TM Mam® Cit j BmM liilMi^ '® An Historical Sketch and Business Review of SAN ANTOXIO, TEXAS, the most beautiful, quaint, and healthy city on the American Continent; together with a complete Gruide to the various points of interest in and about this Ancient City. By Stephen Gould. ■4-' 1— < t^ >^ g m 2 i-H b£ .9 Ph c 'H-i o r^ tS3 c o a; c3 d ai c ^ o o o p— 1 be d 03 3 -> ;-i X c • f— ' o o O r'~ *w XT 1 -> '""^ 03 d 03 r. .X O S >■ s fi 03 CD "B (-1 p4 +=• 3 • l-l a >; 00 o rd P. a; o d o DC 03 Pi c3 O C3 »-5 o o; 03 n3! CO •i-H g V § a> -t^ c3 ^ 03 > rd C ^ 03 o c3 d • r-l o d :2 03 H > ■ a-> c fc£ ^ OQ "^ o 4-i rd ^ THE A iJ ±]± yj J ITY J n SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. HISTORICAL SKETCH ANCIENT CITY OF THE ALAMO BUSINESS REVIEW; WITH NOTES OP PRESENT ADVANTAGES, TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL THE PROMINENT POINTS OF INTEREST ABOUT THE CITY, AND A COMPILATION OF FACTS OF VALLT! TO VISITORS AND RESIDENTS. / By STEPHEN GOULD. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 3882, by STEPHEN GOULD, In the OfTice of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. ALXi RIGHTS RESERVED. iCnOWAN & ?lI,TPPF,n, i*RTNTEES, 80 Beekman St., New York. I ALAMO CITY GUIDE. CHAPTER I. GENERAL HISTORY. To fhe historian, the pleasure seeker, the invalid, and the capitalist seeking profitable investments. San Antonio, Texas, possesses charms and advantages such as are offered by no other city in America, if, indeed, within the limits of civiliza- tion, ■wherever extended, throughout the world. Certainly no city in America can boast of a history more rich in deeds of valor and devotion to principle, to more determined conflicts between armed forces, productive of the grandest results. Every street and plaza, almost every foot of ground within the city limits, embrac- ing a territory of thirty-six square miles, marks the grave of a hero, friend or foe, and has been closely contested for by rival armies, won and rewon, conquered and reconquered many times. Such a history is one to be proud of, and with almost every stone baptized in human blood, shed in the defence of liberty, with its sacred Alamo, and the ashes of its heroes blown by every breeze to and fro about the site of the terrible liolocaust which concluded the sacrifice, the thoughts of visitors naturally turn to the romance of the past. But San Antonio has a present, and, we believe, will have a future as marked and distinctive as its past, notable as it has been. Situated in a charming valley or basin, surrounded by bills and at the head of the beautiful little river which bears its name, yet at an elevation of about six hundred feet abov'e the Gulf of Mexico, with rich mines and quarries near by and ready to pour their untold wealth iuto its coii'er«, the trading centre of a rich agricultural and stock raising country, the junction of the Southern Trans-Continental Railroad with the great j\lexican system of railways, with all old frontier and ^Mexican wagon roads centreing here with a climate unsurpassed by any in the world, a historic city possessed of all the con- veniences and comforts of modern civilization, ancient ruins, modern residences and business houses, old plazas and streets laid out by the early Spanish conciuerors, traversed by irrigation ditches built by the enrly Franciscan Fathers side by side with the mains of the water works company, with fire hydrants at convenient dis- tances, with the streets lighted by gas lamps and electric light, the street cars run- ning to distant points and the teleplioce annihilating space, modern parks, beautiful drives, numerous churches, fine educational advantages, hotels, boarding houses, fine residences, the most cosmopolitan of all the old cities of America — such is San Antonio to-day, while its natural advantages of situation, fine water power furni-hed by the river, notab e climate and rich tributary country mark it as a great manu- facturing centre in the future in additicm to proportional growth in the advantages which it now possesses. He who writes the histor}' of San Antonio writes the history of Texas, and although many writers have dealt with separate events, no one has j^et presented a complete hi.story of the city. Nor is it our intention at this time to attempt such a task, but merely to give a few of the more notable events of the past as a guide to tourists who wi-h to visit the various points of interest about the city in a limited time. We will therefore first give a historical sketch of the city, and then tell how to see the city to the best advantage in the least time, adding such tables and special articles as will prove of value to strangers and others. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. PREHISTORIC SAN ANTONIO. "Veiled in the romance of the Spanish conquests the early history of San Antonio possesses a magnetic charm to every lover of historic literature. This much we know: Tliat prior to 15'J5 the Spaniards established settlements on both sides of the Rio Giandi:-, and the records of the earliest travellers f-how an Indian town on the site of our jiresent city. It is probably the fact that San Antonio is the site of the principal town of some one of the more powerful tribes of the savage predecessors of the white man, and this opinion is borne out by the discover^' of numerous arrow heads, spear bends, Hint knives, and other savage weapons and utensils, while excavating for the race way for the water works at the head of the river during the spring of 1878. The depth at wliich these relics were found shows the length of time which they have been buried, and the great number of them and their differ- ent styles and make bear out the theory that the localitj'^ in question has been the scene f>f many I'loody battles between different tribes of savages. Of the Indian history of our city there is no written record. It is only as the laborers of the nineteenth century make their excavations for some great public enterprise, the product of our superior civilization, that relics of the former inhabitants of this charming valley are brought to light, and these relics viewed by scientific and historical students gradually unfold to us the story of the first San Antonio immediately succeeding the Stone Age, and just after the mighty monarch of the animal kingdom of the past, the mammoth mastodon, whose remains are found in nearly every section of Western Texas, roamed through prehistoric forests and bathed in the cooling waters of the beautiful San Antonio River. SAN ANTONIO IN HISTORY. At what time the first settlers came to San Antonio is not known, but hunters and Indian traders must have visited the locality during the sixteenth century, and carried back glowmg accounts of the natural richness of the country, because we find both France and Spain active contestants for the territory as early as l68l), and both nai ions had made explorations in Texas and were possessed of considerable knowledge concerning it prior to that date. The Count Revilla-Gigedo, Viceroy of Mexico, in his official report to the King of Spain, dated December 27, 1793 speaks of Texas as a Spanish province in 1G89, and says that in that j'ear the Spanish Government sent out an expedition to drive the French invaders from Texas soil. Also that in 1691 another expedition was despatched to repel another French army. From this report it appears that settlements hail been made some time prior to those dates, as both armies made San Antonio their obji'Ctive point. In 171 '. St. Denis, H the head of a French force, passed from Nachitoches, La., throu'^h San Antonio to Presidio, on the Rio Grande, and laid out what is known as '• the old San Antonio road,'' which was the principal trade road through Texas to Mexico for over a hundred and fifty years. In 1716, the Spanish Government sent out an expedition, in which were nine clergymen, headed -by Right Rev. Father Antonio Margil dc Jesus, which party founded the missions which now are a part of the attractions of San Antonio, and also established a number of military posts. In the same y-ar St. Denis and La Harpe organized an expedition for the con- quest of Texas. Starting at Nachitoches, La., they proceeded to the po.st of Bexar (San Antonio), where they met a Spanish force, which put them to rout, and com- pelled them to beat a hasty retreat to Louisiana. It is probable that a military post was established at the present site of San Antonio in 1716, as this is indicated by the repulse of the St. Denis and La Harpe expedition, though some histoiians state that the post of Bexar was estalilishcd by De Alarconne in 1718. It is, however, certain that the Spaniards did not establish a militiry post in a wilderness, far removed from human settlements, and therefore the old town of Sun Fernando, or Bexar, as San Antonio was formerly called, must have been settled some lime previous to that date. In 18:J3, the citizens of San Antonio sent a public and formal memorial to the general government, in which it is stated that the city had then been settled one hundreit and forty j^ears ago, or since 1692; this document was signed by a great many of the old and native citizens of the place; in the list are the names ox Jose de la Garza, Angel Navarro, Jose Cafe- THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 5 siano.Mfiiiuel Ximenes, Juan Angel Seguin, JoseM. Zembrano, and Ignacio Arocha — names that are prominent on the early land grants of Texas from the Spanish Gov- ernment. SPANISH COLONISTS. The Marquis of Casa Fuerta. who visited the place in a subordinate capacity before he became Viceroy, Wiis so much pleased with *he location and its natural adviintagesof water, soil, and climate, that he made special exertions to have it popu- lated by representatives of the best families of Spain. It was through his influence that, in 1730, s-ixteen families arrived from the Canary Islands; the transportation of these colonists, consisting of fifly-seven persons, costing the royal treasury, according to Kennedy seventy-two thousand dollars. Descendants of these colo- nists now- form the old families of this city. The village then took the namrj of San Fernando, in honor of King Ferdinand III. of Spain. A Presidio, called Bexar, in honor of the Duke of Bexar, then Viceroy, was created November 38, 1730, and became the capital of the Province of Texas, THE FIRST CHARTER. The first Charter held by the present City of San Antonio was granted by the authority of the King of Spain, in the year 1733 or 1734, to the people and inhabit- ants of the town by the name of San Fernando, In a cause, involving the title to the lands lying in the corpurate limi's adjudicated by the Supreme Court of this State, in 18")1, the Court uses the following language: "Lipscomb, J. — There were several bills of exception taken on the trial, and many grounds of error have been presented for our consideration. I propose, however, before examining them, to first discuss the grounds on which the corpora- tion relies, in support of the claim« it has set up to the lands in controversy. And first, the ancient grant. The existence of an ancient deed in the archives of the corporation, embracing the lands in controversy, has been proved onclusively. That this deed was in the archives, the plnce to which it belonged, as late as the year 1834, is also fully proved; that it purported to be absolute and unconditional on its face, emanating from the authority of the King of Spain; that it bore date in 1733 or 1734; that it was sewed or stitchi^d iulo a book, with other papers relating to the foundation of the town; that the deed was the last in the book; that on an occasion of very great public excitement, when the indignation of the people was aroused by what they .supposed to 1)3 an attempted fraud on their rights by their delegate to the Congress of Coahuila and ')'exas, Biilmaceda, in procuring a decree of the Congress for two leagues of land to the town, the corporate authorities insti- tuted a vigilant .search for the deed, and found it, as previously stated; this was in the year ]S29. It hns never been seen since 1^34. "' — Seventh Texas Reports, 289. The lands sued for were claimed under the above deed, and al-o by a charter granted to the City of San Antonio by the Republic of Texas, December 14, 1837. The jury found in favor of the title to the city, and the Supreme Court sustained the verdict, INDIAN TROUBLEg. So far as history shows us the Indians of Texas gave the early Franciscan Fathers no trouble until the arrival of the Spanish colonists. Indeed, it was by Indiau labor that the Fathers built the missions, constructed the long miles of irri- gation ditches that thread the valley, and cultivated their crops. Converts were made, and peace reigned in the valley of the San Antonio; but in 1730, on the arrival of the Spanish coloziists, a change came. The town of San Fernando was built near the military plaza, but the frequent attacks of the savages drove the colo- nists into ihe bend of the river along the present line of Commerce street, towards the location of the present iron bridare, where, protected on three sides by the river and with the old Cathedral of San Fernando at the opening of the town plat on the land side, they could in their fort-like houses be comparatively safe from their savage foes. The first Governor of Texas was Juan Antonio Bustillos y Cavallos. "When Bus- tiUos reached San Antonio he found the Indians engaged in active hostilities. A 6 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. league had been formed between the Natchez, the Comanches, and the Apaches to expel all Pkiropeaus from the territory between tlie Mississippi and the Rio Grande rivers. The Natchez were to drive the French from Louisiana and the other tribes to expel the Spaniards from Texas. For two years the Indians continued tholr depre- dations upon our people, coming into tue suburbs of the city to rob and murder. It is impossible to realize the sufferings to which these pioneers uf civilization were subjected. Finally in 1733 the Governor had his civil administration so well organ- ized that he felt that he could give some attention to the Indians. H? accordingly collected a company of citizen soldiers and marched to the Bandera Pass, a strong hold of the Apaches, and severely chastised them ; this for a time secured peace. In 1734, Manuel de Sandoval beciime governor. The Imlians had again become troublesome, and one of the first acts of Sandoval, who was an old and experi- enced soldier, was to organize a military company and chastise them in such a man- ner as to secure peace to the settlements. In 1736, Sandoval was succeeded by Carlos de Franquis,who was superseded in 1738 by Justo Boneo. There was a long and harrassing law suit between the two governors, the particulars of which may be found detailed in Yoakum's History of this period. The ciuarrels of the governors and the death of the Viceroy, connected with the confusion in civd affairs and the hostility of the Indians, retarded the growth of the city, and fur half a century but little progress was made. After Boneothe following were governors of Texas under Spanish rule : In 1756, Jarequil ; 1762, Navarette ; 1770, Juan Maria, Baron de Ripperda ; 1778, Do- mingo Cabelle ; 1789, Raphael