<' Group of Scenes of Mexican Life in San Antonio -14 Group of River Scenes and old Mission Aqueduct ..... ■'>«) vSpanish and Mexican-Texas Seals ''-^ Facsimiles of Signatures of Historical Personages •'^" Western Texas Cowboy Sketches 1"4 San Antonio City Hall 1^^ Numerous small cuts included in the letter press IMap of the central portion of the City (TSan Antorio ERRATA. I. :Mrs. Hockett has changed from St. Mary's Street to the Apartment House, comer of Houston and Jefferson Streets. Page o. '2. For "turning south at Laurel Street," read "turning west, etc." Bottom of Page (i. o. Since the first sheets of this work were printed the electric rapid transit Street Car Lines have been extended in several of the suburbs of the city. Page 6. 4. For "Espado" read Espada, on illustration. Page 20. o. The Magnetic Needle omitted from Alamo Mission Plan. Note — the Alamo Church fron'.s almost due west. Page 24. fi. The Government Post has been recently oflficially named Fort Sam Houston. Page 2j. 7. Turner Hall has been converted into Rische's Opera Hou.se. Page 84. 5. For "weeky" read weekly. Eleventh line, page oo. i». For W. A. Little, F;sq., read C. C. Cresson, Esq., last line ' San AntonioClub." Page 4(i. Kl. The Waterworks proposition was rejected by a large majority on September .■JOtli, 1S9(». Page 57. 11. F'or "Prom" read From. 4th line, page 7-"). 12. For "St. Patrick's Day :" read without the colon. Itith line, page 117. IS F'or "ainaluer" read amateur. 17th line, page 117. 14. American Biographical Dictionaries differ ns to the year of General R. H. Lee's birth, b>it the best authoritits give laniiarv linh, bS07 ; not ].SO(i, Page l;;l, Sail Antonio dc Bexar. Introductory. — " By far the most pleasant as well as interesting' town in Texas is San Antonio." So writes George Wilkins Kendall in 1^1:;, in his " Narrative of the Texan Santa Fc Expedition " of the good city of old P.exar. that stood for a generation or two, bravely up in the seething of the " meeting of the waters, " — the meeting of two great opposing races and civilizations. Over the rolling western prairies had crept, moving eastwardly, the fringe of the tide of the Spanish,— the I.atin-Indian civilization from Mexico, meeting after awhile here a mightier and colder current pushing westward— the American, the ever restless Anglo-Saxon flood. The stronger influence overcame. To-day, San Antonio is a flourishing, enterprising, American city, as Texas is the greatest of American States and one destined to a magnificent future. It boasts an historical past. San Antonio was a bone of contention, Texas was the meat and fat for the victors, and all good San Antonians believe, with some show of reason, that the nearer the bone the sweeter the meat, which is just about what Kendall means, only expressed rather differently, for he adds later to this praise of San Antonio the following : " I have an abiding faith in Western Texas, and will stick by it till the Guadalupe run.3 dry." Such love had old Texans it seems for the land they had foaght for and won. Both floods still remain, but now commingle harmoniously, having long since ceased to maintain an unequal contention. Strange traces, however, of the strug- gle are everywhere present in the old city, in spite of its new face and smile of prosperity. Its quaint traditions, customs and reminiscences are quickly recog- nized by a stranger's en0 came up to San Antonio with the Queretaro h'ranciscan brothers and helped in the completion of the beautiful San Jose. It is thus, then, that he nuist be in touch with its history who would come to correct conclusions about the grand old City of Bexar. This is only a single instance of a brighter side — but to other and sterner chapters the rule applies with a like reason. Not to delay further a practical description of San Antonio as it is — what there is to see and how to .see it — the visitor is strongly recommended, before setting out on the rounds, to read Sidney Lanier's historical sketch. It will be found to be reliable, and is the best short history of the city that has been written. It is from the pen of one of America's most charming writers, and no praise of it is needed here. The name of the author is sufficient to ensure its being read with interest and attention. Railroads. — Three main lines of railroad with a multitude of tributaries run into and through San Antonio. The visitor may arrive at either of three different depots. The Southern Pacii'ic or Sun.set, as it is familiarly called, has its depot in the northeastern suburbs. The main line stretches from New Orleans to be- yond San Francisco. Many of the New York and Ivastern mails come in over this rotite, it having quick competing connnunications for eastern traffic and tra\'el. Its principal business done with San Antonio is from Calilornia on the west — from New Orleans, Galveston and Houston, etc., on the east. It was the first railroad to reach this city, arriving here early in February, 1^77. An electric street car line — Belknap system — car labelled Avenue C. Line, etc.. color green, nickel fare, does service for this depot to the Alamo Plaza citywards and to the Government Hill northwards. Another electric car line al.so does service here to Avenue E. and Alamo Plaza citywards and to the Alamo Heights, at the head of the river, northward — fare, nickel; color, yellow; light, purple. The South- ern Pacific ticket office is in the Adams & Wickes l)uilding, on Alamo Plaza. TiiK IxTiCRXATioN.VL AND Grkat Nortiikrn depot is in the western siib- tirbs of the city. This line gives us communication with all parts directly north and east, via Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, etc., passing through our city, on via Laredo, to the City of Mexico, to which city it is at present one of the shortest 4 SAN ANTONIO I)K BEXAR. routes. It also brings many eastern mails. It made its first appearance from the north in this city February IGth, 1881. It has an electric city street car service — Belknap system — color, orange; labelled City Hall, Plazas and all Hotels. The International and Great Northern ticket office is on the corner of N. Alamo street and Alamo Plaza. The San A.ntonio and Aransas Pass RaiIvRoad fiimiliarly "S. A.P." " Our Railroad," the spoilt child of San Antonio, is an enterprise of which the city may well be proud. Under the far-sighted policy of its able president, U. Lott, who has a strongly developed prophetic instinct in him, this road is destined to become an important system. At present, with upwards of 800 miles in operation, it does good service, firstly with Boerne and Kerrville on the north, whence it is pushing a northwestern extension ; secondly with Corpus Christi and Rockport, and eventually deep water at Aransas, and the short est route to the City of Mexico on the south ; thirdly with all that fertile grazing and farming country lying between Kenedy and Houston, doing here an immense cotton and cattle freighting business ; fourthly with Houston and Galveston east ; fifthly with another rich mid-Texas district by an important branch to Waco. Other branches are under construction and in contemplation. Mr. Lott's able lieutenant is General Manager B. F. Yoakum. The first ground was broken for this railroad in this city May 18th, 1885. It is identified with the interests of San Antonio. The depot is in the southern suburbs. It is serv^ed by two car lines, the red car coming to Alamo Plaza the yellow car serving through South Flores street to the Military Plaza and North Flores street. The ticket office is in the Kanipmann building, on Main street. Mallory Line of Steamers. — -The pleasantest though not the shortest route to New York, is Ijy rail to Galveston, thence by one of the Mallory steamers. This is a most delightful trip especially in the summer time. Transfer. — Busses and transfer wagons meet every train incoming or out- ward bound. The company is moderate in its charges for baggage or pas.sengers, and their servants are as a rule punctual and obliging. Hacks and Carriages. — One of the peculiarities of San Antonio is an innnense hack traffic. It is a favorite mode of locomotion. The charges are not high on account of the considerable competition. It is however always advisable to have a perfect understanding with your Jehu beforehand as to his ultimate charges, or in nine cases out often upon settlement you will harbor suspicions of being over-reached. Many of the hacks are costly vehicles, and nearly all have good stepping, .strong horses. On the whole it does well to fall into the custom of the place as to hacks. There are always plenty of them at train times at the depots and the stands are conveniently placed on the Plazas and Houston street. Hotels. -The Menger is the oldest and best lioU'l in the city. It is con- spicuous on the eastern corner of Alamo Plaza, not far from the Alamo Church building. The Menger was established in 1858, being opened January olst. 1851) It has been constantly adck-d to until now its extensive buildings coxcr the greater part of the block. It is in the hands of its proprietor, Mr. H. D. Kanip- mann, and well managed by Mr. Browder. Its service and appointments are first-class in every particular. The facade is prettily shaded by trees, and the prr.ijc C()Mi<()RT. /) court yard contains one ol" the prettiest groups of banana trees in Texas. In the season musical evenings are an attraction to its guests, and fashiona]>le gernians are periodically held. It is inipo.ssible to state the various hotel charges. It is ]K'rliaps sufficient to say that the charges of none are exorljitant. It is well situated as to street car ser\-ice, nian\- of the various city lines starting and terniinating on the Alamo Plaza, viz : the scarlet line car plying between this plaza down Houston street to San Pedro Avenue and Springs — scarlet light. The City Hall line on Main and Military Plazas. I. & G. N. depot and all hotels — color, orange; light, orange. The Avenue C line to Southern Pacific depot and Government Post — color, green; light, green. The S. Alamo, Mill street and S. A. & A. P. R. R. depot— color, red; light red. Green cars do service from the end of E. Commerce. A hack stand fronts the hotel. Another good hotel is the Maverick, on Houston street. The building was originally erected for Military Headquarters, and was used for this purpose trom January "io, 'TS till 1S82, being enlarged and opened as a hotel in April of that year. As a hotel it is second in importance only to the Menger. It is very well served by the proximity of all the important street car services of the city, many of the lines passing its doors. Still other good hotels are the Southern, the St. Leonard, the Central, all on the Main Plaza, and the Mahncke, on Houston street. Boarding and Lodging- Houses, Flats.— San Antonio is not quite so well off for good boarding houses as it might be. Probably the reason may be found in the fact that it enjoys a number of other facilities for easy and cheap living. Nevertheless, a number of really good boarding houses can be reckoned. Mrs. Cole's house, on Pecan street, enjoys a first class reputation for the excellent table that is kept and the attention paid to the general com- fort. Mrs. Murphy's, on St. Mary's street, is noted for similar good qualities, also Mrs. Sappington's, on Tobin Hill. Mrs. Hockett's, on St. Mary's street, has a well-estal)lished reputation. Of counse there are many other fairly good hou.ses, but changes so constantly come that the list mentioned must suffice. A custom that very well suits the visitor making an extended stay is that which many of the inhabitants have of letting for rent by the month, certain rooms, very often the best in their houses. Such visitors can make themselves very com fortable, and live more economically, by rooming in this fashion and boarding vi^here best suits their appetites and convenience. Of course, all sorts of bargains can be made. It only re([uires a little searching for every class to be made perfectly comfortable. In fine, San Antonio, if not provided specifically with a large number of good boarding houses, is nevertheless a city in which living is made easy, not to say delightful. Mention nmst here be made of two excellent imstitutions, the Webb hou.se, on Houston street — liplf boarding house, half hotel — spoken of highly as a place of comfort, and the Alamo Flats, on Alamo Plaza, a most convenient arrangement of rooms and suites of rooms, nicel>- furnished and excellently well conducted under its present management. Restaurants. — Good ones are Harnisch & Baer's, on Alamo Plaza; the Elite, at the corner of Soledad .street and Main Plaza: and Lang's Dining Room, on Commerce street. 6 SAN AXTOXIO DE BEXAR. Street Car Lines and Street Railways. The Belknap System of Lines comes first. For years — since 1878 almost up to the present time — this system was the only one which San Antonio had. It was inaugurated by the late Col. Augustus Belknap, formerly such a popular and genial figure in our communit3\ It is now under the management of the able president of the company, Mr. W. H. Weiss. We have other systems and lines, and still others are projected. This system serves about all parts of the city, and all its lines, except the Flores street line, focus on the Alamo Plaza. Taking, therefore, the Alamo Plaza as a starting point, we will describe this system, mentioning principal streets, in progress and the termini. The Scarlet Lake Cars, named San Pedro line, take Houston street, turning north to Acequia street to San Pedro avenue and San Pedro Springs, turning east awhile down Locust street, then north again through Crockett Place and encom- pa.ssing Laurel Heights, back to and terminating on San Pedro avenue, far above the Springs. Night light, red; fare, a nickel. Electric line. The Green Cars, named Avenue C line, take Houston street, shortly turning north on Avenue C to the Southern Pacific depot, following Austin street to Carson street to Grayson street to Government Post, terminating at the southwest corner of the New Post. Night light, green; fare, a nickel. Electric line. The Orange Cars, named City Hall line, take Houston street. Sole- dad street south, across Main Plaza to Military Plaza, Dolorosa street. West Commerce .street to the I. & G. N. depot, where it terminates. Night light, orange; fare, a nickel. Electric line. The Dull Red Cars, named S. A. & A. P. R. R. line, takes Alamo street .south to Mill street to the S. A. & A. P. R. R. depot. Night light, red; fare, a nickel. The white cars, named Cemetery line, take East Commerce street to ceme- teries. Fare, a nickel; color, yellow and green. The Yellow Cars plying between vSan Pedro Springs to North Flores street, to Military Plaza, to South Flores .street and Arsenal, to S. A. & A. P. R. R. depot terminating on South Flores .street .south of that depot. Night light, purple ; fare, nickel. The McCrillis, or Alamo Electric Street R. R. System, is next in impor- tance. Going south from the heart of the city it crosses Houston and Commerce streets on Navarro street, cro.sses the Mill bridge down Garden street, turning on Mill street to Presa street, going far down that street, terminating at the P'air and J'. The Mission was secularized with the others by decree of Don Pedro de Nava, April 10th, 17'.>4. The famous siege began February 22d, 183G. The " Fall of the Alamo" occurred March Gth, IS^O. A visitor to-day at " The Alamo," will be met at its entrance by the worthy janitor, Capt. Tom Rife, a Texan of pioneer days. He guards the building with a jealous care it is indeed a pleasure to note in these days of the irrepressible relic hunter and wall scribbler. The visitor will be given in short the particulars of the foundation of the Mission and the church. A description will be given him of the desperate stand to the last man of Travis, Bowie (the inventor of the cele- brated bowie knife), "Davy" Crockett, Bonham, and their companions, in de- fense of their countrymen's liberties and the independence of Texas. One hun- dred and seventy or more men, with sublime recklessness, decided that they would never surrender or retreat. Death to each was the cost of this magnificent temer- ity. He will be shown the arch pillars upon either side, evidences of a massive arched roof and dome, the remains of the towers, with the vaulted ceilings to the ground floor cells, the connection of the place with the convent from the choir, the cruciform of the Church, the site of the dome, the room used as a powder magazine during the siege, which is interesting for its massive walls and strong, vaulted stone roof or ceiling, and for the fact that it was here that Evans was shot in a last vain endeavor to set fire to the residue of the ammunition and that in all probability it was here that Bowie was bayoneted on his sick bed too ill of typhoid fever to do anything but set a high example of admirable fortitude and courage. The present roof some of the upper windows and floorings and other improvements, the visitor will be reminded are modern. The captain will be found ever ready to answer the ({uestions that naturally arise to those not too familiar with the Alamo's eventful history. Some Further Notes on the Alamo. Anil lluir (laff flonlcd out on tlie breeze Like tremulous haiuls stretched fortli to Mess." The l)uil(liiig now commonly known as the Alamo, and which is really the Church of the Mission of the Alamo, or of San Antonio de Valero, is on the east side of the Alamo Pla/.a, its carved front faces west ; it stands at a point a little * "Alamo " is the S])atiish name for the eotlonwood tree, a species of po]>lar quite common upon the hanks of Texas rivers and creeks ; its limber is in deninn north of midway on the east side of this Plaza, as at present constituted. As will be .seen on reference to the plan of the Mission as it originally was, both the Alamo Church and the Convent yard were outside the eastern boundary of the ancient enclosure known as the "Square of the Mission." This enclosure ex- tended its northwest corner down Avenue D one hundred feet or more, embracing with the north-west vi^alls a good portion of the actual building site of the new federal building. Its western boundary was almost exactly along the sidewalk past the Ma\-erick homestead across Houston street past the Maverick Bank and the row of buildings following on the west side of Alamo Plaza. The boundary all along here, as is most frequently the case with these Missions, consisted of dwellings and barracks for the use of those connected with or dependants of the old Missions. Two irrigation ditches or acequias, both of them abandoned many years ago. ran upon each side of this row of dwellings, one a branch of a branch and the other a branch called the Acequia del Alamo of the Villita ditch, now running under the eastern wall of the Church through the Menger hotel on to "La Villita," which ditch, by the way, is it.self a branch of a main acequia (Acequia Madre del Alamo) which passes farther east from the head of the river and on to Water street. All these ditches were u.sed not only for irrigating the lands in the immediate vicinity and belonging to the Missions, but provided water for the domestic uses of the Padres and their numerous dependants and coadjutors. Similar dwellings and buildings to those mentioned formed the northeastern corner of the square. The southern boundary was more prominent on account of the strongly built entrance and sally-port of the square being there. The build- ing each side of the entrance were most commonly used as a prison and strong- hold ; further mention of this building will appear later. Hardly a vestige o^ these enclosing walls of the Mission Square could be found to-day. The eastern wall or boundary was also conspicuous for the Convent buildings which it in- cluded, and upon these Convent foundations Honore Grenet, in the year LS7.S, built for a grocery warehouse the inartistic erection now occupied by the firm of Hugo & Schmeltzer. This property has been condemned by the cit}' (1889) so that these remnants, too, will in all probability soon disappear before the mandates of improvement committees; when, all that will be left of this once prominent and always most famous of the Texas Missions will be those walls in the form of a cross, which with " ears to hear," caught to themselves the secrets of the closing scenes of a sublime tragedy. They alone know the last personal results of a unanimous resolve of desperate but calmly deliberate heroism. Old, battered, time-worn, silent walls, no word of any single hero's prowess, or separate and supreme feats do your portals tell. They are carved with emblems and signs of quite another story. Those deeds are your secret. Nevertheless, echoed from you, shall be heard the whispers adown the farthest "corridor of time" of a mag- nificent story of reckless and innnovable self-sacrifice. East of the Convent building, projected from its walls the Convent yard, a rectangular enclosure, about 100 feet square, surrounded by strong walls, it touched and joined with its southeast corner the wall of the near corner of the north wing of the cross formed by the walls of the Mission Church. The Convent building was 1*.)1 feet long, running to the .south line of East Hou.ston street, so no doubt on the north side of the Convent yard was another enclosure proba- 10 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. bly fenced with a wall, but not of the importance of the main Convent vard. The Convent, the Convent yard, the prison building already mentioned, and which was existing till isiid, 'when a sionu l)le\v the roof off) or later, the space imme- diately in front of the Alamo Church which was protected by a temporary battery stockade of cedar posts and earthworks stretching from the prison build- ing to the southwest corner of the Church, and lastly, the Church itself, were the chief scenes of the siege of February and March, IS.W). In the Church the last desperate stand ot the remnant of the defenders was made. These portions of the Mission were those that in these later troubles were commonly understood to constitute the fortress of the Alamo. While some of the dwellings might have been used and undoubtedly were used as barracks by larger forces, it could not have been but impossible for a handful of men (less than 180) to have manned the whole extensive original walls of the Mission square. Indeed, tradition says that much of the western and northern boundaries of the large Mission square had been destroyed in 1885, before the siege, and that even the prison portion was abandoned quite early in the siege, though still covered by unerring marks- men with the long rifles which the Texans knew so well how to handle. Before, General Cos did much to damage the place as a tenable fortress and during and after the siege, the walls were dismantled. Piecemeal, " here a little and there a little," the old Mission has been improved off the face of the earth. Very for- lorn and dilapidated must it have appeared when it left the hands of Santa Anna and his myrmidons in the spring of 1836. " The Alamo," says Kendall, writing of 1S41 " is now in ruins, only two or three of the houses being inhabited." For thirteen or fourteen years after "the fall," the place remained in a state of almost absolute ruin. For much less than a century had this church stood in the beauty of completeness. There are strong evidences that the Alamo Church in original general design resembled the Church of the Mission Concepcion, that is to say, it had a carved front, on either side of which was a tower with baptismal or vestry rooms at their bases, with belfries in their second stories. Both Churches were built in the form of the cross and had similar arches and arched stone roofs. The Alamo Church, probabl}- like the Mission Concepcion Church; had a dome at the intersection of the cross arches. Here, perhaps, the resemblance between the two Churches ceased Now, long before the siege, tradition says, the towers had disappeared, the roof and dome had mostly fallen in, ])ut what was left of the walls stood bravely up. These thick, strong walls, the Convent with its yard and • the carcel or pri.son entrance were recognized by the many military leaders of the various factions and armies in the struggles and troublous times of the early part of the present century as about the safest harbor of refuge the neighborhood afforded, as at times others of the Missions were considered good frontier fortresses. About the year 1849, Major E. B, Babbitt, acting Quartermaster of the Eighth Military Department, and father of the pre.sent popular commander of the Arsenal, Major Lawrence S. Babbitt, took pos.session of the Alamo buildings in the name of the U. S. Government to use them as a yuartermaster's Depot. The ownership of the Alamo was disputed at this time, the city claiming it on the one side, the Roman Catholic Church ujion the oilier. The city claimed from Major Iv. P,. lialibitt, on January .'Id, 1S.")(), rents due for the occuiiation of THI-: ALAMO. 1 I the '■ bviilclings and proi)i.rtv known as tlic Alamo." In a .snbse(inent snit which the cit}- lost, Bishop Odin, on behalf of his Chnrch. proved her title to the property. Major Babbitt, as has been said, found the whole place in appearance an ab- solute ruin. The Church buildino; was choked with debris, a conglomeration of stones, mortar and dirt foiming on the inside a slanting heap from the base of the rear wall to the top of the front " so that a person could run up and look over the top of the front." Much work was necessary to put the place into anything like the shape necessary for offices and depot houses, and sheds. The Major set to work to do this. The Church was first cleared, and deep down in the debris were found two or three skeletons that had evidently been hastily covered with rub- bish after the fall, for with them were found fur caps and buckskin trappings, undoubted relics of the ever memorable last stand. In a later year, March 29, 1878, other skeletons buried at an earlier and apparently more peaceful period, were unearthed in the Church, and a beautifully carved baptismal font was brought to light, November lo, 1.S78. What varied scenes in the life of man it had witnessed I One would be tempted to moralize writing for anything else but the pages of a bald historical guide. The next work done was the repairing of the front. To restore the upper part of it to its original form was impracticable. Bare practical utility is the desired feature of any Government Military work. So the top was finished off in its present modest shape, the rest of the walls were raised to an equal height, a roof was added, and to assist in bearing up this roof, two stone pillars were built inside at points in the wings of the cross in line with the arch pillars. A second floor was added, and in the southwest tower, once a belfry, an office was made. Other offices were added on the ground floor. xA few troops were at first quartered in the Church, the Convent and yard were also fitted up for storerooms, stables and sheds. The carcel was also roofed and cleared, and a .serviceable granary was made of it and used as such by the Quar- termasters for many years. It was demolished soon after the war, the wind be- ginning this work of destruction in 186(). This old prison building used to stand east and west across the north end of the garden of the Alamo Plaza and its foundations were brought to light in INS'.I, when the leveling of the Plaza, prepar- atory to laying mesquite blocks, began. The buildings as restored by Major Babbitt, were used as a Quartermaster's Depot bj' the United States troops until the breaking out of the war, when the Confederate authorities u.sed it for a similar purpo.se. After the war it was again used by the United States Govern- ment until the new Quartermaster Depot was read}' on Government Hill, on January ."51 , 1S7N. In 1877 Grenet purchased the Convent portion of the Alamo property, and shortly (October 5, 1878) erected the atrocious lumber building before noticed. Objection was made on the part of the Church authorities to using the Alamo Church building as a mercantile storeroom, yet it undoubtedly was used for this at times. Early in 1883 the State began negotiations for the purchase of the old Church, and under Act of April "23, 1883, this was done, and on Ma}' Ki, the final transfer to the State for 820,000 was made. This was the right and proper thing to do, and it was but a slight recognition of the valor of the men to whom 12 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. Texas owes so much, not to mention the man}' other historical associations that its walls embody. Man)- particulars and details of the foundation and earlier history of this Church and the Mission will he found in Sidney Lanier's histori- cal sketch. These notes are intended in part to supplement and fit into his ex- cellent description. The Cathedral of San Fernando- This structure, once merely a Parish Church, now a Cathedral (the first Bishop of San Antonio was installed here Christmas eve, 1S74), is a mixture of the old and new regimes. All that is left of the old building is the rear part, easily dis- tinguished by its marked Moorish characteristics, its dome and massive walls and octagonal design. The first Parish Church seems to have been built by sub.scription and the ' ' subject of the construction was first considered in the Royal Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar, February 17th, 1788.* Don Prudencio de Orobio Basterra being Governor and Captain-General of the Spanish State of Texas, and Don Juan Rezio de Leon being Curate, Vicar and Ecclesiastical Ju.stice of the town of San Fernando (without the Presidio of San Antonio), and it was resolved that this Parish Church should be erected under the invocation of the Virgin and our Lady of Guadalupe." Many Spanish names which appear in the original list of contributors are names well known in the present day, held by descendants. This old Church stood upon much the same ground as the modern structure does, that is, midway between the two Plazas, the Main and the Mili- tary. It bore, however, a nearer relation to the Military Plaza and its habitants than to the other, for it was here mostly that Spain's soldier-guardians of her border colonies dwelt, and it was for their use. more especially, that the Church was designed. t The corner stone of the new structure was laid on vSeptenil)er •27th, ISOS. The old main dome was destroyed April 29th, 1S72, and the new walls went up outside the old, so that the Church was only for a short time in disuse. July -"kl, 1873, the old front was torn down. F. Giraud, who was Mayor of San Antonio at the opening, October 6th, 1873, had furnished the architect's plans and speci- fications. It was the intention of the architect to lia\e two similar towers, yet only one was partially completed. These tow^ers were to have additional struc- tures of wood surmounting the masonry, twenty-five feet above the summit of the tower now erected. In this tower are several bells that chime out morning, noon and evening, telling to all the city the time of day. Daily services are held, the vSunday morning congregation is, as a rule, large, and then the mu.sic is good and well worth hearing. The Church is open all day and under the care of a sacristan. There is an old and interesting font and several large pictures and other notalile decorations. The present Bishop is San Antonio's second — the Right Reverend J. C. Neraz. AiiolliL-r autliorilv says llial Uk- fouiutation sloiic of tliis old Church was laid May i^nIIi, i;;,,). — (.V,/// Antonio llfrohi. July nUi. iS72)- t There was formerly mention existing in the church records of a still older church buildiuj? on a different site, at about No. 500 North Laredo street ; all traces of this foundation have entirely disappeared. It was the oriy^in of the old San I'crnando Parish Church, and in a measure the huildin>; of the latter was probably a re- moval mcrclv Troin the I, arcilo street site. S»-"H4 Tin-: MISSIONS. 13 The Missions. " Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear, Blest be the man that spares these stones." A protest must be recorded here against the wanton mutilation of the sculp- ture of the Missions by thoughtless relic hunters. The shameful chipping of the beautiful carving has been going on for years. At San Jose whole figures have been stolen and others made headless ; the fine old carved cedar paneled doors of this Mission were entirely wrecked and carried away piecemeal. Can any good use warrant such senseless robber}- ? Good friend, forbear ! forbear even to add your name to the thousands scratched, scribbled and penciled on walls not meant for such a purpose. How to Get to the Missions. How can I get to see the Missions ? is the anxious in(iuiry of almost every traveling sightseer that comes to San xAntonio. The idea that if one is seen all are seen is erroneous. Each M'ssion has its distinctive fea'iures, and all are well worth a visit. Time, of course, is of great consideration to most people, and they would rather see one than none, which is reasonable enough, but if the time can possibly be spared none of the four Missions should be missed. There is nothing of the kind of equal interest on this continent. It is an experience of a lifetime, especially so to him who is engaged in the rush and torrent of business life. Let him then sacrifice a little to this ol)ject and he may be sure that, far from regretting the time, it will be a memory to be long cherished. It is a simple matter to get to the Missions, except after a heavy rain, and then the muddy roads, as every where else m the world, are a little uni)leasant. The v.-ay for a .stranger to go, to thoroughly enjoy the time, is to hire a buggy, or. if a small party is made up, a larger conveyance. Northern visitors are often .seen making them.selves ver>- un- comfortable by going out to the Missions on horseback thinking that it is the thing to do in Texas. If you are a good rider, all right, but don't make yourself miserable by putting yourself for the first time in a Texas saddle to see the Mi.ssions, or you are very sure not to appreciate what there is to see. The ride should be made a separate numl)er on the program. Granted, — that you have made up your mind to hire a buggy and to see all the Mi.ssions. Start in the morning after breakfast taking a liglit lunch with you. You take Garden street going south, and noting as you leave town the wide old Concepcion Ditch on the left hand side of the road. You still follow the same street crossing the Southern Pacific Railroad track and bearing slightly to the right ; cross the S. A. & A. P. Railroad track, still following the same road, until you see the Towers of the Mission Concepcion standing conspicuously up on the left hand side of tile road, just two and one quarter miles from the centre of the city. Having seen all that there is to be seen here. > on make your way along the same road towartls the Riverside Park, then down to the River, crossing a new countv bridge there at the old ford. 14 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. It was just in this neighborhood that the first battle was fought for Texan Independence, in ls;55. After crossing the River, you take what is called the River Road, but you do not catch sight of the River again until you reach the Mission of San Jose, not four miles from the city. It should be noon by the time that you have done the.se two Missions thoroughly, so if you choose you can drive down a short distance to the River and water your horse, tie, and at a very pretty spot under the Pecans, take your lunch. You must return to San Jose to take the road to the Third Mission, passing the Pyron homestead on the left, keeping on between fences until you reach a branch of the road, one towards Berg's Mill, where there are both a bridge and a ford. The Third Mi.ssion is on the other side of the River. It will be noted that the Missions are alternately on different sides of the River. The First on the east bank, the Second on the west, the third on the Bast and the fourth on the West. Leaving the third you return over the bridge a short distance to the branch of the road that you left, and go down abrupt!}' to the wooden bridge over the Piedra creek. Quite close to this bridge to the left is the old aqueduct made by the Franciscan brothers nearly 150 years ago. Alight and examine it. It is indeed a substantial and interest- ing work, a series of low massive arches on the top of which runs the Mission irrigating ditch. Leaving this, follow this branch road to the fourth Mission and return to the City at pleasure. Mission Concepcion. " To ruinate proud buildings with thy hours And smear with dust their glittering, golden towers." In the report of the Viceroy Count Revilla-gigedo, referred to many times in this work, the date of the "ereccion" of this Mission as well as those of the Mi.ssions of the Alamo, San Juan and San Francisco de la Espada, is given as 171(). San Jose is given as being "erected" four years later 17"2(). This does not mean that the buildings were then erected, but simply that in that year it was determined to establish Missions in suitable localities on Spain's frontiers for the purposes of subjecting, christianizing and civilizing In- dian tribes and of firmly establishing Spain's right to these regions of territory to which she laid a just claim. It was in the year 1730 that the Mission of Nues- tra Sefiora de la Concepcion Purissima de Acuiia was located as the report says on the site that it now occupies in the neighborhood of the Capital Town of the Province. The Church records show that the foundation stone of this Mission was laid March o, 1731, about the time that the Mission San Jose was completed, and that taking twenty-one years to build it was completed in 1752. The won- * Translation from the " Infornie Oficial " of Connt-Revilla-gigedo, Viceroy of Mexico 17!t;>. Aktici.e lltli. " On the third expedition of the year 1"1(>, nine friars of the College of Santa Cruz of Que- retaro and of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Zacatecas together with the Superior or President, V. P. Fr. Antonio Margil de Jesus established six missions in the most northerly part of the Province (Texas) and a few years thereafter another was built near the Presidio of Our I.ady del Pilar dc los Adaes distant seven leagues from the fort of Nachitoches in I, Our I.ady de la Concepciou, San Juan Capistrano and San Francisco de la Espatla were transferred to the sites they now occupy in the neighbor- hood of the Capital Town of the Province (San Antonio) and the other three were extinguished in the year 177-1 as may be seen by Article 22 of the instructions contained in the Royal Regulations of the Presidios which His Majesty ordered dispatched iindcv dale of lOlh September 177-." MISSION CONCEPCION. 15 der is, not that it took so long ])ut that it could be completed in the time by the founders, with materials to find, manufacture and hew, and with the necessit> of teaching an intraclal)lc i)eo])lc, strange to intluslrv, at once, how to labor and the arts. The reader is referred to the ground phuis of the Missions illu.strated in this i)Ook and he will realize how enormous in the wilderness and with such difficulties was the undertaking. Mission Concepcion was built like the others for worship, for scholastic pur- poses and for defence. The barracks that surrounded the square have long since disappeared and what was for a period the home of ho.spitality and the strong- hold and refuge of many wayfarers and travellers and alive witli the daily toil ot its little community and the quick purpo.se of its founders, is now (|uiet and deserted, a relic, and but for the occasional service in the chapel is an institution that has served its day. It is pathetic, realizing that there is no help for the.se grand old monuments of the past but to fall more and more into decay. Mission Concepcion is the best preserved Mission of Texas. Its ''twin towers" and Moorish dome rising out of the brush and small timber in its vicinity arou.se wnthin one a mixture of curiosity, a sense of the incongruous and a delight of the picturesque. At the Mission lives a family, which is in charge and some one of them will bring you the key of the chapel and show you what there is to be seen, but it would be useless to try and elicit any information. To them the past of the Mission is as a sealed book and it has no romance for them. The Mission Church fronts due West, and is built in the form of a cross, with the towers forming two wings at the foot of the cross. This design corresponds exactly with that of the Church of the Alamo. The front gateway is worthy of close ex- amination. The upper part of the ornamented faoade is not an arch but a simple triangle and the arch of the doorway is, for want of a better definition, a divided polygon. In the division or center of the arch is a sliield with arms and devices, and here and there on the portal faoade are cross and scroll, and carved relief pillars at the sides ornamented with carved lozenges. In angular .spaces over the archway as .shown l)elow is the legend: AcESSA ES EL V ^ 4 > ^ < g V v-/- X which, being interi)reted, is " With these arms be mindful to the Mission's Patron- ess and Princess, and defend (or vindicate) the state of lier inn-ity." Over this 16 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. winds, circling in and out, the flagelluni or knotted scourge of the order of St. Francis, realistically carved — "Ifitwan't for the knots, 'twould be like a hair lariat," as a boy once remarked. It also has an uncanny suggestion of a hang- man's noose. These are again surmounted with other designs, and above all on the summit of the faoade is a stone bearing the date 1794, and immediately under- neath this is a shield with the initial, ^^,^ meaning, "Ave Maria." The only stained glass in all the Missions is the panes of two little windows each side of the upper part of the faoade. The front of the Mission Concepcion must have been very gorgeous with color, for it was frescoed all over with red and blue quatrefoil crosses^ of different pattern and with large yellow and orange squares to simulate great dressed stones. This frescoing is rapidly disappearing, and from but a little distance the front looks to be merely gray and undecorated stone. The topmost roofs of the towers are pyramidical and of stone, with smaller corner pyramidal cap-stones. The upper stories of the towers have each four lookout windows of plain Roman arches. The tops of the side walls of the Church and the circle wall of the central dome have wide stone serrations in the Moorish character, the points of which around the finely proportioned dome stand out like canine teeth. The towers have belfries, and at their bases, on either side of the entrance are on the right, a baptistry 11x11 feet with massive thick walls, and on the left a similar small chamber used as a vestry. The baptistry walls are fres- coed with weird looking designs, dim and faded, of the Crucifixion and " los dolores." It is quite dark in thi.s room, there being no window, and a light must be procured to examine it. A semi-circular font projects from the south wall, its half bowl carved with what appears to be a symbolical figure with out- stretched arms supporting the rim. It is a rude piece of carving, but is artistic. Inside, the stone roof of the Chapel with its series of arches and central dome, is massive but plain. In each wing of the cross are altars or altar places. In the west end is a choir loft. In the east, an altar gorgeously decked and painted in the Catholic manner, for Mass. The walls, roof, and ceiling are newly white- washed, the floor is "' Mother Earth," but some bran new seats have been pro- vided. The Chapel up till recently, was in a very neglected state. To Bishop Neraz belongs the credit of having it restored to its present state of cleanliness and comfort. He it was who re-dedicated it to Our Eady of Lourdes on May '2. 1SS7. The mission was frequently used for the quartering of troops, nolal>l_\- in 1835. Santa Anna is said to have expressed surprise that the Alamo was chosen to be defended by the Texans in \H',](\ rather than the Mission Concepcion, affecting to recognize, more effective military points in the Concepcion Mission as a strong- hold. In 1S11) the United States troops were quartered there for awhile and it is said that they cleared the chapel of an immense amount of accunuilated rubbish and bat guano. In the holes in the walls outside are to l)e found the nesting places of owls, pigeons, doves and other birds. To the south of the chapel, westerly, are a series of arches which were formerly cells, chambers and cloisters for the Mission inmates, but now u.sed as storage rooms and stables. To tlie * Tlusf (|uaticfoils arc repealed over and over a^ain in llie carved lozenges of Uic pillars in relief, and frescoes of this Mission and at San Jose. Whellier there is an> meaning attached to these i>;\rlienlar ("ornis of the cross lieyond that they are crosses, the editor is ni\at)leto discover. '■■' i ■ 1 J .^. 1 i J i 1 — n QoQGepeioi) (Aissiop. The shaded part is in ruins. The material is rough stone laid in mortar. B is the baptismal chamber. T is the room under the left tower. D stands for door, as /? for arch. There is another room above the Sacristy. The river is towards the west about % mile. Scale, 40 feet to the inch. In a work published in the Spanish language at Saltillo written by ivsteban L. Portillo and entitled "Apuntes para la Historia Antigua de Coahuila y Texas, the author on page 3a5 remarks concerning the Mission Coucepcion, apparently deriving his information from Mexican State Records :— " In order to guard it, the Monastery had a stone wall with three gateways, as well »«, two bronze cannons of an eight-ounce calibre, with a weight of 3 arrobas 8 Ubras,'' (83 lbs each). As has been said in our description of this Mission the traces of such walls are to-day hardly to be defined and these defences are not shown in the plan for fear of inac- curacy. . Wnf attire J^hm Srei/i' jfJO fir/ -J iiir/t 7^ \_^ B. trli/lltuivd. I" I t= I Sai) Jose fnissioQ. The shaded part is in ruins. D represents door, W window. The dotted lines represent arches or abutments T ":,^ "'^ for arches. The front walls are 5 feet thick, others 3% and 2% feet. Stale, jofeet to the inch. The river U to the north about Ji mile, running south of east. wr ~i^ r-i Ej \l. [jyfdoie wall ^ L KL\ "n J r^n 72 Sai) Jose Qrai^ary. F F F etc. are flying- buttresses. The dwelling is two stories high. The adobe wall is modern. The material is rough stone laid in mortar. The river is towards the north, running south of east. Scale, 20 feet to the inch. Plazcf. L»J, ! Chirrdr :Mi\ Sap Juai) /T\issioi7. Solid lines show existing works, dotted lines, old and ruined ones. The river is to the west about loo yards, flowing in a southerly direction. D is for door, W is for window. The Granary and Church are partly in ruins. Scale, 80 feet to the inch. Espada /T)i55iOQ. Solid li7ies show existing works, dotted lines, ruined works. T T T are bastions or buhuarks. A A /i A A are arched doorways. Scale, loofeet to the inch. I^eferepces Illustrating the [/ilia Capital de San Fernando, Sparjisf] Garrison, Etc. 1. The old Church of San Fernando. 2. Churchyard Burying Ground, now covered by the Cathedral of 1868-72. 3. The Presidio Garrison Barracks, long since removed. 4. The old Plaza de Armas Dwellings and Ramparts. All 3 and 4 were claimed by the city as city property and in most cases the city substantiated its claims, and, acquiring it, cleared the old buildings away. The lot marked d was the last private property to disappear- 1889. In the '40s and '50s a man named Goodman gave much trouble before he was finally ousted by law by the city. Plats of most of these properties, and the names of claimants, may be found in Book 1, City Engineer's Records. The City Hall of 1850-90, with City Jail, occupied N. W. corner, c d. 5. Properties of N. Lewis, Callaghan, Groesbeeck, et al., on Main Plaza, claimed and cleared by the city similarly to those on Military Plaza (See note 4). 