Pacheco ; 1790, Manuel Munoz ; 1803, Juan Bautista Elquezabal ; 1806, Antonio Cordero. The governors and military commirders were men of education and culture, and society in this city was exceptionally good. During the first year of Governor Cordcro's administration, he, with General Herrera, went to the Sabine to repel the encroachment of the Americans under Wilkinson. All parties then expected war with the United States, but Wilkinson is supposed to have secured the confidence of Herrera by betraying the scheme of his former friend, Aaron Burr ; at any rate peace was secured between the two nations by the establishment of a strip of territory on the Arroyo Hondo, known as neutral ground. Though war with the United States was thus averted, the city was still harrassed by hostile bands of Apaches and Comanches ; the citizens were always expecting Indian raids, hence all the public buildings and most of the private dwel- lings were built for fortresses, the streets were narrow and crooked, and most of the dwellings were located in the bend of the river 6r near the plazas and churches. THE FIRST AMERICAN INHABITANTS. It is said the first Americans seen in this city were the surviving companions of Philip Nolan, who were brought in as prisoners of war en route to the mines of Northern Mexico in the year 1801. American traders had probably visited here before that time, and the reports of the wonderful climate and productive soil of Texas had spread through the United States, and large numbers of adventurous spirits were soon attracted here from the North, eager to obtain, by peaceful meas- ures or conquest, a share in tbe benefits to be derived from a residence in the won der land of the South-west. The Mexican proprietors regarded with open distrust and hatred these new comers, and placed every obstacle in their way. The natural result of this policy was the organization of filibustering expeditions by the Ameri- cans to conquer that which they regarded as the inalienable right of every man. FIGHTING BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND ROYALISTS. To understand the situation in Texas a little more attention must be given at the state of public affairs in Mexico. In 1810, Hidalgo unfurled the revolutionary banner. The next year he was deserted, betrayed, captured, and shot at Ciiilmahua, by Elisondo, one of his generals, who subsequently figured about San Antonio. Our city strongly sympathized with the revolutionary movement, and a number of the dispersed chiefs here sought refuge. Colonel Delgado, one of this part}^ was taken by the Royalists, beheaded, and his head stuck upon a pole at one of the public crossings of tlie river. A son of Delgado, iu company with Don Bernardo Gutierres, escaped across the Sabine. TH3 ALAMO CITY GUIDE THE MAGEE EXPEDITIOX. Previoiis to the year 1813 a considerable trade had been carried on from Xew Orleans with the northern provinces of Mexico. The port of Matamoros was then unknown ; the merchandise from New Orleans and the produce and the silver received in exchange were carried on mules through Nacogdoches to the most con- venient point on Red River. A. considerable band of lawless adventurers had located themselves near the Sabine for the purpose of robbing all the valuables that passed from the interior to Nacogdoches. These renegades of all nations had become so daring in levying contributions that, although tliey were in the province of Texas, the Secretary of War of the United States ordered an expedition sent to break up the banditti and punish such as could be brought to justice. Lieutenant Augustus W. Mag.^e, of the United States Army, was sent with a considerable force and routed the outlaws. While on the march he fell in with Don Bernardo Gutierrez, a prominent Mexican who had just been to the United States to raise volunteers to aid the Republicans in their struggle with the Royalists. Gutierrez was a man of fine manners and great mental accomplishments. The glowing account he gave of the struggle then going on in Mexico for the achievement of their independence and making Mexico a republic either excited the patriotism or fired the ambition of Magee and his little band. As soon as he had carried into effect the orders he was sent to execute, Magee resigned his position in the United States Army, raised the tlag of the patriots of Mexico, and proceeded to organize a small force of volunteers, ostensibly under the command of Gutierrez, but really under the control of himself. The expedition was called " The Republican Army of the North/' and a league of land and forty-five dollars was promised each volunteer. By a series of brilliant movements Magee captured Nacogdoches and La Bahia, at the latter place capturing also a large amount of money, abundant supplies, and sixteen pieces of artillery, mcluding the cannon brought to Texas by La Salle in 1685. Here they were besieged by General Salcedo, of the Royalist army, and after some time Magee became demoralized and stipulated for a surrender, but his men unanimously refused to yield and Magee retired to his quarters. Salcedo, enraged that the terms of the surrender were not carried out, made a furious assault on the town, carrying it by storm, and was proceeding to storm the fort when the Americans rallied and charged the Royalists, defeating them with great slaughter. That night Magee died by his own hands. BATTLE OP THE ROSALIO. Major Kemper was now promoted to the command, and in a council of war it was agreed to march on San Antonio. The army of the Republicans was reinforced by one hundred and seventy volunteers. The army then proceeded towards San Antonio, and was joined at the Salado Creek by Captain McFarland with three hundred Lipan and Towakana warriors. General Salcedo had received reinforce- ments in San Antonio and had sent out his forces to meet the Americans. The {Spanish army consisted of fifteen hundred regulars and one thousand volunteers, and they lay in ambush on the Rosalio Creek, about nine miles from San Antonio. The American army consisted of eight hundred Americans under Colonel Kemper, one hundred and eighty Mexicans, under Colonel Manchaca, and three hundred and twenty-five Indians. The American or Republican army, anticipating an attack, marched in order of battle, and the riflemen discovering the ambush of the enemy, fired upon them, when they immediately showed themselves on the crest of the hill, about four hundred feet above the Republicans. The battle was at once com- menced, but on the first fire of the enemy the Indians, with the exception of twenty-five, broke and ran. The Republicans having formed were ordered to advance to the charge within thirty steps of the enemy before firing. The com- mand was oljcyed in silence, and with such order and coolness that the enemy were alarmed and did not even wait for their charge, but broke and fled in the direction of San Antonio. They were pursued, and one thousand of them killed, the Indians even murdering many after thej'' had surrendered. The Spanish commander, previous to leaving San Antonio, had pledged his sword and his head that he would either kill or capture the whole of the Republican ariay,. and when he saw O THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. his own troops flying, rushed into the American lines, sword in hand, and while in the act of raising his swnrd to strike down Colonel Kemper, he was shot by Wm. Owens, a [rrivale in Captain Joseph Taj'lor's company. In this way he fulfilled his pledge. The next day the Republicans marched to this city, which was surrendered to them by General Salcedo. AVhen the army took possession of tiie city they released seventeen American prisoners, confined in the Alamo, who immediately joined the Republicans. The arms, stores, and military chest being captured, the troops were paid off — each soldier, besides his pay, receiving a gratuity, of fifteen dollars, a suit of clothes, and an order for two horses or mules. The Indians were given two dol- lars worth of Vermillion, together with presents to the value of one hundred and thirty dollars, and were sent on their way rejoicing. The Royalist soldiers were paroled and the officers imprisoned. MEXICAN VENGEANCE. Gutierres now organized a junta composed of the leading Republicans in the city, and assumed control of the administration of civil affairs. It was before this junta that Captain Delgado, the son of Colonel Delgado, who had been captured and murdered by the Ro^'alists a short time previously and his head placed on a pole at one of the crossings of the river, appeared and urged the avenging of his father's death by murdering the Royalist officers held as prisoners of war. A secret decree was passed to that effect, and under pretence of sending them to New Orleans they were marched out cf the city under a guard of Mexicans, commanded by Captain Delgado. After proceeding a short distance south of the city they were halted on the river bank, stripped, tied, and their throats cut. Thelate'ColonelJ. A. Isavnrro gives the following account of this slaughter : " Some of these assassins (Delgado's company), with brutal irony, whetted their knives upon the soles of their shoes in the presence of their victims. The day following the assassination I myself saw this band of murderers, led bj^ their commander, Antonio Delgado, halt in front of the govern- ment buildings ; 1 mj'scif heard t;iem inform Bernardo Gutierres that the fourteen victims had been put to dea h. The following list comprises the victims : Spaniards — General Manuel de Salcedo, Governor of Texas ; Simon de Herrera, Governor of New Leon ; Lieutenant Colonel Geronimo Herrera, Captain Juan de Echeverria, Captain Josi; Groscochia, Captain Francisco Pereira, Captain Jose Mateos, Captain Juan Ignatio Arambido, Lieutenant Gregorio Amado, Antonio Lopez, citizen. Mexicans — Captain Miguel de Areos. Lieutenant Louis Areos, Ensign Francisco Areos, and Lieutenant Juan Caso.'' The American officers were greatly incensed at this outrage, and alter fully fixing the blame where it belonged, Colonel Kemper, Major Ross, and others left the army and returned home to the United States BATTLE OP THE ALAZAN. Released from the strict discipline maintained by the American officers, the army bee demoralized and the soldiers devoted themselves to congenial pleasures. They were in this condition on the 4th of June, 1813, when Don Y. Elisondo, the Royalist general, at the head of fifteen hundred regular troops and about the .same number of militia, arrived, and, forming a fortitied camp on the heights of the Alazan, to the Avest of the cit)% sent a flag of truce to demand the unconditional surrender of the ci!y. A parley ensued, and until the next morning was granted the besieged inhabitants to comply with the demand. Captain Perry immediately took command of the American forces, and. reinforced by tbe Mexicans under Ber- nardo Gutierres and Colonel Manchuca, tliey silently marched out that night to give the enemy battle. Having waited in silence until the enemy were at matins, tliey furiously charged upon thera. Th-^ Royalists were taken by surprise, and, although they fought gallantly, could not withstand the Americans, who charged upon them with bayonet and spear. Tlie slaughter was terrible, and after a desperate hand to hand fight of several hours the enemy fled, leaving one thousand killed, wounded, and prisoner?, the American loss being only forty-seven killed and as many more wounded. The Royalists did not stop until they reached the Rio Grande. The Americans now dismissed Bernardo Gutierres from the arm}', fearing to be further disgraced by his treachery. Soon after the departure of Guiterres Don Jose Alvarez Toledo arrived in San Antonio. He was a Cuban by birth, and had been THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 9 forwarding recruits from New Orleans to San Antonio. He was received by the army with great respect, and was elected commander-in-chief. He had scarcely restored order to the army before he had news that another arniy from ilexico was approaching. This army consisted of about four thousand men under Arredondo, who took Ids position on tlie Medina, about twelve miles from the city, and fortified himself strongly with decoy breastworks in front in the shape of a >► , with the open end towards the city BATTLE OF THE MEDINA. On the 18th of August, 1813, General Toled'i. at the head of his army, which consisted of about three hundred Americans under Captain Perry and about six hundred Mexicans under Colonel Manchaca, marched forth to battle. The Ameri- cans were rushing forward on the cliarge with great impetuosity when General Toledo .saw they were eutering the trap .set by Arredondo, and ordered a retreat, but was answered, "Americans never retreat." Tiiey fought with great desperation, but were nearly aU cut down while trying to gain possession of the breastworks, when deserted by ]\Iusquis and his entire company. The remainder retreated and were pursued by Don Y. Elisondo, who, still smarting under his recent defeat, gave orders to show no quarter. Seventy or eiglity of these unfortunate men were over- taken at the Spanish Bluff, on the Trinity River. They were marched to an island of timber at the junction of the San Antonio and La Bahia roads, where a deep trencli was dug for a grave, across which a piece of timber wns placed, and the prisoners, ten at a time, being forced on it were shot, their bodies fading into the trench. Among the victims of this terrible butchery were Colonel Manchaca and Captain Antonio Delgado. " Twt days after the battl'%" soys Mr. Yoakum, " Arredondo, havinghis wagons loaded with wounded and dying, marched in triumph inio San Antonio. Here ■commenced a scene of barbarity which tliat plaee had never before witnessed. Seven hundred of tlie pcacable citizens were seized and imprisoned. Three hun- dred W( re confined during the night of the i!(/tli of August in one house, and during the niglit eighteen of them died of sulfncation. From dny to day others were shot without any form of trial. The cruelly of the Spauisli commander went even fur- ther. He had a prison for females. It was insultingly called the Quinia. Here five hundred of the wives and daughters of the patriots were imprisoned, and for being such they were compelled daily for four raontlis, to convert twenty-four bu.?hel-< cf Indian corn into the Mexican c.ikes called tortillas for Arredondo's army. After thus having satisfied his appetite for blood and revenge, the Royalist com- mander found an opportunity about the 1st of September to collect and bury the bones of Salcedo and his stall. By this time Elisondo and his staff had returned from the Trinity, driving before him on foot the widows and orphans of those he had there slain. The property of the patriots was all confiscated." MOSES AUSTIN. Arredondo, being the commander of the eastern internal provinces and stationed at Monterey, was soon compelled to leave San Antonio for his post of duty in Mexico, and was succeeded in command of our city by a succession of Spanish governors, who regarded with open hatred ail Americans. It was in the fail of 1820 that the city was visited by Moses Austin, a native of Connecticut, but long a resident of Missouri, who had for some time' desired to form an American colony in Texas, and now sought the sanction of the Mexican government, and desired to procure a grant of laud suitable for his purpose. Antonio Martinez was governor at this time, and, filled with the customary Spanish jealously, declined to grant the required aid, and further ordered Austin to leave Texas immediately on pain of imprison- ment should he dare to disobey this order. Disheiu'tened at this treatment, Mr. Austin was leaving the governor's residence, when he met Baron de Bastrop, whom he had met in Louisiana, and enlisluig him in his cause the two returned to the governor's presence, and after son.e delay succeeded in obtaining a reconsideration of the harsh denial, and a favorable g ant of land, which was ratified by the general government, and although JVIoses Austin did not live to see the fruition of his hopes, his son, Stephen Fuller Austin, carried them out to a successful termination, and founded the first permanent Americaa colony in Texas. 