6. The isolated Spanish family names on the plan are those of some of the original property holders. 7. The faintly dotted lines to and from the Veramendi and Garza Houses are the approximate routes to Zambrano Row and to the Priest House taken by the besieging companies under Milam and F. W. Johnston in 1835. The capitulation of Cos to Burleson fol- lowed in 1835. This plan is about 75 varas to the inch, Rampart Dwellings from 6 to 12 varas wide, Garrison Barracks, 20 varas wide. MIvSvSION SAN JOSfi. 17 south forming a wing- easterly are oilier buildings probably the sacristy, superior's vestries and ([uarters, these have two stories, the upper being ap- proached by a stone stair-case. The square of the Mission at this date, can very hardly be defined, but that the Mission was situated in the southeastern corner of a ramparted square is without doubt. The Mission Stjuare enclosed about four acres. The brothers of the Mission formerly owning about 100 acres. On April 10th, 17U4, the lands of Mission Concepcion were partitioned in a simi- lar manner to those of the Alamo Mission, among its Indian dependents, setting aside certain portions of the land for the payment of Government taxes. This was done by an order of the Viceroy dated 17 girls and -'J widows. In ISO") a census showed 41 souls. The name of the Mission refers first to the doctrine of the Immaculate Con- ception of the Virgin which was a new and l)urning religious question of the day. Acuna it derives from the name of the Manjuess Casa de Fuerte, Viceroy of Mexico at the time of the Mission's foundation. The Mission San Jose. Mission San Jose de Aguayo or Second Mission as it is familiarly called, is dedicated to vSt. Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary, and was "erected" or founded in the year 1720, when Marquis San Miguel de Aguayo came to be Gov- ernor of Texas ; hence the name San Jose de Aguayo. It was probably begun shortly after, during this man's Governorship, for it was the first to be finished and the day of its completion was made the occasion of locating and beginning the Concepcion, San Juan and San Francisco Missions, March 5. 1731. San Jose Mission is the most beautiful of all, and its carving is surely "a joy forever." The hand that chiseled the wonderful faoade at the main entrance of the Church, the doorway, window, and pillar capitals of the smaller Chapel, that now goes by the name of the Baptistry, was one of marvelous cunning. The faeade is rich to repletion with the most exquisite car\iiig. Figures of Virgins and Saints with drapery that looks like drapery, cherubs" heads, sacred hearts, ornate pedestals and recesses with their conch-like canoi)ies, and cornices wonderful. The door way, pillar and arch, is daring in its unique ornamentation — showing in its com- bination of form the impression of Moorish outlines. Otherwise the whole faeade is rich Rennaissance — figures and hearts alone with aiiylhing realistic about them. All other ornamentation is conventional but with nothing stiff", every curve showing a free hand. The window above the areluva\- is a simple wreath of such acanthus-like curves and conchoids of surpa.ssing workmanship. The south window of the Baptistry is considered by good judges the finest gem of architectural ornamentation existing in i^.merica to-day. Its curves and propor- tions are a perpetual delight to the eye, and often as the writer has seen and ex- amined it, it is of that kind of art which does not satiate, but ever reveals some fresh beauty in line or curve. And to think that men can be found who can ruthlessly deface these for the sake of possessing a piece of the material. Was it not that the sculptor saw the perfect statue in the stone ? Surely here the fool IN SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. sees only the stone in the material that has been given a beauty not its own. If stones ever do cry out, it is when they are alive with this touch of genius. " Do you not know me; does no voice within Answer my cry, and say we are akin ?" But can these desecrators have any kinship with Art ? It is not the Texan or the Mexican who has done these things. Kendall says, writing of '42, " though the Texan troops were long quartered here, (San Jose) the stone carv- ings have not been injured." And this was in wartime when men are more than usually bent on destruction. Turn to the foundation plan of San Jose. It will be .seen how extensive these Mission buildings are. They are placed in the northeast corner of the square, running almost due east and west. " The Mission San Jo.se consists also of a large square, and numerous Mexican families still make it their residence. To the left of the gateway is the granary." So says Kendall. The gateway is gone to-da3'. The granary, with its strong and curious flying buttresses and arched stone roof, is still there and in it families make a home. The road still enters the Mission Square just at the right of the granary, where the old en- trance was. Here you are in full view of the facade of the Mi.ssion Buildings with the square spreading out to the right or south of the long main building of the Mission. The Mexican families .still exist in huts erected upon the ruins of the ramparts of the Mission Square, and in a few years these now hardly to be defined foundations will have been " improved " trom the place. At the south- western corner of the Mission buildings is a belfry tower, about sixt}^ feet high. It has four lookout windows and a pyramidical stone roof. Tucked in the angle made by this tower and the .south wall of the large Chapel, is a peculiar round tower to accommodate the winding stairway of solid hewn wooden steps to the second story of the belfry tower. Frqm the second story are very curious stairs or ladders made of solid tree trunks notched and dressed with an axe, leading to the upper lookout of the tower. Here, are to be had some fine views of the country. All over the tower chamber's walls are thousands of names of visitors. Only a small portion of the large stone roof of the main Chapel remains and much of the north wall has gone, leaving a great ugly gap on this .side and the remnant of the roof verj^ unsafe in appearance. These portions of the Chapel with its dome fell in with a great crash on a stormy night of December, 1S()S. To the .south of the main Chapel is a smaller one, the window and carving of which were referred to above. This is roofed by three domes, the tops of the enclosing walls being serrated, all quite in Moorish style. The entrance to this Chapel is from the east from an ante-chamber or wing of the cloisters. The arch and side- stones of the entry door are beautifully sculptured, and here, there still remain, much chipped, once finely carved, cedar double doors, and although so badly dam- aged they suggest to one's mind what the l)eaut3^ of the front doors or gates at the fa<_'ade of the main Chapel might ha\e lieen. In this little Chapel services are still occasionally held. Its altar is decked with ^au(l\ i);ilcliwork of a distinctly Mexican de.ugn, niul ni:iii\ a liltie lnnnper\-, h\- wa\- of offering is placed there liy the simple and believing women folk of the place. Some t)f the details of the cai)itals of the pillars, the font and other carving of this little Chapel are illustrated in this book. There are two ancient Spanisli pictures, one hanging each side of the MISSION SAN JOSlv. 19 altar, nuich the worse for a.<;e, scenes from the life of St. Josepli. One is very plainly Ihe " Kliglit into Egypt." Tlie other, more difficult to make out, is most likely a picture of the Circumcision. The fan-like fluted canopies of the window and recesses have a pretty architectural effect. The cloisters and cells, which were of two stories, are (piite extensive with a double series of arches stretching eastwardly from the main building. The outside arches are plain, wide semi- circular arches, and pointed (/iothic arches inside and on the second floors. The.se monastic additions to the Mission had formerly fallen very much into decay, but in ISo*) some Benedictine fathers arrived here from St. Vincent's Abbey in the Pittsburg Diocese, Pennsylvania, wath the intention of rebuilding these rooms and cloisters for scholavStic purpo.ses. The intention was only par- tially carried into effect. The industrious fathers rebuilt many of the upper Gothic arches, as far as can be learned, manufacturing their own red bricks for that purpose and the making of the big oven at the east end. What finally inter- fered with this purpose of the Benedictines it is difhcult to discover, but it is more than likely that wars and rumors of wars and an unsettled epoch had much to do with the abandonment of their project, adding one more unfinished chapter to the heroic historv of the Catholic Church in Texas. Notwithstanding their irrigation ditches and the proximity of the River to all the four Missions, the constructors did not forget one important itein — water, in case of the community being confined to the Mission Square. Each of the Missions has a substantially built, serviceable well, sunk close to the main building. San Jose was erected under more than ordinary difficulty, the builders being under constant fear and expectation of attack by hostiles. Perhaps fear is a word too foreign to the natures of these brave and religious pioneers who struggled with such pious determination to sirccess. It must have been very disheartening to find that all their faithful labor was in vain, though no record of any such ex- pression is extant. Captain Pike, who in his famous expedition visited this Mission in 1S07, relates that the Priest told him that " it appeared to him that the Indians could not exist under the shadow of the whites — as the nations who formed the San Antonio Missions had been nurtured and taken all the care of that it was possible, and put on the same footing as the Spaniards ; yet, notwith- standing they had dwindled away until the other two Missions (San Juan Capes- trana [sic] and Ea Purisima Concepcion)* had become entirely depopulated, and the one where he resided had not then more than sufficient to perform his hou.se- hold labor. From this he had formed an idea that God never intended them to form one people, but that they should alwaws remain distinct and separate." t Bi.shop Neraz thinks the figures on the front of San Jose to be, The \'irgin. San Jose, San Benedict, San Augustine and San Francisco. Other authorities have given a slight variation of this list. The front was frescoed in red, blue and yellow in pretty designs, l)ut this is now \-ery difficult to discern. * Ccusus of 1805 .showed forty -one soul.s in Mission Conccpcion. i This extract from " Pike's Expedition " is taken from Yoakum's History, Vol. I., p. lil. With regard to this— Where are the nations of the Indian ("with Iialfhis face vermilion") mentioned in the Records of Marri.iges of Mission Concepcion ? (See Interview with Bishop Neraz) • Kven with the- g) )d Knight Charlemain I '• 20 SAX ANTONIO DE BKXAR. Mission of San Juan. The Third Mission, or Mission San Juan de Capistrano was named after Santa Giovanni di Capistrano, a friar of the Franciscan order who was born in the year loS() in the little town of Capistrano in the Abruzzi in Italy, or rather in what was formerly the kingdom of the two Sicilies. The Mission was begun in 1~'M on March nth. It is situated on the left or east bank of the river about six miles from San Antonio, a very picturesque locality by the San Juan ford and bridge. The settlement there is called Berg's Mill after a Scouring Mill erected some years ago. The S. A. & A. P. R. R. Depot goes by that name also. About a half mile from this settlement on the right or west bank of the River is the old aqueduct already alluded to in the introductory to the Missions — this aqueduct takes water over the Piedra creek for the use of the Fourth Mission lands. Mission San Juan is less remarkable and distinguished than the other two just described but has its points of interest. Its .square is well defined and the design of a complete Mission can be made out with less difficulty here and at the Fourth Mission than at the others. Its little granary, its chapel, its ruined convent or monastery which must hav^e been a building of some importance in its day, and the foundations of a chapel which was never completed are all objects of interest. These main buildings unlike those of the First and Second Missions form parts of and are built into the boundary or rampart walls. A number of Mexican families live here, some of the members of which possess marked Indian features. In the neighborhood of San Juan there are more traces of the Indian in faces and characteristics than anywhere else in Texas. The best time to note this is on a Sunday afternoon when they usually congregate at one of the houses near the ford for their weekly cock fight which seems to be the excitement of the community, that is among the men. The Chapel of San Juan is very plain and simple in construction. Just four walls — the tower being merely an elevation of a portion of the East wall with open arches in it for bells. There is still one bell left. The Chapel is roofless except for one small room at the south end which is walled off by an adobe wall and which is u.sed as a Sacristy, vestry, and receptacle for the small remaining stock of figures, books, pictures and other such bric-a-brac. The inside of the walls of the Chapel, however, will afford to such as care for that sort of thing a few min- utes interesting study in rude frescoing. The frescoes are almost obliterated by exposure to the weather andthe wonder is that they have not long since been washed entirely ofi" by heavy rains. They are a curious mixture of Old and New World ideas. Detail of Moorish design, a Roman arch, an Indian figure and pigments. "The.se frescoes,' says Father Bouchu. "I think are of later date than the comple- tion of the Chapel and they were probably permitted, to satisfy the Indian na- ture's love of color." A painted rail aljout four feet high running around the Chapel first attracts the eye, then the elaborately painted Roman Arch in red and orange over the doorway. The design of this decoration is decidedly of a Moorish caste, zigzag strips and lilocks of color with corkscrew and tile work, and pillars of red and orange blocks. These pillars are al)out twelve feet high and support another line or rail of color and upon this upper line are a series of fig- ures of musicians each playing a different instrument. The figures for some rea- son are much more indi.stinct than their instruments, the latter being accurately 1 "' .1 ■ ' '\. i '( MIvSSIOX SAN FRANCISCO. 21 drawn and easy to distinguish. There is one of these fij^ures over the frescoed arch of the door. It is a mandolin ])hiyer. Tlie player is indi.stinct, portions of his chair and instrument plainer, the latter can he made out to be of dark brown color with the finger board and keys, red. To the right of him is a violin player, the be.st preserved sample of all —the violin and bow are quite distinct, .so are the features of the face of the figure, his hair is black, lips red, face and legs or- ange, feet black, the body of the violin orange, the rest of him and the bow red. To the right of him again is a guitar player, dres.sed in a bluish green color, sitting in a red chair, the instrument is quite di.stinct. Directly opposite this figure vis a vis is a viol player; the instrument being held by the player, finger board up, from the left shoulder across the body ; head, hands, instrument and bow being distinct, but the body of him is "played out."" To the right of this gho.stly looking viol pla5^er is a harp and a chair but the player is either invisible or van- ished. The lower rail, which is the nnich more elaborate of the two, supports here and there a flower pot and flowers in incongruous colors of blui.sh green and dull red^carnations and roses being prime favorites, with an occasional cross on a painted pedestal or dado. If there is any record of the partition of the lands of this Mission it has not been discovered, at any rate with regard to the rooms in the ramparts it seems to have been customary at the Missions that a number of years occupation of rooms or barracks in any Mission gave some kind of title or claim to those rooms to the occupants. The Mission Government was generous to its converts and depend- ants. The Missions were projected for their benefit. This must explain such doctiments as that which may be found in the County Records dated January 2Sth, 1826, which relates that Maria de las Santos Lopez and Bartara de las Santos lyopez who were then occupying three rooms in the Mission San Juan conveyed the same to the Province of Texas for the sum of $84.00 January 28th, 1826. This sum was paid to them by Antonio Saucedo. then Chief Justice. Mission San Francisco de la Espada. The Fourth Mission or Mission San Francisco de la Espada, was ''erected " as were Missions Concepcion and San Juan, in the year ITK), ])ut it was not lo- cated and begun to be built until March -"ith, 17-"!1. It is situated on the right or west bank of the San Antonio River al)out nine miles iVom the city, and is dedicated to San FVancisco de la Espada, that is, to St. l-'rancis of Assi;5si, the founder of the great order of Franciscans, but the question arises, whence " de la Espada ? " St. Francis of the sword ? Tradition says that the old tower of the Chapel was built in the form of the hilt of a sword, and that the imagination of the founders supplied length to the blade to complete the similarity to the whole weapon. Perhaps it was that Uiey were posses.sed with a portion of the spirit of that Greek parent whose son complained of the shortness of his sword; "Add a step to it, my son ! " The allusion to the sword may have had some reference to the period of the awakening of St. Francis after his early iilne.ss, for it is related of him that he did not know at first whether he was called to be a valiant soldier and knight, or to be a faithful .servant of the Church Militant. 2-2 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. Parts of the ramparts or enclosing walls of this Mission are prett}' well pre- served, others are in total rnins, but the foundations of the limits can be clearly made out all around except at points facing the banks of the River. The Square is of irregular shape as will be seen by the plan furnished. In the southeast corner is an object of much interest. Projecting from the angle of the walls outwardly, is a small round tower of quite a feudal character. It is in a state of fine preservation and its three dressed stone round cannon holes near the base, and its seven musket holes about eight feet from the ground, lend it quite a menacing presence. The interior of it is iir equally good repair, and one cannot refrain from conjuring up vivid scenes of fights with Indians in those early days of the Mission struggles with the red man — of women handing out the loaded muskets from the secure chambers to the right and left rear, of the unerring marksmen making it very hot for the attacking hostile, with an occasional lull in which is run out a small brass swivel gun* to the dimunitive embrasure, which makes the Apache or Comanche wish he were safe home in his fastness among the hills of Bandera. And it might have been that the recent remembrance of the total destruction of the San Saba Mission and the massacre of its inmates in 17oS lent some zest to these en- counters. For while these old Missionary pioneers were ever anxious to deal ten- derly with any hostile, yet unfortunately there were occasions when sternness was necessary, • That they might feel The velvet scabbard held a sword of steel." There was another of these ' ' baluartes ' ' or bastions on the south wall by the road, west of this one, but no trace of it is to be found. The chambers to the west of the existing "baluarte" have, looking out upon the square, alternate doors and arches, and one of the wide arched entrances still exists. The rooms to the north have been fitted up for a school house by Rev. Father Bouchu. who is wonder- fully active and persevering. He knows something of many subjects, which he has practically proved here at the Mission. "Padre Francisco " is Priest, law- yer, bricklayer, stone mason, photographer, historian, printer. His little pamph- lets in Spanish would be a credit to an office of much larger pretensions. He has lived in this community for many years and is well versed in information pertain- ing to the history of the Missions, and being himself one of those Priests who join with their vocation a knowledge of practical handicraft, he enters into the spirit of the founders with more than ordinary keenness. He is simple, unaffected, and garrulous, and meets the wants of the little settlement. He has built with his own hands upon the ruin of the old Convent and arcade a comfortable Priest house. Under his rule the Mission Chapel has been almost entirely renewed, the front only retaining a portion of its ancient work. The Chapel is in the form of a cross. The front is the belfry tower and is that portion that is supposed to represent the likeness to a sword— perhaps it bore more of that resemblance be- fore its restoration. Its three bells clang out three times a day, and would be startling on the still country air to one who was ignorant of the vicinity of the Mission. It is said that some of the Mission bells were cast in San Antonio in its earliest days, so there is no knowing what these old Missionaries did not come ' Mr. Albert Maverick has one of these little Spanish brass gnns as an oinanicnl or curiosity in his drawing looni. MISSION SAN FRANCISCO. 23 preixired to do. Tliere arc sex'cral pretty little bits of wron.^ht iron work in tliis and tlie other Missions. Here is another artistic accomplishment to be added to the list of those possessed by the fathers. The entrance door of the Chapel is un- mistakably Moorish, havin*; the true Alhanibra shape and lines. Sebastian Tejada, the Mi.ssion's oldest resident, maintains that there was still another place of worship on the inside of the South wall by the road, here was the old main South entrance and the Granary was l)uiU projecting lengthwise outside the w^alls by the same entrance. Only the bare foundation of these two buildings now exist. Opposite the old Con\ent is the well which was never forgotten in the building of a Mission. The Conv^ent, its yard, (which form now the Padre's residence) and the Chapel or Church are built into and form portions of the western ramparts. A plan and three illu.strations of this Mission are included in this book. Several Mexican families still reside in tumble-dowm huts on the lines of the Mission Sc^uare. It was this Square that the Texan Army of Independence made their first camping ground — on the place that is now much overgrown with mesquite brush. Here Stephen F. Austin joined the troops as Commander in Chief upon his escape from Mexico, and where — " but that is another story," — An interview with Sebastien Tejada will perhaps be of some interest. An interview with Sebastien Tejada, an old and intelligent Mexican, who was born in one of the Mission Dwellings in 1818, Mission Francisco de la Es- pada or Fourth Mission. Interview held on May 20th, 1S'.)(). In reply to many questions he stated substantiall}- as follows : "I w^as born here in IS];;. I have lived here all m\- life. I was born aliout the time that Arredondo came through. This Mission seems to be much the same as when I first remember it, — only some of the buildings were more com- plete. I remember the Convent before it was so much altered. I remember the arcades (row of arches of the Convent) and the granary which projected from the entrance on the southern boundary. Also the foundations of the old Church in- side the walls projected from the granary — the present Church is quite new, except the front. I do not remember ever seeing the " baluarte " — (the fortified tower on the southeastern corner) — used but I have heard of its being used against the In- dians. Yes I remember the hostile Indians coming upon us many times — but they were general!)- fought in my time inside the square of the Mission. The dwellings used to be much more used formerly. We used to have and house friendly Indians, but they mostly left at last. I remember when there were three Padres to do service here. The old Church was pulled down about fifty years ago. Dependants of the Mission used to live in the barracks at the corner where the baluarte is. I remember another "baluarte" at the entrance opposite the granary. The walls by the other entrance of the western boundary had loop holes, too, but not round towers. I remember often the Spanish troops camping here. I remember Bowie well, he married Gov. \'eramendi's daughter. He was a fine looking, fair man. I remember the army of Austin and Fannin camping here in 1.S3-"). They camped in the middle of the Plaza. Many colonists (he called them coloni.sts of his own accord which was a touch of old days) came here at that time. I remember Santa Anna, I saw him. He had one leg. I re- 24 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. member ven- well that the dead of the Alamo fight were burnt. The Texans separately from the Mexican dead. It was the Mexican custom to thus burn their dead after battle. I remember the fight well. I don't know what the Tex- ans defended in the Alamo, but thought it was the whole Mission walls. I don't know. I knew Seiiora Candelaria formerly. She is old, may be a hundred. She might hav^e been in the Alamo during the fight. Quien Sabe." HERE ENDETH THE FOURTH MISSION. The Plazas. These open spaces which are characteristic of Latin America, and to a great extent of Texas are as follows, beginning in the east and traveling westward : Alamo Plaza. — Is the outcome of an original space around the Alamo, added to by the destruction of its outworks the " Muralla del Alamo." It has recently been converted into a beautiful garden and surrounding it are the follow- ing buildings of interest : The Church of the Alamo, the Opera House and Club, the Federal Building, and the Menger Hotel. This ground was the scene of Santa Anna's bloody assaults on the Alamo in March, 1836. Main Plaza. — Is situated on the west side of the business heart of the city and is connected with Alamo Plaza by Commerce and North Alamo street. This Plaza was anciently named La Plaza de las Yslas, and fronting on it and running back to the Military Plaza is the Cathedral of San Fernando, formerly the old Parish Church and yard. This square is also laid out as a handsome pleasure ground. Military Plaza,— Or, La Plaza de Armas, lies a block to the west of Main Plaza and, pre\'ious to the erection of the new Municipal Building, which occupies a site in its centre, was from time inmiemorial the heart of Mexican life. The small vendors, the freighters, the pastores, peones and vaqueros, all congre- gated here. Here, too, still stand the old Court House and Jail, commonly called the " Bat Cave." At night, in the olden time, and in a modified form up to within a few months, was to be seen a unique spectacle of open air life belonging rather to the tropics than to any part of the realm of Uncle Sam. Imagine a large .square at that time badly lighted as to municipal illumina- tion, but ablaze with small camp fires and flaming lamps swinging above rows of improvised and shaky tables. All night long one might be served here with viands hot from the Mexican cuisme — Chi/icon came, Tamales, Enchiladas, Chili verde, frijoles and the leather-like tortillas. The more fastidious American might enjoy delicately fried eggs and chicken with a cup of fair coffee, followed, perchance, by a corn-shuck "r/^a;vv," rolled by the hand of the dark-eyed " muchacha " in charge. These a/ /resco restaurateurs have been hunted by electric lights and city im- provements from Plaza to Plaza, until now a poor remnant of them may be found still further west on Milam S(|uare near the grave of the hero, whilst a few others !t!^ T "/^-S >IICE AT SAN JOS£. Till- MIMTAKV IvSTAI'.I.ISIIMl'XT, ir, cling tenaciousl\' to a coii^ii of vantage in front of the- l'"c(kral huildiiin on Alaiiuj Plaza in the east. Hy the tourist " from the states," these peripatetic tal)les are eaj^erly sought for as a curiosity to be seen, but only to be patronized in a <;ingerly kind of way from a weak misgiving as to the origin of the victuals. As day dawns and the lamps show dinnner, these queer hotel keepers put out their fires and folding tlieir tables, '" silently steal away " until another night. -^' THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT. Headquarters Department of Texas and the Post of San Antonio. The Post of San Antonio now established on Government Hill, about one mile north of the city, had its official beginning in lSG-3. This date, however, is only that of a new birth, and for those who are interested in such matters, we append to the purely "Guide Book" information of this page some further re- marks on the Military history of San Antonio from a much earlier date. The Present Post, then, went to housekeeping in 18()o, immediately after the war, in buildings hired for the purpose The troops remained here until 187o, when the3^ were withdrawn under Special Order No. 148, Headquarters Depart- ment Texas, dated August 7th of that year. They returned in accordance with Special Order No. 158, dated August •28th. PSTo, from the same Headquarters. After many changes, as set forth hereafter, the present magnificent site was occupied under orders dated December 2(Jth, ls~\), — the occupation, so far as the Post was concerned, taking place on the '22d of the same month, the Department Headquarters remaining some time longer in the city. The following will be of interest to visitors : The hill is reached by the Belknap Street Cars, Avenue C. line. The Post is situated on a rolling plateau, overlooking the city, and elevated 7<)'2 feet above the Gulf of Mexico in latitude 29°-2(r 'A'.V' north, and 1)8° 27' ■'>■'>"' west longitude. There is a telegraph office at Department Headquarters and a railway con- nection between the Quartermaster's Depot and the Southern Pacific system. The buildings were begun on June 21st, 1S77, P,raden & Angus, contractors, and have only recently been completed, the Government Hospital being built in 1885 and the "New Post," contracted for September lo, 1888. The}- are tastefully- designed, as will be seen from the accompanying illustrations, and are located on a reservation of l()2.21 acres. Of this noble site, so worthily occupied by Uncle Sam, '.»2.7-> acres were donated by the city ; l'.».].s were acquired liy purchase, April 2sth, 18,S1 ; P.».2!) acres by decrees of the r>istrict Court of Bexar County, dated April 7th and May 25th, 1883, and .115 acres were granted by the city of San Antonio to complete the donation heretofore referred to. *Refcreiicc i-< liad for further particulars as to tliese interesting public places to the accompanying- maps of I, a Villa Capital dc San Fernando, and the map of the heart of the modern city, also to many further details in historical portions of this work. 26 SAN ANTONIO ni-: l^vXAR. It will be noted, further on. that other sites had been offered to the Govern- ment by the city authorities, both before and after the war. but for various reasons none of them were accepted. In addition to the Officers' Quarters of the '' Old " and " New " Posts and the extensive Barracks, are the Department Offices and Ouartern.aster's Depot, the following data will give an idea of their importance : They are built around a quadrangle 024 feet square, the main facade fronting south is 499 feet G inches by o;> feet and two stories high. The north front is ()24 feet by MO feet and of one story ; the whole comprising oO store rooms, 20 offices, extensive work .shops and a cellar. In the center of the quadrangle is a tower formerly u.sed as a water tower, and containing a clock. It is 88 feet high, and from its summit a fine view of the city and its environs may be obtained. Below lies the town with the San Antonio River meandering .southward on its tortuous way to the Gulf, doubling aiul turn- ing on its journey, as tho' loath to leave the scenes of its birth. Military Drills. — A feature of Post life, of probably the most interest to visitors, is the Dre.ss Parades and other military functions which are constantly taking place on the hill. They occur as follows : Drills. — Almo.st daily, the time varying with the season of the year. Dress Parade, generally on Tuesday and Thursday at the hour before sun-.set. The Monthly Muster and Inspection takes place on the last day of each month, usually about 10 a. m., it is an iiiteresting sight. Guard Mount, with full band, occurs daily about 8:30, a. m., l)ut the hour is sometimes changed during the in- tense heat of summer. The Organization of the Dei)artment and Post may be learned in great de- tail from the Roster issued monthly from the office of the x\ssistant Adjutant General of the Department. The Arsenal is located far from the Post on South Flores street and may also be reached by the Belknap line of street cars. It is commanded by an officer of the Ordnance Corps, Major Babbitt, who constitutes one of the Department Com- mander's Staff" and supplies the troops with ammunition and accoutrements. At the Post are quartered Brigadier General Stanley, commanding the De- partment, and his Personal and Departmental Staff's. Col. Black commanding the Post with four troops of Cavalry, two Batteries of Light Artillery and six com- panies of Infantry, and Col. Weeks Chici nuaitcrmaster, in charge of the De- partment Depot and Offices. The following is a list of the Po.st Conunanders. The history of the De- partment is treated elsewhere. Capt. N. Prime, lOth Infantry up to June. \s~:\, afterwards transferred to Fort McKavett. Ca])t. J. W. I'Vencli, Jul\-, \^~-'>. lield connnand until the rcinoxal of the troops in August and SL-j)tend)er of the same year. Capt. iMench was transferred to I'ort Clark. NOTKS ON MIMTARV Al-l-AIRS. 27 Capt. vSfllers returned with the troops ( Co. I), Kith Infantry) in Auj;ust, In7">. Capt. Wilson, April. Is77, Co. I-:, 10th Infantry. Major McMillen, Deccniher li'th, 1^77, in command of four comi)anies of the 2nd Artillery at Camp Guilford Bailey (the lower portion of the present '"old" post) with Capt. Patterson and Company A, 2()th Infantry, stationed in town. Capt. Patterson and his Compan_\ were transferred to Fort Brown in June, isso. Col. Shaffer, June. ISSO, si.x: Companies, Ist Infantry, afterwards transferred to Fort Davis. Capt. Dicke}-, Uecember, 1S90, Co. E, 22nd Infantry, afterwards transferred to New Mexico. Col. Otis, October, 1888, two Troops, 8th Cavalry, increased by four companies, l(]th Infxuitry. Col. Otis was transferred with the Sth Cavalry to Dakota in October, 1887. Captain I,ancaster, commanding Battery "F," ord Artillery, arrived in December, 1882 Capt. Lancaster was relieved in November, ISSC), by Capt. Burbank — the Battery remaining here. Col. vSmiih, May, 1888, the Kith Infantry left for Utah and were replaced by six Companies of the 19th Infantry\ Col. Black, May, 18*)0, lUth Infantry leaves and are replaced by six Companies, 2;h-d Infantry; four troops, ord Cavalry and one Battery of Light Artillery. These troops, with the Battery of Artillery before mentioned, now constitute the Garrison of the Post of San Antonio. Some Further Notes on Military Affairs. Perhaps it is because of the Wars and rumors of Wars which have made up so much of the life of San Autonio in the past, that everything military is popular with its citizens. It is purposed in the following article to trace the history of the present huge establishment from its birth in humble surroundings, thence through a checkered career of weary wanderings to its final abode on Govern- ment Hill. That San Antonio is a natural strategic point, has been recognized by Aboriginals, Spanish, French, Mexicans, Texans and both the National and Con- federate Cjovernments ; thus its development has been but a natural growth, sometimes aided, and sometimes impeded, by local intluences. From the end of the seventeenth century, Spanish troops had marched and counter-marched in the valley and acro.ss the country, taking promiscuous quar- ters, as occasion demanded and opportunity offered. The French traversed the country in 1714, and somewhat disturbed the sleepy security of the Spanish soldiers, but nothing came of the raid. What a country Texas must have been in those days for rapid campaigning I Little need for tents or nuich baggage. Unlimited forage and game made the Quartermaster's office, in the olden time, almost a sinecure. Enough Indians to keep the troops on the (]iii vivc, an occa- sional lack of water or perhaps an excess from swollen streams, together with a more frequent scarcity of corn, were the chief impediments to the annexations of their Catholic and Chri.stian Majesties of Spain and France, — Catholic truly in their territorial views. 28 SAN ANTONIO DK BKXAR. The first permanent Barracks, in the city, were built on the north side of the Military Plaza, in 177o, by Baron de Ripperda, and shortly after the seculariza- tion of the Alamo, a company of volunteers from San Carlos dc Parras was quartered in the building. After a period of nearly forty years of peace, the Mexican revolutions and Texas counter-revolutions plunged the province into a .series of military con- vulsions between Repviblicans, Royalists, later Dictatorships and Texan patriots, which culminated in the Fall of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, a set- tlement of the question only disturbed by two subsequent raids from across the Rio Grande. During all these disturbances, the color of the Military Post of San Antonio varied with the fortunes, of war, and the soldiers billets were the desecrated Missions and the homes of afflicted citizens. These expeditions are treated at length in other portions of the work, and their terniination brings us to the period of annexation in lS45-4(i, the occupation of Corpus Christi by Zachary Taylor and his advance into Mexico. These events led to action, on the part of the United States authorities, with a view to establishing a permanent military post in San Antonio. Col. Harney was on the ground as early as 1845; and in 1S46 the City Council (Bryan Callaghan, the elder, being Mayor ; C. F. King, pro temp.) offered the Govern- ment one hundred acres at San Pedro Springs for the purpo.se in question.. The location at the Springs was not accepted, and for obvious reasons, the ground being comparatively low and easily commanded ; so on March '2d, 1S4(), the Council appointed a committee to reconsider, and on January 2d, 184/, the records .say that the "grant" was "rescinded." In the meantime soldiers re- mained in the city and, after a temporary sojourn in the Military Plaza, the Alamo was occupied as a Quartermaster's Depot by Major Babbitt, this branch of ihe service continuing there until 1878, with the exceptions of the period covered by the Civil War and a subsequent removal of the troops to Austin, as noted elsewhere. The United States held possession of this property pending a suit between P.ishop Odin and the city, to try title, and demurred to a demand of the latter for rent. The suit was won by the Bishop. In islDthe Council again proposed a site for barracks on Military Plaza, this offjr was rejected on the score of insufficient room, and besides, the grant was to be hampered with conditions, an element in titles which the United States never entertains. At this time. General Worth, commanding, lived at the James homestead on Commerce street, where he died May 7th, 1841), of cholera. He was buried near the Head of the River, his body afterwards being taken to New York. He establi.shed a camp at the Concepcion Mission and another at the Head of the River whose Springs are officially known as the Worth Springs. The Headquarters were then established on the North side of Main Plaza. After the war the Arsenal was removed from a building near the Veramendi House, corner Houston and vSoledad street, to its presiMit home on Soulli 1-lores street, whicli had been ]ire])aring fi)r it since is.V.I. NOTlvS ON MIMTARV Al'I'AIRS. 29 The following;- is a list of iuililar\' coiumaudatits from the first occupation of San Antonio by the National troops : Cvol. Marne\-, ISloC, ; General Worth, to IS 11) — he djang here of cholera ; General Harney ; General Percival Smith, Headquarters at Corpus Christi ; Albert Sydney Johnson, Headquarters, Vance House, San Antonio, to iSoJ. General Twiggs* succeeded, but being unjustly court-martialed on a trivial charge, Robert E. L^ee took command, entering the town February 21st, ISOO. He had previously been with Jos. E. Johnston, Colonel commanding at Concho, Lee being Lieutenant Colonel at the time. He remained only a few months, and General Twiggs was again in command at the outbreak of the war; from him and Col. Reeves, the public property was acquired by a committee of citizens consist- ing of S. A. Maverick, P. N. Luckett and T. J. Devine. The same gentlemen served to restore what they could at the close of the War in LS65. After the War, the Headquarters were removed to the French I'uilding on Main Plaza, and afterwards to Austin. General Reynolds, commanding ISC)'.) to January, 1S72. General Augur, conunanding January, 1S72, to March, 1S7-"), troops removed. General Ord, commanding Ajn-il. iSTo, to December, ISSO, Headquarters returned to San Antonio November, 1S7-"). General Augur, (2nd term) commanding January, 18S1, to October, ISSo. General Mackenzie, commanding November, ISS:;, to Decem])er, 1SS3. General Stanley, commanding May, 1SS4, to date. Lieut. Col. Robt. E. Lee boarded at the Hostelry (kept by Mrs. Phillips, where the St. Leonard now stands). General Twiggs lived near tlie Mi.ssion Garden. There was some excitement in the city during the transfer of the property, and mustering ot Volunteers and some talk of resistance, but everything was arranged without blood-shed. Without reflecting on General Twiggs it is undoubtedly a fact that his sympathies, at least, were with the citizens. Taking up the history of the Headquarters proper, we find that in ls.")7 the Headquarters were at the Vance House ; they remained there all through the war, being then under the Stars and Bars. In 1S(;.''), the Federal Headquarters were established in the "French Building" until they were removed to Austin in LSGS), the troops following in August and September, LS7o. The Headquarters returned to San Antonio in November of 1S7-'). and in 1S7S were established in a building erected for the purpose, by the Maverick family, on Houston street (now the Maverick Hotel) ; and during the same month, the Quartermaster's Depot on the Hill was completed, the reservation having been acquired as noted in the foregoing article, beginning with the first *There is an amusing anecdote coiuieetfil with tlie coiut-martialing of Gencml Twiggs which has the advantage of being authentic. He had been ordered by the Secretary of War, to publish an order reflecting upon himself. Discipline prevailed, but to save his amotir piopre, the Oeneral appended a statement of his own , in order, as he says, that " the antidote may go with the poison," the order was thus issued, despite the calmer suggestions of his Adjutant-General, Col. Withers. Twiggs was court-martialed, escaped with a reprimand and returned to the command of the Department. 30 SAN ANTONIO DIv BEXAR. donation by the citj'. February l(')th. 1S70, accepted by the General Government in June. 1S71. In IS?;', General Sheridan, W. \V. Belknap, Secretary of War, and General Meyers came to San Antonio on business connected with the proper establishment of the Headquarters of the Department of Texas. There was an effort made to keep them in Austin or remove them to either Fort Worth or Denison. All these projects fell to the ground. On May Gth, 1875. W. W. Belknap ordered the work on the Quartermaster's building to be commenced, and the appropriation previously voted by Congress, in accordance with the acceptance of the land grant from the city, was directed to be applied for. The magnificent Post resulting from this action has been already described. The Posts of Texas were put in telegraphic communication with each other, and the Government in 1876. Owing to the extension of railway lines and other telegraphic companies, these wires were disposed of to the Erie Telegraph Com- pany, December 6th, 1883. In 1882, on behalf of the Belgian Government, Professor Housseau estab- lished a station on Government Hill for the observation of the Transit of Venus and for the collection of other astronomical data. The Professor came in August, the Transit taking place December 20th. He succeeded in getting 120 measure- ments, and Professor Hall, the American observer, obtained 204 photographs. The distinguished men who have visited and commanded at the Post of San Antonio, are personages whose lives and doings are part of a larger history than that of this Department. They have come and gone, the blue and the gray, be- fore and since the war. Theirs has been a record of duty performed, be it grap- pling with a redskin or charging at Gettysburg. In the mesquite wilderness, with none to note, they bore themselves as men and. even so, under the apple trees at Appomattox with the world looking on.* Somebody has said that the truly brave man is he that will do in solitude the most daring deed he might conceive before men. Surely this is so, and men of this kidney have made the Department what it is. They have guarded our frontier and, aided by a gallant population, have settled the Indian question in Texas. San Antonio, in the past, has seen much of the captured tribes— villains of a most villainou= type— the last to be brought in being the notorious Geronimo and his band. They were en route for location in Florida and were captured by Captain Lawton after a long pursuit in the mountains of Arizona. The present commander of the Department is Brigadier General Stank^y, a gentleman who has endeared himself officially and personally to the Slate at large. His stay has been marked by a constant exchange of friendly courtesies with the people amongst whom he has come to dwell. His name also brings our record to a close, and we trust it may be long l)efore another follows. NOTK.-Col, Willicrs was tlie A.ljiilanl CciKral ol llic ncpailiiiciil in iSr.jS-y-d,,, strviiiK <>ii tlu- slalT of tlu- following remarkable men : AU.ert Sydney Johnson, Oeneral Twiggs and that best beloved of men. Robert 1- I,ee. The Adjutants C.eneral at Headquarters, after the War, were Colouels Wood and Taylor an.l (Unerals Vincent and Kuggles. At the present time Col. Martin is the incumbent. ♦This is no figure of speech. Kil/.lnigh I,ee, as a Lieutenant under Van Dorn. was repot Ud mortally wounded in an Indian finht. The parallel, moreover, applies to all. ciirkciii-:s. 31 CHURCHES, Roman Catholic. — The strongest body of Christians in the city is that of the pioneer faith. The Roman Catholic Chnrches are well l)uilt and well attended. Of course, the old Missions down the valley are of this Cluirch. Their members are of many languages, as will be seen below. The city is the seat of a Bishopric, of which the Rt. Rev. Bishop Neraz is the present inenmijent. The following is a list of Churches : Cathedral of vSan Fernando, (Si^anislij fronting Main Plaza ; reached ])y Belknap cars. St. Joseph's, (German ) north side of Hast Commerce street; Belknap cars. vSt. Mary's, (Knglish) St. Mary's street. St. Michael's, (Polish) :;•_'(» South Street. Ursaline Convent Chapel, corner Augusta and Con\ent streets. There is also a Chapel at Iht Santa Rosa Hospital. This Hospital is one of the most important and beneficent of the fruits of Christianity in the town. The other Catholic institutions are an Orphanage, a College for males, the Ursu- line Conventual School for girls, and many parochial schools. Episcopalian. — San Antonio is the seat of the Missionary Bishopric of Western Texas, Rt. Rev. Bishop Johnston at present presiding over the see. The Churches are : St. Mark s, north side Travis Square, Rev. W. R. Richardson, Dean. St. John's, northeast corner North Cherry and Puirnet streets. St. lyuke's, northeast corner Zavalla and North Leona streets. St. Paul's, south side GraN'son street, on Government Hill. One of the results of Episcopalian effort is St. Mary's Hall, a high-class school for girls. Presbyterian. — First Presbyterian Church, corner of Houston and North P'lores streets ; reached by Belknap cars, San Pedro and Flores Street lines. Madison Square Church, reached by Belknap cars, San Pedro and P'lores Street lines. Cuml)erland Presbxterian Church, ■")-!4 Soledad street. P'ourth Ward Presbyterian Sunda\- School, A'-W) South Presa street. Baptist. — First Baptist Church, Travis Scjuare. Alamo Baptist Church, northeast corner Nacogdoches and Crockett streets. Aransas Pass Mission, corner South P'lores and Herfif streets. International Mission, corner P'rio and Hidalgo streets. Sunset Mission, corner Burleson and Cherrv streets. 32 SAN ANTONIO DIv BKXAR. Methodist. — Methodist P^piscopal Church South, Travis Square. Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, southwest corner Avenue C. and Pecan street. Methodist Ivpiscopal, south side Crosby street. German Methodist Episcopal Church, 'I'M) Villita Street. Mexican Methodist Episcopal Church, southwest corner Pecan and San Fernando streets. Tenth Street Methodist Church, .south side Tenth vStreet. Jewish.— Temple Beth-I{l, Travis Square, a Synagogue the place of worship of the influential Hebrew citizens. Rev. M. P. Jacobson, Rabbi. The City Hospital. — In the we.stern part of the city. It may be, not inaptly, mentioned here, as an evidence of the practical religion of the city Government. Many other denominations are represented, but this list will suffice for the spiritual needs of the majority of visitors. It should be mentioned, however, that the colored people have many places of worship — Catholic, Methodist and Baptist. EDUCATIONAL. Schools.— Education is well cared for in San Antonio. There are many private institutions of great efficiency, for both sexes, and the denominational establishments have been already noticed. The Public Schools are the pride of the city. There are twelve school buildings, all excellent, and under Superintendent Smith. There are about seventy-five teachers of trained ability in charge of a scholastic population largely in excess of that of any other city in the State. The Central Grammar and High School is situated on Acequia street ; Professor Schoch, Principal. It may be reached by the Belknap cars, San Pedro Ime. There are, besides, eight Ward Schools for whites, and three for the colored people. The colored people having, perhaps, most accommodation in proportion to population, than the whites, were not the latter supplemented by the denom- inational and ])rivate effort l)efore referred to. The German-English School should be mentioned, as being an old established high-class day school, and somewhat of a land mark. It is situated on South Alamo .street, and may ])e reached by the Belknap line of street cars. Eet us glance at the history of Public iCducation in San Antonio since the good Mission Fathers gave up their labor of love and patriotism. The first mention of an American Sch(M)l in Texas is in a document in the Bexar County Records, dated July -'(th, IS'is, referring to the "McClure" School. This was under Mexican rule, and was probably an institution started f(jr the benefit of the growing Au-lo-Saxon colony. About tliis time there exi.sted, also, a Spanish Public vSchool. on the ea.st line of the Military Pla/a, near the Cathedral. After this, and until is;;'.>, education in San Antonio received KDUCATIOXAL H;^ little attention. In that year the corporation evidently saw the necessity of a system of Public Education, and the question aroused general interest, for we find that on February 14th, 1889, J. H. Winchell proposed to the City Council to open a public school on the first of March ensuing, and offers to teach all that may enter therein, the English language, together with penmanship and arithmetic, provided the number shall not exceed thirty pupils. All this for the .sum of $nushin,i;- i)ai)er convinced of the great destiny of its city, and untiring in furthering; its progress. The San Antonio Daily l^ight, (evening) Rc]nil)lican. "The only Republican daily of the State," a newsy and ably edited journal. It makes local items a specialty, and is energetic in promulgating its principles according to the Light that is in it. The Express has a good "semi- weekly" edition, and the Times a weekyone. The Freie Presse fur Texas is also published here with a daily and weekly edition. It is a very inlluential German paper. El Heraldo is a Spanish weekly for those citizens who prefer the language. The Texas Stockman is what its name indicates, and circulates all over the State, being the recognized medium of the enormous stock indu.stry of Western Texas. There are other minor publications, and a Monthly Magazine, the Texas Field, devoted to sport. Stock Yards — On South Flores street are many lots given up to the Horse and Mule trade. Here may be .seen the true and only Cowboy, and with little difhculty in the matter of introductions, the tourist may make the acquaintance of stockmen whose flocks and herds brow.se upon a thousand hills. Here, too, may be met many a queer border type as may be noted in the accompanying illustrations taken from life. City Additions. — The suburban Additions to the town are numerous, and enormous sums have been spent in land, Electric Street Railways and Landscape Gardening for their development. The most important are the West End, the Alamo Heights, the Lake View, East End, Beacon Hill, and vSouthern Heights. It would be invidious to compare them. The visitor will find ample facilities to visit them all. Artesian Wells.— The finest Artesian Well of the State is the natural one formed b\- the Springs of the Head of the San Antonio River. This water comes from an enormous depth, being of an even temperature of 70° Fahr. the year round. It affords the purest possible drinking water, and is San Antonio's chief blessing. It is evident that there are several water-bearing strata, all arte- sian and of considerable volume, in the neighborhood. Mr. Brackenridge is having a well bored which is already •i-lOO feet deep, but artesian water has not yet been struck ; the boring however will continue to the depth of .'5(100 feet. The Kampmann well, sunk on the Salado to a depth of hi") feet, yields a strong sulphur water, used for medical purposes. The Crystal Ice Factory has a well of pure water at a different depth, flowing several hundred thousand gallons per diem. 36 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. The Scholz well, on the River bank, flows water slightly brackish, and by a separate pipe the same well supplies his establishment with gas. At West End clear Artesian water was reached at a depth of only 250 feet in one case, and 259 in another. These wells have their ov^erflow into the artificial lake of that suburb. In boring most of these wells, oil and gas were encountered, but the mo.st notable instance of this is that of Mr. G. Dullnig, near the Salado. It has a flow of oil which is marketed. The apparatus on the ground is extensive and altogether this subject is worthy the attention of visitors with capital to invest. Real Estate. — There are many reliable and old established Real Estate firms in the city. The stranger should consult only such, and if purchasing, it is well to get an abstract of title; this is easily obtained. Amongst all the States, Texas is peculiar in her land matters, and differs in many things, even from her ancient Spanish sisters. The United States owns no public lands within her borders, save such small tracts and parcels as may have been ceded for Military Posts, Cemeteries, or Public Buildings for Federal purposes. The old Spanish vara (33^ inches) is still a legal land measure, though, curiously enough, the Mexicans have long since discarded its use for that of the metre. We vSpeak, too, of a "league," of a " labor," or of a " suerte " of land. The titles to land in Texas are very variously derived and their origin frequently curious. We have grants from the Kings of Spain,* grants to colonists and individuals by the Republic of Mexico, and similar concessions by the Republic of Texas. Then there are Headrights, and Locations on Scrip, issued to supply the necessities of the infant State, or to reward veterans. Later we have * Yoakum, who has done more for Texas History than any other man has or now can, relates an interest- ing chapter on Land Titles in Texas. The following is an interesting excerpt. Vol. II, pp. 2HI <•/ srq.: "The first grants of the Spanish government in Texas of which we have any record, are those of the three Missions of Concepcion, San Juan, and La Kspada. The grants for the Missions of Valero and San Jose were doubtless made earlier, and probably some individual grants, but we know of none now in existence. The three first-named Missions were located in the first instance on the St. Mark; but such was the difficulty of procuring water for irrigation, 'so necessary to the support of the people who were to be indoctrinated,' that on the 21)th of October, l"2il, the viceroy of Mexico, Casa Fuerte. commissioned the Governor of Texas, the ex-guardian of the apostolic college of Queretaro, and the president of the Texan Missions, to make a new settlement or location. After some search, they made their selections of three places — two on the San Antonio river, and one on the "Me- dina," below the junction of the two streams. They next proceeded to the neighboring tribes of Indians, to whom 'they spoke, and explained the holy and benevolent purpose of their in.stitution; and three tribes, among others in the vicinity, viz., the Paeans, the I'aja/alx, and the Pitalacs. agreed to settle the three places selected, and to submit to doctrine.' The commissioners, having completed their labors, made a report to the \nceroy- and petitioned him to make the necessary decrees. The viceroy laid the matter before Ribera, former inspector of the />>v.v/tth of November, ITtili, by purcha.se, for one hundred and fiftv dollars." 38 SAN ANTONIO DK BEXAR. Fernando" (San Antonio). The Lower Courts first decided and established the boundaries of the Original Grant to the city (John James, Sr., surveying the same)* and gave judgment for the city. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision, and upon this rests the title to all lands situated within the " Town Tract," as it is now called. Vide : Tex. Rep. \'ol. VII, pp. 2.S.S, et seq. Passing from the old-time reflections and recollections the reader's attention is invited to the following remarkable table for which we are indebted to the daily press. It shows the comparative sales during the first six months of the years 1889 and 1890: Janixary, 18Si). . January. ISitO. . February, 1889. February, 1890. March, 1889 . . March, 1890 . . April, 1889. . . April, 1890 . . May, 1889 . May, 1890 . . . June, 1889 . . . I 171.045 574,889 160,315 897,559 191.822 704.247 29;j,441 132,134 319,438 1.489,692 183,198 June, 1890 1,004 502 '^^W ^''' * October 'Jit, ISJll. Tlit- Council hm)1\ copy of tlic OriKiual (".rant to the Corponitioi U> :isk till- fiiilc.l r town oT ,Srin I'liii Mini-tti in llic !•: Miuhid to secure ice of Texas or Ni PUBLIC lU'ILDIXCivS. 39 Public Building's. — The Alamo churcli, amply treated elsewhere. The Federal Building affording accommodation for the Federal Court and Postoffice (for dates see calendar) was designed by M. E. Bell, of Chicago, who was super- vising architect at Washington under President Arthur's administration. The original plan was modified, in the direction of economy, by W. A. Freret, of New Orleans, during President Cleveland's term. Mr. Gordon of this city being appointed architect in charge, again re-arranged the building in its present form. Under his direction, the structure grew to be the beautiful mediaeval dream that it is. Its details are worth}' of careful study. The style may be called Richard- sonian Romanesque with a touch reminding one of Lombardy and the South of France. Notice the tower and the bold angle turret — the arcades whose pro- portions are so cleverly relieved by the flight of approaching steps — the beautiful mass of the building, and the construction and outline of the tile roof. The City Hall, a Renaissance Building designed l)y Mr. O. Kramer, and njw nearing completion on Military Plaza. Its location is the best possible one, and the effect of the four white facades of native lime-stone relieved by pink granite columns, is extremely fine. The County Jail is a massive and serviceable building designed by Mr. A. Giles. The County Court House on Soledad street by the same gentleman completes the list of public buildings. rhillipiues. What came of this we are unable to say. The field notes of the town tract are as follows ; r. I tp- 28, 2q. I REPUBLIC OH TEXAS,— COUNTY ok bexak. COUNTY SURVEYOR'S RECORDS. BEXAR COUNTY. ) Field Notes of the survey of the lands claimed by the Corporation of the City of San Antonio, made under an order of the District Court of Bexar County, at the Sept. term, 1845. Beginning at an old stone dam on the Concepcion ditch from the southeast corner of which a pecan .SO in. in diameter bears south 27° west, 7)4 varas, this place being pointed out to me as the presita of the Concepcion ditch, by Rafael Herrera and Manuel Cadena. Thence north 8S° east, ()800 varas to a pecan tree 10 iu. in diameter, on the west bank of the Salado creek, marked x from which a pecan 9 in. in diameter bears south 70- west, ';, vara; a pecan 18 in. diameter bears north 58i/(°, west Ifi':^ varas. This point w.is shown to me as the Pas'j Hondo on Salado, by Rafael Herrera and Manuel Cadena. Thence north 3554° west, 3790 varas to a stake set on the top of a hill from which a mesquite S in. in diameter bears north 23%° west, 42J^ varas, a mesquite 3 in. diameter, bears north Sl^ west 4|4 varas, this be- ing pointed out to me as the Lomita Devisidera, by Manuel Cadena. Thence north '2S%° west, 4,700 varas to a mound of rock, shown by Pedro Flores and others as one of the corners of this tract. Thence north 52~;° west, 10,000 varas to a pile of rocks round the roots of a live oak tree, now nearly destroyed by fire, from which a live oak 15" diameter bears south 75° east, 9 varas, a live oak 9" diam- eter bears south 16;/i° east, 7 varas. This point is between the Almas {sic) and Norillo creeks, and was shown to me by Manuel Cadena as one of the corners of this survey. Thence south 'JS^yi° west, 11,775 varas to a stake set on the east bank of a small creek at a water hole from which a hackberry on west side of the creek liears south 85° west, 50 varas, a mesquite2in. diameter, bears south 3(5 '/i° west, VIM varas, this point being shown to me by Do- mingo Bustillo, Delgado and others as one of the corners of this survey, called the real of San Nicolas, or Tomas Hernandez. Thence south 12,910 varas to a stake set on the east bank of the Leon creek, at the present crossing of the road leading from San Antonio to Jetfs rancho, from which a musqnite (.«/Vi l(i inches diameter, bears north 9° east, S3 varas, a musquite 3 inches diameter, bears .south (i4° east, :i5 varas. This jKjint shown to me by Manuel de la Gar/.a and Delgado as the pass of the acalitos and one of the corners of this sur\-ey. Thence south 2S° east, 2400 varas to a cottonwood tree 12 in. diameter in the bed of the I.eon creek, from which a pecan (j in. diameter bears south 57° east, 5 varas, a pecan G in. diameter bears south 14'^° west, S-,'.j varas. This point was shown to me by Pedro Flores and others as the L'Aguila, {sic) one of the corners of this survey. Thence north 37% ° east, 12,610 varas to a pass on the San Pedro creek, shown to me as the Paso Nogalitos by Pedro Flores and others as one of the corners of this survey. Thence .south SS'4 ° east, 2655 %-aras to a stone dam, the place of beginning, including within its limits thirty-eight thousand acres of land. This survey was commenced on the 1st and ended on the Uth day of Februarj-, 1S4»!. Nathaniel Melton and James Cocks, chainmen, who were duly sworn. Bearings marked .^. Then follows John James' sworn certificate of Survey. This survey does not actually close, and was after- wards corrected as to course and distance by f.iraud. The natural marks, however, here described are the basis for establishing the boundaries of the Town Tract. 40 SAN ANTONIO I)I<: BKXAR. Banks. — Sun Antonio is a wealthy city. There are no less than fonr Na- tional and six Private Banks, all stable institutions. They occupy palatial quar- ters. Bank failures in the city are unknown. The bank rate of interest is from eight to twelve per cent. There are many mortgage and loan institutions who furnish money on good security at six per cent. There is, moreover, a Local In- surance Company, the directory of which is made up of our wealthiest citizens. San Antonio Club. — This institution was founded by the association of a party of gentlemen who obtained a charter dated December 21st, 1881. It was instituted for "literary purposes, to promote .social intercourse among its members and to provide them the convenience of a Club House.'' The following were the original incorporators : Messrs. E. D. L. Wickes, H. B. An- drews, Jas. T. Thornton, C. K. Breneman, Erastus Reed, A. B. Frank, J. B. Lacoste, H. B. Adams, Frank Grice, F. P. Hord, Jas. Callaghan, Thos. J. Devine and H. Grenet. The club is managed by a committee of thirteen direc- tors elected annually ; their terms expire on the 30th of November of each year. They elect from among their number a president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary and have power to fill vacancies. They also pass upon the admission of members. Their meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 8 o'clock p. m. in winter and 8:30 p. m. in summer. The president, or in his absence the vice-president, authorizes the call of special meetings of directors or of the club. The first president was E. D. L. Wickes, Esq.. and he held the office many years. The present president is A. W. Houston. The club installed itself speed- ily after its formation in a suite of rooms (now occupied by the Harmony club) at the corner of Alamo Plaza and Alamo street above the old postoffice, but soon set about plans for a more suitable home. Eventually a comprehensive scheme was realized and the present club and opera house was occupied in the winter of 1886-87. The building fronts on Alamo Plaza, it is of brick and is al- together a tasteful structure. Here the club fulfils its ends and during the sea- son dispenses a ho.spitality that has become proverbial. Its receptions are among the great social functions of the winter, and its attentions to distinguished stran- gers who deserve well of their fellow-men have been innumerable. Members have the privilege of introducing vi.sitors who are non-residents of the county. The present secretary is W. A. Little, Esq. Other Clubs. — Are the " Harmony," a coterie of influential Hebrews; "The San Antonio Rifles," inaugurated l)y a company of volunteers of that name ; The " Casino," an old established German association : the Turners and various Singing, Literary and Shooting societies. Young- Men's Christian Association. This l)ody has rooms on the corner of Alamo and Commerce streets, uj) stairs, temporarily. Mr. Rae will be found in charge and everybbd\' is welcome to tlu-ir Reading Rooms and Gymnasium. Military Organizations. -San Anlonit) has seen nmch of war in ear- nest and in the iieaceful contests of compLlilive drilling luis retained her military laurels. The San Antonio Rifles, under Capl. Badger, and the Belknap Rifles, under Capt. R. Green, achieved a national rcjiulation at Washington, and have won prizes at every inter-state and state drill they have attended. The Maverick THI<: WATlCRvS ()1< SAX AXTOXIO AXD SAX I'lCDRO. 11 Rifles, a j-onnger company, has also disliiiuuishcd itself. The armories of these companies are the scene of man\- pleasant informal hops during the season, and the members are otherwise a great social force in the city. Many dates of interest in the history of these companies will be found in the Calendar at the end. Friendly Societies. — All these or.^anizations are very ade(iuately rep- resented here. The Masons are contemi)lating erecting a fine hall. The Odd Fellows are already installed in a magnificent building on Houston street. The Knights of Pythias are extremely .strong, and the society comprises some of our most active business and professional men. Iff ''ir ~ - ^-m^ fcj2^^^ \ ^^'%^v- , - . The Waters of San Antonio and San Pedro. THE DITCHES OR ACEQUIAS. " He'll t\irn your current in a ditch." — Shakespeare. And now conies a pleasant chapter to narrate, pleasant because it deals with that which makes San Antonio the naturally charming place that it is, pleasant because it deals solely with the efforts and arts of peace in a history that is only too full of the strivings of war, bloodshed and contention ; pleasant because it has to do with clear crystal springs rising in volume from unknown, mysterious depths, deep translucent pools and bubbling brooks, a swirling river of pure living waters and the arborous accompaniments of foliage, high canopies of greenery, broad groves, great trunks and tangled vines, and with the plenty of fields of waving corn. Let imagination wander back to the time before the waters were in the least fouled by the contact of civilization, when the first Spanish Missionaries traveling over the drier western plains happed suddenly upon this valle3% knowing little of it, and that little ()nl\- by hearsay, how their hearts must have leaped at the sight of this abundance of pure water, these strong Several of the smaller cuts in the letter-press are produced here by permission of L. Prang ^ Co., Bostou, and are copyrijjlited designs from their series of studies. 42 SAN ANTONIO DK BEXAR. constant springs, and goodly lands. They might have had within them a feeling of thankful exultation that their lot was cast for at least a brief space in pleasant paths. In these peacefiil glades they might soon forget the lurking danger and hostility of the warlike natives : and overlooking the valley they might have concluded " Verily a river went out of Eden to water the garden ; and here are provided two, that riv^er was divided into four heads, these by the blessing of God and our Lady Mary on our labors and resources shall be divided into many to water this second Eden." Some such an inspirtion was likely enough the origin of some of the older acequias or irrigation ditches. Or it may have been that the plain practical thought only occurred to them, *' here is provided an abundance of water and fine facilities for irrigation, necessi- ties to the success of our undertakings and Missions. Let us take and have enough and to spare, for nature is lavish ; besides our converts and the people that shall be afterwards drawn here and shall follow us soon, and shall enjoy and supplement our labors, — these will need it all by and by." It may be that this is nearer the truth, for that the Fathers were eminently practical and unselfish workers as well as thinkers has been proved by works which testify to this day. In these later days, when the Spanish domination is almost forgotten by the prevail- ing population, when the representing race of it is regarded simply as one of the attractive curiosities rather than one of the main historic quantities of the place, when the past and present influence of it is only keenly remembered by the lawyers, searchers after land titles and aspirants to local political emoluments (and honors) at election times, we are apt to forget how much we modern San Antonians owe to the right estimate that these men and their generation put upon the value of the water of this valley and their quick appreciation of the facilities for its distribution. San Antonio owes its very existence to this estimate. For that it has been a city always more or less flourishing, it may thank these pioneers. Are we not now also — in our arrogance of the possession or rather enjoyment of an almost perfect modern system of water works, with its miles upon miles of iron pipes that was almost pressed upon the citizens like a dose of wholesome medicine upon a wilful and perverse child — only too prone to despise in our scientific superiority these monuments of a simple wisdom and industry of the past. If any reader should weary at the length of these remarks on the " taking of the water," (saca de agua) he may skip it ; l)ut it must be written if only to do justice to the founders of our city, not to speak again of the pleasure of the task. Let this be the apology, if one be needed, for an article that may prove wearisome to some by rea.son of its length ; the editor has found that no .such true estimate and understanding of the history, domestic and public, of the aims of these good old religious pioneers, and later their imitators in ditch construction, of " their useful toil their destiny ob.scure," nor indeed for that matter, the history and growth in the last century of the whole community, as by following up the gradual construction, fact of existence, and logic of these old water ways. The reader may judge for himself if it is not so, l)y following the story of one of these acetjuias from the discovery of its pui)lic necessity to the formation of a company of shareholders among those settlers most nearly interested and concerned, to the obtaining of the permission from . His Majesty, the King through his CONCKPCIOX DITCH. 4J5 representative the Governor, to the settlement of the neighbors' real or fancied prior water rights, to the election or a])pointnient of the Acequiero or Acequiador (the constructor of acequias), to the actual construction, and finally to that interesting operation of the drawing of lots among the shareholders of the company for the " suertes " of land which the King will grant to them upon the simple conditions of cultivating the lands thus granted, of keeping the channels clear and clean, the locks, water gates, sluices, fences, aqueducts, troughs, etc., of the ditches in proper repair, and one horse, and arms and ammunition in read- iness to meet enemies in the protection of the colony. On this line, from how they learned to grasp the natural water advantages of the valley, may be traced the true inwardness of the life and growth of the town in the eighteenth century, say from 1729 to 1798, of its population gradually increased by soldiery, settlers, special immigrants as those from the Canary Islands, camp followers, adventurers and Indian converts. The main or madre acequias shall be herein described in as near chronolog- ical order as it is possible to make out. The Pajalache or Concepcion Ditch. This is the oldest of all the Acequias. The exact date of its construction is doubtful, tnit it was begun early in the last century. In evidence in a lawsuit — Rhodes v. Whitehead — this date was given as 1729 (see Calendar of San Antonio. October, 22d, 18r),S). It is perhaps more probable that it was completed a few years later than this. It was finally abaudoned in l.S(')9, thus serving its purpose nearly 140 years. It was abandoned on account of the dam which provided it with water proving too great an obstruction to the river's current and a nuisance to the city during flood times. This dam was built across the river a short dis- tance above the town ford, and above the present dam of the old Lewis Mill, about on a line with Presa street. It was very high — some two or three feet higher than the Ivcwis dam. From this high level, through a deep cuttnig, the Pajalache ditch took its waters, and striking Garden street almost inuuediately, it followed the direct line of that street to the Concepcion Mission, and thence on to join the River below, irrigating lands on its way by laterals. At the intersection of Mill and Garden streets, the Alamo Madre ditch, coming from Water street a few years later, met it, and the waters of this ditch were taken across on a substantial arched stone aqueduct, which exists now, only the arches have remained buried since the disuse of the Pajalache. Before or upon the abandonment of the Pajalache, in order that the compronii.se between the citizens and the holders of water rights might be as peaceably effected as po.s.si- ble, part of the waters of the Alamo Madre were taken at this same intersection into a new ditch down Garden street, to the left of and on a higher level than the Pajalache, but joining the old Pajalache chainiel below, and so on to Concep- cion Mission. This was a small enough ditcli in comparison to the old one, but was better than no water at all. The main water of the Alamo Madre still crossed on the aqueduct and continued down Mill street, crossing this street some distance down, turning to the left and on to join tiie River ])elow. 44 SAN ANTONIO DH Bl'XAR. A number of laterals issued from these ditches right and left, as from all the main ditches; but only those minor laterals that have some historical interest in themselves — such as the Alamo Mission branches — will be mentioned. The Pajalache ditch was made both wide and very deep, as may yet be traced on Garden street; of sufficient size — tradition has it — that the Fathers and their Indians kept a boat on it, from which to do the work of keeping its bed clean and clear of obstruction. The main object of this old acequia was to supply the Concepcion Mission and its lands with water. The San Pedro Ditch. This ditch comes next in point of interest. It was constructed to supply the Villa Capital de San Fernando as well as to irrigate lands along its course. It issues from the east side of the head waters of the San Pedro creek, taking its way towards and down North Flores street crossing to Acequia street and flowing across the west side of Main Plaza immediately under the front of San Fernando Church (Cathedral now), then still keeping to the east of vSouth Flores street passes through the United States Arsenal grounds to the east side of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad Depot, on to join the Sati Antonio River, with a branch to the San Pedro Creek, in the fork of the Y of the River and Creek. As to the date of the construction of both this ditch and the Alamo Madre, the evidence is a little tangled. It cannot be many years the junior of the Pajalache. It is frequently mentioned in the documents relating to the Upper Labor ditch of 177() to 1784 in the County and City Records and other documents, and at the earliest of these dates the San Pedro ditch had \indoubtedly been in use many years. Such evidence in regard to these two ditches as has been found bearing upon the point will be given, and the reader may draw his own conclusions. A fuller description of the origin of the Upper Labor, the editor trusts, will in a measure make up for the lack of accurate knowledge as to these. In 1730 the Canary Island .settlers came, and on November the 2ondeuce. etc., continuL-. UPPIiR LABOR DITCH. 47 the Governor of the Province of Texas, Huron Juan Maria de Rii)i)erda, a pro- gressive and industrious man, directed his attention to it, and on January H)th, 1776, he issued a decree in order to avoid, as lie sa\s, in the future, all motives of discord between settlers, ordering; the Canary Island settlers or their actual descendents to produce any document, il' tliey have one, that might prove in their favor, and present it to liim within four days, their reply to be signed by the heads of the said families. To this decree on January loth, they reply that the}' have no document, but think there are some decrees or schedules in their favor, depo.sited in the Archives of this town, and they respectfully ask permi.ssion to be allowed to examine the Archives to search for these. This reciuest is signed by eleven of the Canary Lsland settlers, or their descendents. The next day, January Kith, 177<), a meeting of the Cabildo is called by special order of the Governor, and in the ])resence of that corporation, it was decided that all the documents bearing any relation with the town and the Canar}' Island settlers should be examined, and it was there and then declared that should aii}- document be found in the Archives of the Captain-General, the right should be reserved to make use of them at au}- future time. A memoran- dum to this effect, besides being signed by the .settlers, bears also the signature of the President, Father and Friar of the Missions Pedro Ramirez. Baron Ripperda next addresses a commiuiication similar to the first- mentioned to the President of the Missions, reiterating that there were only two documents or superior decrees in existence in connection with the water rights granted to the Missions and settlers of the town and maintaining that the inhabitants of the place were free to u.se the water of the River for irrigating purposes if they did not interfere with the supply to the Mi.ssions. Those documents being decrees of the \'iceroy the Marquis of Casa Fuerte dated September 20th, 1731, and May 12th, 17-")o, therefore the Governor wishes to know if the Missions under the President's charge have any claim emanating from any superior decree. If they have, the Governor would like to be informed of it as soon as practicable, "so that the public may be no longer de- prived of such a great benefit " as the distribution of the water. To which communication the President of the Missions replies, dating from the Mission of San Juan, January 20th, 177 or '34. It only has to be remembered that the Recapitulation of the Indies con- tained strict laws and rules concerning public water rights, to be certain that the wonderful resources of our river in relation to public comfort and welfare were duly remembered. True, to the Missions were granted the prior priviliges, but then the Missions were one of the many starting points of our City's history. Forty years afterwards neither these privileges nor those alleged to have been conferred upon the Canary Islanders were held to interfere with the rights of any other citizens or settlers in and about San Fernando. And it came to pass in later days when Texas had changed hands the new City Government found it necessar)^ to establish the boundaries of San Antonio. This was finally done in the courts, all about which doings can be found in Texas Reports, Vol. 7, page 288 et seq. And Giraud made the " Original City Survey." The lots contain- ing the Head Springs of the river, or the Worth Springs as they were called aliout that time — because General Worth had camped there with his Military force — were accounted, with much other land, as belonging to the City's public domain. Now, the finances of the City ni the years preceeding ISoO were not in the most flourishing condition. The Council hardly knew to what quarter they should turn for funds to build the long talked of Court House, Jail and School House. The Council felt themselves to be " land poor." In section eight of the City Charter of December 14th, ISoT, it was permitted that certain parcels of Public Land might be sold. The proceeds of any such sale to be appropriated to the erection of the buildings mentioned and the endowment of a Public School. The land was not ordered to be sold until August 24th, 1S41). It was decided on October 29th, 184i), to erect such buildings and in the following year, September (ith, they were begun on the northwest corner of the Military plaza. This, the old "Bat Cave," is to be removed soon or as soon as the New City Hall is completed. And this old ' Bat Cave ' furnished the excuse and grounds upon which were sold the City's lands. Shortly after this there was appointed by the Cit}- " a committee to regulate the sale of the City Lands " and on November 4th, * observe with regard to this in the article on " The Upper Labor ditch." 52 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. 1852 when the foil)' was ripe another committee which had been similarly ap- pointed "to decide the manner of selling the Cit}' property" reported to the Council that they had chosen Martin H. Campbell licensed auctioneer to sell the City lands by public outcr3\ To Giraud's everlasting credit be it said, that he saw the mistake that was about to be made and the wrong that would eventually revert upon the City, and to a meeting of the Council on November Sth, 1S52, he presented a report* which was adopted strongly advising the reservation of certain lots at the Head of the River to the use of the City. He thought it would be a good place for the U. S. Arsenal and other public works. Whilst he was on the subject he wished also to recommend that a Square be kept at the San Pedro Springs for "a male college." Also that certain hard stone quarries on the City properties be not sold, and the wise Engi- neer continues to beg the Honorable Body to reserve and make a road upon the east bank of the river, twenty varas wide, also a similar road on the east side of the Alamo Madre ditch, " as near the river and ditch as they may be placed con- sistently with public interests." But alas ! on that very day, November Sth, 1852. Lot ol, Range 1, District No. 2, containing 11 1^^ acres had been sold by the auctioneer upon the usual terms, 20 per cent, cash down, the rest in fifty years bearing interest at 8 per cent, per annum, for the sum of $820. Also lot 30, same Range and District containing 12 jW, same terms, for the sum of $655, — both to Alderman J. R. Sweet. Lol 31 is the land upon which was erected the old Sweet Homestead, and the lot upon which the fine residence of Mr. Brackenridge now stands adjoining it. These lots were the nucleus of that most desirable property that is generally known as the "old Sweet place," with- out doubt one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, places in Texas, its woodland grace and parklike beauty so heightened by the perpetual mystery of its profound and noble springs. This is the Head of the River. There are other fine properties in this neighborhood with exceptional water advantages and privi- leges, but this property was really the ke}' to the situation, the Ojo de Agua, the birthright of the city. The "Sweet place" included besides the two already men- tioned, five other lots, originally sold at the same time by the City to various pur- chasers, but all finally acquired by Mr. Sweet by the summer of 1859, and by him sold on August 29th 1859, to Mr. G. W. Barnes, ofSavanah, Ga. These other lots were Nos. 30 and 31, Range 1, District 3; something over twenty acres apiece sold by the City to Francois Marchant, Marchant and Cit)' to Sweet through the sheriff. Ects Nos. 28 and 29, Range 1, District 2, sold by the City to T. J. Devine, Nov. 8th, 1852, by Devine to O'Hara, by O'Hara to Sweet. Lot 32, Range 1, District No. 2, sold by the City to Geo. M. Martin, bj^ Martin to Sweet in 1859. These sev^en original City lots formed the "Sweet property" and this, G. W. Barnes owned for just ten years when he sold it to Mrs. Isabella H. Brackenridge, September 15th 18(59. It is now owned by Mr. Geo. W. Bracken- ridge, the well known banker and president of our Water Works, who has by nian\- improvements, additions and wise investment, made it what it is to-day — an invaluable possession. If the story of our City's negligence and folly had *U would be intLrcstiiig to luar wlial k"0<1 the adoption of this Report ever did for the City of San Antonio, and further to learn why the mcnibers of the Honorable Body themselves paid so little heed oi respect to its purport. And was it not tlii> same ijuestion which so ag-itated the honest soul of our good AUlerman •Mackcy. some two years ago. ? Tlllv SAN AXTOXIO RIX'IvR. 53 ended here in the sale of her finesl heritage, it would hardly be worth while to waste further space. But there is a sequel, a lesson it is well for the rising gen- eration of electors and embryo aldermen to take to heart. It is highly probable that Mr. Brackenridge, with his keen instinct for real values, did not underate the prize. It is moreover not wholly surmi.se upon which it might be averred that he saw that the City ought to be the owner of this mag- nificent property. He sees it to-day, but now as before he does not underate his possession, as far as their value to the City is concerned. The Head of the River property and the Water Works are too closely linked together by mutual interesst, to allows a consideration of them apart. That Mr. Brackenridge was willing to part with the Head of the River at all, is an indication of some disinterestedness, but what speaks more loudly for this, is, that he was willing to part with it at not an immoderate price. His terms are sufficient proof of this to-day. The area of the Sweet tract was altogether 108 acres more or less. This with im- provements and some important additions, Mr. Brackenridge on January 16th 1872, offered to sell to the City for the sum of $50,000. He oflfered it upon easier terms than those upon which the City had sold its lands twenty years before, ex- cept that he was the better judge of values. He did not even ask for the 20 per cent., cash down, it appears. He would, he said, rent the place for $4,000 per annum, the exact amount of interest he asked, viz 8 per cent., the money in fifty years. It seems almost incredable, yet if the very full reports and large corres- pondence may be relied upon, these are true particulars. His offer was read and accepted on January 22d by some members of the council and Mayor Thielepape, yet there must have been a division of opinion among the members. The matter at once became a subject of consuming interest in the town. The newspapers were full of it. People for the time talked of nothing else. A most prophetic letter, viewed in the light of subsequent developments, appeared in the San An- tonio Herald over the signature of "Citizen" on February 2nd 1872. It strongly urged that the purchase be consummated and pointed out that the price and term? were reasonable. The misguided faction won the day. Governor Davis on March 12th put a check upon the proceedings. The Secretary of State with many others unfortunately, threw what influence they possessed, unwittingly, against the best interests of the community. On March 27th Governor Davis appointed Mr. Newton in the place of Thielepape removed, and effectually threw the business into abeyance. Thielepape, as long as he had the power, without doubt had done all he could to clinch the bargain. He said he saw that the purcha.se would prove to be a bargain for the City. It must be acknowledged that the odds are that he did, and that he was much more of a prophet than the majority of his fellow citizens. Another clear case of the minority being in the right. On April 3rd a special committee of four — Their names? — It matters not — was appointed by the council "to test the finality of Ex-Ma^^or Thielepape's contract with Mr. Brackenridge. This committee on May Oth, causes the alleged purchase to be revoked and rescinded. Of course this proceeding does not satisfy Mr. Bracken- ridge so on August ord, he tenders the rent for the property he has been occupy- ing This is refused by Mayor Newton, Not even content with this and fear- ing a cloud on his title, Mr. Brackenridge enters suit to try and compel the City 54 SAN ANTONIO DR BKXAR. to its obligations. This suit was hovvev-er very amicably settled in November 1874. The alleged contract being declared null and void. This is the true story of how and why the City of San Antonio to-day does not own the property commonly called "The Head of the River." And where, O where are your twenty vara roads — good honest hearted Giraud?! It has already been said what a lovely river the San Antonio is, what a source of blessing it is, and how it meanders and winds up and down. " in and out and around about" the Cit}', that this is mentioned again must be excused for we have acquired the San Antonian love for this dear stream, and we leave the sentiment with regret to talk of iron pipes, contracts, engineers and incorporaters, and suchlike soulless articles and beings. The Water Works. That our best water brought by conduits hither. — Coriolauus, Act ii, Scene iii. The first "Water Works" of San Antonio were of course the early irrigation ditches, supplemented by shallow wells. The abundance of water, apparently pure, but really impure by reason of generations of drainage over and through accumulations of filth, was a stumbling- block to the minds of the less enlightened citizens. The constant preaching however of those who knew to those who wished to know, at last made a system of Water Works possible in the community. Very gradually the conversion went on, until to-day everj^ citizen of us is alive to the importance of the handy profusion of sweet pure water, and keenly sensible of the tremendous growth year by year in monetary value of "The Water Works" property. The water question was in constant agitation from the date of the last visitation of cholera in 1S66. Many suggestions and offers were made and discussed, but the first really definite proposition was made in May 1873, by Mr. Geo. M. Maverick, but it fell through. In April 1875 there was a meeting to consider an offer made by "The National Waterworks Company" of New York. The offer was refu.sed. The matter did not abate in interest, how- ever, for on May 3d, 1875, a meeting was called, and held on the Gth at the Menger Hotel, at which much was said in favor of a system of Water Works for the City. It was hard Missionary work. September 3d a company was sug- gested, in .spite of apathy and indifference prevailing, of which Mr. H. B. Adams was to be President and F. Giraud Secretary. The lime, however, was not (jiiilc ripe, and this company was never probably fully organized. On April od, 1877, the City of San Antonio gave the original contract of the San Antonio Water Works Company to J. B. I^acoste and a.ssociates, in which the latter were to supply the City of San Antonio with water, using the Head of the San Antonio River as a source of supply. The work was to be begun " six months from the date of the arrival of tlie Railroad," anil to be finished within Till'; WATI'R WORKS. 