10 THE AliAMO CITY GUIDE. HAKDSniPS SUFFERED BY THE CITIZENS. The success of the revolution in Mexico in 1824 led to the adoption of a new constitution by which Texas was attached to Coahuila, and Saltillo became the capital of the State. By this means San Antonio lost the govurnor and the asses- sor or judicial counsellor, the latter officer being a very important one and having to be frequently consulted, which could only be done by taking a journey of over six hundred miles through the wilderness, where the traveller was constantly beset by savages and robbers. The many hardships endured by the inhabitants of our city at that time can be imagined, when it is stated that in ten years' time ninety-seven of them were murdered by Indians, and the city itself was constantly menaced by the sav- ages. They also suffered from a lack of schools, and even as late as 1832 there was but one school in the city, the teacher of which being only retained by the patrons paying him twenty-five dollars a month. COLONEL JAMES BOWIE. In the face of all these hardships a number of Americans became citizens of San Antonio and engaged in trade and agricultural pursuits near the city, and in 1830 the celebrated Colonel James Bowie and his brother, Renzie P. Bowie, were num- bered among the citizens. Colonel Bowie married a daughter of Don Yerameudi, of this ciry, and resided in the Veramendi House, on Soledad street, near the present county court house. Colonel Bowie was a native of Georgia. He was about six feet in height; of fair complexion; small blue eyes; not fleshy, but well propor- tioned; he stood quite erect, and had a fierce look; was not quarrelsome, but mild and quiet even at the moment of action. He was quite sociable, and somewhat dis- posed to intemperance, but was never drunk. lie had a wonderful ait of winning people to him, and was extremely prodigal of his money. He was very muscular, and of his bravery and nerve there is no question. He was the hero of many duels and deeds of daring, tiie record of which would require the limits of a large volume. He was the inventor or originator of the bowie knife. His glorious death at the massacre of the Alamo entitles him to a high place on the roll of fame. DEAF SMITH. Erastus Smith (known as Deaf Smitli, because he was hard of hearing) was the son of Chiliah and Mary Smith, and was born in New York on the I'Jth of April, 1787. At the age of eleven years he emigrated with his parents to the Mississippi Territory, and settled near Natchez. His parents were exemplary members of the Baptist Church, and gave him such moral and intellectual training as the circum- stances by which they were surrounded would permit. He first came to Texas in 1817, perhaps with some of the patriot forces that were constantly arriving in the province at that time. He soon, however, returned home, but in 18;!1 he again came to Texas for the purpose of making it his home. This he did, never leaving it again. He was in the country before Austin, but in what section is not known. His nature was to ramble alone over the plains, and to be by himself. When De- Witt's settlement was commenced at Gonzales, Smith went with the first company. He did not remain there long, but proceeded to San Antonio, where he married a Mexican lady, by whom he had several children. He had a fine property at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, but did not attend to it. One of his sons, Trinidad Travis Smith, was educated by R A. Martin, Esq., of Baldwin, Mississippi. Deaf Smith died at Fort Bend, November 30, 1837. He was a man of remarkable gravity and of few words. In fact, he seldom answered at all except in monosyllables. When he spoke it was always to the point. His coolness in danger and battle was unsur- passed. The Texan army was greatly favored in having his services as a spy. He was a "dead shot,' and the warm personal friend of General Sam Houston. A number of his descendants now reside in this city. MEXICAN TYKANNY. The Constitution of 1824 fully recognized the rights of the American colonists in Texas, and afforded them ample protection, but with the changes in the govern' ment — the result of frequent revolutions in Mexico — the policy of the Mexican rulers towards the colonists was radically changed, and a system of tyrannical THE ALAMO CITY GTIIDE. 11 exactions was commenced, which finally culminated in open hostility and the taking from the pioneers their lands and otlier property; and, finally, that they leave the homes which they had made for themselves at the cost of so many hardships and trials in the then wilderness of Texas. This was the straw whicii broke the camtl's back, and the hardy colonists revolted against the direct vif)lHtion of the pledges of the government and the violation of their constitutional rights. From this time, therefore, until after the fall of the Alamo and tlic promulgation of the declaration of independence, they were in arms to secure the reenactment of theconstiiution of 1824, and in this period some of the most important battles which ever were fought in Texas occurred. To secure possession of Texas, early in 1835 General Ugartechea, with about five hundred soldiers, was sent to San Antonio. On the 3d of September he issued an order for the arrest of certain citizens whose zeal in the Republican cause rendered them especially obnoxious to the Centrali«*ts. They were Lorenzo de Zavalla, R. ?r. Williamson, Wm. B. Travis, Mosely Baker, J. M. Caravahal, Juan Zembrano, Frank W. Johnson, John H. Moore, and Robert H. Williams. This order exhibits in its true light the desi)otic power exercised by the military satraps of Santa Anna. THE TRODDEN "WORM. Ugartechea was soon superseded by General Martin Prefecto de Cos, a brother- in-law of Santa Anna, who about the last of September arrived in this city at the head of an army of five hundred men. The demand of Cos for the post^ession of a small cannon owned by the town of Gonzales, and the subsequent repulse of the body of troops sent to take it, roused the war spirit of the colonists to the highest pitch, and a force was kept under arms at Gonzales, but without a recognized leader until the arrival of General Stephen F. Austin, on the 10th of October. The colonists now determined that their only safety lay in the capture of San Antonio, the ancient capital of Texas, and the headquartc's of their enemy, and on the 20th of October General Austin moved his little army towards our city and camped at the Mission San Francisco de la Espada, a few miles south of the city. Cos was busily occupied in strengthening his fortifications, barricading the streets, and preparing for the assault. He had about one thousand men, and was looking for reinforcements. General Austin's force was about six hundred men. The latter despatched a fiag of tru^e to the enemy, but Cos refused to recognize General Austin and peaceful interchanges became impracticable. It was reserved for the sword and deadly bullet to procure a recognition of their constitutional rights. Occasional skirmishes took place between small detachments of the two armies, but were of slight effect. BATTLE OP MISSION CONCEPCION, On the 27th of October General Austin ordered Colonel James Bowie and Cap- tain J. W. Fannia to proceed with ninety men to make a reconuoissance about the old missions and select a more eligible and proximate position for the army. In obedience to this order they immediately started out, and passing the missions of San Juan Capistran, six miles below the city, and San Jose de Aguayo, four miles below the city, they reached the Mission Concepcion, la Purissima de Acuna, about two miles south of the city. There they encamped for the night and reposed in peace. The morning of the 28th revealed the startling fact that they were sur- rounded on three sides by the enemy, the river making a sharp bend and forming an obtuse triangle, and fordable at several points, being on the other side. To cross it and retreat over an open prairie in the face of the city was almost certain destruc- tion. A desperate fight in their present position presented their only hope for relief. They therefore descended into the river bottom, an irregular depression of from six to ten feet, and well covered with timber, and about one hundred yards wide, to the banks of the San Antonio River. The prairie in front, occupied by the enemy, was a level plain, and from their natural covert the riflemen could fire and reload without being fully exposed. The enemy's infantry advanced imposingly with trailed arms, hut halted about two hundred yards from the bluff, and opened a general fire. While the air was illumined by their rapid and random discharges the rifles of the patriots coolly, 12 THE Alamo city guide. delib2rately, and fatally sent forth their deadlj' missiles. The Mexicans then Dushed forward thdr brass six pounder, escorted by a corps of cavalry, to within eighty yards cf the Americans, and sounded a charge, but unerring rifles soon swept away the gunners and halted the charging column. The cannon was fired live times without effect, and was three times cleared of men, while three distinct charges were repulsed. About this time the patriots made up their minds to capture the cannon, and the resolutio::! had scarcely assumed an active form when the enemy precipitately retreated, leaving the gun and its muniLions witli the victors. The Mexicans numbered about four hundred men, and the patriots ninety-two, including ofQcers. The Mexican loss was sixty killed and forty wounded.' The patriots lost one man (Robert Andrews), killed. Colonel Bowie had dc-patched a messenger to General Austin as soon as the enemy was discovered, and the army had advanced "\'itli all practicable haste to the scene of the conflict, but did not arrive until the Mexicans had retreated. A permanent camp was now established near the city. THE GRASS FIGHT. General Cos was still beleaguered in the stronghold of Bexar(San Antonio). He was expecting a reinforcement from ilatamorasof five hundred men under the brave Colonel Ugartechea. The Texaus wltc apprised of the fact and on the alert. On the 2Glh of November a reconuoileraig paiiy returned from the JMedina liivir, leav- ing the ever vigilant Deaf Smith behind to prosecute h;s researches. On the same day Cos had sent a foraging party of about one hundred soldiers to rut grass for the Mexican cavalry. When abou. five miles from town Siuiih &aw thjm, and, supposing it was the advance guard of the expected niuforcemeuts, ha.stened to camp wiih the information. Colonel James Bowie and about a hundred others were promptly in the saddle and off on a gallop. The enemy, then a mile from town and in lull view, took shelter in a ravine ; and us Bowie was on the point of charging them a still laiger force was approaching from the fort. Bjwie turned suddenly to receive the new comers, and simultaneously a paity c.me in sight from the patriots' camp. These prompiljr charged the foragers and drove them irom the ravine. The enemy then retreated, fighting, beture Bowie. As tue routed foragers joined their comrades the retreat became general and more prejipitaie, untd the battle was continued to the city, and the MexiciiiiS found suelter under their entrenched artillery, which opened an ineffectual fire our ui)on brave voiunteers. The cuntending forces were about equal — some three huutlr d iiien each. The enemy lost fifty men killed and several wounded. The Tlxuus had two wounded and one missing. This random, running battle is called the grass right from its having begun with the foragers. It was only the agility of the enemy -which prevented more impoitant issues. These successes, though small in themselves, created a warm enthusiasm in the United States. They struck the chords of sympathy in the evtr sensitive city of New Orleans with peculiar emphasis. It and the btate of Mississipi)i had alieady Bent to our aid two gallant companies called *" Greys," under the command of Cap- tain Robert C. Morris and Captain Breeze — the first entering Texas by the Gulf of Mexico, and the other by way of Nachitoches. These admirable troops, the first fruits of a kindred nation's sympathy, eventually swelled the holocaust of Goliad, or were, some of them, sacrificed with the party of Dr. Grant. The soldierlj' appear- ance of Breeze's company at Nacogdoches very sensibly impressed the noted Chero- kee chief, Bowles, and his braves, and contributed to restrain them from any active participation in the impending struggle. The sympathies of the Cberokees were with 31exico, but their more potent tears were concentrated on the American rifles. BATTLE OF SAX ANTONIO. General Austin, having been appointed a commissioner to the United States, resigned his military commission and took leave of the army bufore ban Antonio and returned to San Felipe on the 2Uth of November. Colonel Edward Burleson was elected without opposition to the command of the besieging armj-. He pro secuted the siege with unabated vigor. Colonel Frank W. Johnson, Adjutant Gen- eral, and P. W. Grayson and "Wm. T. Austin, aids de-camp, composing his staff. The investment of the town had been prolonged for near three months, under many THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 13 privations and discomforts, the troops being exposed to the weather and having the prospect of a wet and inclement season before them. These Texas troops, it must be remembered, were men who had literally left the plough in the furrow to go forth to repel a savage invader. Theii? families were utterly unprovided for, and the troops were without pay or regular rations. Neither were they provided the mod- ern necessaries of a military camp. No term of enlistment lield them at their post and naught but pure patriotism kept them together. What wonder was it, there- fore, as the winter season came upon them, that many left the camp to attend to the pressing wants of the loved ones at home. The situation for the Texans was fast becoming critical, and in this juncture General Burleson resolved to change his mode of reducing the enemy and trust everything to a short, sharp, and decisive struggle for the possession of the coveted city. Witli this view the army was paraded, and after a stirring address from Colonel ^Y. II. Jack, a call was made for volunteers. Four hundred and fifty men, including