55 fifteen months from and after April 3d, 1.S77. This arrangement as to time was literally carried out. The storage reserv^oir was to be completed within two years from April M, 1877. The City of San Antonio agreed to lease to J. B. Lacoste and associates for a reservoir, six acres of ground on the upper or western part of Rock Quarry Road, and also the property at the head of the Upper Labor Ditch, • ' heretofore set aside by the City for the purposes of Water Works, ' ' so long as this contract continues in force. Permission for the Company to use rock from the City quarries was also given. The contract "shall subsist "' for a period of twenty-five years from tlie com- pletion of said works, at the end of which time the City shall have the right to buy the works at an appraised value, but if the City does not buy back at the end of twenty-five years, the contract shall run until the works are purchased, and the right to purchase the same shall inure to the City every five years thereafter, the City to give twelve months' notice of its intention to buy. The amended contract or ordinance was made on January 29th, 1881, when Mr. J. H. French was mayor, and when Mr. Brack enridge had acquired the con- trol of the Water Works Company, he being President of the Company at that date. The features of the amendment were the relinquishment by the City of the rental of $500 per annum, that the Company was to pay taxes on an assessment up to the amount of $250,000, and that at the expiration of the contract if the City should ' ' avail itself of the right to purchase, and the parties cannot agree as to price, the matter is to be decided by arbitration." To return to the work done by J. B. lyacoste and associates under the original contract. Credit must be given to the first engineer of the works, Mr. W. R. Freeman, for the simple and effective scheme to utilize the water power of the River to pump the water of the Head to a still higher level, to obtain sufficient pressure. The reservoir, was not constructed upon the site originally selected, but on the summit of a higher hill in the eastern vicinity of the Head of the River. The raceway, however, was constructed as designed without interfering to any appreciable degree with the supply of water to the irrigation ditches. And the turbines did good service for many years. The works were duly finished under the original contract, and upon completion, they were tested and re-tested, and on July 5th, 1878, Mr. J. P. Newcomb, Chairman of the Com- mittee on Water Works, etc., reported to the Council that the Water Works had been duly finished on July 3d, 1878, and recommended that the following reso- lution be adopted : " Resolved, That the City of San Antonio hereby formally accept the Water Works constructed by J. B. Lacoste and associates under the contract made with the City under Section 560 of Digest of Revised Ordinances. This acceptance to date from 3d day of July, 1878." This report and the accompanying resolution was unanimously adopted July 5th, 1S78. There was for some time but poor patronage for the Water Works. People had to be educated to the importance of their new acquisition. Prejudice had to be overcome. Mr. Lacoste disposed of his interest, and the Works took a new lease of life under the Brackenridge rule. With a serene faith in the future of the City, Mr. Brackenridge has yearly put and advised his Company to put thousands 56 SAN ANTONIO DE BIvXAR. and thousands of dollars underground, until to-day the City has a vast network of iron pipes. For several years there have been factions, each having a different opinion as to the proper mode of settling this question as to the ownership of the Works. For a long time previous to 1885 attacks on the validity of the contract were constant from certain quarters. This, however, was temporarily set at rest by an exhaustive opinion by Mr. S. G. Newton, who was City Attorney in that year. He decided : " I am of the opinion that the City Administration was authorized under its Charter to make the contract, and that the contract contains no pro- visions that invalidate it." Others again now advocate that the City should con- demn the property. This policy could not be defended upon any just ground, for it behooves a City Council or Corporation to be as just and honest as the indi- vidual. The purchase of the Water Works is, as we go to press, the burning question of the hour. An offer from the San Antonio Water Works to sell the Works for $2,000,000 is before the people. Mayor Callaghan with characteristic foresight is strongly in favor of the purchase. Being a man of progress and hav- ing in view first and foremost the best interests of the City, he urges upon the citizens the necessity of a system of sewers. Such a work he argues cannot be economically carried out unless the control of water is in the hands of the own- ers of the system of sewers. Water is indispensable to the best systems. "Recognizing," he says, "the growing needs of the citizens for proper sewage works," he held, "that a water supply was of utmost necessity and consideration, and to this end he would urge the purchase of the Water Works plant." The citizens trust him. Nothing he has done has forfeited this confidence. He has done much to win it. Yet no one knows better than he that from some quarters he will get hard knocks for his pains. No one cares less for hard knocks when he thinks himself to be in the right. It is this independent and progressive spirit that has earned for him a long lease of the Mayor's seat. A lease that is not likely soon to expire unless he seeks or has thrust upon him the honor of repre- senting this district in the National Congress. His influence is almost an assurance that the purchase will be favorably voted upon by the citizens on Sep- tember 80th. It has been shown how on a former occasion, the citizens by opposing a farseeing Mayor (Thielepape in 1872), upon a similar question, in a great measure sowed the seeds of the harvest that to-day has to be gathered. It is wisest to make the best of the crop as it stands. It is not within the scope of this sketch to discuss the financial aspect of the cjuestion. r>ut it occurs that the Water Works enjoys a large income (which has hitherto been spent in developing), therefore the purchase could not actually be a burden on the City^ although theorists would try so to prove. Not to mention the value of Real Estate which the offer includes. Many of the City's influential men favor the project. The question is to be decided by a vote of the tax-pay- ers, on September .'50th. 18i)(). Mr. Hrackenridge in a recent interview, e.xpressed himself decidedly as follows : "Now, the stockholders, after sowing- for thirteen years, with the hope of ultimately harvesting, think it a little lianl that their large expenditure of patience and money should be met ))>■ public clamor, as though they had perpe- Till-: SAX ANTONIO RI\];r. :.7 trated some i;rc'at wroiii;- upon Ihc coiniuunity, instead of liavini;- added a \aliial)le and necessary property to the City. Yet they Ijelieve stron^rly in the justice of mankind and feel confident that the stockholders of the Water Works will be permitted to reap the benefits which they feel are due them. vShould it be con- sidered necessary for the public good to deprive them of their property, and rights under their franchise, they think they will be honestly and fairly dealt with." " The Water Works were constructed in 1^77, at a time when the City was unwilling or unable to do anything, and the citizens would have nothing to do with the scheme, giving it neither countenance nor credit, believing that it would be a very great advantage to the city, and of little benefit to the stockholders. These were, I believe, the views entertained by very nearly all the citizens, including myself. At present the Company is completing what the stockholders hoped would be the last large addition in the plant, necessary to be made during the continuance of its contract with the city. I can say truly, that, so far, they have received less interest on their investment than any citizen in San Antonio would be willing to accept, even upon the most undoubted and infallible invest- ment. There has been paid them less than 2 per cent, per annum upon the amount invested to the present time. For the first seven years the officers contented themselves to work without salaries. I traveled over the country at my own expense to make contracts for pipe and material." These articles on the Head of the River and the Water Works are inserted in this work in the belief that, whether the vote goes for or against the purchase, the historical matter they contain vrill be of more than mere passing interest. San Antonio as a Health Resort. "If a mail wants to die there he must go somewhere else." — Gi;o. WiLKiNS Kendall, 1813. To those that are affected with throat and lung troubles, San Antonio and its vicinity undoubtedly stand pre-eminent in interest at the head of the li.st of the health resorts of this continent; its pure and dry air, and the facilities its neighborhood affords for obtaining varied temperatures, in the high lands North, or the low lands South to suit the subject or case, are advantages which speak for themselves. The editor of this Guide was anxious to obtain what he felt to be a disinter- ested estimate of these advantages, and found it when least expecting it; he gives an old opinion, but he feels it to be the better for the thirty years during which it has been put to the proof. It stands as just to-day as when it was written, and has everything to recommend it to health-seekers. It is to be regretted that it does not touch upon one important item, the northers. Our northers have been much noised about, and the rapid changes that these boisterous visitors cau.se during our .short winter, have been much objected to. The writer's eight years of experience has taught him that their bark is far worse than their bite; that in the .severest .stress it is never quite so cold as it seems; the wind is cer- tainly trying as long as it lasts, but out of the wind, and you are out of the Norther. They are easily avoided if an invalid desires to do so, all one has to do is to keep indoors, they are invariably of short duration, lasting three or four days at most at a time: they come very suddenly, it is true, but they assudddenly leave, and it should be remembered by visitors that they always come from a northerly direction, necessarily therefore, from a much colder climate than our own Sunny South. The longer one lives in Texas the better he likes the North- ers; they are to a Texan an impersonation almost of everything that is l^racing and invigorating, and they are oftener welcomed with a leap and a whistle than met with complainings. The extracts that follow further on, are from a letter written many years ago l)y an invalid who had .sought San Antonio as a health resort, and who appar- ently found relief. The letter was ])nblislied as far back as 1S.")S in T.ie New Orleans Crescent. It furnishes, an unl)ia.sed and independent opinion by one who had had much experience, of the restorative qualities of the climate ot San Antonio, all the more unbiased and telling if it is considered that the climate was at that time pa.s.sing through its i)r()l)ali()nary ])eriod, and that to-day. more than thirty years after, vSan Anloiiio stands unchallenged as a resort, tnic(iualled for restorative (pialities for Iuiil; and llnoat troiibk-s. 'iMic leUer is ,L;i\en almost as it stands in the old file, only such i)aragr;)i)iis are eliminated as .sjK-ak di.spar- agingly of certain malarial di.stricts of vSoutheast Texas, of the .stages, "which are SAN ANTONIO AS A IIl-Al/ni RlvSORT. 59 runiiin,<; (lail\- :ui(l \vc'ekl\" [and wliioli have long aj^o .given place to the iron horse,] and of the "white lime dust that is confined entirely to the business por- tion of San Antonio, and which does not affect the outskirts, which present within an area of six miles the best situation which I have seen for the enjoyment of pure air, and cool and refreshing breezes." This "white lime dust" has never existed to the younger generation in San Antonio, and is an utter impossibility in the business portions of a now important city, which are paved, some, with mes- ([uite blocks, some, macadamized, and all kept thoroughly well sprinkled. The writer is spoken of as being "a citizen of Mol)ile, and has no other interest in the subject matter than to disseminate truth for the general benefit." "July 2oth, 1858. Editor.s ok thic Ckk.scknt: The superiority of the climate of Western Texas over that of other sections, w^hich have heretofore been resorted to for the cure of pulmonary diseases is certainly very great. To me it is the most important feature which Texas pre- sents. I have experienced to a limited extent its curative influence; and, from what I have seen, felt, and heard of it, 1 am inducetl to believe that if fully understood and appreciated by the country at large, Western Texas would speed- ily become the most favored resort on the Continent for persons affiicted with diseases of the throat and lungs. As far l)ack as I can remember the Medical Faculty of the United States have been in the habit of recommending patients affiicted with pulmonary disease to cross the ocean, or take a trip on the sea — to visit Cuba, or take up their resi- dence in Florida, or some other Southern state. The discovery of Gold in California led to the discovery of the beneficial effects of the rarified atmosphere of the plains on pulmonary diseases. Many ca.ses of laryngitis, bronchitis and of confirmed consumption were said to have been entirely cured by crossing the Continent to California. The facts sustained by reports received since from the interior of Asia, have roused the Medical Faculty, and the result is that the most intelligent of them now believe that sea breezes and hmnid atmosphere are very injurious in cases of pulmonary disease, and that the best localities for them are those where rarified atmosphere prevails. vSuch localities are not to be found near the Atlantic or (iulf coasts. The atmosphere there is necessarily humid and of course too heavy for the weak lungs of a consumptive to respire with ease. It is also impregnated with salt which is extremely irritating to the throat and lungs. It is said that in the interior of Cuba and of Florida, this irritating atmosphere does not exist. This may l)e cor- rect, but in its stead is a malarious atmosphere which keei)s the consumptive in continual fever and thus accelerates his disease. Humidity, too, in both Cul)a and Florida, cannot be otherwi.se than great. The water which surrounds them and is held in their soils and on their surfaces is sufficient to prove this. In fact, there is no place in the Gulf or Carribbean .sea, nor within one thou.sand miles of our Atlantic coast, that presents .so favorable a climate for tho.se who are afflicted wath pulmonary di.sea.se as Western Texas. I know this to be true. I speak from experience. 60 SAX ANTONIO DE BKXAR. For three years before my arrival in Western Texas, I was afflicted with larvn^i^itis. Dnrin<^ that period I tried various localities on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and in the interior of Florida and other states, and I found that the farther I removed from the sea, and from lakes, ponds, swamps, and rich cultivated soils, the better I felt. When exposed to winds which blew over swamps, river bottoms, or still bodies of water, I invariably experienced a choking sensation. At all times and in all places I suffered in proportion to the humidity of the sur- rounding atmosphere. So sensitive was my throat to dampness that I could tell the approach of rain, even before there was any apparent indication of it in the heavens. When the atmosphere was dense and heavy with moisture, my throat was clogged with mucus; hut when it was dry, the mucus did not cling with such tenacity to the membrane, and there was less of it. This, together with my experience in medical remedies, induced me to believe that nothing but a dry, rarified atmosphere would restore the mucous membrane of the larNaix to health}- action. Unfortunately for me, I was not governed by that discovery until the disease had reached my lungs. After being confined to my bed three months, on the coast, I set out for San Antonio. On my arrival there I was very weak and feeble, suffered niiich from pain in my lungs, and was not able to do anything which required any physical strength. I am now, after a lapse of two months, able to walk two miles without being fatigued, and can write about three hours each day. This improvement I attribute to the purer, dry, light atmosphere which prevails here the greater part of the time. M}' improvement, however, has not been so rapid as that of manj- others of whom I have heard. This may be in consequence of difference in the natural strength of constitution. ********** That the atmosphere is usiially dry and light there can be no doubt. The intense, piercing heat of the sun, the quick changes of rain clouds from black to white, and their sudden expansion as they pass over the land towards the West, together with many other things, such as the impossi])ility of producing mildew, etc., prove it. ******** If the atmosphere here should not prove to be dry enough for particular cases, excellent facilities are afforded for removal westwardly where the rarefac- tion increases in proportation to the distance traveled towards the "Colorado Desert," which affords the lightest and driest atmosphere on the Continent. If the temperature should be too high for other cases a lower temperature can l)e found by proceeding northwardly to the mountainous country. At a distance of sevent}' miles is Frederick.sburg, which, according to its elevation above and dis- tance from San Antonio, is, in temperature, equal to .seven and two-thirds degrees further north. And there are many other places of much greater altitude within one hundred and fifty miles of San Antonio. * * * * * It is not change of temperature which the consumptive needs, but a light, dry atmosphere, free from irritating and feveri.sh influences." * * * Remarking upon this letter, Dr. Cupples said: "That is, I tliink, a pretty fair estimate of the case, for a layman. He did not know enough about the sub- ject to speak cpiite correctly, for instance, salt is not irritating to the throat and lungs in such a form, thai is to sa\-, naturall\- in llu- air. and il corrects the 5^0MK OV TTII-: RI'SC^rRCI'S OK WI'STI-RX TlCXAS. C.l liuinidily, which is ;ui advantage. I believe the suinnier heat is somewhat inju- rious, not so much on account of its intensity, ])ut tlie (hiration of it — it becomes weari.some to an invalid. The northers need not be considered— they are not really .so cold as they .seem, and as you say, they are invigorating and bracing, especially to those acclimated. San Antonio is a desirable winter resort for invalids. The winter climate is good. As to northers, if anyone is afraid of them — there being always a warning before a norther — it is easy to avoid them by staying indoors. The advantages of otir climate are, freedom from colds, and the fact that all of our houses are freely and naturally ventilated, the average weather permitting all of our windows and doors to be left cou.stantly open, insuring pure air." Some of the Resources of Western Texas. In presenting any remarks on the subject of this title, in a work of the pre.sent character, it is important to avoid injudicious exploiting and rash state- ments. The following observations aim simply to describe the face of the country as it actually is, and not to draw immature bills on the future or to anticipate, by one jot, the prosperity it is destined to enjoy. Many statistics have been pur- posely avoided, and the reader is presented with an idea of the country, which is the fruit of ten years' journeyings throughout its length and breadth. This article must be confined to sojhc of the Resources of Western Texas. The title is both vast and vague. For the Resources are but partially known and .still less developed, whilst the region itself is a somewhat indeterminate Geographical expression. 62 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. As a fair generalization we will discuss the country- lying west of the Colo- rado. By a glance at the map, this will be seen to be a great plain, sloping from the northwest to the southeast, and drained by the following principal rivers, flowing — with the exception of the tributaries of the Rio Grande — in the direc- tion indicated. They are the Colorado, Concho, San Saba, Elano and Per- denalis, Guadalupe and San Marcos, the San Antonio and Medina, the Frio, Sabinal, Nueces, Los Moras, San Felipe, Devil's River, the Pecos and Rio Grande. Nearly all these streams head in bold springs of the clearest water, whose banks are of great natural beauty and whose volume never varies. In the lower counties, the Frio, Sabinal and Nueces sometimes disappear from the surface in extremely dry weather. They, however, continue to flow underground and alwaj^s maintain abundant pools for stock and other purposes. These valleys are agricultural — more especially the eastern ones — and with occasional irrigation, such as is practiced at San Antonio and some points on the Rio Grande, might become the granary of the continent. The intervening prairies are given up mostly to stock-raising, and are the finest breeding grounds of the world. All of this immense territory has more or less intimate relations with the City of San Antonio de Bexar, which has ever been the nursing mother of its phenomenal growth. So true a parent has San Antonio been to this region, that, even within the past ten years, happenings and belongings anywhere within its borders have always had a local savor in the streets of " Santone." Was it a cattle trade or a round-up ? a death or a wedding ? all the way from here to El Paso or eke the coast or the Lower Rio Grande, the parties and incidents were discussed with quite a personal interest and knowledge. And so it is to some extent to-day. The evolution of this broad land has been somewhat after this manner : Twenty years ago the country was a rolling prairie, with occasional islands of timber giving in places a park-like appearance to the landscape, and under these clumps of Live Oak, Hackberry or Mesquite, the stock of many owners gathered for .shade and rumination. The valley's and caiaons which we have already de.scribed were filled with a thicker growth of Pecan, Elm, Cypress and Cedar, the trees festooned with wild grapes and other vines. There are, too, great belts of Post Oak. The roads were prairie trails of immen.se width, crossing the streams at fords which, .sometimes, were not fordable. The.se roads led by stage stands, frontier posts and villages and to the small ports on the coast. There were daily stages North, South, Ea.st and West, and endless wagon trains, drawn by many oxen and mules and driven by i)icture.sque Mexicans armed to the teeth, with a view to Indians. The outgoings and incomings of these wayfayers made neighl)ors ol the whole province of their travels, even far into Mexico, whose trade with Texas has always been extensive. vSOMK OI- Tin- RI'SOURCIvS OI' Wl'STlCRX TlvXAS. 08 After a while came the stoppage of the prairie fires, from the increased value of the nutritious mes(iuite grass, and the consequent rai)id growth of the niesquite underbrush, which now nearly covers the middle portion o! the district, affording more protection for stock and an edible hean for both cattle and horses. The various kinds of cacti also became much more luxuriant. In the seventies, fencing began in the vSouth, but this revolution of the .stock interests from the primitive " round-uj) " only fairl\- set in during the eighties, and at the present time it is almo.st complete in the more de.sirable pasture lands. With the barbed-wire fence came the railway and the hoe, the agents of a still newer revolution now going rapidly forward. Formerly the Colorado was thought to mark the western limit of farming in Texas. Undoubtedly the .seasons have improved with the country, and vice versa, for farming is now carried on, even without irrigation, throughout the ter- ritory mider di.scussion, cotton, corn, wheat, oats, millet, sorghinn and sugar cane being raised in more or less abundance.* With irrigation the agricultural wealth of this country would be incalculable, and at a very conservative estimate would maintain in affluence and humble comfort 20, 000, 000 people. The present population of this section is certainly not one-twentieth of that number. Let us see how this future may be ])rovided for by glancing at our present resources. The general character of the country is still pastoral and the staples are cattle, sheep, horses, wool and hides. On the coa.st are exten.sive oyster and other fisheries, particularly the delicate red fish, a dainty denizen of the lagoons. The increasing growth of Cotton is enormous and although not a staple of Western Texas proper, it is rapidly becoming .so. Below are .some figures for 1889 for the market of San Antonio only : Horses, 70,000 head; cattle, 84,000 head; sheep, 1 (JO, 000 head; wool, 7,000,000 pounds ;t hides, 2,000,000 pounds ; cotton, 12,000 l)ales.:|; With such an abundance of raw material at our doors, it is natural to con- sider the question of power for their manufacture. The City of Austin is engaged in a gigantic scheme for a dam on the Colo- rado, estimated to cost nearly SI ,-")00,0()0. There is a fine site at Columbus, on the same River. On the Guadalupe are innumerable opportunities to establish power, especially at New Braunfels and vSeguin. A fine i)ower is already established at San Marcos, and also at Marble I'alls. ^ To produce such crops implies a varied soil, limestoiif liills, alluvial valleys, wide stretches of sandy loam and " black waxy," dec]) river bottoms and in the Post Oaks aud lilack Jacks some sandy and gravelly lands, These are the soils of Western Texas. t Wool— IST'), .'JOO.CMX) pounds ; 1S7G, 400,000 pounds ; ls77, it suddenly sprang to 2,287,241 pounds. This in- crease was probably owing to the increase of flocks and to the new railroad facilities of San .Antonio. The ship- ments have steadily grown year by year to the present large market of ISSO. 1 12,000 bales local wagon receipts, inclnding country consignments by rail would probably amount to 20,000 bales, and the amount of cotton handled by San .\ntonio merchants, by order and otherwise, would not be less, say, than a total of 120,000 bales. The Mexican cotton trade was almost the only cotton business here for the years previous to ISSl. In this year the Mexican market was .iOOO bales and the next season shows the first nota- ble increase in the San .\ntonio market, on account, probably, of new railroad facilities. (U SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. The San Antonio has many mills on its banks, and its capacity for water- power is everything that could be desired. Coal-mines are being extensivelj' worked at Eagle Pass and Laredo, on the frontier, and in the vicinity of San Antonio. There is also a fine seam in the Eagle Spring Mountains, near the junction of the Southern and Texas Pacific Railways. Iron ore of great purity and inexhaustible quantity is found at Llano with a fine Lime-stone flux immediately adjacent. In the same neighborhood and sur- rounding counties are many beautiful marbles and granite of the hardest texture. Got)d clay of various colors is abundant and brick-making is extensively carried on in Laredo, Eagle Pass, San Antonio and vicinity and many other places. In Uvalde county are deposits of guano and kaolin ; asphaltum has been found in many localities, and lately while boring for artesian water in San An- tonio and its neighborhood, both natural gas and oil have been found. Of the precious metals, Silver is being worked in paying quantities in the Chinati mountains. This Range, as well as the Chisos and Diabolo abound in Galena ore, rich in Lead and Silver. There are also strong indications of Copper, Iron and Coal in this moun- tainous country of the extreme West, but from inaccessability and lack of trans- portation, the subject has not received adequate attention. A geological survey- of the state is now being made under the direction of Prof. Dumble, of Austin, from which much additional light is hoped. Of the Fruits of Texas, the most successful are the Fig, Vine, Peach and Mulberry. Melons of all sorts and varieties grow to perfection, together with the usual vegetables — maturing early, and, in fact, with care, a garden may be main- tained all the year around. This brings us to say a few words about the climate : — There are perhaps twenty days in the year, on an average, that a man cannot work out of doors. The heat of summer is tempered by a breeze from the Gulf which fans the whole country by -l o'clock in the afternoon, an hour which would otherwise be the hot- test part of the day. The nights are always cool, and at an elevation of 1,. ')()() feet a blanket is needed the summer through. The official mean temperature. Post of San Antonio is : — Summer, . iTu:i: i:i:i:i :i:i:i:i: 5C m SLLLO i;\\ci\Friax^ PAHAKlT^lFMIMnDE 183? Y t83S ;PAMSH AND MEXICAN-TKXAS SKALS. LIST OF CHARTl'.RS Ol' 'rill'. ClTV oi' SAX AXToXIO. <',r, Moreover, the generation passin.t; away, has done all the hard work. Pioneer heroism has finished its self appointed task. The battle of" barbarism and law- lessness has been fonght. The Indian and the ontlaw are ahnost extinct and the institutions of onr fathers are established. We may enter upon onr inheritance in peace, and, in its literal sense, the dweller in Western Texas may sit nnder his own Vine and Fig-tree, fanned by the cool (lUlf breeze, and thankfnlly murmur to the Goddess of plenty. O DUI.CE DOMUM. List of Charters and Amendments to the Same of the City of San Antonio. First. Charter granted by King of Spain in 17-')-> or IT-'M. Second. An act to incorporate the town of Nacogdoches and other towns herein named, by the Republic of Texas, January o, is;;7. Third. Act of Incorporation, December 14, 1, 2;:(), made by the people at an election held December 15, 1S74. Eleventh. Amendments to Sections 5, 24. 4;>, 45, April IS, 1,S7!), by Sixteenth Legislature. Twelfth. Amendments of March 4, 1885. (ifi SAN ANTONIO DI* BKXAR. List of Mayors of the City of San Antonio. I-KOM ITS INCOKI'OKATIOX, JlNK, 1837, TO JANUARY, ISlllt. September ID, 1887, to March '.), 1S;5S— Mayor, John W. Smith (all the aldermen and city officers are Mexicans). March D, ls;i,S, to July 20, 1 8;!S— Mayor, William H. Dangerfield. July '20, 1, 1S(;2, to January 1, lS(i;V-Mayor, S. A. Maverick. January 1, ISC.:'., to January 1, ISC.J— Mayor, P. L. I'.uciuor. January 1. ISCi, to January 1, ISC).')— Mayor, P. L. I'.uquor. January 1, ISIi."), to October 1, ISC,.")— Mayor, J. II. Lyons, to August 1',, 1S(;5 ; Mayor pro teni, from August 1") to October i), ISC..',, C. F. Fisher. APPOINTlvES OF GOVERNOR HAMILTON, PROVISIOXAI, COVKRNOR Ol' TICXAS. From October, i), 18()5, to August 2;}, 1SG6— Mayor, I). Cleveland. Old officers reinstated by act of Legislature, from August 21, isci;, to December :\\, 1S(;<; — Mayor, J. H. Lyons. CHARTER ELECTION. January 1. lS(i7. to November S, 18()7 — Mayor, J. II. Lyons. Military appointees, by Colonel J. J. Reynolds, U. S. Army, November S, ISC.T, to March 2S, ISTO— Mayor, W. C A. Thielepape. APPOINTMENTS OP E. J. DAVIS, GOVERNOR, UNDER ENABLING ACT, FROM :\iARCH 2S, 1870, to November 12, 1872. Mayor W. C. A. Thielepape— From March 28, 1870, to March 12, 1S72. Mayor S. G. Newton— From March l-'i, 1872, to November 12, 1872. CHARTER ELECTION. November lo, 1872, to January VA, 1878 — Mayor, F\ Giraud. January 11, 1S7."!, to January 19, 187-") — Mayor, F. Giraud. January 1'.), 1S7."), to January 19, 1877— Mayor, James H. French. January 19, 1S77, to January 2"), 1879— Mayor, James H. French. January 2."), 1879, to January 2."., 1 SSI— Mayor, James II. FVench. January 25, 1881, to January 2-"), 1888— Mayor, James H. French. January 25, 1888, to February 1, 1885— Mayor, James H. French. February 1, 1885, to February 1, 1887— Mayor, Bryan Callaghan. February 1, 1887, to February 11, 18S9— Mayor, Bryan Callaghan. February 11, 1889, to Mayor, B)ryan Callaghar.. San Antonio de Bexar. By Sidney Lanier. fF peculiarities \vere quills, San Antonio de Bexar would be a rare porcupine. Over all the round of aspects in which a thoughtful mind may view a cit\', it bristles with striking idiosyncracies and bizarre contrasts. Its history, popula- tion, climate, location, architecture, soil, water, customs, costumes, horses, cattle, all attract the stranger's attention, either b}- force of intrinsic singularity or of odd juxtapositions. San Antonio de Bexar, Texas, had its birth in ITlo. It was, indeed, born before its time, in consequence of a sadden fright into which its mother, Spain, was thrown by the menacing attitudes of certain Frenchmen, who, upon other occasions besides this one, were in those days very much what immortal Mrs. Gamp has declared to Mrs. Harris ' ' these steam-ingines is in our business, ' ' a frequent cause of the premature dev^elopment of projects. For Spain had not intended to allow any settlements, as j^et, in that part of her province of the New Philippines which embraced what is now called Texas. In the then situation of her affairs, this policy was not without some reasons to support it. She had valuable possessions in New Mexico ; between these possessions and the French settlements to the eastward, intervened an enormous breadth of country, whose obstacles against intruders, appalling enough in themselves, were yet magnified by the shadowy terrors that haunt an unknown land. Why not fortify her New Mexican silver-mines with these sextuple barriers, droughts, deserts, mountains, rivers, savages, and nameless fears ? Surely, if inclosure could be made impreg- nable, this would seem to be so ; and accordingly the Spanish Government had finally determined, in l(i')4, not to revive the feeble po.sts and missions which had been established four years previously with a view to make head against the expedition of La Salle, but which had been abandoned already by soldier and friar, in con.sequence of the want of food and the ferocit}' of the savages. But in 1712, Anthony Crozat, an enterprising French merchant, obtained from I/)uis XIV a conditional grant to the whole of the French province of Louisiana. Crozat believed that a lucrative trade might be established with the northeastern provinces of Mexico, and that mines might exist in his territory. To test these beliefs, young Huchereau St. Denis, acting under instructions from Cardillac, who had been appointed Governor of Louisiana l)y Crozat's influence, started westward, left a nucleus of a settlement at Natchitoches, and proceeded 'I'his skc-tcli was written by Sidney I^anicr in 1S72, so that some of Die references to the modern eity must to-day he taken cum s^raiio sulis, or at least, to a eertain extent, as historieal. Tlie history thronuhout the article is, as a rule, excellent and reliable. Ivxclnsive rights in this article have been p\ircliased by the publishers of this work— W. C, Ki). SIDXIvV LAXI1;R'S IIISTORICAI, SKl'TCII. <'>o across the country to the Rio C.raiule, where his explorations, after romantic adventures too numerous to be rehited liere, came to an inj^lorious suspension with his seizure and imprisoinnent l)y the Spanish Vice-re^al authorities in Mexico. It was this expedition which pnxhiced the premature result hereinV)efore alluded to. Spain saw that instead of surrounding New Mexico with inhospita- ble wastes and ferocious savages, she was in reality but leaving France free to occupy whatever coigns of vantage might be found in that prodigious Debatable Land, which was claimed by both and was held by neither. Perhaps this consideration was heightened by Spain's consciousness that the fiimsiness of her title to that part of the " New Philippines " which lay east of the Rio Grande, really required an actual occupation in order to bolster it up. Pretty much all that she could prove in support of her claim was, that in 1494 Pope Alexander VI., acting as arl)itrator between Portugal and Spain, had assigned to the latter all of the American possessions that lay west of a meridian running three hundred and seventy miles west of the Azores ; that De Leon, I)e Ayllon, De Narvaez, and De Soto, in voyages made between the years 1 ')1-; and 15;>8, had sailed from Cape Florida to Cape Catorce ; and that Philip II. had denounced the penalty of extermination against any foreigner who should enter the Gulf of Mexico or any of the lands bordering thereupon. These were, to say the least, but indefinite muniments of title ; and to them France could oppose the unquestionable fact that La Salle had coasted the shore of Texas westward to Corpus Christi inlet, had returned along the same route, had explored bays and rivers and named them, and had finally built Fort St. Louis on the Lavacca river in 1(JS.5. Here now, in 1714, to crown all, was this daring young Lord Huchereau St. Denis traversing the whole land from Natchi- toches to the Rio Grande, and thrusting in his audacious face like an apparition of energy upon the sleepy routines of post-life and mission-life at San Juan Bautista. This was alarming ; and in ITL") the Duke of Linares, Viceroy of Mexico, despatched Don Domingo Ramon to Texas with a party of troops and some Fran- ciscan friars, to take steps for the permanent occupation of the country. Ramon established several forts and missions : among others he located a fort ox presidio (Spanish, " a garrison " ). on the western bank of the San Pedro river, a small stream flowing through the western suburbs of the present city of San Antonio de Bexar, about three-fourths of a mile from the present Main Plaza. This presidio was called San Antonio de Valero. In May, 171S, certain Alcantarine Franciscans, of the College of Queretaro, establi.shed a mission under the protec- tion of X.\\Q presidio, calling it by the same invocation, San Antonio de Valero. It was this mission whose Church of the Alamo afterwards shed so red a glory upon the Texan revolution. It had been founded fifteen years before, in the valley of the Rio Grande, under the invocation of San Franci.sco Solano ; had been removed to San Ildefonso in 170S, and again removed back to the Rio Grande in 1710 under the new invocation of San Jose. It had not indeed yet rea(?hed the end of its wanderings. In 1 72"-' both the presidio and mission of San Antonio de \'alero 70 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. were removed to what is now known as the Military Plaza, and a permanent sj'stem of improvements begun. Here then, with sword and crozier, Spain .set to work at once to reduce her wild claim into possession, and to fulfill the condition upon which Pope Alex- ander had granted her the country — of christianising its natives. One cannot but lean one's head on one's hand to dream out, for a moment, this old Military Plaza — most singular spot on the wide expanse of the lonesome Texan prairies — as it was a hundred and fifty years ago. The rude buildings, the church, the hospital, the soldiers' dwellings, the brethren's lodgings, the huts for the con- verted Indians {Yndios Rediicidos) stand ranged about the large level quadrangle, so placed upon the same theory of protection which "parks" the wagon-train that will camp this night on the plains. Ah, here they come, the inhal)itants of San Antonio, from the church-door ; vespers is over ; the big-thighed, bow- legged, horse-riding Apache steps forth, slowly, for he is yet in a maze — the burning candles, the .shrine, the genuflexions, the chants, are all yet whirling in his memory ; the lazy .soldier slouches by, leering at him, yet observing a certain care not to be seen therein, for Senor Soldado is not wholly free from fear of this great-thewed Senor Apache ; the soldiers' wives, the squaws, the cate- chumens, the children, all wend their ways across the plaza. Here advances Brother Juan, l)are-footed, in a gown of serge, with his knotted scourge a-dangle from his girdle ; he accosts the Indian, he draws him on to talk of Manitou, his grave pale face grows intense and his forehead wrinkles as he spurs his brain on to the devising of arguments that will convince this wild soul before him of the fact of the God of Adam, of Peter, and of Francis. Yonder is a crowd : alas, it is stout Brother Antonio, laying shrewd stripes with unsparing arm upon the back of a young Indian — so hard to convince these dusky youths and maidens of the wide range and ramifications of that commandment which they seem most prone to break. Ha ! there behind the church, if you look, goes on another flagel- lation : Brother Francis has crept back there, .slipped his woollen gown from his shoulders, and fallen to with his knotted scourge upon his own bare back, for that a quick vision did, by instigation of the devil, cross his mind even in the very mid.st of vespers — a vision of a certain senorita as his wife, of a waim all- day sunned hacienda, of children playing, of fruits, of friends, of laughter — " O blessed St. Francis of As.sisi, fend off Sathanas ! " he cries, and rai.ses a heavier welt. Pre.sently, as evening draws on, the Indians hold meetings, males in one place, females in another ; reciting prayers, singing canticles : finally it is bed- time ; honest Brother Antonio goes around and locks the unmarried young male Indians into their sleeping apartments on one side, the maidens on the other side into theirs ; casts a glance mayhap towards Mexico, breathes a prayer, gets him to his pallet, and the Plaza of San Antonio de Valero is left in company of the still sentinel, the stream of the San Pedro purling on one side, that of the San Antonio whispering on the other, under the (|uiet stars, midst of the solemn prairie, in whose long grass yonder (by all odds)' crouches some keen-eyed Apache bravo/- who has taken a fancy that he will ride Don Ramon's charger. *Spaiii>li, I'liiiios llrazos: Incoiivci lienis at Natchitoches, and to prevent the Spaniards from helping him (the iMcncli and Spanish are now friends, having united against England), they procure the Apaches to assail San Antonio. St. Denis, however, surprises and defeats the Natchez ; and the Apaches appear to have made an organized attack, but to have confined themselves to murdering and thieving in parties. These Apaches, indeed, were dreadful scourges in these days to San Antonio and its environs. The people of the presidio of San Fernando and of the Missions on the River complained repeatedly (says the Testimonio de un Pairccr'- in the archives of Bexar) that they cannot expand (siii podcr estenderse) on account of '' las frcipiienttes hosttilidadcs que experimenttan de los Yndios Apaches.' ' This great tribe had headquarters about the Pass of Ban- dera, some fifty miles to the northwestVi\ird, from which they forayed not only up to San Antonio, but even as far as to Coahuila. Moreover, they manage (says the TesfiDioiiio) horses, firearms, and arrows eon Dimlia des/lreza y agilidad. F'inally the men of San Antonio and San Fernando get tire 1 of it, and after some minor counter- forays, they organize an expedition in 17-')2 which concpiers ct)m- parative peace from the Apaches for a few years. Nothing of special interest is recorded as hap])ening in vSan Antonio from this time until IT-'Ki. In .Septend:)er of that year arrives Don Carlos de h'ranquis, who innnediately ])roceeds to throw the town into a \-ery prett\- ferment. I*'ranquis had come out from vSpain to Mexico to be Cio\-ernor of Tlascala. On arrix'ing he finds that someone else is already Ciovernor of Tlascala. X'izarron, Arch- bi.shop of Mexico, and acting Vicero\- since Casa Fuerte's death, dispo.ses of him — it is likely he made troul)le enough till that was done — by sending him off to Texas to supersede Governor Sando\'al, a fine old \-eteran, who has been for two years governing the Province with such .soldierl)- lidelit\' as has won him great favor among the inhabitants. P'ranquis begins by insulting the priests, and follows this up with breaking o])eu peo])le"s letters. Presentl\- he arrests vSandoval, has liini chained, and causes criminal proceedings to be connnenced against him, charging him with treacherous complicit\- in certain mo\ements of St. Denis at Natchitoches. It seems that St. Denis, having found a higher and drier location, has removed his garrison and the iM-ench Mission of St. John the I^aptist some miles further from Red River toward the Texas territory, and built a new fort a!id settlenvMt^: that the Main IMaza sctlk-inciits -the Plaza de .Annas, ^^•Thf ViU.-i CajMtal dc Sai 1 I"cninn' to be there to defend it against the Apaches; guilty of irregular book-keeping, though through memoranda it is found that there is a balance in his favor of thirteen hundred dollars; not guilty of stealing the mis- sionary money. Upon the French matter Vedoya will not decide without further e\-idence. With poor Sandoval it is paj' again; he is fined five hundred dollars for his "guilt." Meantime, some months afterward an order is made that testimony be taken in Texas with regard to the French affair, said testimony to embrace an account of pretty much everything in, about, and concerning Texas. The testi- mony being taken and returned, the Attorney- General, in November 1741, entirely acquits Sandoval. But alas for the stout old soldier! this is in Mexico, where from of old, if one is asked who rules now, one must reply with the circumspection of that Georgia judge who, being asked the politics of his son, made answer that he knew not^ not having seen the creature since breakfast. \'izarron has gone out; the Duke de la Conquista has come into the Viceroyalty; and Sandoval has hardly had time to taste his hard-earned triumph before, through machinations of Fran- (luis. he finds himself in ])ris()n by order of the new X'iceroy. Finally, however, tlie rule works the other way: in December, 174;!, anew X'iceroy, Count Inienclara, getsholdofthepapersintheca.se, acquits Sandoval, and enjoins hVancjuis from proceeding further in the matter. It was in the course of this litigation — a copy of the proceedings in which, "filling thirty volumes of manu.script," was transmitted to Spain — that the old doc- ument hereinbefore referred to as \\nttcstimoniodeunPareccr\\'A.(\.\\.':^oxV^\\\. In this paper San Antonio is called San Antonio de Vejar o I'alero: \'ejar being the S])anish orthography of the Mexican Bexar (pronounced \'ay-har. ) This name vSan Antonio de Bexar, seems to have attached itself particularly to the military post, or presidio; its origin is not known. The town of San I'ernando was still so called at this time; and the town and mission of San .\nlonio de Valero bore that name. In 1744 this latter extended itself to the eastward, or rather the extension had probably gone on before that time and was only evidenced then. At any rate, SIDXI'V LAXH'R'S HISTORICAL SKlvTCII. 75 oil the Sth of May, 1711, the first stone of tlie ])reseiit Church of tlie Alamo was laid and blessed. The site of this ehnivh is nearl\- a (inarter of a mile to the east- ward of the Mililar\- ])la/a, where the mission to which it belonged had been located in IT'J-. Prom an old record-book purportiiii^ to contain the baptisms in "the Parish of the Pueblo n^ Saji /osc del Alamo,"' it would seem that there must have been also a settlement of that name. ,Saii Antonio de Bexar, therefore — the modern city — seems to be a consolidation of the />r^.y/a'z- legitimate prosperty could have l)een attained. Up to the year 17()2, when France, to save Louisiana from the clutches of England, ceded it to Spain, trade had been prohibited by the latter between her Texan colonists and the French settlers in IvOuisiana, though .some intercourse ahvays went on in a smuggling way between the two, whenever they could get a Spanish official to wink his eye or turn his back; and even after the cession of Louisiana matters were little Ijetter in ])oint of com- mercial activity. There were also restrictions even upon the agricultural energies of the colonists; they were, it is said, prohilnted from cultivating the vine and the olive, and also from the manufacture of many articles. Indeed, the immediate ncc- essit^• of settlements having passed away with the reino\-al of the danger of French occupation, the old policy of Spain seems to hax'e been resumed in full force, that of keeping her provinces around New Mexico and Mexico im])enetral)le wastes, as barriers again.st cnterpri.sing neighbors. Nor was the spiritual pro.sperity much greater. The arduous toils and sublime devotions of the Franciscan brethren bore but moderate fruit. Father Mare.st had declared in 171- that the conversion of the Indians was "a miracle of the Lord's mercy," and that it was " necessary first to transform them into men, and afterward to labor to make them Christians." These noble l)rotliers too had rea.son to believe in the inhumanity of the Indians. They could remember the San Saba Mission; where, in n")'*^, the Indians had fallen u]ion the pco]-)le and mas.sacred every human being, la)- and clerical: and here, in 1 7>i'), the\- could see for thenisel\-es the company of .San Carlos de Parras dri\en by the fierce Comanches to place their quarters within the enclosure of the Alamo. In 17elo\v the town for Christianization. The town, however, which had been built up about the Mission buildings, remained, having a separate alcalde, and an organization politically and religiousl}^ distinct from that of San Antonio de Bexar and San Fernando for some years longer. In IT'.'O the population around the Alamo was increased by the addition of the people from the Presidio de los Adaes ; this post was abandoned, and its inhabitants were pro\'ided with lands which had been the property of the Mission of San Antonio de Valero, h'ing in the neighborhood of the Alamo to the north. "The upper labor^ of the Alamo," says Mr. Giraud. in an interesting note which constitutes Appendix iv. of Yoakum's History of Texas, "... is still connnonly called by the old inhabitants the labor de los Adaescnos. ' " These Mission lands about the Alamo seem to have ceased to be such about this time, and to have been divided off to the Mission people, each of whom received a portion, with fee-simple title.f In 17i)o the distinct religious * Lal'or: a Spanish land-measure of about one hundred and seventy-seven acres. t[THH PARTITION OK THE LANDS OF THE MISSION OF SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO OR ALAMO MISSION TO THE SETTLERS OK THE EXTINGl'ISHED POST OR PRESIDIO OF ADAES WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO THIS MISSION UPON THE BREAKING VP OK THAT POST. The Presidio of the Adaes was a Spanish frontier Post of Eastern Texas. Its site was almost due east from Nacogdoches between the Sabine and Red Rivers, in Louisiana Territory. It was abandoned and broken up about 1790. It had been of some importance in its day. Upon its extinction its settlers were brought to San Antonio de Valero. It would appear that the Spanish Government, about the year 1784, were a little dissatisfied with results in the Province of Texas, and became curious or anxious to know something of the general welfare and condition of the Missions of Texas, and an order was issued under the mandate of the King for an official report of the Texas Missions. This report was not concluded and forwarded until December 27th, 1793, when it was done by El Conde de Revilla-gigedo, Viceroy of Mexico. He instituted some changes, apparently sug- gested to him by his enquiries and by petitions sent to him by certain resident Adaes. San Antonio de Valero was now no longer a Mission, but of course it enters into his report. The following is a letter from a tran- slated copy deposited in the City Engineer's Records in l.S.')S, apparently addressed to Manuel Munioz. Pro- visional Governor, in 1792 : " I return you the enclosed proceedings marked P. V. number 21, pages 19, which you sent me with your letters marked 394, dated the 2t)th of last October, and in which the residents of San Antonio de Bexar petition for the distribution amongst them of lands in consideration of their having been the settlers of the extinguished Pre.sidio of the Adaes, so that in conformity with the opinion of the War Auditor with which I have agreed in a superior decree of the 17th, present, (month) you shall order its compliance. God keep you many years. " Mexico, November the 20th, 1792. " The Count of Revilla-gigedo, "S. Dn. Ramon de Castro, Secretary. " (A copy. Coahuila, 27th December, 1792. Castro.)" (Translated by A. A. Lewis, October 2d. 1S.5S.) The document translation from which this is an excerpt, is headed: " Copy of Proceedings sent to the Commander General on July 27th, 1798, respecting the Partition of lands to the .\dacs and returned by that Superiority to the Government so that the interested parties have it more in their reach lo apply for testimonios that may serve them as titles. "M. Munioz, " Lieut. Col. of Cavalry of the Royal Armies of His Majesty, Political and Military Governor of the Province of " Texas and Wew Philippines." So, it seems, that these Adaes might be fittingly provided for, the Count issued an order to Manuel Munioz to divide amongst them the Alamo Mission lands. .Accordingly Don Pedro Huizar is ordered to sui-\-cy the suertes and Hernardo Zervantes is appointed to divide the lands among the Indians and settlers, January 17th, 179:{. A drawing or lottery was to be held to decide who should have first choice of the suertes surveyed, each individual to be granted by lot a piece of land, as much as 4 pecks of seed corn will cover, and they are all cautioned to be satisfied with what falls to their lot or luck, whether they draw land bordering the irrigating ditches or merely ordinary pasture land. "On February 24th, 179.!, the following named .Xdae Indians received their portions of land," then follows in the records of the County a list of names, viz : "No. 1. Suerle !l MamicI Martinez. " No. 2. Suerte & Jo-^r Ko.lriKuez. " No. .'i. Suerte ii Mainu 1 ilc los Santos. "No. 4. Stierte il Joachin Mus(|\iiz, etc., etc. .">(> Grants altogether." The only condition under which these Indians seem to have held their lands, was that they were to pay a Church debt out of a part of the crops and produce of their lands. At this date, Father Francisco Jose Lopez was President of the Missions. — W. C.,.Ei>.l MEM. The I,abor of Abajo to pay with its producls the debts that llu- Mission niiglil have at llic time of its delivery over to the public. MEM. Ramon de Castro was Count ol Sierra Gorda.-W. C . IIm SIDXlvV I.AXIl'R'S HISTORICAL SKICTCH. 77 organization of the Mission of .San Antonio (k- X'ak-ro terminated, and it was aggregated to the cnracv of the town of San hVrnando and the pnsiciio oi San Antonio de Ik-xar ; as appears \)\ the following note whieli is fonnd on the last page of an old Record l)ook of l)a])tisnis in the archixes of P.exar : — "On the 22d day of August, 171>.'), I passed this book of the Records of the pueblo of San Antonio de Valero to the archives of the curacy of the town of San Fernando and presidio of San Antonio de Bexar, by order of the most illustrious Seiior Dr. Don Andres de Llanos y Valdez, most worthy Bishop of this diocese, dated January 2d, of the same year, by reason of said pueblo having been aggre- gated to the curacy of Bexar ; and that it may be known, I sign it. " Fr. Josk Francisco IvOpkz, Parroco^ In the year LSOO San Antonio began to see a new .sort of prisoners brought in. Instead of captive Indians, here arrived a party of eleven Americans* in irons, who were the remainder of a compan}- with which Philip Nolan, a trader between Natchez and San Antonio, had started out, and who, after a sharp fight with one hundred and fift\- Si:)anish soldiers in which Nolan was killed, had been first induced to return to Nacogdoches, and there treacherously manacled and sent to prison at San Antonio. Again, in LS().'), three Americans are brought in under guard. In this vear, too, matters begin to be a little more lively in the town. Spain's neighbor on the east is not now France; for in INO;; Louisiana has ])een formally transferred to the United States. There is already trouble with the latter about the boundary line betwixt Louisiana and Texas. Don Antonio Cordero, the new Governor of Texas, has brought on a lot of troops through the town, and fixed his official residence here ; and troops continue to march through en route to Natchitoches, where the American General Wilkinson is, menacing the l)order. Again, in 1S07, Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike, of the United States Army, pa.s.ses through town in charge of an escort. Lieutenant Pike has been sent to explore the Arkansas and Red Rivers, and to treat with the Comanches, has been apprehended by the Spanish authorities in New Mexico, carried to Santa Fe, and is now being escorted home. At this time there are four hundred troops in San Antonio, in quarters near the Alamo. Besides these, the towii has about two thousand inhabitants, mostly Spaniards and Creoles, the remainder Frenchmen, Americans, civilized Indians, and half-breeds. New settlers ha\-e come in ; and what with army olBcers, the Governor's people, the clergy, and prominent citizens, society begins to form and to enjoy itself. The Governor, Father McGuire, Colonel Delgado, Captain ITgarte, Doctor Zerbin, dispense ho.spitalities and adorn social meetings. There are, in the evenings, levees at the Governor's ; sometimes Mexican dances on the Plaza, at which all assist ; and freciuent and prolonged card parties. P,ut these peaceful .scenes do not last long. In ISl 1 the pa.s.sers across the San Antonio river l)etween the Alamo and the Main Plaza behold a .strange sight: it is the head of a man stuck on a pole, there, in bloody menace against rebels. This head but yesterda\- was on the shoulders of Colonel Delgado, a flying adherent of Hidalgo, in Mexico: Hidalgo, initiator of how long a train of Mexican revolutions! * Americans. /. ,-. riiilcd Males people ; in which sense, to avoid the awkwardness of the only other equiv • alent tertns, I shall hereafter nse the word. 78 SAX ANTONIO DE BEXAR. having been also put to death in Chihuahua. It was not long before this blood was (as from of old) washed out with other blood. Bernardo Gutierrez, a fellow-rebel of the unfortunate Delgado, escaped to Natchitoches, and met young Magee, an officer of the ITnited States arm>-. In a short time the two had assembled a mixed force of American adventurers and reljellious Mexican republicans, had dri\'en the Spanish troops from Nacogdoches, marched into Texas, captured the fort and sup- plies at La Bahia, enlisted its garrison, and sustained a siege there which the enemy was finally compelled to abandon with loss. It was in March. 1818, that the Spanish besieging force set out on its retreat up the river to San Antonio. Gutier- rez — Magee having committed suicide in consequence of mortification at the indignant refusal of the troops to accept a surrender which lie had negotiated soon after the beginning of the siege — determined to pursue. On the 28th of March he crossed the Salado, C7i route to San Antonio, with a force consisting of eight hundred Americans under Colonel Kemper, one hundred and eighty Mexicans led by Man- cliaca,-'- under Colonel James Gaines, three hundred Lipan and Twowokana Indians, and twenty-five Cooshattie Indians. Marching along the bank of the San Antonio ri\-er, with the left flank protected by the stream, this motley armj' arrived within nine miles of San Antonio, when the riflemen on the right suddenly discovered the enemy ambushed in the chaparral on the side of a ridge. Here the whole force that Governor Salcedo could muster had been posted, consisting of about fifteen hundred regular troops and a thousand militia. To gain time to form, the Indians were ranged to receive the opening charge of the Spanish cavalry; the eneni}- mean- time having immediately formed along the crest of the ridge, wath twelve pieces of artiller>- in the centre. The Indians broke at the first shock; only the Cooshatties and a few others stood their ground. These received two other charges, in which they lost two killed and several wounded. The Americans had now^ made their dispositions, and proceeded to execute them with matchless coolness. They charged up the hill, stopped at thirty yards of the enemy's line, fired three rounds, loaded, then charged again, and straighway the slope towards San Antonio was dotted with Spanish fugitives, whom the Indians pursued and butchered regardless of quarter. The Spani.sh commander, who had pledged .sword and head to Governor Salcedo that he would kill and capture the American army, could not endure the sting of his misfortune. He spurred his horse upon the American ranks, attacked Major Ro.ss, then Colonel Kemper, and while in the act of striking the latter, was .shot b)' private William Owen. The vSpanish loss is .said to have been near a thousand killed and wounded. Next day the Americans advanced to the outskirts of vSan Antonio and de- manded a surrender. Governor Salcedo desired to parley, to delay. A second demand was made — peremptory. Governor Salcedo then marched out with his staff. He presented his .sword to Captain Taylor ; Taylor refu.sed, and referred him to Colonel Kemper. Presenting to Colonel Kemper, he was in turn referred to Gutierrez. No, not to that rebel ! vSalcedo thrust his sword into the ground, whence Gutierrez drew it. The victors got .stores, arms, and treasure. Seven- teen American prisoners in the Alamo were released and armed. The troops were paid — receiving a bonus of fifteen dollars each in addition to wages — clothed * A pioimueiit Mfxu-au, olTLXas, of slroii); but uiicuUivaUd iiiU SIDXIvV LAXIICR'S HISTORICAI. SKICTCH. 79 and niouiilecl out of the booty. The Indians were not forgotten in the distribu- tion: thc\ " were supplied," says Voakuni, " witli twc) dollars' \v(jrth oi ver- milion, to.^ether with presents of the value of a hundred and thirt\- dollars, and sent away rejoicin.i;'." And now flowed the blood that must answer that which dripped down the pole from poor Colonel Delgado's bead. Shortly after the victory, Captain Del- gado, a son of the executed rel)el, falls upon his knees before Gutierrez, and de- mands vengence n\)on the ]^risoner. Governor Salcedo, who apprehended and executed his father. Gutierrez arrays his army, informs them that it would l)e safe to send Salcedo and staflF to New Orleans, and that it so hap])ens that ves- sels are about to sail for that port from Matagorda Bay. The army consents (we are so fearfully and wonderfully republican in these days : ///t' aryny consents) that the prisoners be sent off as ])roi)osed. Captain Delgado, with a company of Mexicans, starts in charge, ostensibly en route for Matagorda Bay. There are fifteen of the distinguished captives : Governor Salcedo, of Texas, Governor Herrera, of New Leon, Ex-Governor Cordero, whom we last saw holding levees in San Antonio, several Spanish and Mexican officers, and one citizen. Delgado gets his prisoners a mile and a half from town, halts them on the bank of the river, strips them, ties them, and cuts the throats of every man : " some of the assassins," says Colonel Navarro, whetting " their knives upon the soles of their shoes in presence of their victims." The town of San Antonio must have been anything but a pleasant place for peaceful citizens during the next two months. Colonel Kemper, who was really the commanding officer of the American army, refused further connection with those who could be guilty of such barbarity, and left, with other American officers. Their departure leit in the town an uncontrolled body of troo])s who feared neither God nor man ; and these immediately proceeded to avail themselves of the situation by indulging in all manner of riotous and lawless pleasures. With the month of June, however, came Don Elisondo from Mexico with an army of royalists, consisting of about three thousand men half of whom were regular troops. His advance upon San Antonio seems to have been a complete surprise, and to have been only learned by the undisciplined republican army in the town, together wnth the fact that he had captured their horses, which had been out grazing, and killed part of the guard which w^as protecting the caballada. If P^l- isondo had marched straight on into town, his task would probabh* have been an easy one. But he committed the fatal mistake of encamping a short distance from the suburbs, where he threw up two bastions with a curtain between, on a ridge near the Alazan Creek. Meantime the republican arm\- in th.e town recovered from the confusion into which they had been thrown by the first intelligence of Elisondo's proximity, and organized themselves under Gutierrez and Captain Perry. It was determined to anticipate the enemy's attack. Ingress and egress w^ere prohibited, the senti- nels doubled, and all the cannons spiked except four field-pieces. In the darkness of the night of June 4th the Americans marched quietly out of town, b}- file, to within hearing of the enemy's pickets, and remained there until the enemy was heard at matins. The signal to charge being given — a cheer from the right of 80 SAN ANTONIO DR BRXAR. companies — the Americans advanced, suq^rised and captured the pickets in front, mounted the enem^-'s work, lowered his flag and hoisted their own, before they were fairl}' discovered through the dim dawn. The enemy struggled hard, how- ever, and compelled the Americans to abandon the works. The latter charged again, and this time routed the enemy completely. The royalist loss is said to have been about a thousand in killed, wounded and prisoners; and that of the Americans, ninety-four killed and mortally wounded. For some reason Gutierrez was now dismissed from the leadership of the army (we republican soldiers decapitate our commanders very quickly if they please us not !), and shortly afterwards troops and citizens went forth in grand procession to welcome Don Jose Alvarez Toledo, a distinguished republican Cuban who had been forwarding recruits from Louisiana to San Antonio ; and having escorted him into town with much ceremony, elected him commander-in- chief of the Republican Army of the North. Toledo immediately organised a government ; but ihe people of San Antonio enjoyed the unaccustomed blessing of civil law only a little while. In a few days enter, from over the Mexican border, Gen. Arredondo, with the remnant of Elisondo's men and some fresh troops, about four thousand in all, en route for San Antonio. Toledo marches out to meet him with about twentj^- five hundred men, one-third of whom are Americans, the balance Mexicans under Manchaca ; and on the 18th of August, 1813, they come together. Arredondo decoys him into an ingenious ad de sac which he has thrown up, just south of the Medina River, and has concealed by cut bushes ; and pours such a murderous fire of cannon and small arms upon him, that in spite of the gallantry of the right wing where the Americans are, the retreat which Toledo has ordered too late becomes a mere rout, and the republican army is butchered without mercy. One batch of seventy or eighty fugitives is captured by the pursuing royalists, tied, set by tens upon a log laid across a great grave, and shot ! On the 20th Arredondo enters San Antonio in great triumph, and straight- way proceeds to wreak fearful vengeance upon the unhappy town for the massacre of his brother governors. Seven hundred citizens are thrown into prison. Dur- ing the night of the 20th eighteen die of suffocation out of three hundred who are confined in one house. These only anticipate the remainder, who are shot, with- out trial, in detachments. Five hundred republican women are imprisoned in a building, derisivel)^ termed the Quhiia, and compelled to make up twenty-four bu.shels of corn into tortillas every day for the royalist army. Having thus sent up a sweet savor of revenge to the spirits of the murdered Salcedo, Cordero> Herrera, and the others, Arredondo finally gathers their bones together and buries them. In all this blood the prosperity of San Antonio was drowned. To settlers it offered no inchicements ; to most of its former citizens it held out notli- ing but terror ; and it is described as almost entireh' abandoned in IsKi. In December, l.S2(), arri\-ed a person in San Antonio wlio, though nt)t then known as sucli, was really a harbinger of better times. This was Moses Austin, of Connecticut. He came to see Go\-ernor Martinez, with a view of bringing a colony to Texas. The two. with the I'.aroii ck- Haslro]), put in train tlie i)relimi- nary application for permission to Arretlondo, Connnandanl-Cieneral at Monterey. y^-mcy, 9 /^// 7 ^ RJ/fo W^^cj FAC-Snm.KS OF SKiNATURKS (JF inSTOKICAL PFRSONA GES. SIDXlvV LANIl-R'S HISTORICAL SKl/rCII. 81 Austin, il is true, died soon afterwards ; l)Ut lie left his project to his son Stephen F., who afterwards carried it out with a patience tliat amounted to j^enius and a fortitude that was equivalent to the favor of Heaven. On the -ilth of August, 1S21, Don Juan O'Donoju and Yturhide entered into the Treaty of Cordova, which substantially perfected the separation of Mexico from the mother-country. When the intelligence of this event had spread, the citi/.en.s of San Antonio returned. Moreover, about this time a tide of emigra- tion began to set towards Texas. The Americans who had composed part of the army of Gutierrez had circulated fair reports of the country. In IS-i."! San Antonio is said to have had five thousand inhabitants ; though the Comanches appear still to have had matters all their own way when they came into town, as they frequently did, to buy beads and other articles with skins of deer and buffalo. One would find this difticult to believe, but rea.soning a priori, it is rendered probable by the fact that in the decree of the the Federal Congress of Mexico of the 24th of August, 182(3, to provide for raising troops to serve in Coahuila and Texas as frontier defenders, it is ordered that out of the gro.ss levies there shall be first preferred for military service " ^.s- %'ao;os y iiial cntreienidos,'" vagrant and evil- disposed persons ; and a posteriori, it is ([uite confirmed by the experience of Olmsted in San Fernando (a considerable town west of the Rio Grande) so late as 1S.54, where he found the Indians "lounging in and out of every house .... with such an air as indicated they were masters ot the town. They entered every door," adds Olmsted, "fell on every neck, patted the women on the check, helped them.selves to whatever suited their fancy, and dis- tributed their scowls or grunts of pleasure according to their sensations." In the year 1824 a lot of French merchants passed through San Antonio en route to Santa Fe on a trading expedition. Some distance from town their pack- animals were all stolen by Indians ; but they managed to get carts and oxen from San Antonio, and so conveyed their goods finally to Santa Fc, where they sold them at an immense profit. In 1831 the Bowie brothers, Rezin P. and James, organised in San Antonio their expedition in search of the old reputed silver mines at San Saba Mission. In the course of this unlucky venture occurred their famous Indian fight, where the two Bowies, with nine others, fought a pitched battle with one hundred and sixty-four Indians who had attacked them with arrow, with ritle, and with fire from sundown to sunset, killing and wounding eighty-four. They then fortified tlieir position during tlie night, maintained it for eight days afterwards, and finally returned to San Antonio with their horses and three wounded comrades, leaving one man killed. It is related that in ls;')2 a Comanclie Indian attempted to alxluct a Shawnee woman in San Antonio. She escaped him, joined a partv of her people who were staying some thirty fi\-e miles from town, ami informed them where the Comanches (of whom five hundred had been in town for some purpose) would probably camp. The Shawnees ambushed themselves at the spot indicated. The Comanches came on and stopped as expected : the Shawnees poured a fire into them, and repeated it as they continually rallied, until the Comanches abandoned the con test with a loss of one hundred and se\entv-five dead. 82 SAN ANTONIO DK BKXAR. Early in IS.'Jo (or perhaps late in December 1832) arrives in San Auconio for the first time-one who is to be called the father of his country. This is Sam Houston. He comes in company with the famous James Bowie, son-in-law of Vice-Governor Veramendi, and holds a consultation with the Comanche chiefs here, to arrange a meeting- at Cantonment Gibson with a view to a treaty of peace. Meantime trouble is brewing. Young Texas does not get on well with his mother. What seems to hurt most is the late union of Texas with Coahuila. This we cannot stand. Stephen F Austin goes to the City of Mexico with a memorial on the subject to the federal government. He writes from there to the municipality of San Antonio. Oct. 2d, 18:5o, informing the people that their request is likely to be refused, and advising them to make themselves ready for that emergency. The municipality hand this letter over to Vice-President Farias, who, already angry with Austin on an old account; arrests liim on his way home and throws him in prison, back in the city of Mexico. In October, 18;U, certain people in San Antonio hold what Yoakum calls " the first strictly revolutionary meeting in Texas;" for Santa Kw\\a.\\2iS pronoiniced, and got to be at the head of affairs, and he refuses to separate Texas from Coa- huila. So, through meetings all over the state ; through conferences of citizen deputations with Col. Ugartechea, Mexican Commandant at San Antonio, for the purpose of explaining matters ; through confused arguments and resolutions of the peace party and the war party ; through confused rumors of the advance of Mexican General Cos with an army ; through squabbling and wrangling and final fighting over the cannon that had been lent by the Post of Bexar to the people of Gonzales ; through all manner of civic trouble consequent upon the imprisonment of Governor Viesca of Texas by Santa Anna, and the suspension of the progress of the civil law machine, we come to the time when the committee of San Felipe boldly cry : -'Let us take Bexar and drive the Mexican soldiery out of Texas!" and presently, here, on the 28th of October, 1885, is General Cos with his army in San Antonio, fortifying for dear life, while yonder is Austin with a thousand Texans, at Mission Concepcion, a mile and a half down the river below town, where Fannin and Bowie with ninety men in advance have a few hours before waged a brilliant battle with four hundred Mexicans, capturing their field-piece, killing and wounding a hundred or more, and driving the rest back to town. (icneral Austin believes, it seems, that Cos will surrender without a battle ; and so remains at Concepcion till November 2d, then marches up past the town on the east side, encamps four or five days, marches down on the west side, dis- plays his forces on a hill side /;/ terrorcm, sends in a demand for surrender — and is flatly answered no. He resolves to lay siege. The days pass slowly, the enemy will not come out though allured with all manner of military enticements, and the army has no "fun," with the exception of one small skirmish, until the 2()th, when "Deaf" Smith-'= discovers a party of a hundred Mexican troops, who have been .sent out to cut prairie-grass for the horses in towu, and reporting them in camp, brings on what is known as the "grass-fight." Colonel James Bowie -due of Uk- iiiosl <.cl( hi .lU-d .-.ikI ifTiciriil scoflsofllw i evolution. (Whose gvan.iclul.licii aic well known in this city to-day. — W. C. i;i).J / vSIDXIvV LAXII-R'vS HISTORICAL SKI'/rClI. 8'^ attacks with ;i huiuhvcl mounted men ; l)()th sides are (luiekly reinforced, and a sharp running fight is kept up until the enemy get back to town ; the Texans capturing seventy horses and killing some fifty of the enemy, with a loss of but two wounded and one missing. Meantime discontents arise. On the day before the "grass-fight" Austin resigns, having been appointed Commissioner to the United States, and Edward Burleson is elected by the army to the command. General Burleson, for some reason, seems loth to storm. Moreover, one Dr. James Grant seduces a large party with a wild project to leave San Antonio and attack Mataraoras, when he declares that the whole of Mexico will rise and over- whelm Santa Anna ; and on the 29th of November it is actually announced that two hundred and twenty-five men are determined to start the next morning. P>ut they do not start. It is whispered the town will be stormed. On the ord of December, Smith, Holmes, and Maverick escape from San Antonio, and give the Texan commander such information as apparently determities him to storm. Volunteers are called for to attack early next morning ; all day and all night of that December ord the men make themselves ready, and long for the moment to advance : when here comes word from the General's quarters that the attack is put off ! Chagrin and indignation prevail on all sides. On the morning of the 4th there is open disobedience of orders ; whole companies refuse to parade. Finall}^ when on the same afternoon orders are issued to abandon camp and march for La Bahia at seven o'clock, the tumult is terrible, and it s-^^ems likely that these wild energetic souls, failing the Mexicans, will end by exterminating each other. ^Slidst of the confusion here arrives Mexican Lieutenant Vuavis, a deserter, and declares that the projected attack is not known (as had been assigned for reason of postponing), and that the garrison in town is in as bad order and dis- content as the besiegers. At this critical moment a brave man suddenly crystal- lised the loose mass of discordant men and opinions into one compact force and one keen purpose. It is late in the morning, Col. Benjamin R. Milam steps forth among the men, and cries aloud : " Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio? '' Three hundred and one men wnll go. A little before daylight on the ^th they "go," Gen. Burleson agreeing to hold his position until he hears from them. Milam marches into and along Acequia Street with his party ; Johnson with his along Soledad Street. Where these debouch into the Main Plaza, Cos has throwni up breastworks and placed raking batteries. The columns march parallel along the quiet streets. Pres- ently, as Johnson gets near the Veramendi House (which he is to occupy, while Milam is to gain De la Garza's house), a Mexican sentinel fires. Deaf Smith shoots the sentinel. The Mexicans prick up their ears, prick into their cannon- cartridges; the Plaza batteries open, the Alamo batteries join in ; spade, crowbar, rifle, escopet, all are plied, and the storming of Bexar is begun. But it would take many such papers as this to give even meagre details of all the battles that have been fought in and around San Antonio, and one must pass over the four days of this thrilling conflict with briefest mention. It is novel fighting ; warfare intramural, one might say. The Texans advance inch by inch by piercing through the stone walls of the houses, pecking loop-holes 84 SAN ANTONIO DE BKXAR. with crowbars for their rifles as they gain each room, picking off the enemy from his housetops, from around his cannon, even from behind his own loop-holes. On the night of the oth with great trouble and risk the two columns succeed in opening comnuinication with each other. On the (Jth they advance a little beyond the Garza house. On the 7th brave Karnes steps forth with a crowbar and breaks into a house midway between the Garza house and the Plaza ; brave Milam is stricken by a rifle ball just as he is entering the yard of the Veramendi house and falls instantly dead ; and the Navarro house, one block from the Main Plaza, is gained. On the 8th they take the " Zambrano Row" of buildings, driving the enemy from it room by room ; the enemy endeavor to produce a diversion with fifty men, and do, in a sense, for Burleson finds some diversion in driving them back precipitately with a six-pounder ; at night those in the Zam- brano Row are reinforced, and the "Priest's House" is gained amid heavy fighting. This last is the stroke of grace. The Priest's House commands the Plaza. Early on the morning of the 9th General Cos sends a flag of truce, asking to sur- render, and on the 10th agrees with Gen. Burleson upon formal and honorable articles of capitulation. The poor citizens of San Antonio de Bexar, however, do not yet enjoy the blessings of life in quiet ; these wild soldiers who have stormed the town cannot remain long without excitement. Presently Dr. Grant revives his old Mata- moras project, and soon departs, carrying with him most of the troops that had been left at Bexar for its defense, together with great part of the garrison's winter supply of clothing, ammunition and provisions, and in addition "pressing" such property of the citizens as he needs, insomuch that Col. Neill, at that time in command at Bexar, writes to the Governor of Texas that the place is left desti- tute and defenceless. Soon afterward Col. Neill is ordered to destroy the Alamo walls and other fortifications, and bring off the artillery, since no head can be made there in the present crisis against the enemy, who is reported marching in force upon San Antonio. Having no teams. Col. Neill is unable to obey the order, and presently retires, his unpaid men having dropped off until but eighty remain, of wdiom Colonel Wm. B. Travis assumes command. Colonel Travis promptly calls for more troops, but gets none as yet, for the Governor and Coun- cil are at deadly quarrel, and the soldiers are all pressing towards Matamora?. Travis has brought thirty men with him ; about the middle of February he is joined l)y Colonel Bowie with thirty others, and these, with the eighty already in garrison, constitute the defenders of San Antonio de Bexar. On the 'i.'Jd of Feb- ruary appears General Santa Anna at the head of a well-appointed army of some four thousand men, and marches straight on into town. The Texans retire before him slowly, and finally shut thems^-lves up in the Alamo ; here straight- way begins that bloodiest, smokiest, grimiest tragedy of this century. William B. Travis, James Bowie, and David Crockett, with their hundred and forty-five effective men, are enclosed within a stone rectangle one hundred and ninety feet long and one hundred and twentj'-two feet wide, having the old church of the Alamo in the southeast corner, in which are their quarters and magazine. They have a supply of water from tlic ditches that run alongside the walls, and by way vSIDXlvV I.AXIl-R'S HISTORICAL SKI'.TCII. 85 of provision the\' have about ninety bushels of corn and thirty beef cattle, their entire stock, all collected since the enemy came in sight. The walls are un- broken, with no angles from which to conmiand beseiging lines. Tliey ha\e fourteen pieces of artillery mounted, with but little ammunition. Santa Anna demands unconditional svirrender. Tra\is replies with a camion- shot, and the attack commences, the enemy running up a blood-red flag in town. Travis dispatches a messenger with a call to his countrymen for reinforcements, which concludes : " Though this call may be neglected, I am determined to sus- tain myself as long as possible, and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country. Victory or death ! " Meantime the enemy is active. On the 25th Travis has a sharp fight to prevent him from erecting a battery raking the gate of the Alamo. At night it is erected, with another a half-mile off at the Garifa, or powder-house, on a .sharp eminence at the extremity of the present main street of the town. On the 26th there is skir- mishing with the Mexican cavalry. In the cold — for a norther has commenced to blow and the thermometer is down to thirty-nine — the Texans make a sally suc- cessfully for wood and \vater, and that night they burn some old houses on the northeast that might afford cover for the enenu-. So amid the enemy's constant rain of shells and balls, which miraculously hurt no one, the Texans strengthen their works and the siege goes on. On the 28th Fannin starts from Goliad with three hundred troops and four pieces of artillery, but for lack of teams and pro- visions quickly returns, and the little garri.son is left to its fate. On the morning of the first of March there is doubtless a wild shout of welcome in the Alamo ; Captain John W. Smith has managed to convey thirty-two men from Gonzales into the fort. These join the heroes, and the attack and defence go on. On the •>rd a single man, Moses Rose, escapes from the fort. His account of that day* must entitle it to consecration as one of the most pathetic days of time. ''About two hours before sunset on the ord of March, IS-'UI, the bombard- ment suddenly ceased, and the enemy withdrew an unusual distance Col- onel Travis paraded all his effective men in a single file, and taking his position in front of the centre, he stood for some moments apparently speechless from emotion : then nerving himself for the occasion, he addressed them substantially as follows : — " 'My brave companions : stern necessity compels me to employ the few moments afforded by this probably brief cessation of conflict, in making known to you the most interesting, 3'et the most solemn, melancholy and unwelcome fact that humanity can realise Our fate is sealed. Within a very few days, perhaps a very few hours, we must all be in eternity ! I have deceived you long by the promise of help ; but I crave 3'our pardon, hoping that after hearing my explanation you will not only regard my conduct as pardonable, but heartily sympathise with me in my extreme necessity I have continually received the strongest assurances of help from home. Every letter from the Council, and * As transmitted by the Ziiber family, whose residence was the first place at which poor Rose had dared to stop, and with whom he remained some weeks, healing the festered wounds made on his legs by the cactus- thorns during the days of his fearful journey. The account from which these extracts are taken, is contributed to the Texas .\lmanac for 1S78, by W. P. Zuber, and his mother, Mary .\un Zuber. «6 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. ever)- one that I have seen from individuals at home, has teemed with assurances that our people were ready, willing and anxious to come to our relief. . . . These assurances I received as facts In the honest and simple confidence of my heart I have transmitted to 3'ou these promi.sos of help and my confident hope of success. But the promised help has not come, and our hopes are not to be realised. I have evidently confided too much in the promises of our friends; but let us not be in haste to censure them Our friends were evidently not informed of our perilous condition in time to save us. Doubtless they would have been here by the time they expected any considerable force of the enemy. .... My calls on Colonel Fannin remain unanswered, and my messengers have not returned. The probabilities are that his whole command has fallen into the hands of the enemy, or been cut to pieces, and that our couriers have been cut off. [So does the brave simple soul refuse to feel any bitterness in the hour of death.] .... Then we must die Our business is not to make a fruitless effort to save our lives, but to choose the manner of our death. But three modes are presented to us ; let us choose that by which we may best serve our country. Shall we surrender and be deliberately shot without taking the life of a single enemy ? Shall we try to cut our way out through the Mexican ranks and be butchered before we can kill twenty of our adversaries ? I am opposed to either method Let us resolve to withstand our adversaries to the last, and at each advance to kill as many of them as possible. And when at last they shall storm our fortress, let us kill them as they come! kill them as they scale our wall! kill them as they leap within! kill them as the}- raise their weapons and as they use them! kill them as they kill our companions! and continue to kill them as long as one of us shall remain alive! .... But I leave every man to his own choice. Should an}- man prefer to surrender . . . or to attempt an escape . . . he is at liberty to do so. My own choice is to stay in the fort and die for my country, fighting as long as breath shall remain in my bod}-. This will I do even if you leave me alone. Do as you think best ; but no man can die with me without affording me comfort in the hour of death ! ' ' "Colonel Travis then drew his sword, and with its point traced a line upon the ground extending from the right to the left of the file. Then resuming his position in front of the center, he said, 'I now want every man who is determined to stay here and die with me to come across this line. Who will be the first? March ! The first respondent was Tapley Holland, who leaped the line at a bound, exclaiming, ' I am ready to die for my country ! ' His example was instantly followed by every man in the file with the exception of Rose. . . . Every sick man that could walk, aro.se from his bunk and tottered across the line. Colonel Bowie, who could not leave his bed, said, ' Boys. I am not able to come to you, but I wish .some of you would be so kind as to remove my cot over there.' Four men in.stantly ran to the cot, and each lifting a corner, carried it across the line. Then every sick man that could not walk made the same request, and had his bunk removed in the .same way. " Rose too was deeply affected, but differently from his companions. He stood till every man but himself had cro.ssed the line. . . . He sank upon the ground, covered his face, and yielded to his own reflections. ... A bright idea siDXi'V i,.\xii-:r's historical ski-:tcii. 87 came to his relief; he spoke the Mexican dialect very fluentl}-, and could he once get safely out of the fort, he might easily pass for a Mexican and effect an escape. ... He directed a searching glance at the cot of Colonel Bowie. . . . Colonul David Crockett was leaning over the cot, conversing with its occupant in an undertone. After a few seconds Bowie looked at Rose and said, 'You seem not to be willing to die with us. Rose.' ' No,' said Rose ; ' I am not prepared to die, and shall not do so if I can avoid it.' Then Crockett also looked at him, and said, ' You may as well conclude to die with us, old man, for escape is impossi- ble.' Rose made no reply, but looked at the top of the wall. ' I have often done worse than to climb that wall,' thought he. Suiting the action to the thought, he sprang up. seized his wallet of unwashed clothes, and ascended the wall. Standing on its top, he looked down within to take a last view of his dying friends. They were all now in niotion, l)ut what they were doing he heeded not; overpowered by his feelings, he looked away and saw them no more. ... He threw dowm his wallet and leaped after it. . . . He took the road which led down the River around a bend to the ford, and through the town by the church. He waded the river at the ford and pas.sed through the town. He saw no per- son .... but the doors were all closed, and San Antonio appeared as a de- serted city. " After passing through the town lie tiu'ned down the River. A stillness as of death prevailed. When he had gone al)out a ([uarter of a mile below the town, his ears were saluted by the thunder of the l)oml)ardment which was then renewed. That thunder continued to remind him that his friends were true to their cause, by a continual roar with but slight inter\-als until a little before sunrise on the morning of the 6th, when it ceased and he heard it no more." =•• And well may it "cease" on that morning of the (Jth ; for after that thrilling M, the siege goes on, the enemy furious, the Texans replying calml\- and slowly. Finally Santa Anna determines to storm. Some hours before (la>light on the morning of the (itli, the Mexican infantry, ])ro\-ided with scaling ladders, and backed by the cavalr>' to keep them up to the work, surround the doomed fort. At daylight they advance and ])lant their ladders, ])ut give l)ack under a deadly fire from the Texans. They ad\-ance again, and again retreat, A third time — Santa Anna threatening and coaxing b>- turns — the>- plant their ladders. Now they mount the walls. The Texans are ovei whelmed by sheer weight of numbers and ex- haustion of continued watching and fighting. The Mexicans swarm hito the fort. The Texans club their guns; one by one llie\- fall fighting— now Travis yonder by the western wall, now Crockett here in tlie angle of the cluu-ch-wall. now Bowie butchered and nuitilated in his sick-cot, breathe (piick and pass away; and presently every Texan lies dead, while there in liorrid hea])s are stretched five hundred and twentv-one dead Mexicans and as niaii>- more wounded! Of tlie human beings that were in the fort five remain alive: Mrs. Dickinson and lier child, Colonel Travis' negro-servant, and two Mexican women. * Rose snccteded in making his escape, and re.iclud the house of the Zubers. as before stated, in fearful condiUoi). .\fter remaining here some weeks, he started for his home in Nacogdoches, hut on tlic way his thorn-wounds became inflamed anew, and when he reached home " his friends thought that he c<)\ild not live many months." 'I'his was " the last " that the Zubers •' heard of liiin." SAN ANTONIO Dlv BKXAR. The town did not long remain in the hands of the Mexicans. Events followed each other rapidly until the battle of San Jacinto, after which the dejected Santa Anna wrote his famous letter of capti\-it>- under the tree, which for a time relieved the soil of Texas from hostile footsteps. San Antonio was nevertheless not free from bloodshed, though beginning to dri\-e a sharp trade with Mexico, and to make those approaches towards the peaceful arts which necessarily accompan>- trade. The Indians kept life from stagnating, and in the year 1 840 occurred a bloody battle=i= with them in the very midst of the town. Certain Comanche chiefs, pending nego- tiations for a treaty of peace, had i)r()mised to bring in all the captives they had; and on the 19th of March, ISIO, nw-t tlie Texan Commissioners in the Council- house in San Antonio, to redeem their promise. Leaving twenty warriors and thirty-two women and children oiitside, twelve chijfs entered the council-room and presented the only captive tlie\- had 1)rought— a little white girl— declaring that they had no others. This statement the little girl pronounced false, asserting that it was made solely for the purpose of extorting greater ransoms, and that slie had but recently seen other captives in their camp. An awkward pause followed. Presently one of the chiefs inquired. How the connnissioners liked it? By way of re])ly, the c<)mi)an\- of CaiHain Howard, who had been .sent for, filed into the room, and the Indians were told that the\- would be held prisoners until they should send some of their party outside after the rest of the captives. The connni.ssionL-rs tlieii rose and left the room. As they were in the act of leaving, however, one ol the Indian chiefs altem])ted to rush ihrougii the door, and being confronted In- the sen- tinel, .sta))])ed him. vSeeing the sentinel luul, and Captain Howard also stabbed, the other chiefs sprang forward with knives and bows and arrows, and the fight raged until they were all killed. Meantime the warriors outside l)egan to fight, and en- gaged the coini)an\- of Cajjlain Read; l)Ul, taking shelter in a slone-honse. were sur- rounded and killed. Still anollur (U'laehuR-nl of the Indians managed to contiiuie the fight until thes- had re.iclied the oUkm" sidj of llir river, when they were linall>- despatched. Thirty-two Indian warriorN and fixe Indian women and children were slain, and the re.st of llie women and children were niaik- prisoner fought des])eralel>-, for se\en Texans were' killed ami rij^ht W()nnde( Th •ages )|- Darlicul.-iis of this tciiibk- incoiiiitff sci IS of Mrs M. A. M: SIDNI'.V LAXII'R'S HISTORICAL SKI'TCII. 89 Tlic war bclWLvn 'iVxas and Mexico lia.l now lan^i^uished for some years. The ])rojcct of annexation was nuich discussed in the Tnited States; one great objection to it was that the United States would embroil itself with a nation with which it was at peace — Mexico— !)>• annexiiiK Texas, then at war. The war, however, seemed likelx to die away; and to prevent the remoxal of the obstacle to annexation in that waN, Mexico made feeble efforts to keep up such hostihties as might at least give color to the assertion that the war had not ended. Accordingly in the year lS42a Mexican army a-ain invested San Antonio. After a short parley Colonel Hays withdrew with his small force, and the Mexicans, numbering about seven hundred men under General X^ascpie/., took po.ssession of the place and formally reor- ganized it as a Mexican town. They remained, however, onl\- two da>s, and con- ducted themselves, officiall>-, with great propriet>', though the citizens are said to have lost a great deal of valuable i)r()i)erty by unauthorized depredations of ])ri\-ate soldiers and of Mexican citizens who accominuiied the army on its departure. Again on the 11th of September, 1842, a Mexican army of twelve hundred men under Gen. Woll, sent probably by the same policy which had despatched the other, surprised the town of San Antonio, and, after having a few killed and wounded, took possession, the citizens having capitulated. Gen. Woll captured the entire bar of lawyers in attendance on the District Court, then in session, and held them as prisoners of war. He did not escape, however, so easily as Gen. Vasquez. The Texans gathered rapidly, and by the 17th had assembled two hundred and twenty men on the Salado, some six miles from town. Capt. Hays, with fifty men, decoyed Gen. Woll forth, and a battle ensued, from which the enemy withdrew at sunset with a loss of sixty killed and about the same number wounded, the Texans losing one killed and nine wounded. It is easy to believe that the honest citizens of vSan Antonio got little sleep on that night of the 17th of September, 1S42. Gen. Woll was busy making preparations for retreat ; and the Mexican citizens who intended to accompany him were also busy gathering up plunder right and left to take with them. At daylight they all departed. This was the last time that San Antonio de Bexar was ever in Mexican hands. After annexation, in 1845, the town began to improve. The trade from cer- tain portions of Mexico— Chihuahua and the neighboring States— seems always to have eagerly sought San Antonio as a point of supplies whenever peace gave it the opportunity. Presently, too, the laiited States Government selected San Antonio as the ba.se for the frontier arm>- below El Paso, and the large quanti- ties of money expended in connection with the supply and transportation of all materiel for so long a line of forts have contributed very materially to the pros- perity of the town. From a population of about ooOO in 18-30, it increased to 10,000 in lS.