the New Orleans Greys, advanced to the frum and their names were enrolled. It was decided to make the attack in three divisions at dawn the next morning, December 3. But during the night the scouts reported a man had been seen passing from the camp to the town, and this caused the troops to suspect that the enemy were apprised of their plans. Many now dipseuted from the project and threatened to leave unless it was abandoned. Under these circum- stances General Bui leson countermanded the order for the assault, and thought of falling back on Goliad. On the same evening three citizens, Messrs. Maverick, Holmes, and Smith, wiiohad been held in duress in the town, were released by Gen- eral Cos, and arrived in camp. The minute and encouraging information they gave relative to the garrison, their defence and police, changed the feelings of the Texans, and on the next day Colonel Benjamin 11 Milam, " an intrepid son of the dark and bloody land," suggested to General Burleson to take advantage of the enthusiasm caused by these representations and storm the city without delay. General Burle- son cheerfully assented, and Colonel Milam, standing in front oc General Burleson's quarters, gave a loud hurrah, and attracting the troops about him, announced that Old Ben Milam was going into San Antonio, and called for volunteers to accompany him. With a shout the soldiers rallied to him, and four hundred formed in line and were enrolled, the remainder agreeing to remain as a reserve corps and give him all the assistance in their power. Colonel Milam was chosen to lead the assault, and at two o'clock the next morning three hundred brave spirits assembled at the old mill. The story of the daring assault, mrrepid bravery of the Texans, and their glorious victory, is best told in the official reports, which we give in full. Headquarters Volunteer Army, \ Bexar, December 14, 1835. ) To His Excellency, the Provisional Governor of Texas: Sir: I have the satisfaction to inclose a copy of Colonel Johnson's account of the storming and surrender of San Antonio de Bexar, to which I have little to add that can in any way increase the lustre of this brilliant achievement to the Federal arms of the volunteer army under my command, and which will, I trust, prove the downfall of the last position of military despotism on our soil of freedom. At three o'clock on the morning of the 5th instant, Colonel Neil, with a piece of artillery, protected by Captain Roberts and his company, was sent across the river to attack, at five o'clock, the Alamo, on the north side, to draw the attention of the enemy Irom the advance of the divisions, which had to attack the suburbs of the town, under Colonels Milam and Johnson. This service was effected to my entire satisfaction, and the party returned to camp at nine o'clock A.M. On the advance of the attacking divisions I formed all the reserve, with the exception of the guard necessary to protect the camp, at the old mill position, and held mjself m readiness to advance, in case of necessity, to assist when required; and shortly afterwards passed into the suburbs to reconnoitre, where I found all g(;ing on prosperously, and retired with the reserve to camp. Several parties were sent out, mounted, under Captains Cheshire, Coleman, and Roberts, to scour the country to endeavor to intercept Ugartechea, who was expected, and ultimately forced an entry with reinforcements for General Cos. Captains Cheshire, Suther- land, and Lewis, with their companies, were sent in as reinforcements to Colonel John- 14 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. son durinpf the period of attack ; and Captains Splann and Rulh and Lieutenant Borden, with tlieir companies, together with Lieutenant Colonels Somerville and Sublett, were kept in readiness for further assistance, if required. On the evening of the 8th, a party of about fifty men from the Alamo passed up in front of our camp and opened a brisk fire, but without effect. They were soon obliged to retire precipitately, by having a six-pounder, commanded by Captain Hummiugs. opened on them, by sending a party across the river, and by the advance of Captain Brad- ley's company, who were stationed above. On the morning of the 9th, in consequence of advice from Colonel Johnson of a flag of truce having been sent in to intimate a desire to capitulate, I proceeded to town, and by two o'clock A.M. of the 10th, a treaty was finally concluded by the commissioners appointed, to wliich I acceded immediately, deeming the terms highly favorable, considering the strong position and large force of the enemy, which could not be less than thirteen hundred ett'ective men— one thousand one hundred and five having left this morning with General Cos, besides three compa- nies and several small parties which separated from him in consequence of the fourth article of the treaty. In addition to the treaty (marked No. 1) I inclose a list (No. 2) of all the valu- able property ceded to us by virtue of the capitulation. General Cos left this morning for the Mission of San Jose, and to-morrow commences his march to the Kio Grande, after complying with all that had been stipulated. I cannot conclude this despatch without expressing in the warmest terms my entire approbation of every ofiicer and soldier in the army, and particularly those who so gallantly volunteered to storm the town, which 1 have the honor to com- mand, and to say that their bravery and zeal on the present occasion merit the warmest eulogies which I can confer, and the gratitude of their country. The gal- lant leader of the storming party, Colonel Benjamin R. Milam, fell gloriously on the third day, and his memory will be dear to Texas as long as there exists a grate- ful heart to feel his worth, or a friend of liberty to lament his loss. His place was most ably filled by Colonel F. W. Johnson, Adjutant General of the army, whose coolness and prudence, united to daring bravery, could alone have brought matters to so successful an end, with so very small a hjss, against so superior a force, and such strong fortifications To his shining merits on this occasion 1 bore ocular tes- timony during the five days' action. I have also to contribute my praise to Major Bennet, Quartermaster-General, for the diligence and success with which he supplied both armies during the siege and storm. These despatches, with a list of the killed and wounded, will be handed to your Excellency by my first aid de-camp. Colonel William T. Austin, who was present as a volunteer during the five days' storm, and whose conduct on this and every other occasion merits my warmest praise. To-morrow I leave the garrison and town under command of Colonel Johnson, with a sufficient number ot men and officers to sustain the same, in case of attack, until assisted from the colonies; so that your Excellency may consider our conquest as sufficiently secured against every attempt of the enemy. The rest of the army will retire to their homes. I have the honor to be your Excellency's obedient servant, Edward Burlesox, Commander-in-chief of the Volunteer Army. To General Burleson, Commander in-chief of the Federal Volunteer Army of Texas. Sir : I have the honor to acquaint you that, on the morning of the oth in.st., the volunteers for the storming of the city of Bexar (San Antonio), possessed by the troops of General Cos, entered the suburbs in two divisions, under the command of Colonel Benjamin K. Milam. The first division under his immediate command, aided by Major II. C. Morris, and the second under my command, aided by Colonels Grant and Austin, and Adjutant Brister. The first division, consisting of the companies of Captains York, Patton, Llewellyn, Crane, English, and Landrum, with two pieces and fifteen artillerymen, THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 15 commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Franks, took possession of the house of Don Antonio de la Garza. The second division, composed of the companies of Captains Cooke, Swisher, Edwards, Alley, Duncan, Peacock, Breeze, and Placido Benavides, took possession of the house of Don Veramendi. The last division was exposed for a short time to a very heavy fire of grape and musketry from the whole of the enemy's line of fortiticatiou, until the guns of the tirst division opened their fire, when the enemy's attention was directed to both divisions. At sevcni o'clock a heavy cannonading from the town was secon led by a well directed fire from the Alamo, which for a time prevented the possibility of covering our lines or effecting a safe communication between the two divisions. In consequence of the twelve-pounder having been dismounted, and the want of proper cover for the gun, little execution was done during the day. We were, therefore, reduced to a close and well directed fire from our rifles, which, notwithstanding the advantageous posi- tion of the enemy, obliged them to slacken their fire, and several times to abandon their artillery within the range of our shot. Our loss during this day was one pri- vate killed, one colonel and one first lieutenant severely wounded, one colonel slightly, three privates dangerously, six severely, and three slightly. During the "Whole night the two divisions were occupied in strengthening their positions, open- ing trenches, and effecting a safe communication, although exposed to a heavj^ cross fire from the enemy, which slackened towards morning. I may remark that the want of proper tools rendered this undertaking doubly arduous. At daylight on the 6th, the enemy were observed to have. occupied the tops of the houses in our front, where, under the cover of breast-works, they opened through loop holes a very brisk fire of small arms on our whole line, followed by a steady cannonading from the town, in front, and the Alamo on the left flunk, with few interruptions during the day. A detachment of Captain Crane's company, under Lieutenant W. McDonald, followed by others, gallantly possessed themselves, under a severe fire, of the house to the right, and in advance of the first division, "which considerably extended our line ; while the rest of the army was occupied in returning the enemy's fire and strengthening our trenches, which enabled our artil- lery to do some execution, and complete a safe communication from right to left. Our loss this day amounted to three privates severely wounded and two slightly. During the night the fire from the enemy was inconsiderable, and our p^op'e "were occupied in making and filling sand-bags and otherwise strengthening our lines. At dayliglit on the 7th it was discovered that the enemy had, during the night previous, opened a trench on the Alamo side of the river, and on the left flank, as well as strengthening their battery on a cross street leading to the Alamo. From the first they opened a bri«k fire of small arms ; from the last a heavy cannonade, as well as small arms, which was kept up until eleven o'clock, when they w'ere silenced by our superior fire. About twelve o'clock Henry Cams, of Captain York's company, exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy, gallantly advanced to a house la front of the first division, and with a crowbar forced an entrance, into which the whole of the company immediately followed him and made a secure lodgment. In the afternoon the enemy renewed a heavy fire from all the positions wiiich could bear upon us, and at half-past three o'clock, as our gallant commander, Colonel Milam, was passing into the yard of my position (the Veramendi house) he received a rifle shot in the head which caused his instant death, an irreparable loss at so criti- cal a moment. Our casualties otherwise, during this day, were only two privates slightly wounded. At a meeting of the ofBcers, held at seven o'clock, I was invested with the chief command, and Major Morris as my second. At ten o'clock P.M , Captains Llewellyn, English, Crane, and Landrum, with their respective companies, forced their way into and took possession of the house of Don J. Antonio Navarro, an advanced and important position close to the square. The fire of the enemy was interrupted and slack during the night, and the weather exceedingly cold and wet. The morning of the 8th continued cold and wet, and but little firing on either eide. At nine o'clock the same companies which took possession of Don J. Antonio Navarro's house, aided by a detachment of the Greys, advanced and occupied Zem- brano's Row, leading to the square, without any accident. The brave conduct, on this occasion, of William Graham, of Cooke s company of Greys, merits mention. A heavy fire of artillery and small arms was opened on this position by the enemy, "who disputed every inch of ground, and, after suffering a severe loss in ofiicers and 16 THE ALAMO CITY GCIDE. men, were obliged to retire from room to room until at last they evacuated the whole house. During this time our men were reinforced by a detachment from York's company under Lieutenant Gill. The cannonading from the camp was exceedingly heavy from all quarters during the day, but did no essential damage. Our lots con- sisted of one captain seriously wounded, and two privates severely. At sev-en o'clock P. 31 , the party in Zembrano's Row were reinforced by Caiitains Swisher, Alley, Edwnrd.-;, and Duncan, and their respective companies. This evening we had undoubted information of the arrival of a strong reinforcement to the enemy, under Colonel Ugartechea. At half past ten o'clock P. ]\I , Captains Cooke and Pat- ton, with tlie company of New Orleans Greys and a company of Brazoria volunteers forced their way into the priest's house in the squaie (Main Plaza), although exposed to the fire of a battery of tliese guns and a large body of nmsketeers. Before this, Iiowevcr, tin; division was reinforced from the reserve by Captains Cheshire, Lewis, and Sutherland, with their companies. Immediately after we got possession of the i>riest's house the enemy opened a furious cannonade from all their batteries, accompanied by incessant volleys of small arms, against every boui-e in our possession and every ]>art of our lines, which continued unceasingly until half- past six o'clock A.'M. of the 9th, when tlicy sent a flag of truce, with an intimation that they desired to capitulate. Cummissicners were mimediately named ny both parties, and herewith I accompany you a copy of the terms agreed upon. Our loss in this night attack consisteJ of ( ne man only, Belden, of the Greys, danger- ously wounded while in the act of spiking a cannon. To attempt to "give you a faint idea of the intrepid conduct of the gallant citi- zens who formed the divi-ion under my command, during the whole period of attack, would be a task of no common nature, and far a'oove the puw.er of my pen. All behaved with the bravery peculiar to freemen, and with a decision becoming the sacred cause of liberty. To signalize every individual act of gallantry, where no individual was found wanting to himself or to his country, would be a useless and endless effort. E/ery man has merited my warmest approbation, and deserves his country's gratitude. The memory of Colonel Benjamin R. Milam, the leader of this daring and suc- cessful attack, deserves to be cherished by every patriotic bosom in Texas. I feel indebted to the able assistance of Colonel Grant (severely wounded the first day), Colonel Austin, ISIajors Morris and Moore, Adjutant Brislow, Lieuttuant-Colonel Franks, of the artillery, and every captain, names already given, who entered with either division, from the morning of the 5th until the day of capitulation. Doctors Levy and Pollard also deserve my Avarmest praise for their unremitted attention and assiduity. D:)Clor Cameron's conduct, during the siege and treaty of c:ipitulalion, merits particular mention. The guides, Erastus Smith, Norwich, Arnold, and John W. Smith, performed important service; and I cannot conclude without expressing my thanks to the reserve under your command for such assistance as could be afforded during our most critic il movements. The period put to our present war by the fall of San Antonio de Bexar will, I trust, be attended with all the happy results to Texas which her warmest friends could desire. 