-)(x* Abandoning now this meagre historical .sketch, and pursuing the order indi- cated in the enumeration of contrast and eccentricities given in the early part of this paper : one finds in San Antonio the queerest juxtaposition of civilisations, white, yellow (Mexican), red (Indian), black (negro), and all possible permuta- *Saii .\iitouio has now an cslimalcil population of .jO.OOli.— \V. C, Ivd. 90 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. tions of these significant colors. Americans, Germans, and Mexicans; besides these there are probably representatives from all European nationalities. ='^ Religious services are regularly conducted in four languages, German, Span- ish, English and Polish. Perhaps the variety of the population cannot be better illustrated tlian by the following " commodity of good names," occurring in a slip cut from a daily paper of the town a day or two ago : Matrimoniai,.— The niatriinoiiial market for a couple of weeks past has been unusually lively, as evidenced by the following list of marriage licenses issued during that time : Cruz de la Cruz and .Manuela Sauseda ; Felipe Sallaui and Maria del R. Lopez ; (i. Isabolo and Rafaela Urvana ; Anto. P. Rivas and Maria Ouintana ; Garmel Hernandez and Seferina Rod- riguez; T. B. Leighton and Franceska E. Schmidt ; Rafael Diaz and Michaela Chavez: Levy Taylor and Anna Simpson, colored ; Ignacio Andrada and Juliana Baltasar ; August Dubiell and Philomena Muschell ; James Callaghan and Mary Grenet ; Albert Anz and Ida Pollock ; Stephen Hoog and Mina vSchneider ; Wm. King and Sarah Wilson, colored ; Joseph McCoy and Jesse Brown ; Valentine Heck and Clara Hirsch ; John F. Dunn and E. Annie Dunn."' Much interest has attached, of late years, to the climate of San Antonio, in consequence of its alleged happy influence upon consumption. One of the rec- ognized " institutions " of the town is the consumptives, who are sent here from remote parts of the United States and from Europe, and who may be seen on fine days, in various stages of decrepitude, strolling about the streets. This present writer has the honor to be one of tho.se strolling individuals ; but he does not in- tend to attempt to describe the climate, for three reasons : first, because it is sim- ply indescribable ; second, if it were not so, his experience has been such as to convince him that the needs of consumptives, in point of climate, depend upon two variable elements, to wit, the .stage which the patient has reached, and the peculiar temperament of each individual, and that therefore any general recom- mendation of any particular climate is often erroneous and sometimes fatally de- ceptive ; and third, because he fortunately is able to present some of the facts of the climate, which may be relied upon as scientifically accurate, and from the proper study of which each intelligent consumptive can make up his mind as to the suitableness of the climate to his individual case. For the past five years, Dr. F. V. Pettersen, a Swedi.sh physician and ardent lover of science, resident in *Si(Incy I.aiiier litre says of the old bridge which preceded the present one : ".At the Conunerce Street bridge over the San .Antonio River, standsa post supporting a large sign board, upon which appears the following three legends : Walk your horse over this bridge, or you will be fined. Schuelles Reiten uber diese Brucke ist verboteii. Anda despacio con su caballo, 6 teme la ley. To the the meditative stroller across this bridge— and on a soft day when the Gulf breeze and the sunshine are king and queen, any stranger may be safely defied to cross this bridge zvithoiil becoming meditative— there is a fine satire in the varying tone of these inscriptions— for they are by no means faithful translations of each other ; a satire all the keener in that it must have been wholly uncousciouF. For mark ; ' Walk your horse, v:\.c., or you -Mill he Jiiifiir This is the American's warning : the alternative is a money consideraiion, and the appeal is solely to the pocket. Hut now the Otrman is simply informed that .vr//;/.//.-.v Reiten over this bridge ist vcrholen—is forbidden; as who should say: 'So, thou quiet, law abiding Teuton, enough for thee to know that it is forbidden simply.' And lastly, the Mexican direction takes wholly a different turn from either: Slow there with yourhorse, Me.xicano, ' o lenie la ley,'— ox 'fear the lc.v<'.' * This refers more appropriately to the date of Sidney Lanier's remarks. Since that ,.i() le places about the town which the stranger nuist visit. He may ride two miles along a level road between market gardens which are vital- ised by a long accqicia, or ditch, fed from the river, and come presently upon the quaint gray towers of the old Mission Concepcion.='= The old church, with its high- walled dome in the rear, is in a good slak- of inxscrvation, and traces of the sin- gular many-colored frescoing on its front arc still plainly visil)lc. Climbing a very *The Mission ol Our I,a- that suggests cargoes of silver and gold. These are drawn by fourteen nuiles each, who are harnessed in four tiers, the three front tiers of four mules each, and tliat next the wagon of two. The " lead " nudes are wee fellows, verital)le nudekins : the next tier larger, and .so on to the two wheel-mules, who are alwa>-s as large as can be procured. Yonder fares .slowly another train of wagons, drawn 1)>- great wide-horned oxen, whose evident tendency to run to hump and fore-shoulder irresistibly persuades one of their cousinship to the buffalo. Here, now, comes somewhat that shows as if Birnara Wood had been cut into fagots and was advancing with tipsy swagger upon Uunsinane. Presently, one's gazing eye receives a .sensation of hair, then of enormous ears, and then the legs appear, of the little roan-gray burros, or asses, upon whose backs that Mexican walking behind has managed to pile a mass of mesquite firewood that is simply astonishing. This mesquite is a species of acacia, whose roots and body form the principal fuel here. It yields, by exudation, a gum which is quite equal to gum arable, when the tannin in it is extracted. It appears to have spread over this 04 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. portion of Texas within the last twenty-five years, perhaps less time. The old settlers account for its appearance by the theory that the Indians — and after them the stock-raisers — were formerly in the habit of burning off the prairie-grass annually, and that these great fires rendered it impossible for the mesquite shrub to obtain a foothold : but that now the departure of the Indians and the transfer of most of the large cattle-raising business to points further westward, have resulted in leaving the soil free for the occupation of the mesquite. It has certainly taken advantage of the opportunity. It covers the prairie thickly, in many directions as far as the eye can reach, growing to a pretty uniform height of four or five feet — though occasionally much larger — and presenting with its tough branches and innumerable formidable thorns, a singular appearance. The wood when dry is exceedingly hard and durable, and of a rich mahogany color. This recent overspread ot foliage on the plains is supposed by many persons to be the cause of the quite remarkable increase of moisture in the climate of San Antonio which has been observed of late years. The phenomena — of the coincident increase of moisture and of mesquite — are unquestionable ; but whether they bear the relation of cause and effect, is a question upon which the unscientific lingerers on this bridge may be permitted to hold themselves in reserve And now as we leave the bridge in the gathering twilight and loiter down the street, we pass all manner of odd personages and ' ' characters. ' ' Here hobbles an old Mexican who looks like old Father Time in reduced circumstances, his feet, his body, his head all swathed in rags, his face a blur of wrinkles, his beard gray-grizzled — a picture of eld such as one will rarely find. There goes a little German boy who was captured a year or two ago by Indians within three miles of San Antonio, and has just been retaken and sent home a few days ago.* Do you see that poor Mexican without any hands ? A few months ago a wagon- train was captured by Indians at Howard's Wells ; the teamsters, of whom he was one, were tied to the wagons and these set on fire, and this poor fellow was released by the flames burning off his hands, the rest all perishing save two. Here is a great Indian-fighter who will show you what he calls his " vouchers," being scalps of the red braves he has slain ; there a gentleman who blew up his store here in '42 to keep the incoming Mexicans from benefiting by his goods, and who afterwards spent a weary imprisonment in that stern castle of Perote away down in Mexico, where the Mier prisoners (and who ever thinks nowadays of that strange, bloody Mier Expedition ?) were confined ; there a portly, handsome, buccaneer-looking captain who led the Texans against Cortinas in '50 ; there a small, intelligent-looking gentleman who at twenty was first Secretary of War of the young Texan Republic, and who is said to know the history of everything that has been done in Texas from that time to this, minutely : and so on through a perfect gauntlet of people who have odd histories, odd natures or odd appear- ances, we reach our hotel Sinxiiv Lanikr. *This was written of 1K7:!.— W. C, Kl). Interviews and Memoirs of Old Time Texans. Extracts from the Memoirs of Mrs. M. A. Maverick. We have ])ecii permitted l)y the kindness of the family to examine this remarkal)le document, — "This little tamily history necessarily private," as it is modestly described in the preface. In reality the Record is a portion of the annals of Texas, and from the early days of trial and difficulty it reads us besides, a latter-day lesson of courage, pati- ence and fortitude. From the point of view of the historical trifler, the feeling that impresses one, on laying down the manuscript after scanning all its lines, is as though one had stumbled upon the diary of a noble Roman matron of the days ot Regulus. The few extracts and running comments which follow will give an idea of the story — A tale not told in heroics, but which simply worded, never falls short of heroism, and which, in the unaffected courage, and affecting piety of its writer is prol)al)ly unique. vSamuel Augustus Maverick was born July 2:], 1S();5, at Pendleton, South Car- olina of distinguished revolutionary stock of English and Huguenot extraction. Mrs. Maverick was an Adams— the Massachusetts family transplanted to \'irginia and intermarried with a L,ewis of that state. Mrs. Maverick was married Augu.st 4th. 1S;5(), near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, her mother's home. The family started for Texas October 14th, 18;-.7; Mr. Sam Mav- erick being then a baby of five months. Mr. Maverick senior, had been in Texas in is;;."), and his friends thought him killed in the Alamo fight. As a record of old time travelling, and to illustrate the up-building of the Southwest, their progress to the Lone Star State is of interest in the.se days of Pullman sleepers; Mrs. Maverick says: "Father accompanied us half a day. . . . We traveled in a carriage, Mr. Maverick driving and nur.se Rachel and baby and myself the other occupants. In a wagon with Wiley as driver, w^as Jinny our future cook and her four children. We reached mother's, (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, from Pendle- ton, South Carolina) about the last of October, and stopped with her about six months making final preparations December 7th. ls;!7, we set out for Texas. . . . Our part\- was composed of four whites and ten negroes. The negroes were four men (;rinni, (Granville, Wiley and Uncle Jim— two women Jinny and Rachel, and Jinny's four children. . •. . . We had a large car- riage, a big Kentuck\- wagon, three extra saddle horses and one blooded filly. The wagon carried a tent, a supply of provisions and bedding, and the cook and children. . . . We occasionally stopped several days in a good place to rest and to have washing done, and sometimes to give muddy roads time to dry. We 90 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. crossed the Mississippi at Rodne}-, and Red river at Alexandria, and came through bottoms in Louisiana where the high-water marks in the trees stood far above our carriage-top, but the roads were good there when we passed. We crossed the Sabine, a shiggish, mudd}-, narrow stream, and stood upon the soil of the Republic of Texas about New Year's day iS.'vS. "January 7th, l.s;5S, we occupied an empty cabin in San Augu.stine, while the carriage wheel was being repaired. This was a poor little village principally of log cabins, on one .street, but the location was high and dry. We laid in a supply of corn and groceries here and pushed on through Nacogdoches, to the place of Colonel Durst, an old acquaintance of Mr. Maverick. . . . There we met General Rusk. . . We now had to travel in occasional rains and much mud, where the country was poor and sparsely settled and provisions for man and beast .scarce. We, on advice, .selected the longest but the best road, namely, the one leading by the way of Washington, high up on the Brazos. From Washing- ton we went to Columbus on the Colorado, and thence about due south towards the Lavaca River. Now came a dreadful time. About January •2(3th we entered a bleak, desolate, swampy prairie, cut up by what are called dry bayous, and now almost full of water. This swamp, covered by the " Sand>-,"' Mustang and head branches of the Navidad, was fourteen miles wide. . . . Every step the animals took was in water. We "stalled "' in five or six of the gullies and each time the wagon had to be unloaded in wind, water and rain, and all the men and animals had to work together to pull out. The first "norther " struck us here, a terrific, howling north wind with fine rain, blowing and penetrating through clothes and blankets. I never before experienced such cold. We were four days crossing this fourteen miles of dreadful swamp. The first day we made three miles and that night my mattress floated in water. No one suffered from the exposure, and Mr. Maverick kept cheerful all the while. Our provisions were almost gone when, on the oOth, we crossed the Navidad, stopping at Spring Hill, Major Sutherland's place. Mr. Maverick now went on to see if it was .safe to take us to San Antonio, and visited other points with a view to settling, especially Matagorda, where he owned land. "At Major Sutherland's boarded Captain Sylvester, from Ohio, who had captured Santa Anna after the battle of San Jacinto. I attended a San Jacinto ball at Texana on April 21st. Here, too, I met old 'Bowles,' the Cherokee chief, with twelve or thirteen of his tribe. "After tea we were dancing when P)Owles came in dressed in a breech cloth, anklets, moccasins and feathers and a long clean white linen shirt which had been presented to him in Houston. He said the pretty ladies in Houston had danced with, kissed him and given him rings. We, however, begged to be excu.sed, and even requested him to retire. ... He stalked out in high dudgeon, and our dance broke up. Bowles told us of President Houston living in his Nation, and that he had given Houston his daughter for a squaw, and had made him a big chief. "June 2nd we set off for San Antonio de Bexar, in tho^^e days frequently simply called Bexar June 12lli, lalf in the afternoon, we reached camp again, and were loading uj) to move two or llnvc miles further to a l)etter camp- ^II-MOIRS (H- MRS. M. A. M.WI-RICK. 97 ing place, when several Indians rode up. They said ' niucho amigo,' and were loud and filthy and manifested their intention to be very intimate. More and more came, until we counted seventeen of them. They rode in amongst us, looked greedily at the horses, and without exaggeration annoyed us very much. They were Tonkawas and kept repeating ' mucho amigo,' telling us further that they were just from the Nueces, where they had fought the Comanches two days previou.sly and gained a victory. They were in war-paint and well armed and displayed in triumph two scaljis, one hand and several pieces of putrid flesh from various parts of the human Ixxly. These were to be taken to the tribe, when a war-dance would ensue over the trophies, and they and their squaws would devour the flesh. I was frightened almost to death, but tried not to show my alarm. They rode up to the carriage window and asked to see the ' Papoose.' I held up the baby and smiled at their compliments, but took care to have my pistol and bowie knife visible and kept cool I kept telling Griffin to hurry the others, and Mr. Maverick worked cooly with the rest. Jinny said, ' Let's cook some supper first,' and grumbled mightily when Griffin* ordered her into the wagon and drove off. Imagine our consternation when the Indians turned back and every one of the seventeen followed us. It was a l)right moonlight night and finally the Indians, finding us unsocia])le and dangerous, gradually dropi>ed l)ehind." On June loth, 1838, the travellers reached vSan Antonio, having left home October 14th of the previoiis year. While Mrs. Maverick was at Spring Hill, Mr. Maverick made one journey back to purchase household effects in New Orleans. Mrs. Maverick goes on to descril)e the San Antonio of the i)eriod and gives a charming picture of the society of tlie little coterie of Americans then living here. " r^arly in February 18;39, we moved into our own house at the Northeast cor- ner of Main and Soledad streets. This house remained our homestead until July 1849 — over ten years — altho' five of the ten years, those from '12 to '47 vn-c wand- ered about as refugees " Let Mrs. Maverick describe a San Antonio home of the better class at that period "The main house was of stone, and had three rooms, one fronting South on Main street and West on Sole- dad street, and the other two fronting West on Soledad; also a shed along the East wall of the house toward the north end. This shed we closed in with an adobe wall, and divided it into a kitchen and servants' room. We also built an adobe room for the servants on Soledad street, leaving a gateway between it and the main hou.se, and we built a stable near the river. We put a strong picket fence around the garden to the North, and fenced the garden off from the yard. In the garden were sixteen large fig trees, ami man\- rows of pomegranates. In the yard were several china trees, and on the river bank, just below our line on the De la Zerda premises, was a grand old cypress which we could touch through our fence, and its roots made ridges in our yank It made a great sliade, and we *This Griffin was a faithful slave, whoafter Mr. Maverick's capture at Sail Autoino, in 1S^2, determined to follow his master into Mexico to serve, him as he best might. He was killed fighting bravely with Dawson's com- mand in the beginning of the journey. Mr. Maverick oflcu remarked: " We owe (iriffin a monument." 98 SAN ANTONIO DE BKXAR. erected our bath-house aud wash place iinder its spreading branches. Our neigh- bors were the De la Zerdas. In 1S40 their place was leased to a Greek, Roque Catahii, who kept a shop on the street and lived in the back rooms. He niarrried a pretty bright-eyed, laughing Mexican girl of fourteen years. He dressed her in jewelry and fine clothes and bought her a dilapidated piano. He was jealous and wished her to amuse herself at home. The piano had the desired effect, and she enjoyed it like a child with a new trumpet. The fame of her piano went through the town, and after tea, crowds would come to witness her performance." "Our neighljors on the north were Dona Juana Varcinez and her sou Leonicio. She sold us milk at 2o cents per gallon, pumpkins at 25 cents each, and spring chicken at 12)2 cents each. Butter was 50 cents ^ lb. When we returned from the coast in '47, she had sold her place to Sam S. Smith. (The Court House stands there now, and the son, Thad. Smith, is there too as County Clerk). My son Lewis Antonio, was born at this house of ours, and, until quite recently, I was of the opinion that he was the first child of pure American stock born in San Antonio. But now I understand that a Mr. Brown came here with his wife in 1828 from East Texas, and during that year a son was born to them. That son, John Brown, is said to be now a citizen of Waco ''This summer (18o9) M. B. Jaques brought his wife and two little girls and and settled on Commerce Street. Also Mr. Elliott came wath his wife and two children and bought a place on Soledad street, opposite the north end of our garden.* .... "Mr. Maverick was a member of the Volunteer Company of 'Minute Men,' commanded by the celebrated Jack Hays, an honored citizen of Cah- fornia. He came to Texas at the age of eighteen and was appointed a deputy surveyor. The surveying parties frequently had ' brushes ' with the Indians and on these occasions Jack Hays displayed marked coolness and military skill, and soon became by unanimous consent the leader in all encounters with the Indians. There were from fifty to .seventy-five young Americans in San Antonio, at this time, attracted l)y the climate, the novelty or by the all-absorbing spirit of land speculation. They came from every one of the United States. Many had engaged in the .short and bloody .struggle of "35 and "M\ for the freedom of Texas. Some possessed means and others were carving out their own fortunes ; all were filled with the spirit of adventure and daring and more or less stamped with the weird wildness of the half-known West. "They were a n()])le set of ' boys,' as they styled one another, and were ever ready to take horse and follow Hays to the Indian strongholds They accomplished wonders, for in a few years they crushed the Comanche Nation and tlie countr\' around vSan Anionio became habitable. " The signals for their exi)editions were the ringing of the Cathedral bell and the hoi.sting the flag of the Republic in front of the Court House." Mrs. Maverick tells ofmniN- dejjredalions l)y Mexicans and Indians, showing the insecurity of the place e\en up to the \er\- walls of San Antonio. ^ .%!r. Thoiii.is MiKKiiit")tli.-iin. a caipfiitcr and liis wiTc, look the house opposite us on the corner of Commerce Street ami Main I'laza, wliere the Danenhauer buililinKuow slauds. MI-MOIRS ()I< MRS. M. A. M.W'l-RICK. 99 "This year (ISoi)) our negro men plowed and i)lanR(l one labor above the Alamo, and were attacked by Indians. Orifini and W'iky ran into the River and saved themselves. The Indians cut the traces and took off the work horses. We did not farm again." Here is a riding party of the period : — " In November, IS.",;), a i)arty of ladies and gentlemen came frcnn Houston to visit San Antonio. They rode on horseback. The ladies were Miss Trask, of Boston, Mass., and Miss Evans, daughter of Judge Evans, of Texas. The gentle- men were Judge Evans and Col. J. W. Darcey, Secretary of War of the Republic of Texas. Ladies and all were armed with pistols and bowie knives. I rode with this party and some others around the Head of the San Antonio River. We gal- loped up the West side and paused at and above the Springs long enough to admire the lovely valley of the San Antonio. The leaves were almost all fallen from the trees, leaving the view open to the Missions below town. The day was clear, cool and bright, and we could see as far as San Juan Capistrano, seven miles below town. We galloped home down the east side, and doubted not that the Indians watched us from the heavy timl)er of the River l)ottom. " In the fall of 1889 or '40, eighteen dead bodies were brought in from the edge of town and laid out in the Court Hou.se. They were the remains of a party who had been surprised and cut off while out riding, a Mr. Campbell alone escaping by the fleetness of his horse. The bodies had been found naked, hacked with tomahawks and partly eaten by wolves. The following day the nine Ameri- cans were buried in one large grave west of the San Pedro, outside of the Catholic burying ground, and very near its .southwest corner. The nine Mexicans were buried inside the graveyard. ...... ' ' Indians being so numerous and ' bad ' makes agricultural produce dear. Farming reminds one of the difficulties of the Jews on their return from the capti\-ity or the first plantings of the Pilgrim Fathers. Corn selling from two to three dollars a bushel." Mrs. Maverick was an eye witness of the terrible hand to hand conflict with the Comanche braves in 1840. The fight was nothing less than Homeric. We give it in her own words : "On Tuesday, March I'.tth, 1S4(), (dia de San Jose) .sixt3'-five Comanches came into the town to make a treat}-. They brought with them, and reluctantly gave up, Matilda Lockhart, whom they had captured with her \-ounger sister, in December, 1838, after killing two others of the family. The Indian chiefs and men proceeded to the Court House where they met the city and military authorities. The jail then occuj^ed the corner formed by the east line of Main Plaza and the north line of Calal)()sa (now Market) street, and the Court House was north of and adjoining the jail. The Court Hou.se yard, back of the Court Hou.se, was what is now the City Market on Market street.* The Court House and Jail were of stone, one' story, flat roofed and floored with dirt. Captain Tom Howard's Company was at first in the Court Hou.se yard. The Indian women and boys came in there too and remained during the pow-wow. 100 SAN ANTONIO DIC BEXAR. ' ' The 3'oung Indians amused tlieniselves shootiui^ arrows at pieces of money put up by some of the Americans. " I adjourned oyer to Mrs. Higginbotham's, whose place adjoined the Court House yard, and we watched the young savages through the picket fence. " This was the third time the Indians had come for a talk, pretending to seek peace and trjing to get ransom money for their American and Mexican captives. Their present proposition was that they should be paid an enonnous price for Matilda Lockhart and a Mexican they had just given up, and that traders be sent with paint, powder, flannel, blankets and such other articles as they .should name to ransom the other captives. This course had been adopted once before, and when the traders reached the Indian camp the smallpox broke out amongst them, and they killed the traders, alleging that they had introduced the disease to kill off the Indians. After the slaughter thej- retained both the captives and the goods. Now, the Americans, mindful of the treachery and duplicity of the Indians, an.swered as follows : " ' We will, according to a former agreement, keep four or five of your chiefs and the others of you shall go to your Nation and bring all the captives here, and then we will pa}^ all you ask for them. Meanwhile, the chiefs we hold we will treat as brothers, and not one hair of their heads shall be injured. This we have determined upon, and if you resist our soldiers wall shoot you down.' " The above ultimatum being interpreted, the Comanches, instantl)^ and as one man, raised a terrific war-whoop, drew their bows and arrows and com- menced firing with deadly effect, at the same time endeavoring to break out of the Council Hall. The order, ' Fire ! ' was given by Capt. Howard and the soldiers fired into the midst of the crowd. The first volley killed several Indians and two of our own people. Soon, all rushed out into the pubhc square, the civilians to procure arms, the Indians to escape and the soldiers in clo.se pursuit. The Indians generally .struck out for the River. Some fled southeast towards Bowen's Bend, some ran east on Commerce street and some north on Soledad. Soldiers and citi- zens pursued and overtook them at all points: Some w^ere shot in the River and some in the streets. Several hand-to-hand encounters took place, and .some Indians took refuge in stone houses and closed the doors. Not one of the sixty-five Indians escaped ; thirty-three were killed and thirty-two taken prisoners. " Six Americans and one Mexican were killed and ten Americans wounded. Our killed were Julian Hood the Sheriff, Judge Thomp.son an attorney from South Carolina, G. W. Cayce, from the Brazos, and one officer and two .soldiers and one Mexican whose names I did not learn. Those severely wounded were Lieutenant Thompson brother of the Judge, Captain Tom Howard, Captain Mat. Caldwell a citizen volunteer from Gonzales, Judge Robinson, Mr. Morgan Deputy Sheriff, Mr. Higginbotham and two soldiers. Some others were .slightly wounded. "When the deafening war-whoop sounded in llie Court Room, it was so loud and shrill, so .sudden and inexpressibly horrible, that we women, looking through the fence cracks, for a moment could not comprehend its purport. The Indian boys, however, instantly recognized its meaning, and turning their arrows upon Judge Robinson and other gentlemen standing nearby, slew the Judge on the .spot. MlvMOTRS OI' MRS. M. A. MAVI-:RICK. 101 We fled precipitately, Mrs. Higgiiibotliain into her house and I across the street to my Commerce street door. Two Indians rushed by me on Com'ne-ce *acet and another reached my door, and turned to push it, just as I slanuneil it to and iieat down the heavy bar. I rushed into tlie house and in tlic north njoni found my husband and my brother Andrew sitting calmly at a table inspecting some plats of surveys. They had heard nothing ! I soon gave them the alarm, and hurried by to look after my bo)-s. Mr. Maverick and Andrew seized their arms. Mr. Maverick rushed into the street and Andrew into the back yard where I was, now shouting at the top of my voice, ' Here are Indians ! Here are Indians ! ' Three Indians had gotten in through the gate on Soledad street and were making towards the River. One had stopped near Jinny Anderson, our cook, who stood bravely in front of the children, mine and hers. vShe held a great stone in her hands, lifted above her head, and I heard her cry out to the Indians : ' G'way from heah, or I'll mash your head with this rock ! ' The Indian seemed regretful that he hadn't time to dispatch Jinny and her l)rood ; but his time was short, and, pausing but a moment, he turned and rushed down the bank, jumped into the River and struck out for the o])i)osite shore. As tlie Indian hurried down tlie bank my brother ran out in answer to my loud calls. While the Indian was swimtning, Andrew drew his unerring bead on him. Another Indian was climbing the opposite bank and was about to escape, but Andrew brought him down also. Then Andrew rushed up Soledad .street looking for more Indians. " I housed my little ones and then looked out of the Soledad .street door. Near by was stretched an Indian wounded and dying. A large man, an employe of Mr. Higginbotham, came up just then and aimed a pistol at the Indian's head. I called out, ' Oh, don't ; he is dying ! ' and the big American laughed and said, ' Well, to please you I won't ; but it would put him out of his misery.' Then I saw two others lying dead near by. " Captain I^ysander Wells, about this time, passed by riding north on Soledad street. He was mounted on a gaily capari.soned Mexican horse, with .silver- mounted saddle and bridle, which outfit he had secured to take back to his native State on a visit to his mother. As he reached the Veramendi house, an Indian who had escaped detecticm, rushed out from his hiding place, and jumping upon the horse behind Wells, clasped his arms and tried to catch hold of the bridle reins. The two men struggled some time, bent back and forwards and swa>ed from sick- to side, until at last. Wells managed to hold the Indian's arms with his right hand and with his left to draw his pistol from the holster. He turned partly round, placed the pistol against the Indian's body and fired, — a moment more and the Indian rolled off and dropped dead to the ground. Wells put spurs to his horse and did good service in the piu'suit. " I had become so fascinated by this struggle that 1 had unconsciously gone into the middle of the street, when Lieutenant Chevalier, who was pa.ssing, called out to me : ' Are 3'ou crazy ? Go in or you will be killed ? ' I obeyed ; but my curiosity and anxiety again got the better of me, cuid I peeped out on Commerce street where I saw the dead bodies of four or fi\-e Indians. ... It was dark when Mr. Maverick and Andrew returned. ... 102 SAN ANTONIO DK BKXAR. " Stev'eial incidents occurred soon after the fight of the lUth which are worth 7;,aiTating,. Qn. March 28th, 250 or 300 Comanches under a dashing young chief, Isiniauica, cauie close to the edge of the town, where the main body halted, while Chief Isimanica and another w^arrior rode daringly into the Public Square and circled around the Plaza, then rode some distance down Commerce street and back, shouting all the while, offering to fight, and heaping abuse and insults on the Americans. Isimanica was in full war-paint and almost naked, He stopped quite a while in front of Bluck's saloon, on the northeast corner of the square. He shouted defiance, ro.se in his stirrups, shook his clenched fist, raved, and foamed at the mouth. " The citizens, through an interpreter, told him that the soldiers were all down at the Mission San Jo.se de Aguayo, and that if he went there Colonel Fisher would give him fight enough. ' ' Isimanica took his braves to San Jose, and with fearless daring bantered the .soldiers for a fight. Colonel Fisher was sick in bed and Captain Redd, the next in rank, was in command. He said to the chief: ' We have made a twelve days' truce with your people, in order to exchange prisoners. My country's honor is pledged, as well as my own, to keep the truce, and I will not break it. Remain here three days, or return in three days, and the truce will be over. We burn to fight you.' Isimanica called him 'liar,' 'coward,' and other opprobrious names, and hung around for some time ; but; at last, the Indians left and did not return. Captain Redd remained calm and unmoved throughout this stormy talk, but his men could with difficulty be restrained ; and, in fact, some of them were ordered into the Mission church and guarded there. "When Captain I^ysander Wells, who was in town, heard of all this, he wrote Captain Redd a letter, in which he called him a ' dastardly coward, ' and alluded to a certain petticoat government, under which he intimated the Captain was restrained. This allusion had reference to a young woman who, dressed in boy's apparel, had followed Redd from Georgia and was now living with him. This letter of Wells was signed, much to their shame, by several others in San Antonio. "Colonel P'isher removed his entire force of three companies to the Alamo in San Antonio. Redd challenged Wells to mortal combat, and one morning at G o'clock they met where the Ursuhne Convent now stands. Facing his antagonist, Redd coolly remarked: ' I aim for your heart ' ; and Wells replied: 'And 1 for your brains.' They fired! Redd sprang into the air, and fell dead with a bullet in his brain. Wells, too, in fulfillment of their fearful repartee, was shot very near the heart ; he, however, li^•ed a fortnight in great agony, begging every- one near him to dispatch him or furnish him with a pistol to kill him.self. Dr. Weidemann, of whom more anon, nursed him tenderh'. It turned out that the girl before referred to was married to Redd, and they found the marriage license and ccrtificale in his pocket ; also letters to members of his own and her families, .speaking of her in the tenderest manner and asking them to protect and provide for her. She followed him to the grave and seemed heart-1)roken, and soon thereafter returned to her peoi)le." .... M1':M()IRS Ol' MRS. M. A. M.WI'RICK. 103 Mrs. Maverick ^iN'^^s lcrril)le accounts of the fearful treatment of captives by the Indians, and her narrative is another warrant for the behef that the only "good Indian is a dead one." "Matilda Lockhart, who came in on March 10th, had been in captivity about two )ears. When she was taken, two of her family were slain and she and her little sister were taken prisoners. At that time she was thirteen and her sister three years old. She came along with the Indian party as a herder driving a herd of extra hor.ses — thus the Indians could change horses from time to time for fresher ones She was in a frightful condition, poor girl Her head, arms and face were full of brui.ses and sores, and her nose actually Inirned off to the bone. ••March 26th, Mrs. Webster came in with her three-year-old child on her back. The poor, miserable being was so unlike a white woman that the Mexicans hailed her as ' Indio ! Indio ! ' She came into the Public Square from the west and was dressed as an Indian, in buckskin, her hair was cut short and square upon her forehead, and she was sunburned dark as a Comanche. She called out in good English, however, saying she had escaped from Indian captivity. She was im- mediately taken into John W. Smith's house, and we American ladies gathered to see her and care for her. She was very tired and hungry and almost exhausted. Her story was as follows: She came to Texas from Virginia early in 1885, with her hu.sband, who, she claimed, was a relative of Daniel Webster. They built a house northeast of Austin; and in August of that year her husband was removing her and her four children to to this wild home. They had also in the party two negroes and one white man. The>- were camped one evening on Brushy Creek, not far north of Austin, when a large l)ody of Comanches suddenly attacked them. The three men fought bravely, but were overpowered and killed. Mrs. Webster's infant was taken from her arms and its brains dashed out against a tree and her second child killed. She and her eldest boy, ' Booker ' were tied upon horses and she held her child of two years so tightly to her breast and pleaded so pite- ously for its life that the Indians left it with her. They were taken by rapid marches to the mountains, where they stripped ' Booker ' and shaved his head. He was attacked with brain fever, and an old squaw, who had just lost a son of his age, adopted him and nursed him very tenderly. The Indians let her keep her little girl, but forbade her talking to her son. They made her cook and stake out ponies and beat her continually. She had been nineteen months in captivity when she seized a favorable opportunity to escape. It was one night after a long day's march, when, having learned the general direction of San Antonio, she quietly .slipped out of camp with her child in her arms and bent her steps towards Bexar. She spent twelve terrible days on the road without meeting a human being. She sustained herself all this while on berries, small fish which she caught in the streams and on bones which she sucked and chewed. Sometimes she gave up and almost resigned herself to death The morning of the 2(;th a fog came on, and unable to see any distance thiough the fog, she gave up all for lost and lay down in utter despair. Soon the sun shone out and the fog disappeared, when, looking towards the East, she saw a "golden cro.ss shining in the sky." Then she felt that God had answered her prayers, and again took up the march w^ith a 104 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. thankful heart. She approached the g^oldeii cross with earnest steps. It proved to be the cross of the Cathedral of San Eernando'"^ in San Antonio " In the j^reat raid to Lavaca Bay, in August, IS 10, when Linnville was sacked and General Eelix Houston inflicted a memorable defeat on the Indians, Mrs. Maverick lost man}- household effects en 7'oute from New Orleans. Amongst other things, was a set of law books for Mr. Maverick. These were heard from as being " tacked b^- strings to the Indians' saddle-bows and then used as cigar- ette papers. This shows how little respect the Indians had for Blackstone and the law." The temptation to quote is constant ; in 1841 we read about the society of San Antonio as follows : " We began, now, to have a society and great sociability amongst ourselves, the Americans. During this summer, 1841, Mr. Wilson Riddle brought his bride and Mr. Moore his famil}-. These gentlemen were both merchants on Commerce street. Mr. John Twohig (the present banker) started a small grocery on the cor- ner of Commerce street and Main Plaza. Mrs. Jaques had a boarding house at south west corner of Commerce and Yturri streets. She had a considerable place rented from Yturri, boarded all the nice young Americans, and was very hospitable and pleasant. She was a good nurse, very kind to the sick and wounded, and was very popular with the gentlemen President Eamar, with a very considerable suite, visited San Antonio in June. A grand ball was given him in Mrs. Yturri's ' long room,' — all considerable houses had a ' long room ' for recep- tions — the room was decorated with flags and evergreens, flowers were not much cultivated then ; at the ball General lyamar wore very wide trousers which, at the same time, were short enough to show the tops of his shoes. The General and Mrs. Juan N. Seguin, wife of the Mayor, opened the ball with a waltz. We were forced to smile, for the gallant President, although a poet and a first rate conversationalist, could not dance. ... At this ball Hays, Chevalier and Howard had but one dress coat between them, and the}- agreed to use the coat and dance in turn ; the ones not dancing would stand at the door and watch the happy tenant of the garment disporting himself on the floor, at the same time continually making faces to remind him that his time was up. Their by-play and good humor furnished quite a diversion and amused us very much " During this summer the American ladies led a lazy life of ease. We h;ul plenty of books, including novels. We were all young, healthy and happy, and were content with each other's .society. We read, joked and laughed away the time and in those days there were no envyings and no backbiting. . . . Now that merchants were establishing themselves on Commerce street, l)athing at our place had become rather public, so we ladies got permission of old Senora Treviiio to erect a bath house on her premises, some distance north on Soledad street, afterwards the homestead of the Jaques family. Thither we went in a crowd every afternoon at about four o'clock, taking the children and their nurses with us and a dainty lunch prepared ])>' one of us in turn to eat after tlie ixUli." * TlK-n Uk- I'arisli Cliiiich, ^:=S^S^^ -/}: '\,/»' ^ \ \,i \ ' /M- r^ n\# .;%^'' iw' ^1 ^^ -^ ') SKETCHES OF WESTERN TEXAS. COWTSOV l.IFE. MI'MOIRS ()!• MRS. M. A. M .WlvRICK. 