1 have the honor to subscribe myself, your most obedient servant. F. W. Jouxsox, Cuioncl Com'g. The following is a copy of the terms of the capitulation entered into between General Burleson and General Cos : " Being desirous of preventing the further effusion of blood and the ravages of civil war, we have agreed on the following stipulations: "1st. Tliat Geni-ral Cos and his officers retire with their arms and private property into the interior of the Republic under parole of honor; and that they will not in any way oppose the re-estabiishment of the federal constitution of 1824. "2d. That t e one hundred infuntry lately arrived with the convicts, the rem- nant of the battalion of ^lortdos, and the cavalry, retire with the General, taking their arms and ten rounds of ammunition cartridges for their muskets. "3d. That the General take the convicts brought in by Colonel Ugartechea beyond the Rio Grande. " 4th. That it is discretionary with the trooj^s to follow their General, remain, W P^ P5 o o El w E-« O P^ o w W CQ m w o <1 Eh m o •-5 A BONANZA FOB SALE. ♦ The illustration on the preceding page, and which also is the fron- tispiece of this book, gives an excellent view of the historic Alamo, the ThermopylcTe of America, as it is to-day. When the memorable sacrifice of 1836 Avas complete, and bodies of the heroic martA'rs had been partially reduced to aslies, the bloodthirsty Santa Anna marched his troops East to meet their richly-merited doom, leaving the Alamo a battle-scarred ruin. Fourteen years later, the Church Building, that which is now known as The Alamo, was rebuilt in its present condi- tion on the old walls, and the Convent Building was used by the United States as a Quartermaster's Depot. On the completion of the present United States Quartermaster's Depot and Military Head- quarters, a few years since, the United States Government ga^-e up its lease of the property, and the late a native of La Belle France, and a leading citizen and wealthy mer- chant of San Antonio, a princely benefactor of many local institutions, of unbounded liberality and great public spirit, as well as business enterprise, purchased from the Roman Catholic Church the Convent Building and yard, and altered it at great expense into its present form, converting it into an immense Wholesale and Retail Store, where he continued up to the time of his death, in the carlv part of 1882, to do a business in Groceries, Provisions, Dry Goods, Queensware, Glassware, Boots, Shoes, Whiskeys, Wines, Beer, Cigars, Tobacco, and lountry Produce, second to none in this citv. Besides purchasing the Convent Building and yard, Mr. Grenet leased the old Alamo itself for a term of ninety-nine years, and converted it into a Warehouse, adjoining his immense Store. Since the decease of Mr. Grenet, his Executor, MAJOR JOSEPH E. DWYER, has successfully carried on the immense business thus left in his charge, and is now settling the estate as rapidlvas possible, and as one part of his duty he now offers this mammoth Store, to the purchaser of its valuable and constantly kept-up stock of Goods, together with the lease of THE ALAMO, and the goodwill of the business, so long and so profitably enjoyed by its deservedly popular founder. The location on Alamo Plaza, and with an extensive frontage on East Houston Street, also facing Avenues D and E, and with the Street Cars pass'ng it every few minutes during the day, and until late at night, makes this one of the most eligible business sites in San Antonio. This property will prove to be (i Genuine Honamxa to its purchaser or lessee. For terms and further particulars, address MAJOR JOSEPH E. DWYER, Executor Grenet Estate, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 17 or go to sucli point as tbey may deem proper; but in case they should all or any of them separate, they are to have their arms, etc. "5th. That all public property, money, arms, and munitions of war be inven- toried and delivered to General Burleson. " 6th. That all private property be restored to its proper owners. " 7th. That three officers of each army be appointed to make out the inventory, and see that the terms of the capitulation be carried into effect. " 8th. That three officers on the part of General Cos remain for the purpose of delivering over the said property, stores, etc. " 9th. That General Cos with his force, for the present, occupy the Alamo, and General Burleson with his force occupy the town of Bexar (San Antonio), and that the soldiers of neither party pass to the other, armed. '10th. General Cos shall, within six days from the date hereof, remove his force from the garrison he now occupies. " nth. In addition to the arms before mentioned, General Cos shall be per- mitted to take with his force a four-pounder and ten rounds of powder and ball. " 12th. The officers appointed to make the inventory and delivery of the stores, etc., shall enter upon the duties to which they have been appointed forthwith. " 13th. The citizens shall be protected in their persons and property. " 14th. General Burleson will furnish General Cos with such provisions as can be obtained, necessary for his troops to the Rio Grande, at the ordinary price of the country. " 15th. The sick and wounded of General Cos's army, together with a surgeon and attendants, are permitted to remain. " 16th. No person, either citizi n or soldier, to be molested on account of his political opinions hitherto expressed. " 17th. Thai duplicates of this capitulation be made out in Castilian and Eng- lish, and signed by the commissioners appointed, and ratified by the commanders of both armies." More liberal terms than these were never extended to a fallen foe, especially when that foe had for six days exposed the red and black flags. THE THERMOPYL.1E OP AMERICA. During this time Santa Anna had been extending his conquests all over Mexico, until Texas alone held out against his power and in favor of a Republic. Texas lie now determined to conqusr, and at the head of his victorious army, trained by long service in the field, and well provided and equipped with arms and munitions of war, he rapidly marched into Texas, and proceeding towards our city without meeting any serious hindrance, a detachment of his troops reached the heights of the Alamo overlooking the city on the 22d day of February, 1S36, when Colonel Wm. Barrett Travis, with one hundred and forty-five effective men, among whom were numbered Colonel James Bowie and David Crockett, retired to the Alamo. [For a description of the Alamo and its armament, see account under head of the missions ] THE SIEGE. First day. — The advance guard of Santa Anna's army arrived on the 22d of February, 1^3(5, and the next day Santa Anna arrived, bearing the red flag, which he displayed from the tower of the Cathedral of San Fernando, between the Main and Military Plazas, and in plain si.irht of the Alamo. He then sent a summons to the Texans to surrender, but was answered by a cannon shot. This day Colonel Travis secured eighty bushels of corn and twenty or thirty beeves. Second day. — The Mexicans bombarded the Alamo without effect. Colonel Travis sent out couriers to Goliad and Washington, Texas, for reinforcements. In his despatches he said: " I shall never surrender or retreat." Third day. — Santa Anna moved his headquarters across the river and made a personal reconnoissance. The Texans opened on the reconnoitering party with their batteries, killing two of the party and wounding six others. Late at night some of the Texans sallied out and burned some wooden buildings, behind which the Mexicans had taken a position. 18 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. Foiirtb day. — The Mexicans made an unsuccessful attempt to divert the water from the ditches which supplied the Alamo with water. That night the Texans burned some wooden buildings north of tbe Alamo. Fifth day. — The bombardment was continued without effect. Sixth day. — Col. Travis sent out John N. Seguin and a corporal to hurry up reinforcements from Goliad. Seventh day. — The bombardment was continued without effect. Eighth day. — Thirty-two citizen soldiers from Gonzales reinforced the besieged Texans. In the afternoon a twelve-pound shot from the Alamo struck the house occupied by Santa Anna. Ninth day. — The bombardment was vigorously continued, but with no casualties for the Texans. Tenth day. — Colonel Bonham, who had been sent to Goliad for reinforcements, re-entered the Alamo, beating word that no aid might be expected from that quarter. The bombardment was continued. Colonel Travis now made his last appeal for aid, this time to the Convention, and sent it by J. W. Smith, the guide who had con- ducted the Gonzales party to the Alamo. Smith left the Alamo at midnight, and crawled stealthily upon his hands and knees until safely beyond the Mexican lines. As he departed Colonel Travis said to him: " Every morning at daybreak I will fire a cannon as a sign that we still hold the fort, but when that cannon is heard no more its silence will tell that the Alamo has fallen." The following is supposed to be the letter which Smith bore. It is dated the 3d of March, 18:^J: "From the 25th to the present date the enemj' have kept up a bombardment from two howitzers (one a live and a-half-inch and the other an eight-inch), and a heavy cannonade from two long nine-pounders mounted on a battery on the opposite side of the river, at the distance of four hundred j^ards from our walls. During this period the enemy have been busily employed in encircling us with intrenched encampments at the following distances: In Bexar, 400 yards west ; in La Villeta, 300 yards south; at the powder-house, l.O'iO yards east by south; on the ditch, 800 yards northeast, and at the old mill, 800 yards north. Notwithstanding all this, a com- pany of thirty two men from Gonzales made their way to us on the morning of the 1st inst., at three o'clock, and ("olonel J. B. iiouham (a courier from the same place) got in tills morning at eluven o'clock. "I have so fortified the place that the walls are generally proof against the cannon balls, and 1 still continue to intrench on the inside, and strengthen the walls by throwing up the earth. At least two hundred shells have fallen inside our walls without having injured a single man; indeed, we have been so fortunate as not, to lose a man from any cause, and we have killed many of the enemy. The spirits of my men are .still high, although they have had much to depress them. "Colonel Fannin is said to be on the march to this place with reinforcements; but I fear it is not true, as I have repeatedly sent to him for aid without receiving any. Colonel Bonham, my special messenger, arrived at La Bahia (Goliad) fourteen days ago, with a request for aid; and on the arrival of the enemy in Bexar, I sent an express to Colonel Fannin, which reached Goliad on the next day, urging him to send on reinforcements — none have yet arrived. I look to the Colonies alone for aid: unless it arrives soon, I shall have to fight the enemy on his own terms. 1 will, however, do the best I can under the circumstances; and I feel confident that the determined spirit and desperate courage heretofore evinced by my men will not fail them in the last struggle; and although they may be sacrificed to the vengeance of a Gothic enemy, the victory will cost that enemy so dear that it will be worse than a defeat. "I hope your honorable body will hasten on reinforcements, ammunition, and provisions to aid us as soon as possible. We have provisions for twenty days for the men we have; our supply of ammunition is limited. At least five hundred pounds of powder, and two hundred rounds of six, nine, twelve, and eighteen pound balls, ten kegs of rifle powder, and a supply of lead should be sent to the place without delay under a sufficient guard. If these things are promptly sent, and large reinforcements are hastened to the frontier, this neighborhood will be the great and decisive battle ground. The power of Santa Anna is to be met here in the colonies; we had better meet it here than to suffer a war of desolation to rage in our settlements. A blood-red banner waves from the church of Bexar, and in the THE ALAMO CITY GTIIDE. 