105 An eccentric characteroftho.se ilays was a Doctor Weidemann,— his memory i.s worth keeping- green as showing that the present cosmopolitan characteristics of San Antonio are congenital, so to speak. . . . "He was a Rnssian scholar and naturalist, and an excellent physician and surgeon ; a highly cultivated man and spoke many languages, and he had been a great traveler. He lived on the old Chavez place on Acequia street. I remember that on the night of the Indian fight of March 19th, 1840, I visited Mrs. Higginbotham, as I have before stated. While I was there Dr. Weidemann came up to her grated front window and placed a severed Indian head upon the sill. The good Doctor i^owed courteously, and saying: 'With your permis.sion, Madam,' disappeared. Presently he returned with another bloody head, when he explained to us that he had exam- ined all the dead Indians and had selected these heads, male and female, for the skulls. ])e.sides two entire bodies, to preserve as skeletons. He saiil, ' I have been longing exceedingly to secure such specimens, and now. ladies. I must get a cart to take them home.' Dr. Weidemann had taken an active part in the fight, and done good service mounted on his fine horse, and now he was all begrimed, bloody and dirty, the result of his labors as a warrior, surgeon and scientist. He soon returned with the cart loaded with his magnificent speci- mens, took the two heads from the window and departed That night he stewed the bodies in a soap boiler, and when the flesh was com- pletely dessicated, emptied the cauldron into the Ace(iuia. Now, this ditch furnished the drinking water generally for the town ; it being understood that the River and the San Pedro were reserved for bathing and washing. There was a city ordinance to this effect coupled with a heavy fine. On the 21st it dawned upon the dwellers on the banks of the ditch that the Doctor had defiled the drinking water,and that probably they had taken in particles of Indian in their fluid. The people, very properly, gathered in indignation, a niol; rushed to the Mayor's office, the men talked in loud and excited tones, tlic women shrieked and cried, they rolled up their eyes in horror, they vomited, and some of them were so frightened that they suffered mis-carriage. Many thought they were poisoned and would die. Dr. Weidemann was arrested and brought to trial : they overwhelmed him with abuse, and called him ' diablo,' ' demonio.' '.sin verguen/.a,' and so forth. He took it calmly, assured them the Indians had all sailed by in the night, paid his fine, and went away laughing. Once the Doctor lost his watch. He suspected one of his servants — Jo.se ; and after waiting in vain for him to confess and give up the property, he determined to get his own again by magic. He invited a party to .see the fun, and arraying himself in a figured gown and a conical hat. and ])reparing a fire and cauldron on the roof of his house, he summoned all his servants to his presence and announced that they were all to dip their hands into the pot : at the same time informing them that the hand of the guilty one would turn black. The con.science-stricken Jose waited till the last, all the others had come through the ordeal with clean hands. He at last approached, plunged in his hand, and when he withdrew it, lo, it was black 1 The wretched man confes.sed in terror, and immediately gave up the watch. Thereafter no Mexican passed Dr. Weidemann without crossing himself, for they all firmly believed he was in league with the Devil. The Doctor told them that the lOfi SAX AXTOXIO Dlv BKXAR. spirits of the boiled Indians were nnder his control and told him everything. He set their skeletons up in his summer house and defied any one to steal from him ; it is needless to say his property was not further molested. The Doctor was drowned in 1S4". or 1S44 in attempting to swim Peach Creek near Gonzales, during a rise." Mrs. Maverick gives a graphic account of the flight from San Antonio in 1842 on the approach of Vasquez. She mentions the burying of valuables, the di.sposing of doubloons in bustles manufactured for the occasion, the turning over of furniture to Mexican friends and other incidents of what is known as the " Runaway of '42." Mr. Maverick and many gentlemen escorted the ladies as far as the Capote Farm, the Erskine place, on the Guadalupe. "On the way from Capote Farm to Gonzales we passed King's rancho, which had just been deserted by the owners. Here was desolation amidst plenty. The corn-crib was full, the smoke-house well supplied, and chickens and hogs were running around as usual. On the front door was pasted the following notice : ' To all refugees, welcome; help your- selves to what you need. Also to all marching to repel the invaders, take what you want but leave the remainder to the next comers.' Haj's reoccupied San Antonio, but the fugitives continued their flight first to Gonzales and afterwards to I,a Grange. Mr. Ma\'erick made a trip to Alabama and returning to San Antonio to the fall term of Court, was taken prisoner in the raid by Woll after a gallant Init ineffectual resistance to a complete surprise." San Antonio was again reoccupied by the Texans after the battle of the Salado, but too late to rescue the prisoners, largel}- on account of the jealousy of the commanding oflftcers of the Texan forces, Moore, Morehead and Caldwell. Caldwell was the hero of the Salado, but Moore was the ranking officer. Each division wanted its own commander to lead, leaving Hays, who had already captured the Mexican Artillery, to maintain himself unsupported. The troops returned disgusted, in small squads, to San Antonio, Woll getting off in safety, his prisoners being already far on their way. Mr. Maverick was liberated in the City of Mexico on March 30th, lS4o, through the good offices of General Waddy Thompson, a connection of his, and then United States Minister to Mexico. The remainder of the prisoners were not released by Santa Anna until June Kith of the same year. Mr. Maverick started for home on April 2d, and on " May 4th he dismounted at cur cabin on the Colorado." The family afterward removed to Decrow's Point, on Matagorda bay, remaining until October l-")th, 1847. They found the town on their return much changed since '42, "emigrants arriving daily." . . . "We moved directh- to our old home, the fence was nearly gone and everything dilapidated." In July, 18.")0, what is known as the Maverick Homestead, was begun on the corner of Alamo Plaza and Houston street, although that street then had no existence, and years after its opening, was known as Pa.seo. Tliis date brings our quotations to an appropriate end. but wc close the MS., this mirror of by-gone days, with regret. Our extracts have been limited to matters of general interest, and we commend them to the reader who lives in calmer times, and who would learn somewhat of the struggles to which he owes his present comfort, with the admonition to profit by them, not only by informing him.self of the facts of history, but also by observing some of the spirit of that society which has created his own. ix'ri-:R\'ii"Av WITH mrs. cAXTi'.RiirRv. io7 Interview with Mrs. Canterbury. "The Republic of Texas!" Nowadays when "Tlie .State of Texas" is so con - staiitlv in our ears we are apt to "disrenieniber" that our wide; Ijroad, <;iant Texas was a star "aj^art", "lone," by itself and not of the great and glorious constellation. Every year makes the fact of the Republic less familiar, less palpal^le to us. Every year thins the ranks of that remnant which can claim that they were citizens of the Republic of Texas. Soon this will be a coveted family tradition. To-day real old timers are accorded a certain respect, not more indeed than is their due. One cannot help being reminded of that exquisite touch of Canon Kingsley in his famous "Westward Ho" by which he illustrates the deference— almost filial — of a younger generation to the old pioneer "Pelicans" who had sailed the world about with their revered and worshipful Master Drake. What had not the "Pelicans" not enduied? Eire, battle, murder, sudden death, torture, all this and more, was the portion of these "wilder comrades sworn to seek." What was there then for the sons of such fathers to do, but to emidate as far as easier times would allow^ so high an example? Now and then in those annals — mention is made of noble w^omen who dared to share these perils and hardships. And in the annals of Texas — of the Texas Republic — that sort of woman was not so very rare. Scientists have adopted an "irresistible impulse theory" with regard to the tendency of people and races to travel — to pioneer — ever Westward, the course of the sun. Not an altogether new theory if one may credit the verse maker. H K ■■The sun goes West, Why .should not I? I still deem best That old time cry Of 'Westward Hoi' My love don't yon think so?" SHE "My sun goes West Why should not I?' It was such impulses that built the best of the Texas of the hew regime. It required no weak impulses to dare the dangers of those early days — war — Indians — and an almost untried future were no inconsiderable trifles. There is something "deeper than the lips" in such a. simple communication as "I came to Texas a l^ri'de in 1S41." "On May 22d 1S41," said Mrs. Canterbury; "I came to San Antonio, a bride, with my husband Wilson Irvine Riddle. He was one of the earliest American merchants on Main street. I was a native of Virginia, my maiden name was Elizabeth Menefee. There was a Menefee, one of the .signers of the Declara- tion of Independence of Texas, of our family I believe. I was married however in Tennes.see. Colonel Hays, the noted Indian fighter was a connection of mine by marriage, he married my first cousin— a Miss Calvert of Seguin. My husband's store was that little ([uaiiit two-storied building that still stands next to Sullivan's shoe store, now one door east of the corner of St. Mary's and Commerce streets. At that date it was one of the most important buildings on Main or Commerce street, and altogether considered to be the fine.st house in the town. It was some years subsenuently rented In- General 108 SAN AXTOXIO DIv BI-XAR. Harney for S()0 pernionth, as his residence and for a while mihtary headquarters, and still later Major Belger made use of it as a Quartermaster's Depot. It was here that my daughter Mrs. Eagar, was born, as also my son James Wilson Riddle, a merchant of Eagle Pass, Texas. Mrs. Eagar was a child only ten days old when the Mexicans came on March 7th 1842, I was the last American lady to leave the city. T went to Gonzales and remained there from March to October 1S42. In my flight I stayed at Don Manuel Flores ranch, a stopping place between San Antonio and Seguin. Mrs. Maverick went afterwards to Decrow's Point on the coast and stayed there about five years. It was a terribly anxious time for the women. After all, these Mexicans under Vasquez, were little more than a band of marauders. And when in September of the same year, WoU was reported as advancing upon San Antonio with a large force, many of the citizens determined if possible to make some kind of defence, but so strong a force was very much of a surprise, and many of the citizens were made prisoners, even as the District Court was sitting. It was a much more serious affair than the investment of the city under Vasquez in the spring. Our store was robbed of all our goods — and a claim against Mexico for the damage done us, is still unsettled. The claim was made through the British government, for my husband was a British subject, but in the midst of the many important events that quickly followed each other at that epoch, the claim although acknowledged to be a just one was neglected. When it will be settled I know not. Fifty-three good citizens were taken and put in chains by Woll, and marched all the weary way to the City of Mexico. I knew most of them well. My husband was chained to Wm. E. Jones. His brother to John Twohig, the banker— at the time John Twohig had a general store at the corner of Main Plaza and Main street, where Deutsch's store is. He coolly blew up his store— declaring that no man should rob him of his goods. Sam A. Maverick had for a companion Major Colquhoun, I believe— then there were John Bradley the father of Mrs. Waelder, James Truehart, Judge Hutcheson, Dr. Hatch, Dr. Booker, Dr. Mackay, Duncan B. Ogden and many others. I have a list but don't know just whereto find it now Many men were killed a few days after in the fight on the Salado. It was a dreadful time. I also knew many of the Mier prisoners — that was a sad bit of history — you have heard all about that I expect. Soon after I came, my husband gave me a piano — it was about the first in Texas. I was the only player in San Antonio then— I still play a little. I had that piano until a few months ago, when I sold it for Sl(>; I am sorry now that I .sold it. I still have my old music stool. When the Mexicans came I had my piano hastily boxed, and on my return, that, my music stool and a rocker were almost my only household possessions. Many of the prominent Mexican families were at first wealthy and well-to-do, but they had to live, and they were not mer- chants, and extensive farming was out of the question on account of the great danger of Indian raids — they did not dare trust themselves for long, out of town, .so their great estates dwindled, and passed into the hands of others. I have seen many and vast changes in San Antonio." Many other interesting matters were discussed by Mrs. Canterbury, and per- sonal recollections were given of events, the history of whicli will be knrnt in school bv the children of Texas for nian>- future generations. rNTl':R\-II«:\V WITH WW RI'A'. P.ISIloi' Xl'.RAZ. 1<)'.» A Talk with the Rt. Rev. Bishop Neraz About the Old Records of the Church and the Missions. I shall not soon forget my interview with Bishop Xeraz. The meeting at which much of the information herein written was oV)tained was one which im- pressed me mucli. It was an appointment. The morniiii;" was a lovely one in June, warm outside but cool and airy in the high rooms of the plain hut comfortable house on Dwyer Avenue. Would I please come up stairs, the Bi.shop was somewhat lame by rea.son of advancing years, and found it difficult to move al)0ut ? I found him busy in his rooms but he put aside his work upon my entrance and bid me draw a chair towards his desk. He received me witli a direct kindliness of manner at which had there been any restraint it must have vanished at once. A mixture of quiet dignity and simplic- ity one does not wonder in his presence that he is Catholic Bishop of San Antonio. Said the good Bishop "I have brought here the records that you wished to see, some of the old archives of our Church and the Missions, we will look them over together — there they are," said he, i)ointing to his bookshelf — 'AVill you please bring them to the desk here?" Taking up the top volume I found the leaves of the second one to be loose, and 1)efore I could secure them a gust of the breeze through the open windows had scattered them over the floor. The Bi.shop in spite of my remonstrance hastened to help me to gather them up and laughingly remarked " We mu.st take great care of these, the wind is fresh this morning," and then we sat down to talk and write. I had written to the liishop some few days previously, enclosing at his desire, a string of questions, so he knew just about what I wanted. " Your letter came to me," he said, "and I know what you require. I wish that you had come to me .some years ago, for my memory is not so good as it used to be for the.se things. I u.sed to have charge of the records and formerly nmde it my business to know all abount them, but I will tell you what I remember. It is very much to be regretted that many of our church records were destroyed by the fire in the Priest House on March 2ord, iS(il). Many of the older records were removed to Zacatecas by the Mexican military authorities in 1824. I do not know why they took them from here nor if they are still in exi.stenceat Zacatecas or elsewhere, but it is a fact that many were taken there. The volumes that I have here are very old and about the most interesting that we now pos.se.ss, they are of various matters concerning the church." The ])ooks were in manuscript and bound in thick brown rudely tanned leather or hide, worn smooth by much use and stitched here and there with laces of hide, most oi them were (juarto shai)e, eight l)y ten inches or thereabout, varying a little. The character of the writing was mostly good, some of it, however, was difficult to decipher, many of the " ss " were made in the old fashioned way like "11" and this made some of the Indian names at first sight a little doubtful, for instance. Tilo.sa read like Tilofa ; Pasala, like Pafala and there were other peculiarities of the times and style in which they were written. The Bishop made many running translations from the Spanish which I did my best to follow. " Here is an old book," continued the Bislioj), " It is the Record of Marriages of Mis.sion Concepcion, I think it will interest you. There is the original record 11(1 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. you see 'Mission Concepcion. Pueblo de Acuiia, founded March 5th, ITol, on the border of the River of San Antonio.' Here follow 'Marriages of the same Mission 17-')3 to 1700,' let us make excerpts of the different Indian nations men- tioned in this record of marriages. The first marriage is Joseph Flores of the nation Patumaco with Efiegenia of the nation Pasalat. The second is Juachin Antonio, of the nation Patumaco. with Brigida of the nation Pachalque. The third is Christoval, of Nacion Grande de Patalca, with Beatriz, of the nation Tilosa, and so on, in 17;)(> there appear to have been no marriages. Other nations recorded here are Narame, Siquipil, Tilpocopal, Pusan, Pasalat, Pamache, Chayopina and the eighty-first marriage is that of Berndino Chaygoya of the nation Patumaco, with Antonia of the nation Apache. "' "Here is a "Book in which are entered the Baptismal Records wiiich were made of the children of the Second Company of Volunteers de San Carlos de Parras which stayed (or remained) in the Alamo. The Chaplain of it being Brn. Don Manuel Saenz de Juan Corena, and it begins on March 1st, 1788.' The book is apparently opened however on February 6th 1788. The Alamo is also herein mentioned as 'The Pueblo of San Jose, ' a style it bore at one short period of the Mission's History; this book runs on till after 1806 when there is a note to the effect that the Chaplain Jose Bravo having died then, one Clemente de Arocha took the place of him. It is in the beginning of this book that we find the memo- randum that 'On May Nth, 1744 the first (or corner stone) of the new Church of San Antonio (de Valero) was blessed, being at the time Clergymen of the Mission, Diego Martin Garcia, Mariano Francisco de los Dolores and Friar Juan de los Angeles. In proof of which I sign my name in the Mission of San Antonio September 29th, 1745' — here follow the three signatures — this however is appar- ently a copy of an original entry, made at the date of the opening of this book, "The next volume is a book of Episcopal orders, the first signed August (ith 1761 concerning various matters of Church Government, these orders were brought by courier in advance of the visitation of the Bishop, we shall see men- tion of this later. The first lengthy order in this book refers to previous general orders from Rome dated 1681. this is in October 1761. Very likely if we went through all this we should find many interesting references to doings of the times. "This book," said the Bishop, taking up another, "is of similar intention to the last, it is the record of 'The Bishop of the 2nd Mitre, begining 1795' — it is .styled Book 2. Number 1 was probably lost in the fire. It contains copies of 'Letters Pastoral and orders which belong to the town of San Fernando, Royal Province of San Antonio de Bexar,' they seem to have been sent in advance of the Bishop of New Leon (Nueva Leone) by courier and in order that there shall be no miscar- riage of the document, note that the instructions to the recipients are 'and you will hold this until the Bishop makes his visitation, when it is to be signed by him." afterwards it is .sent to the next church and so on and here is a list of the pari.shes to which this letter was .sent : Cordillera, (Hills), Cerrio, Santiago, San Cantez(?) San Nicholas, Croizer(?) Cruallay, Burgos. San Fernando, ''= Reynosa, Camargo, Mier. Bahia, Bexar, Nacogdoches. (Some names are difiicult to decipher) "and see the careful way," said the Bishop, turning to the end of the volume, "in "I'robaMy Ihv Siiii I'l Diaiulo :i Mc.\ic:iii hoidtv town, i. i. Ki<> C.vaiKU- 1>orikr. « IXTI'RX-II'.W WITH RT. RICW I'.ISIIOI' XlCRAZ. Ill which any interpolatioiisor additions to the letters were avoided or made iniposible, 'This ])ook has 7^-2 pages used but there could be used 757,' and here are the five l)lank pages at the end." ''The next book we come to is a book of the Baptisms, etc., of the Mission of San Jose — th3 Second Mission as we call it — here is a memorandum of its contents : ]5aptisms of the Mission of vSan Jose 1777 to ]r to the .siege, but that it was destroyed (hiring the siege by the cannonading. She had given, when her memory was better, full depositions and statements of all her recollections to Major Teel, and that he held the .same. As to Mr. Gentil/.'s ])icture that was comi)iled from her personal descriptions and recollec- tions. It was very good : that it was an exact representation of the Alamo as it was at the time of its tall, and that it gave a fair idea of the fight. She mentioned Mr. Jolni Tuoliig, saying thai she knew liim " Como mis manos," — "Like my hands," wliich is a favorite idiom of the old woman. " Visitors come evcrv day to see me to hear in\ story oi the Alamo." COL. I"ORl)\S MI-MOIRS. 119 Returnin.u to the subject of David Crockett, the old Senora said he was one of the first to fall : that he advanced from the Church building "towards the wall or rampart ruuniui; from the end of the stockade, slowly and with great deliberation, without arms, when suddenly a volley was fired by the Mexicans causing him to fall forward on his face, dead." vShe was quite anxious to remember everything. With reference to a man whom many regard to be an imposter, and of whom no one has ever gleaned anything authentic, Senora Candelaria said she could endorse him as another child of the Alamo. vShe remembered his frightened condition during the bombardment. " He clutched her dress as children do," trying to hide his face. Such are her recollections ; the reader must make many allowances. So long and active a life as liers must be crowded— more— overcrowded, and juml)led with the multitude of things to remember. On other occasions, in April of this year, I revisited her twice with a good interpreter as a companion, and she said: "My maiden name was Andrea Castanou. I was born on St. Andrew's day, in November, 1785, at Laredo. I am lO.") years old. I have been twice married; my first husband was Silberio Flores y Abrigo ; my second was Candelario \'illanueva,* but I am called familiarly vSenora Candelaria." I may add that I read to my companions these interviews at the dates of our visits. I wrote them from notes taken at the time upon arriving home, and my companions subscribed to every particular. * I find the following in the County Records —Kn. " I do polemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of Texas at the date of the Declaration of Independence. That I did not leave the country during the Campaign of the spring of IS.JO to avoid participation in the War, and that I did not aid nor assist the Enemy ; that I have not previously received a title for my quantum of land, and that I conceive myself to be justly entitled under the Constitution and laws to the quantity for vvliich I now apply. April29th, 1837. Cani)EL..\rio Villanueva." Col. Ford's Memoirs. The Fighting of the Alamo. The following description of the fall of the .\lanio is from the memoirs of Col. Ford, a gentleman mentioned many times in this work-a pioneer, an Indian fighter, a Texan. The information he gives is derived first linnd from informants he well knew: In 18^5 General Santa Anna overturned the republican form of government in Mexico and violated the constitution of 1824. This instrument the colonists ot Texas had sworn to support. He reduced the number of militia in each state oi Mexico to one for every five hundred inhabitants, and issued a decree to disarm the remainder. The people of Texas though numbering less than IGO.OOO, saw the meaning and intent of these movements. They prepared for resistance. They sent troops to invest San Antonio. It was surrendered by General Cos on Decem- ber 10, 1885, to the Texans under General Edward Burleson. The Texas troops were disbanded and went to their homes, except a small force left in San Antonio, commanded by Colonel Neill. General Cos and his com- 120 vSAX AXTOXIO I)K BKXAR. uiand moved in the direction of Laredo. They were paroled and jiromised not to bear arms against Texas during the war. The body known as the "Consultation" reassembled at San Felipe de Austin November 1, 1835. They formulated a provisional government, elected Henry Smith, governor ; James W. Robinson, lieutenant-governor : Sam Houston, com- mander-in-chief, and elected five of their members to remain and assi.st the gov ernor in the discharge of his duties. The "Consultation" adjourned to meet at Washington, on the Brazos, March 1, 1836. The five members remaining at San Felipe de Austin took it upon themselves to control the governor and General Houston. Deposed the governor, advocated the invasion of Mexico, appointed officers to command, and had a large number of troops in the west where they were beaten in detail. Colonel Bowie aided General Houston in his efforts to concentrate the Texas troops. He came to San Antonio, saw Colonel Neill, who soon after left, with a view, as many affirm, to procure transportation to move the artillery and munitions of war. He carried Deaf Smith with him. He left Colonel James Bowie in com- mand. Bowie fell sick. In a few days Colonel Travis arrived and assumed com- mand. Juan N. Seguin sent a cousin of his to Laredo with orders to report the appearance of a force from Mexico of sufficient strength to invade Texas. He returned and affirmed that General Santa Anna had crossed the Rio Grande with an army. He forced General Cos and his men to violate their parole, and to take service against the Texans. When the report was made at San Antonio, the Texans refused to believe it. They remained too near the town to learn what was transpiring outside. A sen- tinel was placed in the church on the west side of the river. One day he reported Mexican troops westward of the town. A man ascended to him and was unable to see any armed men. The sentinel was accused of reporting falsely. Eventually Travis ordered Dr. John Sutherland and J. W. Smith to go out on horseback and ascertain the truth. They proceeded to the top of Prospect Hill, and found them- selves within 1")() yards of the Mexican army. They started back at a run. Suth- erland's horse gathered mud on his feet, turned a somersault, crippled Sutherland and broke his gun. vSmith dismounted and relieved Sutherland. When they reached town and reported all was in commotion. Travis marched the Texans to the Alamo. On the way they found twenty or thirty beeves, which they drove into the fort. All was activity now. The first thing was to place the building in a position to stand the seigc. That niglil lliey tore down a number of "jacales" (huts) not far from the Alamo, and l^ronght in the wood for cooking. Men were told what part of the walls they were to defend. David Crockett and his twelve brave Tennesseeans were allotted a conspicuous point to cover. Every man was at his post and ready for duty. This is learned from Dr. Sutherland who wrote an article on the fall of the Alamo, full of information. He was too badly hurt by the fall of his horse to do good duty, and for llmt reason Col. Travis directed him to l)roceed to Gonzales and ])Vocure reinforcements, a duly he performed properh- and promptly. C.eii. Santa Anna reached San Antonio February "J^nd or "J-'ird. Two nights previously he encamped on the Medina where he learned the Texans were attend- COL. I'ORD'S MI'.MOIkS. 1-M iiij: a faiulaii.^o. IK- foiuKd Ur- icka of reaching and allackinj^- them before day- light. He was encamped on botli sides of the Medina. His ammunition wagons were on the west bank. A rain had fallen and the river liad risen suddeidy andlie found it impossible to get ready. A norther was blowing. Under the circum- stances he gave up the movement. He was of the opinion that the Texians would occupy the Mission Concep- cion. He said it afforded more facilities for defense by a small force than the Alamo. Cxcneral Santa Anna's army numbered about 4,000. General Tolsa was expected to arrive soon at the head «f '2,000 men. Dr. Sutherland mentions the sending of a couple of officers, under a white flag to demand a surrender of the Alamo. Colonel Travis dispatched Major Morris and Captain Martin to meet them. They had a conference on a foot-bridge just above the present bridge on Commerce street. Colonel Travis answered by a cannon shot. General Santa Anna intended crossing the river below the Alamo, out of reach of Colonel Travis' guns. He directed General Castrillon, with two companies of the battalion of Matamoras, to gather timbers to make a bridge from houses on the Alamo side. They were in reach of the rifles of the Texians. Within a few minutes thirty of the Mexicans were killed. General Castrillon requested General Santa Anna to order their withdrawal, if he wished to save their lives. They were withdrawn at once. The unequal contest was now opened. On the third day of March, Travis addressed a last appeal to the president ot the convention at Washington on the Brazos. He said that "the blood red ban- ners which waved on the church at Bexar and in the camp above him were tokens that the war was one of vengeance against rebels." To a friend in Washington county he wrote: "Take care of my little boy. If the country .should be saved I may make him a splendid fortune, but if the country should be lost and I .should perish, he wnll have nothing but the proud recollection that he is the .son of a man who died for his coinitr>-." On February -J-'Ird Travis wrote to h^rnnin at Goliad, asking for assistance. Fannin attempted to march to San Antonicj on the •JSth, but failed for want of trans- portation. This was the last chance apparently available to aid the defenders of the Alamo. On March 3rd Tolsa reached San Antonio. General Santa Anna began to pre- pare for the final a.ssault on the Alamo. On the 5th day of March, Santa Anna is.sued an order for an assault on the Alamo, naming the officers to take charge of the four attacking columns, the columns to be in readiness at 4 o'clock a. m., and to move at the .sound of the bugle at the north battery, where he would i)e sta- tioned. Sergeant Becera thus describes the contest of March (ith, is;',r): "The troops under General Castrillon moved in silence. They reached the fort, planted scaling ladders and commenced ascending, some mounted ujion the 122 SAN ANTONIO DK REXAR. shoulders of others. A terrible fire belched from the interior. Men fell from the scaling ladders by the score, many pierced through the head by balls, others felled by clubbed guns. The dead and wounded covered the ground. After half an hour of fierce conflict, after the sacrifice of many lives, the column of General Cas- trillon succeeded in making a lodgment in the upper part of the Alamo to the northeast. It was a sort of outwork. I think it is now used as a lot or a court- yard. This seeming advantage was a mere prelude to the desperate struggle which ensued. The doors of the Alamo building were barricaded by bags of sand as high as the neck of a man; the windows also. On the top of the roofs of the different apartments were rows of sandbags to cover the besieged. •'Our troops, in.spired by success, continued tlie attack with energy and bold- ness. The Texians fought like devils. It was at short range — muzzle to muzzle, hand to hand, musket and rifle, bayonet and bowie knife — all were mingled in con- fu.sion. Here a squad of Mexicans, there a Texian or two. The crash of fire arms the shouts of defiance, the cries of the dying and the wounded, made a din almost infernal. The Texians defended desperately every inch of the fort — overpowered by numbers they would be forced to abandon a room. They would rally in the next, and defend it until further resistance became impo.ssible. "General Tolsa's command forced an entrance at the door of the church building. He met the same determined resistance without and within. He won by force of numliers and a great sacrifice of life. "There was a long room on the ground floor. It was darkened. Here the fight was bloody. It proved to be the hospital. A detachment of which I had command had captured a piece of artillery. It was placed near the door of the hospital, doubly charged with grape and canister, and fired twice. We entered and found the coqxses of fifteen Texians. On the outside we atterward found forty-two dead Mexicans. "On the top of the church I)uilding I saw eleven Texians. They had some small pieces of artillery and were firing on the cavalry and on those engaged in making the escalade. Their ammunition was exhausted and they were loading with pieces of iron and nails. The captured piece was placed in a position to reach them, doubly charged, and fired with so much effect that they cea.sed work- ing their pieces." * ='■ * '■'■'• '■"■'• :]:**** Sergeant Becera was of oi)inion that the two last men killed were Travis and Crockett, though he admitted he did not know them personally and might be mistaken as to their identity. The Alamo, as has l)een stated, was entered at daylight; the fight did not cease till 9 o'clock. "General Santa Anna directed Colonel Mora to send out his cavalry to bring in wo(kI. He ordered that they .should make prisoners of all the inhaljitants they might meet, and force them to jiack wood to the Alamo. In this nianner a large quantity of wood was collected. A large jnle was raised. It consisted of layers of wood and layers of cor])ses of Texians. It was .set on fire. The bodies of those brave men who fell fighting that morning, as men have seldom fought, were reduced to ashes before the sun was set. It was a melancholy s]K-ctacle." COL. I'ORD'S MI'MOIRS. 123 Don lino Ruiz, a rcspcctaljlc Mexican ol" r.rownsville, claiuKcl to have l)een one of the men coniiK-lled to pack wood on that occasion. * * * Mr. Nat;le, an Ivn.nlishnian, inscril)e(l liieir names on a stone of the Alamo. It has an inscriiUion: ' ■Thermoi)yke liad h.er messenger of defeat, but the Ak^mo had none." Tiiat memorial is at An-tin. The number of Texians who fell cannot be accurately ascertained. Dr. vSutherland placed it at 172. About twenty Mexican.s joined them. But four of these remained to be massacred. Eight or ten Mexican ladies were in the Alamo when it fell. Mrs. Als- bury, an adopted daughter of Governor Veramendi and her little sister, Seiioras Candelaria, Losoyo and others were present at the end of the .siege. Senora Candelaria was nursing Bowie, .sick of typhoid fever. She says she raised his head to give him water, when the Mexican soldiers came in bayoneted him and gave her a wound in the face. Mrs. Alsbury told Mrs. Maverick that the Mexican soldiers hoisted Colonel Bowie's body on their bayonets until the blood covered their clothes. A Mexican colonel ru.shed to them and stopped them. Sergeant Becera thus speaks of the Mexican loss and is corro1)orated l)y Dr. Sutherland: "There was an order to gather our own dead and wounded. It was a fear- ful sight. Our lifeless soldiers covered the ground surrounding the Alamo. They were heaped inside the fortress. Blood and brains covered the earth, the floor, and had .spattered the walls. The ghastly faces of our comrades met our gaze. We removed the bodies with despondent hearts. Our loss in front of the Alamo was represented at two thou.sand killed, and more than three hundred wounded. The killed were generally struck on the head. The wounds were generally in the neck or .shoulders, seldom below that. The firing of the beseiged was fearfully precise. When a Texas rifle was leveled at a Mexican he was con.sidered as good as dead. All this indicates the dauntle.ss bravery and the cool .self-po.sses- .sion of the men who were engaged in a hopeless conflict with an enemy number- ing more than twenty to one. They inflicted on us a loss ten times greater than they siistained. The victory of the Alamo was dearly l)o\,ight. Indeed the price in the end was well nigh the ruin of Mexico." 124 SAX AXTOXIO 1)1' BKXAR. The Alamo Monument. Alamo at Austin, has Travis on the vSouth front, ockctt on tlie Xorth front and Honham on the West bed on the Xorth and v^'outli fronts, by Mr. Xagle, The monument of the Bowie on the Ivist front, Ci front. Beneath these, iuscri are the following names : M. Autrev, R. Alleu,' M. Audress, Ayers, Anderson, W. Blazeby, J. B. Bournan, Baker, S. C. Blair, Blair, Brown, Bowin, Balentine, J. J. Baugh, Burnell, J. Butler, J. Baker. Burns, Bailey, J. Beard, Baliess, Bourne, R. Cunningham, J. Clark, J. Cane, Cloud, S. Crawford, Cary W. Cunmiings, R. Crossman, Cockran, G. Cottle, S. Dust, J. Dillard, A. Dickinson, C. Dfspalier, L. Davell, J. C. Day, J. Dickens, Devault, W Deadruff, J. Krving, T. R. Kvans, D. Floyd, J. Flanders, W. F'islipangh, F'orsvthe, G. Fuga, J. C. Goodrich, J. George. J. (iaston, J. C. Garrett, C. (irimes, Groyn, To these Mrs. Candelar Jose- Marc-ra Cahro I%]ijio or I'^lias I.os These make 170 slain. * It is also ,t alter the battle in 181.-), concern- ing the pirates of the gulf coast and the part they took in the fight. Ordinances of La Villa Capital de San Fernando founded November 28th, 1T;>0 by Antonio de Aviles, or rather the growing settlement was then erected into a Royal Presidio. Large numbers of military paj^ers, rosters and rolls of the Spanish armies. Papers relating to American colonists and their " uprisings" — prisoner^; of war. 12(i SAX ANTOXiO DK BKXAR. This is only a partial list of the historical evidence accuimilated in the county vault. It is sufficient to show that there is much material for an aml)iti()us local historian. Mem.— In the Coiinly Records may be seen a power of attorney to Domingo Hnstillo from James Bowie, to administer James Howie's property and the property Ijelonging to James Bowie's deceased wife, I'rsula de Vera- mendi, during his, tlie said James Bowie's absence from San Antonio, Dated June 2(ith, IS:;^. Mem.— The Saints are usually .spoken of in the documents as "Sefior San Jose. etc. " The Founding of the Town of San Fernando By the Canary Island Settlers, 1730-31. On pages 293 et seq., of the work "Apuntes para la Historia Antigua de Coa- huila y Texas," por Esteban L. Portillo, already mentioned in a note appended to the plan of Mission Concepcion, are some interesting passages of earliest San Anto- nio history. The author, Portillo, gives at length a document which he says is to be found in the City Records of Saltillo concerning certain aid and assi.stance rendered by Don Mathias de Aguirre to the sixteen families of Canary Lsland emigrants when on their way through Saltillo to the Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar. The document as it stands is not quite lucid, at least not from the modern reader's point of view. It requires some explanation here and there, and the edi- tor regrets that for the present he is unable to inspect the original document, to see if there is not "more to it." For instance, these sixteen Canary Island fam- ilies, numbering, as the document avers, fifty-six persons, arrived in San Antonio according to accepted history and tradition, on Xovember 28th, 1730, and here apparently, are fifteen persons representing sixteen families, four of whom rep- resent one family of themselves, * already (Jan, 29th, 1731), back in Saltillo. witnessing to this voucher of substance delivered to them, all in order that Don Mathias de Aguirre may be paid. Are we to suppose that these men made the long weary journey back to Saltillo just for this purpose and noth- ing more, or was Saltillo the early trading post of this new Texas Territory and did they visit vSaltillo for these two or more purposes? The reader must answer for himself this and other questions that will naturally arise upon the perusal of the following most interesting matter : The author E. L. Portillo says : " By a Royal decree of 10th May, 1723, the King of vSpain ordered that four hundred families from the Canary Islands should emigrate (pasaran) to populate Texas. " I think it opportune that the names of the founders of Bexar should be known, after having remained forgotten for so many years. In an official docu- ment exi.sting in the Archives of the Town Hall of this c'liyr is to he found a valuable record leading back to the year 17-">1." *This rcadN something like oni ol'tliD-t i(|u.ili(ins in -Mgebra with whicli llie good Bishop Colenso used to puzzle us. — t Saltillo, Mexico. THlv I'OrXDIXC; OF Till- TOWN ()!• SAX I- I'RXAXDO. PJT In the town of Santiaj^o del vSaltillo de la Nucva Vi/.oaia, on the twenty-ninth of January, 171)1, appeared present before me the Notary Public and the undersi^^Mied witnesses : Juan Leal (roraz, Juan Leal the boy, Antonio vSantos, vSalvador Rodrij^uez, Josephc Cabrera, Manuel de Niz, Francisco Arocha, Vicente Alvarez, Juan Delgado, Marino Melano, Juan Curbelo, and Phelipe Perez, Josephe Antonio, Martin Lorenzo, Ignacio Lorenzo. These last four comprise one family. They are sixteen families, although the Derrotero counted but fifteen. It wa.s resolved here by Captain Don Mathias de Aguirre, at the request of the above named parties, to adjust (or regulate) for sixteen families, numbering altogether fifty-six persons, and these families declared that having presented and represented in writing to Captain Mathias de Aguirre that they came without provisions of any kind and were with neither mules nor horses, as stated to his Honour (or to his Worship) and proved by the fact that the horses they had exchanged were unable to continue the journey, and the mules had been returned to their owners ; that in order that they might be enabled to continue the journey to the Presidio of San Antonio de Vejar* they were given what was most convenient and necessary, namely : Kighty-six horses, as stated in detail in the account of the repartition that was made to each one of the families ; also, .sevent3--seven mules loaded with provisions for their maintenance during the journey from this town to San .Antonio; also, twenty-seven mules moreover to carry biscuit, meat and everything needed and necessary ; also, four mules employed to carr\' four panier loads (cargas de arganas), making in all the number alludeil to, seventy-.seven t mules. Also, sixteen yokes of oxen. But His Rxcellency ordered Captain Don Mathias de Aguirre to give only fifteen }-okes, yet there was added one yoke for the four single men who make up a family, adding to said yoke the necessary ploughshare, an axe and a pickaxe. In the same manner they declared having received from the said Captain sixteen metates J with their grinding stones, as His Excellency had ordered the said Captain. And they said that the said Captain had delivered faithfully and without fault in the said Presidio de San Antonio de Bejar the sixteen yokes of oxen. All of wdiich contained in aforesaid arrived as expressed (or stated). They confessed and acknowledged to have received con- formably all the above-mentioned, remaining satisfied; renouncing the laws of the delivered (las leyes de la cntrega) and the proof of the receipt contained in them. Leaving the payment of the amount to the will and convenience of His Excellency the Viceroy, Governor and Cap- tain General of this New Spain, which amount the said Don Mathias de Aguirre will give in detail to the officials of the Royal Treasury in the City of Mexico, and to his Attorney, in order that he be paid the sum that would be equivalent to the above named in conformity with that which His Excellenc}- would be pleased to determine and order to be executed, and in order that all agreed upon remain as expressed in the above named contents, they signed it, the witnesses being Joseph Ramon Ramos, Diego de los vSantos and .\ugustiu de Imenarritta, present, and neighbors of this said town, and who signed it at the request of those who could not sign, and those that could sign for themselves before me, the present Notar}-, I certify Juan Leal (roraz, Francisco Arocha, Bisente Alvarez, Francisco Antonio SantO'-, Juan Del- gado, at request of Juan Curbelo, Manuel de Niz, Juan Leal the boy, Josephe Cabrera, Salvador Rodriguez. Josephe Padron, and the four that comprised the extra family ; and for the widows Maria Rodriguez and Maria Meleano. (Witnesses) Diego de los Santos, Josephe Ramon Ramos, Augustin Imenarrieta. Before me, Juan Sanchez de Tagle, Royal Notary Public and of the Corporation. || "At that epoch the Marquis of Casa Ftterte was Governor in New Spain, it was he \vh ; ordered Oeneral Don Mathias de Aguirre to provide the .settlers of San Antonio de liejar with necessaries to enal)!e them to continue their expedi- tion to the said Presidio. '- The various spellings of Bexar are indicative of the plasticity of Spanish pronunciation. t The translation is not at fault, but there seems to be an error here in addition on the part of some one. I The Mexican hand-mill for crushing grain. I, Cabildo. 128 SAX AXTOXK) Dlv l^'XAR. "General Aguirre died Ixjfore the X'iceregal Government had paid him the value of the animals and provisions that he had furnished from his own resources. For this reason Seiiora Ana Maria de Almandos, wife of the defunct Aguirre exe- cuted a power in Saltillo on the first of October, of the year 17-'!_', before the Pub- lic Notary Dn. Juan Sanchez de Tagle, in favor of Un. Fernando de Ugarte, of the vicinity of the Capital of Mexico, in order to attend before the Viceroy to the payment which was due her defunct husband. "The four hundred families, that the King had ordered to be transported to Texas instead of having been sent direct to that province, were disembarked at the Port of Vera Cruz so that they might arrive at their destination overland, and we see that only sixteen families arrived in Bexar and they were the founders of San Fernando contiguous to the Mission of San Antonio." ..iSink Historical, Statistical and Interesting Dates of, and Relating to the City of San Antonio. 1 \ '^'h- ' ' r-. JANUARY. hMrst ])roinint'iil settlement near the head of the San Antonio River, 1692. Tile first charter was "granted to San Antonio by the Kinji of Spain in i 73 , or 1734. La Salle landed al)t)nt this time on the Texas coast 1685 Edward King writes "A Visit to San Antonio," A sketcli for Scribner's Ma}j;a/.ine for January 1874 Wells, Fargo 8: Co. 's Ivxpress opens here for the Sunset Road 1883 The I'uebla of San Antonio dc Valero is aggregated to the curacy of the town of San I'-ernando and Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar 1793 Sam lh)uston comes to San .\ntonio for the first time about this date in company with James Howie 1833 One hundreil men of the Third Michigan Cavalry arrested for mutiny 1866 Mr. W. G. Tobin shows his great skill as a pistol marksman by shooting an apple, at a distance of thirty feet, off the head of Thom.son (Ireen of New York, at a shoot- ing gallery here 1858 East Commerce Street Railroad is begun 1884 San Antonio and Aransas I'ass Railroad gets to Eloresville 1886 An Act to incorporate the town of Nacogdoches and other towns (in which is in- cluded San Antonio) herein named, by the Re])ublic of Texas 12nd document) . . 1837 IMO SAX AXTOMO DI'. IH'XAR. 6 I-'irst iiieeliiiii of vSaii Antonio Literary Association 1860 7 Kalteyer's drug store about completed 1872 First passenger and mail train goes out to Floresville 1886 8 Umbrella China Trees are introducelislie.l in the S. A. Ivxpress, drawn by an Artist Iwonski 1868 Haneiuct .t,nvi'n in honor ol" 25tli anniversarxof lire ronipauy No. I 1883 9 First appearance i)f Lawrence Harrett in San Antonio 1883 10 I'irst Jail C.nard House and Militar\- Onarters erected under Haron Kii)i)erda on the Military riaza (old document in County records) 1773 Mexican Royalists are defeated at Ctoliad and return to San Antonio ... . . -1813 J. D. Logan, the founder of the fust daily ])aper in Texas, "San Antonio Herald" diesl878 Maverick Ranch fence, on l?an,^er Hotel 1870 16 Population of San Antonio is e.stimated to be between ten and twelve thousand 1860 U. Lt)tt elected President of the S. A. & A. P. R. R 1885 T. J. Devine, a much respected old citizen of San Antonio, having occupied many high public offices, came to San Antonio in 1S4."., identified with nearly all the best interests of the city, dies at the age -if 7S 1890 17 Rattle of Coleta Creek, where the Texans under Fannin gain the advantage 1836 Rig overflow of the river. A man named Taniienberg is drowned on Commerce Street bridge. T .vo children of Mr. Staarke are drowned the same day 1865 John Twohig lays the foundation stone of his wall on St. Mary's Street 1869 18 I'anmn surrenders to Urea at Coleta Creek 1836 19 Telephone sy.stem is about to be established 1881 20 A bloody battle with Comanche Indians on the Main and Military Plazas; :;7 Indians killed, 7 whites killed. :Mrs. M. A. .Maverick was an eye witness of this battle froma place of vantage in the original Maverick Home at the corner ol Mam vStreet and Soledad Street . , .' 1840 A party on an outing start from the Head of the River in a boat, after many diflicnlties arrive in the city by nightfall 1870 A similar feat was performed by John and Joseph Weber i see January 15, 'Htii ... 1858 21 Xolan is defeated and killed by Mexicans 1801 22 Josh Hillings is in San Antonio 1878 Joe Forster dies of a wt)un(l received in the Vaudeville shooting scrape of March lltli 1884 18.S SAN AXTOXIO DlC BKXAR. 23 No. 1 of the Weekly vSan Antonio Herald appears 1854 No. 1 of the Daily San Antonio Herald, the oldest Texas daily newspaper, appears 1857 Confederate Tannery was turned over to tlie " Freedman's Bureau" 1866 24 The INIier prisoners are decimated by order of Santa Anna, 17 are shot upon drawing black beans at the Hacienda Salado, Mexico 1843 25 General Grant and partv arrive here and gel a grand reception. He stays here four days 1880 Mrs. Andrea Castanon de Villanueva, alias Candelaria, petitions for a pension as being the last survivor ot the Fall of the Alamo 1889 26 First Public Meeting (of what proved to be a very bitter campaign) of the Prohibition- ists at Turner Hall 1887 27 The l-'annin Massacre, 330 men are shot by the order of Santa Anna at Goliad . 1836 No. 1, of Vol. 4, of San Antonio Weekly Herald is issued 1858 The Flores Street Street Railroad is completed 1884 The work of paving the Alamo Plaza with niesquite blocks is begun in earnest ... 1889 28 Battle of Salado. after the death of Magee, the Americans under Kemper and Mexican Republicans under Menchaca, ( "Rebels") with some Indian bands, are victorious over the San Antonio Royalist troops under the officers in the command of Gov- ernor Salcedo 1813 29 A band of squaws and a notorious hostile Indian buck, Ca.stalito, are in town, brought in by Mackenzie 1873 Some skeletons are unearthed in the Alamo Cliurch Building 1878 30 La vSalle murdered by one of his own men near the Neches River 1687 Total miles of Railroad graded on all lines in Texas 2o7 miles ) -g oko Total miles of Iron laid APRIL. I'irst case of cholera in tlie great epuleiiiic i last case June 10th) 1849 Adolph Korn, a boy, stolen by Indians in Llano Ct)., on Jan. 1st, is now advertised for 1870 The .Mavericks sell Fort Clark for $HO.(l(l(l 1884 ])r. Carver is beaten by Penrose at San Pedro Springs in a shooting contest 1885 First issue of San Antonio Light, "b'.vening Light'" from January 20, 1881. (See January 20, 1881.) 1883 .\niendnients to the City Charter enacted })y the legislature 1889 Federal Court chooses rooms in the French building. Main Plaza, for Court Room . . 1879 R. A. Procter lectures at the Casino 1885 Water carts iirst used for street sprinkling 1878 John Chinaman is here 1875 Janic> F>urns. well known citizen, dies of a rattlesnake's bite 1883 6 President Bustamente prohibits Americans entering Texas 1830 John L. Sullivan gives an exhibition at the Turner Hall 1884 Col. Frank W. Johnson, one of the most famous Texas veterans. President of the Texas Veteran Association since its inauguration, second in command under Milam and who assumed command at the death of Milam at the storming of San .Antonio, dies at .\gua Calientes, Mexico 1884 Mexican troops are stationed at San Antonio to check American influence 1830 General Sheridan, "W. W. Belknap secretary of war, and General Myers are tendered a big reception at vSan Pedro Springs, and '' wined and dined " at the Menger . . 1873 140 SAX XATOXIO DE HIvXAR. 8 St. Mark's parsonaj^e was hegun 1884 Helkiiap and San Antonio Rifles are ordered oul t<> (|ut-ll disturbances at Laredo. Texas . 1S86 First League base ball game played in San .Xnloiiio 1888 Dr. I'". Herff, Senior, permanently settled in San Antonio abnut this date, i Dr. Herif came first to Texas the end of Aj)ril, ls^7. . . 1850 9 A band of 73 Indians arrive under government escort on their way to I'ort Mason, Flor- ida. (This is not the Geronimo and Natchez band.) 1886 10 Thf .\ venue C extension of the street car line is begun 1880 11 A mass meeting is called in San Antonio to devise means for removing the Kickapoo Indians from the Texan and Mexican frontier 1868 Rear enlargement of the Maverick Hotel begun. (See also Sept. lo. "77, and Feb. :>, "S2. '1883 Joseph Jefferson plays Rip \'an Winkle at the opera house 1888 12 F'irst Baptist Church begun 1873 13 French Building is constituted the County Court House 1868 The sixteenth saengerfest is liegun to be held here 1887 14 Tom Green dies in the Confederate war of a wound 1864 A fight is arranged just outside the city limits, at the old Fair grounds, between a bull and a lion and a lioness. The bull gets much the best of it 1878 Bishop Pellicer, first Bishop of San .Antonio, dies 1880 15 A home market for wool is established, first wool bought and warehoused here . 1859 Ca])t. King, the great cattleman and land owner, dies in 1885 16 I'riah In of the Knights of Pythias 1887 21 Battle of San Jacinto. " Remember the Alamo." " Remember Goliad." The Mexi- cans under Santa .\nna are routed 1836 First San Antonio Baseball Club organized. J. S. Lockwood, president ; Russell Nor- ton, secretary 1867 First Railroad shipment of cotton into San Antonio by B. Oppenheimer 1877 22 Santa .Anna is captured on the prairies and brought to the Texan camp 1836 23 The first market house, hitherto known as the principal Cuartel. is established by the city 1840 The .\lamo church building is bought by the State under an Act of April 2;^, for $20,000, from the Catholic church authorities. (See May 16.) 1883 Indians at Boerne 1870 Moody and Saukey in town 1880 24 Losoya street is opened to intersect Commerce street 1872 Dick Lombard attacks Billy vSims with a six-.shooter at the Vaudeville 1884 25 One hundred and fifty-six Tonkaways leave for the mountains forty miles north under charge of the United States Government 1866 vSt. Mark's Epi.scopal Cathedral Church is consecrated 1881 26 Myriads of gra.sshoppers are seen overhead Hying in a northwesterly direction . . . -1858 The German Flnglish school is enlarged to accommodate 500 pupils about this date . .1870 Terrible Indian outrage at Howard's Springs 1872 Odd Fellows Hall on Houston street dedicated. (Since rebuilt 1889-90.) 1878 27 Dr. Cupples arrives in San .\ntonio 1844 Bexar County Court Hou.se rebuilt on Soledad street 1882 Susan J. Hannig (widow of lieutenant Al. Marion Dickinson, who was killed in the Alamo) revisits the Alamo with H. B. Andrews, Bishop Quintard of Tennessee, and some early Texan friends. She and her daughter were the sole white survivors of the fall of the Alamo 1881 28 General Twiggs is unjustly court-martialed 1858 Cornerstone of Bexar County Jail laid 1878 14-2 SAN ANTONIO DE BKXAR. 29 The old central dome of Sau Fernando Cathedral is demolished 1872 The Maverick Hotel just opened 1882 The Odd Fellows Cemetery dedicated 1883 General Schofield visits San Antonio 1885 30 Edward Miles and Antonio Menchaca, two v(.^r_v wt-ll known "old San Jacinto heroes." were in town at this date 1873 The Taxpayers vote $150 000 for the new City Hall and other improvements 1887 MAY. The removal of the Alamo Mission " San Jose del Alamo " is ordered l)y the Marquis Valero, viceroy of New Spain, from the Rio Grande to its present site, and named "San Antonio de Valero." (This Mi.ssion was originally founded on the Rio Grande in 1708.) 1718 Guenther's second or upper mill hej^un . . 1868 Major Wa.s.son "loses" $24,000. for which on the Sth he is charged with embezzlement 1883 San Antonio and Aransas Pass Depot located 1885 Chapel at the Concepcion Mis.sion, as repaired, is rededicated to our Lady of Lourdes by Bishop Neraz 1887 A voung bull buffalo is run down through Commerce street by a cowboy horseman from the 1>1: 1869 Mexican (rulf Railroad compromise bonds signed by the County Clerk 1882 Maverick Hank l)uilding, corner of Alamo IMa/a anrU<) he heKun, and directs tliat tlu- a])i)ropriati(Hi be applied for 1875 The (irenet Alamo property is sold for $40,200 to Hugo & vSchmelt/.er. (This jirop- erty was condemned by the City Council on the same date 1880.) 1884 (General Worth dicii at the James residence on Commerce vStreet. His remains were taken lo (ireenwood Cemetery, thence to New York. His monument is promi- nent on Madison Sciuare, New \'ork. Corner stone of (iroos Hank huildin.L; lai 1874 25 I'irst Mass said at Mission San I'rancisco on Ihe coast . 1690 Till'; MONTH Ol' MAY. 14.") 26 Shu AiUoiiio's first velocipedt- is st-eii carceriiiii around 1869 27 Thr caUk- trail to Kansas is now in constant i)ul)lii- use 1873 28 Arrhhishoi) Odin .liud at Andiirtli, iMancf. i 1 Ic was fornKTly I'-ishop of Oalveston and tliis district, and took a lively interest in San Antonio and Texas — an old Texas Hishoio 1870 29 Hill Hart, a notorions ,ij,and)ler and des])erado, was killed with two of his companions t)n Alamo Street in the Superveille House, behind Wolf & Marx's store, by the \'i;4ilance Conunittee, headed by I'^ieldstrop, who was also killed. Bill Hart, .Miller, Wood killed on one side; Fieldstrop killed and Taylor wounded on the \'inilance Committee side. No killing, ])erhaps, in San Antonio, ever created so nuudi excitement as this 1857 Organ for the I'.piscopal church is built in St. Mark's 1875 30 I'our ;\Iexican horse thieves are found hanging on a tree near San Jose ^lission — probably more Vigilance Committee work 1858 31 San Antonio is tast becoming a market for wool. (Total wool brought in for year 1S74, 4(H),()()0; total wool brought in for year 1875, (iOO.OOO. Merino 2.S'_, cents, 1875; lowest Mexican grades 17 cents, 187;j.) 1874 Belknap Rifles take third prize for company drill, San Antonio Rifles take fourth prize, Staacke, of San Antonio Rifles, takes tirst prize for best drilled man, all at Washington, D. C 1887 Ct round is now being broken for the vSouthwestern Texas Lunatic .Asylum, about Ave miles vSoutli of the city, on land donated for that purpose by the city 1890 JUNE. * < — i^^ — » ' An Indian fight takes place near Hondo ; two whites and several Indians killed. The Indians are found to possess breech-loading rifles, which "had been exchanged for stolen horses" 1872 146 SAN ANTQXK) I)E BKXAR. 2 First Volksfesl hel.l 1882 Joe Brannon, another of the «ran,L,r, killed 1886 3 The hones of Fannin's men huricil witli honors of war by order of General Rnsk at Fort La Bahia on the San Antonio River 1836 Rids on the new Federal huildint; 1886 The Belknap and Maverick Rifles are in Galveston to-day. (Belknaps win first prize onjnne 11th.) 1889 5 Battle of Alazan, San Antonio ; .Spanish Royalists defeated ; one thousand Royalists killed and wounded, ninety-four Americans killed 1813 New Fire Enj^ine arrives. A. A. Lockwood chief of the Fire Company 1858 :VIcDaniels. the robber, makes a marvelous escape from the County Jail in broad day- hght, cutting his shackles with a saw made of a bootspring. ^(vSee July 1 and May 14) 1858 6 Beautiful Parhelia are seen. "First a halo of prismatic colors, afterwards an im- mense red belt that stretched from North to South of equal width all along" . . -1870 7 First Steam Fire Engine arrives in the city 1868 Very noisy Prohibition meeting on Government Lot 1887 The Meny property is bought by the County Commissioners 1888 8 Ten loads of buffalo hides are in town from "out west " 1877 Alamo Monument Association chartered. (^This Association held its first meeting on February 27, 1879, organized March 6, 1879.) 1879 9 Gueulher's third mill begun about this date 1878 10 Last ca.se of Cholera in vSan Antonio of the Great Epidemic of 1849 11 First consignment of fruit from Tampico, Mexico, via Indianola. Bananas, plantains etc., sold by auction by F. L. Paschal 1859 San Antonio Rifles take first prize at Paris, Texas, for best company drill 1887 12 Adams and Wickcs' train altackcil by Indians on Devil's River 1869 Skeleton (jf Frank Harris unearthed in the Robber's Cave at Helotes. His saddle and remains are identified. This is ;i last chajiter in the history of the notorious robber gang 1886 'rill". MO N 'PI I OF Jl'NK. 147 13 CrockfU Hl(H-k on Alamo Pla/.a bcKUii 1882 14 Mason County offers S-')00 for any lioslile savage delivered dead or alive at the Mason County Court House doors. Big Foot Wallace thinks he can make about $500 . . 1872 15 Indian raid only two miles from vSan Antonio ; several mules stolen and one shot with arrows l07U 16 An Iron Bridge arrives 1869 17 .Mrs. M. A. :\Iaverick came to San Antonio. (Mrs. :\Iaverick is the widow of one of the best known old time Texans, vS. A. Maverick. Mr. Maverick came to Texas before the fall of the Alamo, and narrowly escaped perishing with Travis' devoted band and he took an active "part in many stirring incidents of the city's history) . 1838 The Cremation Society elects its officers 1885 18 Menger Hotel foundations are now being begun bv Wni. A. Menger. Hotel to cost 116,000, J. H. Kampmann builder. Many additions have l)een made to this Hotel since this date 1858 19 Foundation laid of St. Mary's Street Iron Foot Bridge. (This street was widened at Commerce Street end in [anuarv, 1S!I0, it being merelv an allev at that point before) . ' 1869 20 A second District Court is established in San Antonio about this date and W. W. King is the first appouited Judge (on 22nd I 1890 21 Work on the Quartermaster's Depot and Water Tower is begun by Braden & Angus. Height of Tower 88 feet. United States Congress had appropriated $100,000 for work on this Depot 1877 Oscar Wilde lectures here ;--1882 22 San Antonio Street Railroad is formally opened by a party of gentlemen under the leadership of Colonel Belknap. They leave in a car at Northwest corner of .\lamo Plaza for San Pedro Springs, Colonel H. B. .\dams acting as driver of car No. 1 . -1878 Hildebrand is brutally murdered by Thuriim at Castro\dlle. Thumm is sent to the pen- itentiary for twenty-five years for this 1887 Augustus Belknap dies 1889 23 Corner stone of Elliott Memorial Hall laid 1889 14S SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. 24 Agitation for more sidewalks is ncnv the order of the (lay 1870 25 Texan Congress passes a bill apjjrovin.u the annexation of the Re])uhlic of Texas to the United States 1845 26 Fort Velasco taken hy Texans under John Austin from Ugartechea 1832 27 IMcDaniels and Potters, two very desperate sta^e robbers and murderers, are captured 1884 28 Soledad Block, corner Houston and Soledad streets, begun 1883 Belknap Rifles hold Memorial services in memory of Colonel Augustus Belknap and Major John Cresson 188H 29 The subscription for the Northwest Extension of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad now reaches to $82,000 1886 30 Adams and Wickes' train attacked l)y Indians near Howard's Springs ; 150 mules stolen and one teamster killed ... 1 869 The Belknap Rifles at Lampasas win this month the first of a long series of victories, second prize for company drill 1885 JULY. vSan Antonio is first designated a Money Order office 1869 McDaniels, escaped convict and liighwa>nian is shot and killed l)y Deputy United States Marshals Van ki]Hr and Stevens at Hen Coffee's goat camp about eight miles from Boerne, in Bexar Counl\, wliillui he had gone to see his sweetheart. He wrote a threatening letter to the I)ail\ I<:x])ress on June 10th. (See also June -, and Mav 14.) 1885 THI-: MOX'IMI Ol" jriA'. 145) 2 A iiiiiuUc <)l' Ur- Cil.\ krrunls Uii> (la\ reads as lollows: •'In coiiscqiiL-iU'C- (^f the Council and cili/ins <,'i lurally l)eing engaged in making ].rei)arations lo repel the aggressions of the Indians there was no meeting ol" the Corporation this day. Signed, \V. 1'. Delmonr Secretary, July lind •' 1838 Buildings now (.ccn])ied ii\ C.oldtVank, iMank .\: Co., Main Street, are ahout half completed 1870 3 II. Voaknm coin]>letes \-ohune I, History of Texas il'uMished IS.'.di . 1854 Rainfall in San .\ntonio from Satnrdax , Jnly ;;rd, midnight, to Tuesday morning, Jnl\- lith, is fourteen and a half inches 1869 The old front of San Fernando is torn down 1873 4 Annexation Hill i)assed hy the Convention of Delegates at Austin 1845 Tlie present (ISiHI) Iron F.ridge on Connnerce street is begun . 1881 Schol/.'s new Palm Garden is oi)ened with a concert 1885 6 Joseph Moore, wife and children, are killed in their wagon hy Indians at Bandera. One child escaped 1873 7 Jose Cordova hanged according to law at the Bexar County Jail for the nun-der of R. Trimble 1879 First gan-e of Polo between Blues and Reds (another game on July !)) 1883 8 Ue la Harpe rejilies to I )' Alari-onne's letter and claims the Nassonite lands for France -1719 9 A quiver of arrows and a bow is exhibited at the vSan Antonio Express office as a curiosilv. The trophy was captured in the "u])]ier Country." 1870 Cornerstone of County and City Hosjjital laid 1888 10 Ten troops of United States Cavalry ordered out for Indian service 1885 11 Indians reported eleven miles from the city 1870 Ben Milam's grave is marked by a stone on Washington Square Park . 1878 Bias Herrera, Texan veteran, dies 1878 .lack Harris is shot by Ben T]u>mi)Son in the saloon at "Jack Harris' corner" 1882 12 Groos' house on "Alameda" street begun (Alameda now E. Commerce street) . 1872 Stanniforth is murdered with two bullets iu his brain as he sleeps 1885 loO SAN ANTOXIO I)K BP:XAR. 13 Indian raid (by Kiowas I at I-redericksbnr^ 1867 The Daily Herald discontinues tf) he publislu-d . 1880 14 Death of Father Johnston, a well known Cathnlu- jiriest of this city 1885 15 The Alamo Insurance Company, a local company, formed 1889 16 Avenue C is graded 1878 Curb hydrants are first established 1878 H. Brauer is mysteriously murdered at the vSan Pedro Springs 1885 17 Act of incorporation of City of San Antonio (eighth documenti 1856 18 J7"),(M»U additional is voted for quarters and barracks at the Post 1885 19 The Old Lewis mill stopped. For nearly 20 years this mill had supplied ground corn to San Antonio 1869 'J'his mill was rebuilt and still "goes round" 1890 20 Goliad citizens take justice into their own hands and consummate terrible vengeance on horse thieves and bandits. They hang and shoot six and arrest others . . 1858 The building which preceded the new Kampmann bank building and took the place of the original Maverick House, corner of Main and Soledad streets, is now being built 1869 21 J. H. Kampmann's bank building, corner of Main and vSoledad streets, is begun . 1883 22 The work on the Federal building, Alamo plaza, is busily .going on when J, R. Gordon pronounces some of the work done defective 1888 23 Sam Houston dies at Huntsville 1863 Another noisy prohibition meeting on Covernmenl ].oi. The campaign is now grow- ing bitter 1887 24 K. liragance (Texan veteran i dies here 1886 25 The Vance building on MounIou street wa> ihe ..Id military lKad(iuarler> bef.re the uar. 1859 THE MONTH OF AlT.rST. 151 26 The Santa Rosa li()S])ital is in prdj^rrss of heiiii; l)uilt > aildiliuiis liave been made Ui this). It was huih on the sitf of tlie old Mexican l.mvin.u .yrMinid 1869 27 The stone strnetnre of the I'ederal UuiliUnj; on Alamo pla/a is lajndly heinj,' jjiished to- wards eonipU'tion 1889 28 An armadillo is caught In some children in the eastern sulmrhs 1882 Captain W. ('.. Tobin dies 1884 Ground broken for the Club and ()])era house on Alamo i)la/.a 1886 29 Corner stone of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church laid 1879 30 James Short relates a terrible and jirolonged hand-to-hand encounter with a bear in Bandera county 1859 31 Senator and General Rusk, one of the chiefs of the Texas war for inde])endence, sui- cides through grief for the death of his wife 1857 AUGUST. San Antonio Herald, daily edition, No. 112 of Vol. 1. issuemann, Steves and Hennett buildings are now going u]) on the south side of Commerce street 1870 10 The ISIexican cart and leamster troubles of Coliad and Karnes counties excite consider- able public attention 1857 11 Belknap and San Antonio Rifles return from Calveston 1886 12 The city charter passes the legislature 1870 13 Stephen Fuller Austin arrives in San Antonio 1821 Act of incorporation of San Antonio (ninth doiunient) 1870 14 I'rench building, southeast corner of .Main i)la/.a, is nearly completed 1858 15 The Alamo Rifles resolve to disband, but did not do so until a short time afterwards . 187 8 0])euingof the Confederate and I'ederal re-union at .San Pedro Sjirings 1888 16 Notorious counterfeiters arrested and mans sloleti dnifls and coin dies are found in a jewelry store on Conimerc-e street 1859 17 David Crockett i)orn . 1786 TH1{ MONTH ()I< ArcrST. 153 18 BatUe olMcdina— Mexican Royalists are virlorious iindtT Arredoiulo 1813 19 The Mexicans are j^rowin.u very jealons of the t^rowin.ti influence of Americans in Texas about this time 1829 20 Arredt)n(lo enters the city in triumph; 700 of the citizens are imprisoned, eigliteen die of suffocation out of .'500 in one house; the remainder are shot 1813 The "Great August Storm;" wind from the northeast; many thousands of dollars dam- a,ije done to roofs and houses in the city, and the people are badly scared 1886 21 Delej^ates to Denver Deep Water Convention arc selected 1888 22 Tin roof workers are autocratic just now (see Au.'!, in Mexico, i He is shortly elected (General of the I'orces at (xou/ales. IS.T), and says : " 1 fully hoped to have found Texas at peace and in trancpiility, hut rei^ret to find it in coinniotion and threatened with iniincdiatc hostilities." The Ti-xas Revolution is now lie.L;iiinin.L; in earnest, i . 1835 The old " r.at Cave " Court Iloust', northwest c.inicr .Military plaza, he.min 1850 7 A Scnithern Pacific Railroad is being stront;ly urged at this early date 185T Bob Augustin, who came up from Goliad wdth others of his kidney to join Sihiex 's Brigade, is arrested by Win. Lyons for disorderly conduct, upsetting and over- riding the chile stands on ^lain rla/.a (see vSeptember !)th ) 1861 8 Meeting held to devise nieans of turning the ( )lnios creek into the Alazan to prevent overflows in the San .\ntonio River 1868 9 Bob Augustin is released by the Mayor, but is taken in charge by a determined mass of citizens and one of the most exciting lyncliings in the histor\- of the citv fol- lows. Bob is hanged on a tree at the southeast corner of Military Plaza at the en- trance of Floras street (this tree was grimly named -'La Ley de Mondragon) at the hands of a vigilance committee and b}' the uuaninious consent of a large mass of citizens, who had concluded that Bob was a bad man i.see September 7, hSdl i . . 1861 Ox carts are .seeing their great day 1870 Saengerfest in San Antonio 187 10 The Jewish Synagogue on Travis Park is dedicated 1875 11 General Woll and his Mexican army invests San Antonio udso General \'asquez, March 7, ls4l'i 1842 *La hv.y MoNDk.vGox — 1*'lori-;s Strkkt. A little tree once grew 111 a street of San Antone, That little tree we knew .As " La ley de .Mondragon," Which ill a street of flowers Put forth no blossom fair. Vet by the Holy Powers A gha.stly fruit it bare. Whose seed was sudden death. Whose stem a tight drawn rope. The Vigilante saith ■■ Well founded is the hope That the law of Mondragon .Vll Texas will endorse That ■ here in San Antone You must not steal a horse.' " lo6 SAN ANTONIO DIv BEXAR. 12 Sixth Aiimial I'air is held 1875 Lone Star Brewery is opened 1884 Additional Barracks and Quarters are 1(1 Ik- laiih at the New Post. Contract let Sep- tend)er 18 1888 13 A (".ernian named Thulle is killed l>y Indians at Castrt)ville 1867 At an election held this day ( loBH votes for and 4() against) the Columbus or "Sunset" route is subsidized bv the city and county $5()(),0(l(). (This did not materialize, see January liHth . ...'.../ 1873 14 Celebration in San Antonio of the one liumlredth anniversary of Humboldt's birthday 1869 A Lij^ht Artillery Company reorganized, Stanley Welch, Captain 1870 I'ancoast's building on Commerce street begun • 1880 Through communication with vSaltillo completed 1883 Last stone of the New Federal Building on Alamo Plaza laid 1889 15 Great "Indianola" storm on the coast. 8:21 lives lost at Indianola, which city is de- stroved ( Herald says September 17?) 1875 The Military Headquarters begun (now Maverick Hotel, see also April 11 and Feb- ruary ;>! 1877 The Texas State I'niversity is opened at Austni with 108 students 1883 ]?elkna]) Rifles inaugurated 1884 16 Mexican Independence Day. Don Miguel Hidalgo proclaims in favor of liberty 1810 The Colored Catholic Church is dedicated by Bishop Neraz 1888 The corner stone of the City Hall, Military Plaza, is laid 1889 17 Captain Hays defeats General Woll on the Salado creek. Captain Dawson's command lo-ses 86 men on the same da\-. Ceneral Woll retires to the Rio (yrande 1842 18 George Wilkins Kendall .advertises "Merino F.ucks ;" this is probably one of the earliest iiilrodm-lions of this breed into Texas 1857 19 First issue of the San Antonio I)ail_\ i'inus 1880 20 St. Josei)h's Clunch IS .ilmosl linished 1872 21 While vellow fever is r.iging al Housi.m and Galveston there is none in San Antonio 1867 The S.m .\ntonio I )ailv Her.ild is sold by auction 1878 22 TIh Dnlhiig block, corner ..r (.'oninurce .and Alamo streets, is begun 1883 THb: MONTH ol' SI'l'Tl-.M 1U{R l.^: 23 General H. P. Bee came lo Texas via Galveston, on the rnsl tup of the Morgan line of steamers, steamship Columbia, Captain Wright. (The General took part in the Indian battle at Plum Creek between San Antonio and Austin, in 1H4(», and he finally came to San Antonio in 1842. during the Vasquez campaign. He ser\-ed with distinction in many Indian campaigns, and in the invasion of Mexico by the ITniicd vStates . . A wrangle over the '• lW:id ..f the River ' is now going on in the city, all to little j.ur- pose, since the city had sold its birthright securelv and legally 1886 1837 24 Ihillianl Aurora liorealis visible at il p. ni. (see Sei)tember 2. bSotO 1870 25 Bill Whitley, the desperado and train robber, is killed, resisting arrest, by Tnited .States marshals. Ilis body is brought to San Antonio aiui viewed by hundreds 1888 26 Horns first become an article of commerce here 1868 The first regular trip in San Antonio of an electric motor car was made on the Alamo Electric Street Railwav Company's track from Navarro Street to the International I'air Grounds, south of the city (Thompson-Houston .system). Since this date, all the main street car lines have adopted electric motor cars of this and the Spragiie svstem 1890 27 The corner .stone of the new Cathedral of San I'ernaudo is laid with impressive cere- mony on Sunda}- lofjo Daneuhauer block, corner .Mam street and ?ilain plaza, completed and Sol Deutsch goes into l)U.siness there 187 7 28 The Governor of Texas issues a proclamation of a severe character against fence cut- ters ; also against jiersous unlawfully enclosing laud by fences . . . 1883 29 James 'Slnwu. a farmer, i)loughs u]) an old Spanish coat of mail an'. days, "ra.stest time on record; complete triumph of the Southern route." (It is afterwards done in much less time.") Second annual Volksfest ; very brilliant parade ; great success . Dr. Howardis appointed Postmaster 6 San Fernando Cathedral is opened with much ceremony ■ 1873 Indians kill three boys and a girl named Dowdy, above Kerrville, on the Cxuaddupe 1878 Grcnet begins the inartistic wooden building for a grocery store adjoining the Alamo Church, and partly on the site of the convent walls and convent vard 1878 San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad is completed to Kerrville . 1887 The first St. Marv's i-treet bridge is erected 1858 8 Grouiiil is broken for tlaw;/(/ San Antonio .Xatioii.il ILink l)nilding now o.Tui)ie(l bv O'Connor it Sullivan, bankers) 1867 Vgn.-icia Cortez is ac(|nitted of the murder of Stanniforth 1885 TIM'; MOX'PH Ol* OC'l'OI^.l'R. !.",'.» 9 ColliiiswdiUi and Milam iai>Unv Coliad 1835 Mrs. Haimi';, wlio was a Mirvivor of tin- st()rniin,L;<)f the Alam >, and was tlu- wife- of I.ieulniant I )irkiiiN.iii who was kilU-d llurr, dies. (Mrs. I)ickiiis(jii was the iiiolluT ol'-' Tile Child .if the AlaiiU)."' 1883 10 Stephen 1''. Austin assuiiU's eominaiid of the Texatis at ( ~.()ii/,ales .... 1835 Case of San .\iiloiiio and Mexican Cnlf Riilroa ci-ss of tlu- Inleniali..iiai 1-air here 1888 20 The Mexican Royalists from San Antonio are defeated at C.oliad 1812 James and Resin Rowie defeat the Indians m their celeliratdl light ai San Saba 1831 San Antonio let- I'actory establisliecl 186o THI". MONTH Ol' N()\'HMHK1<. Mi.'. 21 'I'hf ])ivseiit I iStlOi Coiiiiinrcf stret-l hridiii- is hej^uii about this date 1880 TlK- Natiuiial Ivlitorial Ass niatioii iiu-c-ls luTr 1888 22 The fir-t rit\ ordiiiaiu-c a,L;aiiisl rarryiii.i; coiicc-alcd (k-adl\- weapons ........ 1867 23 B. 1,. Crouch rcfeivc> llu- ut-ws llial several of his uearest rehitives are hrulallv mur- dered. No IraiH- of the murderer 1883 24 The lierK Tvlectric TJj^lit starts with (>-") lights. Tliis is the seeoud visitation of San .Antonio by eleelririlx and the d\naiii fence cuttin.'; 1883 15 Amendments to certain sections of the City Charter of San Antonio made at the elec- tion held this date (tenth document) 1874 Bufialo I'.ill entertains us at the Casino 1879 16 The Citv Council decides to open Crockett street across the river to St. Clary's street. (This is an inqiortant improvement. ) 1889 17 Kit Carson's letter ])ul)lished in the San Antonio Daily Herald, dated from Taos, New :Mexico, saying that a little Te.\as boy had been recovered from the Indians and he wishes him to be a.lvertised 1859 Cop])er pennies are introduced into the city into commerce 1886 18 The .\lamo Rifles give a grand ilress and military ball at the " New " Casino Hall . . 1857 19 S. M. Wills, who had been held for four years a captive by the Comanches, escapes :ind relates his experiences in San Antonio 1878 Kmm.i Abbott opens the Grand ()])era House, .\lamo I'la/.a 1886 20 Veager is arre.stcd, and on the 22(1 of this month Pitts and Veagcr are identified as the much wanted ])ostoirice and mail robbers 1884 21 The first I'air of tlu- Agricultund and Imhistrial Association ofWestern Tex.ns isopenedl868 I'onrtein tlunisand dollar> is .ipi)rojiriatt'd by the Tniled St.ates Congress to ])nrch.i^.c land to enlarge the ,\r^enal gr.mnds 1880 166 SAX AXTOXIO DK BKXAR. 22 (Tallaj^la-r's ooriier, lu-ar Mender Ilotc-l, i> <)crii])ii.il oii Uiis dale Ity Ur- San AnlDiiio I'oslofficf 1879 23 James Kerr, the oldest Anu-rican sfllk-r \vf>l i)f Colorado river, ilies 1850 We hear of a brittle with the (■>eroniino hand of Apaches in whieh two officers are killed and some men 1885 24 Right Reverend Anthony Dominic Pelicer is installed at San l-ernando Cathedral a? first Bishop of San Antonio i he was buried in this Cathedral A]Mil 17, Issd . 1874 25 Stephen F. Austin, Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas, dies at Columbia 1836 The battle at Mier, Mexico, is fought 1842 The International Railroad track is complete! to Laredo ; first train this day . ... 1881 26 Santa Anna and Almonte are released by President Houston 1836 The Texans on the Mier expedition surrender to the Mexicans 1842 27 Cortinas is beaten by the Texans under 1-ord and Tobin, near Brownsville 1859 28 San Antonio is just beginning to feel the possibility of becoming a market for cotton 1858 29 The Maverick Trinting House have just moved into their fine new five-story building on Avenue l- 1890 30 A city election is held to consider the advisability of taking stock in the San .Vntonioand ^Mexican C.ulf Railroad; lid? votes cast, of which i")o were in favor of the 5.')(l,(iiMi subscription 1850 31 Dedication of the I'.lliott .Memorial Hall 1889 Moses Austin was in San Antonio about this date 1820 Gennan-Knglish school established about this date 1858 James and Resin I'. Bowie are in San .\ntonio to organize the San Saba expedition 1831 We have the most i)opulous city ol Texas, three main railroad lines, a perfect system of water works, the purest water, wood block-paved ])lazas and streets, several electric street car systems, the prettiest ( )pera and Club House in the South, beautiful public l)uildings. good electric lighting and gas systems, good hotels, a lovely river, a cli- mate .second to none on this continent, efiicient schools, three daily newspapers, the most im])ortant military i)t)st in the I'nited States, immense markets for horses, cattle, wool and cotton, a progressive mayt)r, a history inexhaustible in interest. and a magnificent future 1890 I' IN IS. Al)VIvRTlSIN(; AlMMvNDICI.K. The Alamo Heights. A Very liovely Hesidenee and Villa Addition to the City of San Antonio. The iJiopcrly in thf tieij^liljorhood of the head waters of the Saii Antonio River has always held an undispnted rcpntation of being the Garden Spot of Texas. The River rises here, almost full-grown j within the distance of a quarter of a mile, from great mysterious springs bubbling in translucent pools of limpid water. Around and above this, the land is luxuriant to a degree with fine trees and sylvan greenery, and, while enjoying all the attractions of a well timbered river bottom, it yet stands high and above the low lands and the city, with exquisite views of the fertile valley below and of the mountains and hills reaching away to the north. Giant Pecans, Live Oaks, Hackberry, Elm, Box Khler, and many other noble trees are here in profusion, with a rich sprinkling of the beautiful Mountain Laurel, an evergreen which in the Spring-time blooms in purple dress among the myriads of wild flowers with which the neighborhood teems at certain seasons of the year. Such in brief is an unexaggerated description of the property acquired over a year ago by THE fllamD Heigtits improveniBnt Companu, And, up to the date of the publication of this work, not a lot has been placed upon the market, but, under the management of Mr. W. J. B. Patterson, the designs of Mr. R. R. Salter, C. K., of Denver, have been assiduously carried out. For a year or more a large force of men has been busilv employed to make this place the most desirable residence property of our attractive and historic city. Landscape engineering as a science has been brought to tone a naturally beautiful locality. Wide streets, 80 to 100 feet, with 12-feet sidewalks, have been graded and graveled- Drives and roads have been constructed upon the contour lines of the land, insuring a natural drainage of all lots. Parks have been laid off and trimmed, and here the picturesque arroyos, which dip down to the Olmos creek, have been put to very effective purpose. This creek runs in an tuibroken stretch of nearly a mile on the west side of this property and empties itself into the River, just belovr.. A magnificent drive has been constructed from the city to the Alamo Heights Property by the City Council, a bonus having l)een provided by the Company towards this work. Along this drive, starting from the Federal Building, an P^lectric Street Car Line is rapidly being laid to this Suburban Addition, winding through and around. Five miles of track, standard gauge, are alreadv under construction. The system will be Thompson- Houston. Cars will start every fifteen minutes and transit will l)e rapid — twenty or twenty-five miles being counted upon as the usual rate of travel. N. B. — Five or six Ing springs, and fifty or sixty minor springs make this property a perpetual paradise, and insure the purest of drinking water. For particulars, call on or write to ^la/T)o ]{2\(^\)^s i^ar^d ar>d IfnprouemeQt <^ompar)y, W. J. B. PATTERSON, President and Genertil Manager. No. 4-2 7 East Houston Street, San Antonio. Texas. F. F. HAINHRIDGK. ^^'- CORNER. BAINBRIDGE & CORNER, PUBIJvSIIERS OF San Antonio de Bexar, Bv W. CORNER. BOGKSEl_L_ERS. Stationers and flews Agents, ..x.^^^r.^Tr^IVnc.. San Antonio, Texas. Books, Periodicals, Fine Stationery of All Kinds, Newspapers, Fancy Articles, Boston Linen, Crane's, Marcus Ward's Irish Linen, Bond Writing Papers. Subset iptions to Newspapers and Magazmes Solicited. Gold and Fountain Pens. ir^Koto ^iews of- San ^ntoniG and Vicinity. fl^e^ts for U/ri?l7t 9 Ditso^'s lauuQ Te99'5 (\00<\?>. The largest collection of Fine Japanese Ware in this city. Birthday Presents and Cards. Visiting and Wedding Cards Engraved in the most Fashionable Styles. I'rogressive Euchre Prizes. l>roiii|it l><>llv<-r.v <>r hII KtMidiuK Mtitter. "THE INTERNATIONAL ROUTE." International i Gre at florthern R. H. SHORTEST, OUICKEST AND BEST LINE FROM ST. UeaiS, MEMPHIS, KANSAS GITY, GHICAG0, NEW YORK AND ALL POINTS NORTH AND EAST TO PULLMAN BUFFET SLEEPING CARS THROUGH WITHOUT CHANGE BETWEEN St. Louis, Houston, Galveston, Austin, Laredo, and San Antonio. J. E. GALBRAITH, D.J.PRICE, TRAFFIC MANAGER, ASST. GEN. PASS. AGENT, PALESTINE, TEXAS. PALESTINE, TEXAS. F. O. BECKER, T. M. ORR, GENERAL AGENT, GEN ERAL AGENT, GALVESTON, TEXAS SAN A NTON lO, TE X AS. JjPlIXTES CLjPlVIN, DRaGGIST. j pur? Drufjs ai?d C^ti^mieals, : I I I I I I mi'ii ; -^PATENT MEDICINES,-^ JToilet Articles, Sponges, Brusl)es,Etc. 36 West Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas. 8LI©c TENG'G, WHOIvESAM-; AND KKTAII, Bool(selle[i Stationer, 218 West Commsrce Street, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, Maps, Souvenirs, Stereoscopic and other views of the Cit> . The History- of San Antonio cle Bexar mailed to any part of the world. Tea, Coffee, Coeoa, Spiee & Baking Pooider ESTABLISHMENT, r.n WoHt Coiniiierce Street, S»ii Antonio, Texus, Is alwav.s replete with choice pure j^oods, and purchasers ^y •> may rely on getting honest value for their money. ,. . , '^ Mr. Holland is an e.rfifrl in Teas, and personally -'■-->-,;>. .'•-- " sui)erintends the Tea Department. I'ure Java, Mocha, an. will come here to gain health. With liealth restored, and enamored of the beautiful couulry, lluy will eml)ark in those ])ursuils for which this section is best adapted. The most that we have said of the transcendent healthfuluess of this lovely valley ni;iy be claimed for the entire country upon the head water of our west Texas streams. To that "somebody's darling" whose life is so infinitely dear to the loved ones at home, and so feebly held by the frailest of tenure, we would say : Come to the mountains of Texas; come to the region of pure air and clear, limpid water ; come before hope and streirgth arc too far gone, and come with a confidence that in this vitalizing atmosphere you will experience a feeling unfelt before, ''A something that inforiiis you 'tix a moment :chence yon may date heiicc/orK'aid and forever.''' — g^^For further information ai)ply lo llu' Maxor of Kerrville, or any eilizen. R, R. SALTER. F. LAMBERT. S. « SLONECKI. Civil Engineers and Architects. Surveys, Plans, Estimates, Etc., for Railroads, Cities, Bridges, Irrigation, Sewerage and Water Supply. Construction Superintended. *-^ AGENTS FOR THE HEERDEGEN WATER INDICATOR. NO MORE DRY WELLS. ^^ ^^< "• WKTER CUKRKNTEED. •..•.• *.. "^^ CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED. Office: Room 4, Maverick Bank Building, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. • MEERSCHEIDT • BROTHERS ---^■- ■■■-■■■■ Meerscheidt Brotlicrs have l)eeii highly .successful with Iheir three previous subdivisions ill this citv, because they have dealt fairly and squarely with their customers, and in no in- stance have they misrepresented the attractions of their properties, and have sold valuable l>ropertv at prices and ui)on terms to suit the pockets of home-seekers. They are now laying out a lovely river subdivision, one mile south of the center of the i-ity, within one block of the street car track, with graded streets and CEMENT SIDEWALKS, with water from the citv waterworks, and with the first chance at the pure gulf breeze. It is beautifully wooded along the river bank with giant pecan and hack])erry trees. The lots are exceptionally large and long, and are eminently adapted for villa and choice residences. Within a short /(/ to their /or vie r customers,. MEERSCHEIDT • BROTHERS 407 EAST HOUSTON STREET. THOMAS HAYNES, ATTORNEY AT LAW, Room 50, Kampmann Building. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. IN V St T. S. S. CO.) I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ml I I III I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I 11 I llliill III I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 1 1 I I I I ■ I I I I I The only Line of Steamships Sailing BetAveen NEW-YORK-AND-TEXAS. steamers Lieave Pier 20, East River, lieuj York, for Galveston, Texas, Every Wed- nesday and Saturday at 3 O'eloek P. CCi. Steamers laeave Galveston for J^eui York Direct Every LUednesday and Saturday frtorning ito suit the Tide). ,1, 111 II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I III I I II I I II I I 1 1 I II I II lilt II 1 1 I I ■ I I I I I I I I I I I I S. S (IhiiMinji) . . :>,50(lTons 'S^^'^^B^ ; S. S. Lkona :^,o()0 Tons 'tM MH^ 11 ' m -^ ^^IHlV " ^" ^' Nueces 8,5()OTous !^% " lffl^ " ^- ^" ^^^^^ o.OOO Tons miV nil : S. S. Lampasas 8,000 Tons S. vS. Alamo 8,000 TonS -^^^^^^^^^^—,^— . S. vS. San Marcos 2,S40 Tons ' '™ v^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^/ : 3 j^ Colorado 2,7(54 Tons - vS. S. Rio Grande 2,500 Tons ; S. S. STATE OF Texas . . . 1,(il)0Tons ; S. S. City of San Antonio . l,i).)2 Tons I I I I I I I I I I : i I I 1 I i I I I I I I I : I I I i I I I I I I I I I I I ! I I I I I I I I I I I I I, III I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i I I i i I I I Oppcring to Pirst Glass Travelers .\F;i,ifiiiricenl Acconiinodations, with Cuisine and Attendance equal to the finest on land or sea, and at rates including everj-thing on Steamer Tae (Cheapest and J /Lost domfortable I\Gute Between New York, all luislcrii Cities. Kurope and Texas. Try it and be convinced. THIS IS THK ON],V LIXIv thai ran offer a ticket COVERING P:NTIRR P^XPENSES to or from New York. For Tickets. Sailin.i; Schedules, Plans of Steamers, and full information, apply to Mallory J,ine Agents thniu^^hont the country, or address SETH SPRAGUE, General Eastern Agent, 306 Washington Street. Boston. II. McMlRTKiE, Agent, Cor. 8d and Chestnut Street, Phihideli)hia. II. McMfRTRiE, Agent, 20o East German vStreet, Baltimore. B. E. Harri.ss, Agent, Dallas, Texas. W. I.. Wright, Agent, Denver, Colorado. MOSE Raphaicl, Agent, Houston, Texas. R. W. Southwick. Agent, Key We.st, p-lorida. J. N. Sawyer & Co., Agents, 54 vStrand, Galveston, Texas. W. J. YOUNG, General Southern Passenger Agent, San Antonio, Texas. C. H. MALLOHY & CO., Gen. Agts., Pier 20 E. R. and 362 Broadway, New York. f{. pa9e6a3t 9 S09, ^ MERCHAN T . TAILO R S(^ AND THE LEADING HOUSE IN GLOTii':NG. mrS arjd FURNIShfiNU GOODS, 38 AND 40 WEST COMMERCE ST., SAN ANTONIO, TEX. H. E. HILDEBRAND. BEN. A. STRIBLING. ▲ ▲ ▲ HiLDEBRAND & STRIBUNG, ^Sp T^BSTRHCTS. We havespecial advantages for conducting a general land business and have the only complete abstract of titles to lauds in Bexar County and City of San Antonio. 273 W. Commerce St., SAN ANTONIO, TEX. The "Old Reliable Furniture House" of ReiNHOLD BECKeR. Furniture, Carpets, latting. Art Squares, Oil Cloth KND I_INOL.EU7«V. o"« I Small Profits and Quick Sales. wr .ue yours very rcspeciruii>. "°"° — ~ REINHOLD BECKER, EBtobliBhed ISVO 19-20 \A/est COMMERCE St , San Antonio. ADOLPH DREISS, PHRH1«AGIST m (DAHUFAGTUHIHG CHE|yiIST. DEALER IN TOILET ARTICLES. SPONGES. CHAMOIS. TRUSSES. CRUTCHES. BANDAGES. ETC. ALSO A LINE OF FINE CUTLERY. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE PRESCRIPTION DEPARTMENT, DAY AND NIGHT. NO. 19 ALAMO PLAZA, M. E. JACOBSON PHOTOGRAPHER, NO. 2 EAST HOUSTON STREET, S^N ANTONIO, TEX^S. For Fine Photographic Work in all Styles go to this place you will be pleased. PICTURESQUE SRH ANT ONIO. The Best Collection of San Antonio Scenery. Also For Sale at BAINBRIDGE & CORNER, Alamo Plaza, and all first-class Book and Fancy Stores. -^ ELECTRI C BELLS, BATH S, ETC., ET C., ON ALAMO PLAZA, 100 YARDS FROM U. S. COURTHOUSE AND POSTOFFICE. FORTY NICELY FURNISHED ROOMS, WITH OR WITHOUT MEALS, FOR RENT BY DAY, WEEK OR MONTH. ALAMO FLATS, ^§^ THE LEADER M 216 LU. Commefee Street. GLOVES, HANDKERCHIEFS, HOSIERY, ETC. "Jjf^Agency for Foster, Centemeri «& Alexandre KID GLOVES^^H^^ G. R. SUI_I_1VHN )^ ,ea(Hnsr Dealer \u UfiDlES', GENTS' and CHIliDREN'S Boot5, St70<^5.^5''PP^''5 A. la roe «tocl< of Kine aod Mediian^ lines cilwctys on hand. -^%r §ommer(;e ai}d St. /Tlary 5t3. ^ao f{r)\:ov)io, Jexas. ALEX. SMRTOR, :_^4==:DIR1V10H0S, UlRTCHES, •:o: IVIexieetn -0 piligpee •4iiiiiti-i--e iSti-eet, Stin Aiili>n.i<>- I'"-'^''** ESTABLISHED 1875. C. H. TV^UEL-LER. Wlioh-aU- aiKl KLlail Heal Artists' and Painters' Supplies, l^ie^lLire F'l-iimea, l^Uite cind Window Cxl.iisis, Mirrors, Ete. COMMERCE STREET. • ^ SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. vS. K. Martin, C/iicagP. A. C. vSchkvvi^k, San Antouia. MARTIN & SCHRYVER, Of all sorts, kinds and qualities. ^^BUII-DINC TVYATERIHL Of all Kinds, Shapes and Sizes. A lai'i^e assortment of onianiental goods always in stock. We keep constantly on hand lartje quantities of the never yet surpassed \\'e are successful competitors in price and goods. Come and be convinced. ^OFFICE OF YARDS mBIN OFFICE , South of Sunset Depot. 2 West Commerce St. H^^SAN ANTONJO, TEXAS.: : 5 el7olz's palm C(arde9. vSTKANtVKKS should Hot fail lo visit this I'aradise of Tro])ii-al Plants. Three Stories of Airy (ralU-ries. Rej^ular Musical l^veninj^s. l-ixcjuisite vString and Hrass Hand. Ivlectric Service and lTamifactincrs of and deaUr'^ in O ' TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS, SATCilELS, STRAPS, COLLAR Z AND CUFF BOXKS, LEATHER TRAVELING CASES, OC I LEATHER GUN OASES, ETC., ETC. ?-, 000 ALAMO PLAZA, THE ALAMO. , San Antonio, TEXAS. Trunks and Sample Cases made to order. PAUL . WAGNER'S . BAZAAR, NOS. 22, 24. &. 26 COMMERCE STREET. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. IMPOKTKK AND DIOAI.KR oySi^^^^aney Sood§. "Soiiuepir plbdjms of 539 i^i?t:oi}io,"^°;"2'5'c°e ROBT. A. WOODS. VV. V. I..vrR.\INK. Woods & Lauraiine, REPRESENTING: Laurel Hiok.hts I'ropi-.kty. Park Plack Proi'krty. Prospect Hii.l Propkrtv. Bttsinkss PROpr-;RTV. WnsT I-;Nri Property, Alamo Heights Property, East Eni> Property, Residence Property. Real Estate Brokers, 209 RUAOIO PUAZR, FARmmO RJiO RANCH IiAHDS. SRH ANTOMIO, TEX. C. H. PICKFORD C. S. GREEN. FOf^D, PICKFORD 8t CO. •'^ DEAUERS IN ' MND pjOOK ST^LT. AGENTS FOR "THE SPRINGFIELD WAGON COMPANY." SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS No. 16 East Main Plaza Telephkone Ho. 501. 4-' \^ c^^ # . .1. FRV, r\eal Ci-state. L'oan aqd (general -A^e^nt, l^o. 2 W. Commerce St. • San Antonio, Texas. Will ])ay Taxes for residents and non-resideuts. I.auds for sale in all parls of llie Slate. THE HEALTHIEST AND MOST ATTRACTIVE SECTION OF TEXAS IS FOUND ON THE LINE OF THE SAN ANTONIO & ARANSAS PASS RAILWAY RUCKER, HARTWELL & CO., SCCCKS.SOkS TO Rucker, Dignowity & Co., NO. 1 \V. HOUSTON ST.. San Antooio, ^ ^ ^I'exas. • IWadame E. p. Duke, SOLE PROPRIETRESS OF Df. Harlan's IWedieated Vapor Baths The Most Practical and Effectual Treatment for Dengue, Fever, Rheumatism AND KINDRED CHRONIC DISEASES. TETV^RL-ETON'S EYE ^aZT^TER Is a Good and Tried Medicine and will Positively Cure the Worst Cases. Madame E. F. DUKE, Corner of Blum and Bonham Streets. San AntOniO, TexaS. TRANSLATIONS OF ALL LANGUAGES. TEACHER OF THE ^rcncb, bpanisi] <:KS. J. RONSE. A WAHLSTAI ROHSE & UiAHLiSTAB, WHOLESALE DEALERS IN — % ■ ' kb) VJUipes, Cic|uor5 a^d ^i(^ars g BENNETT BLOCK, COMMERCE STREET. S.A.N ANTONIO, - TEX>\H. Iiamter, Sash, Doors, Blinds f\r)d Buildi9(^ /r\aterial Q(^r)((ra\\y. OFFICES ANO YARDS AT I. 4 G. N DEPOT. TELEPHONE No 205, AND AT Can Qnhnnin Tov^c SUNSET RAILWAY CROSSING, 'ELEPHONE No. 167, J°W pl/».UI^IU, l^CAaO. East Commerce Street. '^ ' ' BRANCH YARDS AT COMFORT, TEXAS. '>^^4€ dtz^T'i^e -fd d^/iA-etz lir^ <^€dA. i^fi-4€/d ^^'fiei^z^^4J a-^/tiz (z/ ('■fyc^ i^iz4izd €)^-n ^ad iT '^W<^->^-^ze4-re -'^/'l^ff. ^fAeic /U/iy' (Jf^f/e, erf /Y of 'AAc^i?^ ,\xi r.\ wii :\i. No. 10 Ivltu St., cor. Starr, three blocks from Alamo I'laza,^ 1-or the care and treatment of DISEASES OF WOMEN, of the CHEST, and of CHRONIC, NON-CONTA(il()r.S DLSEASES. (iood diet, home inflnences. modern appliances, treatment medical and surs^ical, and constant snpervision, are important featnres of this inslitntion. B. F. I-, M. I)., Physicians in charge. GEO. H. KALTEYER. ESTABLISHED 1856. GEO. J. F. SCHMITT. F. KALTEYER & SON, WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS, IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS AND DEALERS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC STOCK. TELEPHONE No. 232. POST OFFICE BOX 1128. 507. 509 apd 511 U/e3t ($omm(^re(^ St. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. SAM MAVERICK PROPR. L.W.MENGER, CASHIER. t^%ffl<'>*i'''^'''J)^ SAM. MAVERICK, PROPR. ^, mm Igiiiisisss Hi SJgCBBS III ^;;i -•!; ill* 7 nil I nil . f^ANFS .v> .Jfl''- EQUIPPED ijUl''^ OFFICE IN THE i ^ 4 4 SOUTH. k _%>"rC>^IO ALL MACHINERY V— V^^ 1^1^11.^^^ OPERATED BY -*• ^^ — , — --^^^W- ELECTRICITY JAMES DURYEE STEVENSON, I Kormerh ol tlu- H;ii ofN'iw \oik Cit Attorney ^*« Counselor at bauj, Also, Solicitor and Standing Master in Chancery of the Circuit Court of the United States; also, THE KAMPMANN BUILDING. take elevator SPECiAi/riKs: Coimnercial Law, Collertions, and Real l^stalp Law in all its l)ranche.s. I refer (withont permission) to United States and vState Judges and Court Officers in the Western District of Texas, and to all Banks and Bankers of the city. JTs IiAMU'IMIltf: MAXl KACrrKICK OK Saddlery gjlarness Wholesale and Retail Dcak-r in Leather, Saddlery Hardware, Ready-iVlade Baggy Tops Rubber, Enameled and White Duck, AND EVERYTHING IN THE CARRIAGE TRIMMING LINE. Mexican Hairf Bridles, Quirts - Ridin<^ CUhips, and Liassoes, ANGORA SKINS AND OTHER PELTS. 309 and 311 Main Plaza, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, The Healthiest and ffiost Rttraetive Section of Texas IS FOUND AMONGST THE HILLS AND FERTILE VALLEYS ON THE LINE OF THE SAN ANTONIO AND ARANSAS PASS RAILWAY, NORTH OF SAN ANTONIO. SEE S. A. & A. P. RAILWAY MAP. I havf I'iii'iii'^ and KuikIk-h tor sale in K<-n(int i< s, and ( it.v rropirt.v in The well known HealMi Kesort and County Seat of Kendall <'oniit.v. Tlieie is a Daily Alail and Sta>jc l.in«' lM"twe«'n BOeRNE HND BHNDERH, A DiNtance of ir. Miles, the latter Town beiny: the County Seat of |{an--riSH. GAriE ANB OYSTERS -•> AND ALL THE DELICACIES OF THE SEASON ALWAYS ON HAND. MEALS TO ORDER AT ALL HOURS, WITH EXCLUSIVE DINING ROOM FOR FAMILIES Main Plaza and Soledad Street. Ladies' Entrance, Soledad Street. J. LOUSTAUNAU & CO., Proprietors. '^ ■u^^-^^-^ u^^-z^^My FACULTY. w C. BUCKMAN, President. 1 B. 1 F. Williams, Principal. ' E. M. Barhkr, Principal. ' C. K. Bai-1., Principal. T. T. Downey, Principal. Charlks Johnson, Operator. COURSES. BusiNKss Course. •^ SHORTHANn (Eclectic and Sloan-Ouployan Systems). s*. Type-Writin(;. Telegraphy. ir^ Normal. Scientific and Mathi:m.\tical. Normal 1'enmanship. English, Spanish .and German. GEO. DULLNIG BLOCK. Occupies the third floor of this large and handsome building, and is, without doubt to the knowing, the only absolutely first-class institution of its kind in the State of Texas. Its illustrated catalogue is a master-piece of art and beauty, and should be in every household as an index to a School of Business and Normal training, whose influence and popularity are felt and recognized throughout the land. B. F. Cobs, president Geo a. oascomi A. J. SCHUREMAN, Sec T ANO The* mited SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. LONG LEAF YELLOW PINE .\r \vi K )i.ics.^l.e:. HNILIiONI) MNTKinSL N SPKllSLT) J. S. AI.I'.XAXDI'R, /'rfsidfn/. A. A. A M'X A NI )}vK, Cas/iif,. Thxas National Bank, l^oH CoiTii-nerce Street, SjPLi