19 camp above us, in token that the war is one of vengeance against rebels; tliey have declared us such, and demanded that we should surrender at discretion, or this gar- rison should be put to the sword. Their threats have had no influence on me or my men, but to make all fight with desperation, and with that high-souled courage which characterizes the patriot who is willing to die in defence of his country's liberty and his own honor. "The citizens of this municipality are all our enemies, except those who joined us heretofore; we have but three Mexicans in the fort. Those who have not joined us in this extremity should be declared public enemies, and their property should aid in defraying the expenses of the war. " The bearer of this will give your honorable body a statement more in detail, should he escape through the enemy's lines. God and Texas! Victory or death ! " Wheh about forty miles distant on his journey towards the town of Gonzales, Smith was overtaken by a Mexican horseman, who imparted to him the story of the martj'rdom of the heroes. It may be of some interest to mention that J. W. Smith was the father of Mrs. W. G. Tobin, of this city, of Mrs. Henry Newton, also of this city, and of John W. Smith, of Pleasanton, Atascoso County. His wife still resides here, having remar- ried, her second husband being the late Judge James B. Lee. Eleventh day. — The Mexicans continued the bombardment, but the Texans, being short of amunition, seldom fired. Colonel Travis now despaired of succor, and, according to one account, he proposed to surrender to Santa Anna with the pledge of mercy ; but Santa Anna's answer was : "You mu.st surrender at discretion, without any guarantee, even of life, which traitors do not deserve." Santa Anna's excuse for this course was that it accorded with the will of the Mexican Congress. It is also stated that when the above reply was sent to Colonel Travis, a Frenchman by the name of Arago, a brother of the celebrated astronomer of that name, occu- pied the position of chief of staff ; but that he forthwith informed the Mexican bloodhound that he would be compelled to resign — he could take no part in the inhuman course which had been determined upon. Besides, there was nothing to be gained by the conquest by so large an army as that of the Mexicans of the exhausted and poorly-armed handful of Texans who defied them. The French- man's heart could not sympathize with assassins under the generalship of a tyrant, and he therefore resigned his commission. According to an account published in 1800 by a Mr. Rose, Colonel Travis now announced to bis companions their desperate situation, and, after declaring his determination to sell his life as dearly as possible, drew a line with his sword and asked ail who were willing to fight with him to form on the line. With one exception they all fell into the ranks, and even Colonel Bowie, who was dying, liad his cot carried to the line. The man who declined to enter the ranks, that night made his escape through the Mexican lines. That afternoon Santa Anna held a council of war, and, against the advice of his best ofiicers, determined to storm the Alamo the next morning. The following is a copy of the general orders on the subject : Gen'Ekal Orders of March 5, 1836. \ 2 o'clock P.M. — Secret. ^ To the Generals, Chiefs of Sections, and Commanding officers : The time has come to strike a decisive blow upon the enemy occupying the fortress of the Alamo. Consequently, his Excellency the General-in-Chief has decided that, to-morrow at 4 o'clock A.M., the columns of attack shall be stationed at musket-shot distance from the first entrenchments, ready for the charge, which shall commence at a signal to be given with the bugle from the northern battery. The first column will be commanded by General Don Martin Perfecto Cos, and in his absence by myself. The permanent battalion of Aldama (except the grenadiers) and the three right centre companies of the active battalion of San Luis, will compose the first column. The second column will be commanded by Colonel Don Francisco Duque, and, in his absence, by General Don Manuel Fernandez Castrillion ; it will be composed of the active battalion of Toiuca (except the company of grenadiers) and the three remaining centre companies of the active battalion of San Luis. The third column will be commanded by Colonel Jose Maria Romero, and, in 20 THE ALAMO CITY GTJIUE. his absence, by Colonel Mariano Salas ; it will be composed of the permanent batta- lions of Matamoras and Jimenes. The fourth column will be commanded by Colonel Juan Morales, and, in his absence, by Colonel Jose Minon ; it -will be composed of the light companies of the battalions of Matamoras and Jimenes, and of the active battalimi of San Luis. His Excellency the General-in-Chief will in due time designate the points of attack, and give instructions to the commanding officers The reserve will be composed of the battalion of engineers and the five com- panies of grenadiers of the permanent battalions of Matamoras, Jimenes.and Aldama, and the active battalions of Toluca and San Luis. The reserve will be commanded by the General m-Chief in person during the attack; but Colonel Augustin Arnat will assemble this party, which will report to him this evening at 5 o'clock, to be marched to the designated station. The first column will carry ten ladders, two crowbars, and two axes; the second, ten ladders; the third, six ladder's; and the fourth, two ladders. The men carrying ladders will sling their guns on their shoulders, to be enabled to place the ladders wherever they may be required. The companies of the grenadiers will be supplied with six packages of cartridirea to every man, and the centre companies with two packages and two spare flints. The men will wear neither overcoats nor blankets, or anything that may impede the rapidity of their motions. The commanding ofiicers will see that the men have the chin-straps of their cai)S down, and that they wear either shoes or sandals. The troops composing the columns of attack will turn in to sleep at dark, to be in readiness to move at I'J o'clock at night. Recruits deficient in instruction will remain in their quarters. The arms, prin- cipally the bayonets, should be in perfect order. As soon as the moon rises the centre companies of the active battalion of San Luis will abandon the points they are now occupying on the line, in order to have time to prepare. The cavalry, under Colonel Joaquin Ramirez y Sesma. will be stationed at the Alraeda, saddling up, at 3 o'clock A.M. It shall be its duty to scout the country to prevent the possibility of an escape. The honor of the nation being interested in this engagement against the bold and lavrless foreigners who are opposing us, his Excellency expects that every man will do his duty, and exert himself to give a day of glory to the country, and of gratification to the supreme government, who will know how to reward the distin- guished deeds of the brave soldiers of the army of operations. (Signed.) Juan Valentine Amadok. A certified copy : (Signed) Ramon Martinez Caro. Bexar, March 5, 1836. Secretary. the fall — SUNDAY, MARCH 6. During the night the Mexican army formed in accordance to the orders above given, and at the first light of dawn on that memorable Sunday morning the Mexican bugles sounded the fatal peal. With a rush like tigers springing on their prey the enemy dashed forward, but the heroic Texans, roused to their last duty by the bugle notes of their requiem, with the sound of the terrible dequelo (the Mexican bugle call for " death, no quarters") ringing in their ears, every man was at his post, and so well did they do their duty that twice the brutal hosts of Santa Anna were hurled back defeated, only to be again forced forward by the sabres of the Mexican cavalry. This time Santa Anna himself urged forward his troops. General Castil- lion's division, after half an hour's desperate fighting, and after repeated repulses and unheard of losses, succeeded in effecting an entrance in the upper part of the Alamo in a sort of outwork. The fighting had only begun. The doors and win- dows of the Alamo church were barricaded and guarded by bags of sand heaped up as higli as a man's shoulders) and even on the roof were rows of sand bags, behind which the Texans fought as never men fought before — muzzle to muzzle, hand to hand. Each Texan rifie shot exhausted its force and spent itself in successive bodies of Mexicans packed together like a wall of flesh. Muskets and rifles were clubbed, and bayonets and bowie knives never before wrought such fearful carnage. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDR. 31 The ceaseless crash of fire arms, the shots of the beleaguered, desperate, and defiant Texans, and the shrieks of the dying, made the din infernal and the scene indescribable in its sublime terrors. Each room in the building was the scene of a desperate struggle with fearless men driven to desperation and conscious that escape was impossible. They fougiit even when striciien down, aud when dying, still struggled, not with death, but to slay Mexicans. In the long ro;, lay stark and stiff on a cot in this room. lie was helpless and in bed when the Alamo was invested twelve days before, but the bodies of the victims of his une-rring aim and invincible courage attested that his death was not accom- plished without ten-fold loss to the enemy. There are several accounts of the death of Colonel Travis, one of which is that he was shot in the head by a rifle ball, but even then had strength enough left to impale on his sword a Mexican officer who was attempting to mutilate him. Another account, derived from a Mexican soldier in the army of Santa Anna, is that Colonel Travis aud David Crockett were found lying among the Texan dead, utterly worn out by sleepless nights of watching and long continued fighting. "When discovered, Colonel Travis gave a Mexican soldier some gold, and wh.le couvcsing with him, General Cos, with whom Colonel Travis had dealt very generously when San Antonio was captured by the Americans, appeare-l. Cos warmly embiaced Travis, aud induced other Mexicans, and among them General Castillion, to join with him ina'^king Santa Anna to spare Travis's life. Then David Crockett also wearily arose to his feet from among the corpses. The brutal Santa Anna was terribly enraged at the disobedience of his orders, sa-ying : "I want no prisoners," and turn- ing to a file of soldiers ordered ihem to shoot the heroes. Colonel Travis was first shot in the back, lie folded his arms stiffly acn^ss his breast and stood erect until a bullet pierced his neck, when he fell headlong among the dead. David Crockett fell at the first fire, his body being completely riddled with bullets. Even a cat that was soon alter seen running through the fort was shot, the soldiers exclaiming : "It is not a cat but an American." ]\Iajor Evans was siiot while in the act of applying a torch to the magazine, in time to prevent an explosion. Filisola, the Slexican historian who accompanied the army of Santa Anna, thus concludes his account of the battle of the Alamo : " Finally, the place remained in the power of the Mexicans, and all its defenders were killed. It is a source of deep regret, that, after the excitement of the combat, many acts of atrocity were allowed, which are unworthy of the gallantry and reso- lution with which this operation was executed, and stamps it with an indelible stain in the annals of history. These acts were reproved at the time b}' those who had the sorrow to witness them, and, subsequently, by the whole army, who were cer- tainly not animated by such feelings, and who heard with disgust and horror, as becomes brave and generous Mexicans, breathing none but noble and lolty senti- ments, of certain facts which I forbear mentioning, and would wish, for the honor of the republic, had never taken place. ''In our opinion, the blood of our soldiers, as well as that of the enemy, was shed in vain, for the mere gratification of the inconsiderate, puerile, aud guilty Vanity of reconquering Bexar by force of arms and through a bloody contest. In fact, as we have already stated, the defenders of the Alamo were disposed to surrender, upon the only condition that tlieir lives would be spared. Let us even admit that they were not so disposed — what could the wretches do, being surrounded by five thousand men, without proper means of resistance, no possibility of retreating, nor any hope of receiving sufficient reinforcements to compel the Mexicans to raise the siege ?" In one of the rooms of the Alamo were three non-combatants : Mrs. Dickinson and lier infant daughter (Mrs. Alsbury), and a negro servant of Colonel Travis. Mrs. Dickinson, now Mrs. Uanning, alone survives, and resides in Austin. Her infant 22 THE AliAMO CITY GUIDE. daughter afterwards married, and was the mother of A. D. Griffith, who resides in Yarrehon, Milam county, in this State. She died in 186S. It is related that the last Mrs. Dickinson saw of her husband, Captain Dickinson, was when he rushed into her room and said : " My dear wife, tbey are coming over the wall ; we are all lost." He then silently embraced her and their babe, and said: "May God spare you and our dear baby." He drew his sword and went out, and bis body was after- wards found riddled with bullets. In the fall of 1878, an aged Mexican by the name of Brigido Guerrero applied to the County Court of Bexar county for a pen- sion as a survivor of the Alamo. His story is tbat he was one of the soldiers under Colonel Traviy, and continued to tiglit uniil the enemy had entered the enclosure. Seeing that further resistance was useless he entered the room in which were the women, and was concealed by them under some bedding, where he remained until night, and tben made his escape. Altbough he has steadtastly maintained the truth of this story ijince 1843, his veracity is doubted by many of the early inhabitants. At any rate, the evidence he offered the court was so strong that he was placed on the pension list, and to the present writing has received aid from the State. BUKNING THE TEXAN DEAD. The Alamo fallen and the massacre complete, Santa Anna ordered the Texan dead to be burned; accordingly they were stripped, and after being subject to indig- nities iu which Santa Anna joined, were taken to a point on Alameda Street, near the present location of St. Jo.-eph's (German) Catholic Church, where the funeral pyre was erected, there first being a layer of fence lails, then bodies, then rails over and so on until all the bodies were in place. Brush was then piled on and around the pyre and the torch applied. Then arose to heaven a burnt offering on the altar of Liberty which will never cease to be remembered in every true Texan's heart. Fire did not wholly reduce the bodies, and the charred remains were afterwards gathered together and buried near the spot which they had hallowed by their heroic defence and bloody death. THE NUMBEK OF MEXICAN SLAIN has been a mooted question ; the Mexicnn Adjutant General placing it at sixty killed and two hundred and fifty-one wounded iu the assault; but from the nature of the attack, the densely-closed columns, through which repeated charges of grape and cannon balls from the Texan cannons tore with such deadly effect tbat the whole army was twice driven back, the noted deadly effect of Texan ritles, and the terrible hand to-hand conflict which closed the battle, all point to a much larger number cf Mexican dead. We are therefore constrained to believe that the number stated by Pancho Ruiz, the alcalde of the city, and who superintended the burning of the Texan dead and the burial and disposal of the Mexican dead, is much rearer the truth. He stated, and the statement is now a part of our County records, that about two thousand Mexicans fell in the assault on the Alamo, independent of the casualties of the previous eleven days C'f the siege. Iu the face of this statement how puerile does the ofiicial report of Santa Anna read. Such a document could only emanate from a dastardly liar, such as the Mexi- can tyrant ever proved himself to be. We give it iu full : To His Excellency the Secretary of War and Navy, General Jose Maria Tome. Most Excellent Sm : Victory belongs to the army, which at this very moment, 8 o'clock A.M , achieved a complete and glorious triumph that will render its memory imperishable. As 1 had stated in my report to your Excellency of the taking of this city, on the 2Tth of last month, I awuited the ariival of the first brigade of infantry to com- mence active operations against the fortress of the Alamo. However, the whole brigade having been delayed beyond my expectation, I ordered that three of its bat- lalions, viz. : the engineers— Aldama and Toluca — should force their march to join me. These troops, together with the battalions of Malamoras, Jimenez, and San Luis Potisi, brought the force at my disjiosal (recruits excluded) up to 1,400 infantry. The force, divided into four columns of attack and a reserve, commenced the attack at 5 o'clock A.M. They met with a stubborn resistance, the combat lasting more than one hour and a half, and the reserve having to be brought into action. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. S» The scene offered by this engagement was extraordinary. The men fought individually, vicing with each other in heroism. Twenty-one pieces of artillery, used by the enemy with the most perfect accuracy, the brisic tire of musketry which illuminated the interior of the fortress and its walls and ditches, could not check our dauntless soldiers, who are entitled to the consideration of the supreme govern- ment and to the gratitude of the nation. The fortress is now in our power, with its artillery, stores, etc. More than six hundred corpses of foreigners were buried in the ditches and entrenchment, and a great many who had escaped the bayonets of the infantry fell in the vicinity under the sabres of the cavalry. I can assure your Excellency that few are those who bore to their associates the tidings of their disaster. Among the corpses are those of Bowie and Travis, who styled themselves colonels, and also that of Crockett and several leading men, who had entered the fortress with despatches from their Convention. We lost about seventy men killed and three hundred wounded, among whom are twenty-five officers. The cause for which they fell renders their loss less painful, as it is the duty of the Mexicau soldiers to die for the defence of the rights of the nation, and all of us were ready for any sacrifice to promote the fond object; nor will we hereafter sulfer any foreigners, whatever their origin may be, to insult our country and to pollute its soil. I shall, in due time, send to your Excellency a circumstantial report of this glorious triumph. Now, 1 have only time to congratulate the nation and the president, ad interim, to whom I request you to submit this report. The bearer takes with him one of the flag's of the enemy's battalions, captured to-day. The inspection of it will show plainly the true intention of the treacherous colonists, and of their abettors, who came from the ports of the United States and the north. God and liberty ! (Signed) Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Headquarters, Bexar, March 6, 1836. Don Ruiz states he gathered together the bodies of the Mexicans and buried them in trenches, and having filled the trenches, he stripped the remainder and threw them into the San Antonio River. In forty-six days after the terrible massacre of the Alamo, the battle of San Jacinto was fo[exican spies did not return as they promised, and we have been unable to hear from them." But the Texans were thoroughly disgusted with this invasion foolishness, and rpsolvedtocrushit out then and there. Accordingly, a considerable force collected on the SaUulo, six miles from the city. On the 17th of September, Woll marched out with his army to disperse this force. Colonel Caldwell, in his report of the battle, says: " We commenced fighting about ten o'clock, and continued a hot fire rmtil about an hour by the sun, when the enemy retreated, bearing ofi many of their dead and 26 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. wounded, while many dead and wounded were taken from the field by their friends. We have a glorious band of Texan patriots, among whom ten only were wounded, and not one killed." As Woll was retreating towards the city he fell in with a company of fifty-three Texaus, under the command of Captain Dawson, from F;iyi'tte County, on their way to jitn Colonel Caldwell. The Texans were attacked, and after nearly one-half of the men had fallen, Captain Dawson raised the white flag; it was fired upon. Captain Dawson was an old soldier, having been in the United States army, and was a lieutenant at San Jacinto but seeing the hopelessness of fighting such over- whelming numbers, he surrendered his pistol. Unarmed as he was, a Mexican lancer assaulted him. He wrenched the lance from his opponent, and would have killed him, but was himself killed l)y another Mexican soldier. Thirty-three of his men were killed in battle, fifteen surrendered five of whom were wounded, and two escaped unhurt. One of the latter, Henry G. Wood, who lost his father and brother in the fight, after giving up his arms, was assaulted by a lancer. He seized the lance, killed the Mexican with it, and mounted his horse and escaped. At daybreak on the morning after this battle, Woll evacuated the city and started for the Rio Grande, taking his San Antonio prisoners with him. A misunderstanding among the Texans as to who was entitled to the command, prevented a pursuit. This was the last of the Mexican invasions of Texas. THE ANNEXATION. In 1845, Texas voluntarily resigned its proud position as one of the nations of the world, and became one of the States of the United Stales of America. The Mexican war followed, and during its continuance our city was very prosperous as one of the principal points of supply to the army. At the close of the Mexican war San Antonio became the Military Headquarters of the Department of Texas, which position it held for twelve years, when the ordi- nance of secession was passed, and Texas again became a free and independent State; but on the 4th of March, 1861, its sovereignty was a second time surrendered, and Texas became one of the Stales of Southern Confederacy. UNDER THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY. At that time Major General David E. Twiggs commanded the Department of Texas, and had under his command about twenty five hundred United States troops. The convention which passed the ordinance of secession also appointed commis- sioners to demand of General Twiggs the possession of the public property held by him, and the following is a copy of the rep jrt uf the commissioners. San Antonio, Texas, February 18, 1861. The undersigned, commissioners on the part of the State oi Texas, fully empow- ered to exercise the authority undertaken by them, have formally and solemnly agreed with Brevet Major General David E. Twigga, U. S. A., commanding the Department of Texas, tliat the troops of the United States shall leave the soil of the State by way of the coast: that they shall take with them the arms of their respect- ive corps, including the battery at Fort Duncan and the battery of the same char- acter at Fort Brown, and shall be allowed the necessary means for regular and comfortable movement, provisions, tents, etc., etc., and transportation. It is the desire of the commission that there shall be no infraction of this agree- ment on the part of the Slate. It is their wish, on the confrars, that every faciiity shall be attorded the troops. They are our friends. They have hitherto afforded to our people all the protection in their power, and we owe them every cousiderar tion. The public property at the various posts, other than that above recited for the use of the troops, will be turned over to agent* to be appointed for the commission, who will give due and proper receipts for tl e whole to the officers of the army, whom they relieve in their custody of the pu! lie property. Thomas J. Devine, P. N. Luckett, S. A. Maverick, Commissioners on behalf of the Committee on Public Safety, THE ALAMO CITY GtJIDB. 27 For the next four years our city was the scene of martial pomp and military preparation. Unlike other portions of the Confederacy, silver was the circulating medium, and trade with Mexico was kept up during the entire period, subject to occasional restrictions put upon it by tlie military authorities. Public works of great magnitude were also commenced, but the termination of the war caused them to be abandoned, and tUey have since been suffered to decay. IN THE UNION. In July, I8n5, the Federal troops arrived, and resumed possession of the public property, and since that time the growth of the city has been constant, until now we claim tlie attention nf the whole world. In the latter part of February, 1877, the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway was completed to our city, and from that time to the present day, improve- ment has followed improvement in such rapid succession tliat to read of them is like a peep into a mental kaleidoscope, whose every turn exposes new beauties to the entranced reader. To present all these changes, from the old to the new, would far exceed the circumscrit)ed limits allowed us, and we shall only attempt to briefly summarize some of the principal advantages which modern enterprise has brought us. 28 THE ALAMO CITY GtTIDE. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. CHAPTER II RELIGIOUS HISTORY, CHURCHES, ETC. The local historian who nos;lects to make special mention of the religious insti- tutions here fails to complete his task. So far as history informs us, the first white men who visited this valley were the early Roman Catholic missionarits, and cer- tainly it was the Franciscan Fathers who planned and built our irrigation ditches, as well as those monuments of early civilization, the Missions, Indeed, from the earliest days the cause of religion has always been prominent here, and although this city has passed through wars and rebellions, and has been a very shuttlecock of Mars, with frequent change of allegiance, yet the church has ever remained unchanged. The towers of its sacred buildings from time to time displayed the blood-stiiined banners of contending armies, and even the black and the red flags were on occasions thrown thence to the breeze, but its priests have never faltered in their work of love and charity, and its altars were always accessible to even the most lowly penitent. Under the care of the early Fathers the savage natives of the country were taught not only the word of God, but also the arts of civilization, and Indian labor was used in the building of the irrigation ditches as well as in tilling the soil thus made serviceable for cultivation. In those early days peace reigned in this valley, and it was only when the Spanish and Mexican adventureis were attracted here by the health giving climate, the fertility of the soil, and the chance for pecuniary gain, that the rights of the Indians were infringed upon, and the red man became the relentless enemy of the whites. THE MISSIONS. In his offlcial report to the King of Spain, the Count Revilla Gigedo, Viceroy of Mexico, under date of December 27. 179:{, says an expedition, including in its num- bers nine Franciscan Fathers, headed by the Right Rev. Father Antonio Margil de Jesus, was sent out in the j^ear 1716, and they established six missions in the more northern part of the Province of Texas. There are, however. Catholic records in existence which speak of the labors of a Catholic priest in Texas as early as 1554. In 1730 three of these missions were transferred to the sites which they now occupy along the San Antonio River, viz. : Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, San Juan Capistrano, and San Francisco de la Et prominent and public spirited citizens of San Antonio, who, possessed of ample wealth, has not forgotten his Mother Church. On the left and front of the sanctuary stands a life-size and ver^' expressive statue of St. Joseph, which is the gift of the late Honore Grenet, an adopted citizen from la belle France, who was himself adopted as a brother in the hearts of his fellow citizens, and whose many acts of charily cause his memory to be revered by all who knew him. This old Cathedral, could it speak, would tell of very many important events which have occurred in and around it. It is to be reg-retted that so few records of them exist today. From the old tower, now torn down, was displayed the blood- red flag of the butcher Santa Anna during the memorable siege and sacrifice of the heroes of the Alamo. Other Spanish and Mexican trenerals at limes displayed from the same tower Itje red and black flags and their own banners, but history proves that during all those troublous times, even with ihe tide of battle surging up to its very doors, the altars of the holy church were never profaned nor deserted by its priests. In more modern times this Cathedral has been the scene of many interesting events, but the limits of this book necessitate only a passing notice of a very few of them. On the 27th of December, 1874, Right Rev. Anthony Dominic Pelicer was formally installed in this Cathedral as the first Bishop of Sun Antonio, and on the 17th of April. 1880, he was buried in the same Cathedral immediately to the front of the sanctuary. Both of these ceremonials were intensely solemn, and were made still more so by the large attendance of digniia-ies and officers of the Catholic Church. Here, also, on the 19th of March, ^1878, Right Rev. John C. Neraz, the present Bishop of San Antonio, then Pastor of the Cathedral, celebrated his silver jubilee, or twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration as a priest. Besides the then Bishop of San Antonio, thei'e were present the Right Rev. Francisco de Paula Verea, former Bishop of Monterey, and present Bishop of Puebla de los Angles, and twenty-three priests. On the 8th of May, 1881, the Right Rev. John C. Neraz was here consecrated the second Bishop of San Antonio, with the most imposing ceremonials of the Catholic Church. The present pastor of this Cathedral is Rev. Father Louis Genolin, a deep THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 85 scholar and very entertaining gentleman, to whom the author is indebted for much valuable information regarding this Cathedral, as well as the early history of the Catholic Church in San Francisco. The hours of Sunday services during the winter months are: Low Mass, 7:30 A.M.; High Mass, 10 A.M.; Vespers, 8 P.M. During the summer mon'hs the hours of services are: Low Mass. 7 A.M.; High Mass, 10 A.M.; Vespers, 4 P.M. On calemn days the night Vespers are at 7 P.M. There are a number of church societies attached to the Cathedral, and it is ex- pected that others will be added soon. ST. Mary's c:njRCH. This beautiful church was erected some fifteen years ago, and is the church of the American Catholics of Sau Antonio. In architecture it is strikingly grand, while its interior decorations are arti.stic and beautiful. The congregation is very large and wealthy, and includes many of the most honored families of the city. Its loca- tion is central, and at the same time off of the travelled thoroughfares of ihe ciiy, yet is near all of the street car lines and the principal business streets. Fronting on St. Mary's Street, with a foot bridge crossing the river at its front and side, with the Bishop's residence adjoining and the Catholic College in the rear, it is in a peculiarly religious neighborhood, yet with Houston Street to the north and Commerce Street to the south, it is conveniently handy for residents of any portion of the city. The Pastor, Very Rev. Canon Thomas J. Johr.son, is one of the most eminent .scholars among the Catholic clergy of this city, all of whom are noted as being very learned men. Father Johnson is also very well versed in the ancient history of the Catholic Missions of Texas, and has for several years been engaged in the prepara- tion of a valuable work upon this interesting subject. His assistant. Rev. Father H. A. Milrao, is a young priest of rare attainments, and gives promise of becoming a shining j.ghl in the church. The hours of services are: Low Mass, 7A.M.; High Mass 10 A.M. ; and Vespers at 5 P M. in the summer, and at 4 P.M. in the winter. There are a number of societies connected with this parish, all of which aid in parish work. ST. Joseph's church. This is the German Catholic Church of San Antonio, and is located on Alameda Street, the continuation of Commerce Street, and near Alamo Street, along which the San Pedro Park hne of street cars passes. This is another of the notable churches of this city, and is located near the place where the bodies of tlie T( xan liernes of the Alamo were burned in an immense funeral pyre immediately after the memorable sacrifice. The church building is con.strucled of stone, as are all the Cat'ioiic churches of this city, and is handsomely decorated within, and has a num- ber of memorial gifts from pious parishoners. Rev. Father Henry Pefferkorn, the pa^5tor, is an eminent German scholar as well as a faithful Father to his flock. The regular Sunday services include Low Mass at 7 A..M. in summer and 7:30 A.M. in winter ; High Mass at 10 A.M. and Vespers at 3:30 P.M. There are a number of societies connected with the parish as well as an admir- ably conducted parish school. ST. Michael's polish catholic church. This church was consecrated with the full ceremonials of the Catholic Church on the 6th of January, 1868, and is situated on the southeast side of South Street, between Matagorda and Indianola Streets. The building is eighty by twenty-seven feet in size, and the services are in Polish, being a great convenience to our Polish citizens. The St. Albert's, St. Stephen's, and St. Vincent de Paul Societies are auxiliary to the church work. The spiritual director is Rev. Stanislaus Wojcie- chowski, and the hours of Sunday services are, in winter, High Mass at 9 A.M., and in summer, High Mass at 10 A.M., and Vespers at 3 P.M. THE URSULmE CONVENT. This is an educational, as well as a religious institution, and is mentioned again 36 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. under the head of the educational institutions of the city. It is situated in a bend, and on the banks of the river, near ISoledad Street, and directly on Convent and Augusta Streets. Rev. Father R. E M. Biiffard is the Pastor, and the Sunday services in the church are: Low Mass at 6:30 A.M., and Vespers at 4 P.M.; Sunday scliool at 9:30 A.M. To strangers this ctiurch possesses great interest, and the Reverend Father ia charge will prove a very entertaining guide to visitors. EPISCOPAL. San Antonio being the residence of the Riglit Rev. R. "W. B. Elliott, Bisliop of Western Texas, the Episcopal Cathedral is also located there, and is known as the CATHEDRAL OP ST. MARK. St. Mark's Parish was organized by the Rev. Lucius H. Jones, in 1858, and the corner-stone of the present edifice was laid in December, 1859. After the work had progressed so that the walls were partially reared, the war between the two sections coming on put a stop to the work. The walls stood until they grew quite gray from the inliuences of the elements, and not until July, 1873, was work resumed to complete the edifice. Meantime, Mr. Jones had passed away, having died while a chaplain of the Confederate army in Louisiana. The work of building up and completing the parish church was undertaken by the Rev. W. R. Richardson, who EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL. became rector of the parish on the 1st of June, 1868. Mr. Richardson is now dean of the Cathedral, one of the most handsome church edifices in the South, and to hi.s zeal and indefatigable earnestness is due the main credit of having accomplished what has been done. The building cost, as it now stands, embracing the elegant furniture, beautiful windows, and general fixtures, in round numbers, thirty thousand dollars. The first service was held in St. Mark's on Easter Day, 1875, and was a grand event in the history of the church in this city, for its ministers and membership THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 87 had struggled hard and constantly to obtain a suitable building of their own to worship in. At the time of the first service the building was not fully furnished, and was burdened with a debt of eight thousand dollars. !Six years after, on St. Mark's Day (April 25), A.D. 1881, the entire debt having been paid, the beauti- ful Cathedral was dedicated to the service of God with the full ceremonials of the Episcopal Church, there being a large attendance of distinguished prelates and div.'nes of that belief. The Cathedral of St. Mark is essentially a memorial offering to the Almighty. The building is artistic in design and CDmplete in all its appointments, and much of its ornamentation is the handiwork of the Dean, the Rev. W. R. Ricliardsfin, while all the designs for the beautiful memorial windows attest his correct artistic taste. The church building is constructed of cream-colored limestone from local quarries, ■ and is from plans by the elder Upjohn, a celebrated architect, late of New York, and is, in its general style, Gothic, modified to suit the exigencies of our almost tropical climate; the winilows being in triplets, very low and broad, with miillions and floriated heads instead of the h'gh, narrow-pointed style of the true Gothic. Under each of the windows proper there are louvre openings, reaching from the window-sills to the floor, and fitted with a sash hung upon pivots; the architectural effect being outwardly that of a deeply-recessed panelling beneath the windows, while the practical benefit is to give full play to the summer breezes, so neces-ary to comfort in this climate. The body of the church is divided into nave and aisles, while the apsidal chancel contains the choir and sanctuary. The organ chamber is on the north and the vestry-room on the south of the chancel. The roof is open-timbered and finished in polychrome. The dimensions are: extreme length, one hundred feet; width, fiity-six feet; height of walls, twenty feet; height to ridge, forty-eight feet, and to top of cross, fifty-four feet. The building has seating capacity for six hundred persons. • As we stated above, this Cathedral is essentially a memorial offering to the Almighty. The baptismal font is a memorial of little Charlie, the first born of Major and Mis. H. B. Adams, and is the gift of the parents. The altar slab and re table, of Italian marble, is a memorial of Mrs. Barbara Reed, ihe mother of the late Erastus Reed, the donor. The polished brass altar desk is a memorial of Mrs. L. Richardson, the mother of the Dean of the Cathedral. It was paid for from the proceeds of the sale of the valuable flowers Mrs. Richard'^on had at the time of her death, and which she expressed a desire to have take the form of a contribution to the Cathedral. The massive walnut chancel rail, with its beautifully carved brack- ets, is the gift of General C. C. Augur, U. S A. The solid walnut sedilia, on the north side of the chancel, isthogift of iheRev. Dr. Batterson.of Philadelphia, who was at one time in charge of St. Mark parish. The beautiful and rich toned organ is largely due to the liberal contributions of the U, S. army ofiicers stationed in this department. MEMORIAL WIjSDOWS. Each window in the Cathedral is a memorial gift, yet they are arranged with such perfect taste that harmony is preserved while admitting a wide range in sub- jects. There is not a cheap thing about the edifice, and especially are the windows rich in all their details. No description could give a perfect conception of the gen- eral effect of these works of art, for such they are, but the following brief notices ■will serve as a guide to visitors, and as such it is only intended. THE JONES MEMORIAL. The first of these windows in point of time of erection is located on the north side of the Cathedral, near tlie organ, and is in memory of the first Rector of the parish. Like all the windows, it is in the form of a triple tablet, pointed at the top, and surmounted by a trefoil arch. The central tablet represents a life size Roman soldier, with his arms disc;irded, and bearing a palm branch in his hand, which is explained by the words on the tablets on either side of it: '"I hcive fought the good fight," ' I have kept the faith." Above all are tablets showing the arms of a Chris- tian soldier, as enumerated by St. Paul. At the bottom are the words, "In memory of the Rev. Lucius Henry Jones, A.M., first Rector of this parish. Entered into 38 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. life October 10, A.D. ISfiB," the date of his death, while serving as chaplain during the late war. This beautiful and expressive window was the gift of the brother of the deceased Rector, Mr. Alnnzo P. Jones, of Boston, Mass. THE MAVERICK MEMORIAL. Immediately opposite this window, on the south side of the Catheelrai, if? one of great beauty, and is designated as the offering of Mrs. M. A., Sam, and Sallie F. Maverick, for the miraculous escape of Sam Slaverick Jr., when a tree fell upon and crushed the house in which he was. The central tablet represents a highly col- ored and life size figure of the Saviour holding a child by the hand. The right hand t;iiilet hears the inscription, "Their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven," and the left haiid tablet the words, "Now, therefore, our God, we thank Thee and praise Thy glorious name." BeautifuUy colored guardian angels are shown in large tablets above the central scrolls, while winged-heads are seen on either side of the top central tablet, which contains the triangle in a golden glory, and having in its centre the all-seeing eye of Providence. The bottom tablet, or rather across the bottom of the tablet, is the inscription, " Thursday, June 19, 1873, 4:30 P.M. Ad Gloriam Dei. By Mrs. M. A., Sam, and SaUie F. Maverick." THE BELL MEMORIAL. Continuing on the same side of the Cathedral, the next window is the memorial window presented by Miss Maggie Bell, in memory of her little niece. This is one of the most touching and expressive memorials in the Cathedral. The central tab- let contains a group after Reichtel, being an angel bearing a little child to Heaven, and surrounded by lesser spirits. The tablets on either side bear the inscriptions: "These are tliey which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth," " For they are without fault before the throne of God." Above these are a series of smaller tablets containing a c-ross with a broken lily, a silver cord, and golden boAvl broken, emblems of the death of a child; a white dove, with the word " Vivam " under it, an emblem of t'le continued life of the soul; a marble tomb with recumbent figure on it and morning glories; chrysalis and butterfly, with " Resurgam " below, emblematical that the child shall rise again. At the top centre is a beautiful golden jewel case, with a scroll bearing the words, "Jewels of the Lord," v/hile on either side are scrolls bearing the words, " They shall be Mine, sayeth the Lord of hosts;" "Is it well with the child? It is well;" " To the glory of God and in memory of Baby Bell, aged two years and nine months." The border of this window is composed of white rosebuds and lilies of the valley. THE KAMPMANN MEMORIAL. The next window on the south side of the Cathedral is a thank offering by Mrs. Caroline Kampmann for her restoration to health after a severe and almost fatal illness. The central tablet contains a life-size representation of the Saviour and the Woman of Samaria, brilliantly colored and of exquisite workmanship. On either side are large tablets bearing texts irom the Evening Chant: "Prai.se the Lord oh my soul, and forget not all His" benefits;" " Who forgivethall thy sin and healeth all thine infirmities." Above are smaller tablets bearing two five-pointed stars, the ancient symbol of health, the five perfect points representing the five members of the human body in perfect soundness. In the centre of one of these stars is the G:eek word " Ichthus," which ccjntains the titles and name of the Saviour, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour." In the centre of the other .star is the Greek word " Ugeia." meaning health. The top centre tablet contains a beautiful paint- ing representing the Lamb triumphant, with croj-s and banner, all on a white rock, from which gush forth four fountains, representing the Four Gospels. There are two smaller tablets on either side of the central tablet, one bearing the words: "Ho every one that thirsteth," "Come ye to the waters," and on either side of these tab- lets, one with the bread used in the rnmmunion service, and the words, " I am the Bread of Life," and the other the cup, and the words, "I am the True Vine." At the bottom of the window is the following inscription: " The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. To the glory of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," and the name of the donor. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 89 THE MINTER MEMORIAIi- The last window nearest the door on tlie south side of the Cathedral Is the gift of Mrs. J. F. Minter, and is emblematical of the Holy Communion. The central tablet contains a rustic cross overrun with the vine, bearing five bunches of grapes, representing the five wounds of our Lord upon the cross. The tablet to the right contains the inscription: '' The bread which we break." The tablet on the left con- tains the words: " The cup which we bless." Above, and on either side are tablets containing flowers, typical of remembrance and hope. The top center shields have, one a sheaf of wheat, and the other a bunch of grapes, while at the extreme t^p and centre are a silver cup and a gold plate with a beautiful wreath of flowers. Smaller tablets on either side at tl; e extreme top contain the inscriptions: " I am the Bread of Life," •" 1 am the True Vine." Belowjall is the inscription: "The communion of the body and blood of Christ. To the glory of the only wise God our Saviour," and the name of the donor. YOUNG people's MEMORIAL. On the north side of the Cathedral, and next to the western entrance, is a window presented by the young ladies and young gentlemen of the parish. The central tablet contains a branch of oak and spray "of lilies. The side tablets contain the texts: "Praise the Lord ye young men," "Praise him ye maidens" Above are shields bearing the sword and shield, emblematical of the good tight of faith, and the vase with the annunciation lily, emblematical of the Blessed Virgin. At the extreme top and centre is a shield with the cross and crown. The bordering is of oak leaves and acorns and lilies, in silver and gold arabesque. THE YOUNG FAMILY MEMORIAL. The next window, on the north side of the Cathedral towards the altar, is explained by a brass tablet beneath it, which reads: '' To the glory of God, and in memory of the rescue of Hugh Hampton Young from drowning, by his mother, Nov. 10th, A. D.,1S74. Erected by his grandfather and parents, Hugh F., "W. H., and Francis Kemper Young." The central tablet of the window contains a half life-size figure of the Virgin Mary and the infant Saviour, to whom the child, John the Bap- tist is presenting a reed cross bearing a scroll with the words, " Ecce Agnus De: " — Behold the Lamb of God; while in his left hand beholds a sea shell, emblematic of baptism. The tablet on the right bears the figures of St. Timothy learning the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother, while the tablet on the left is a lieau- tiful representation of thp finding of Moses in the bullrushes by Pharaoh's daughter. Above are tablets representing tj|f table of the law surrouded by clouds and "light- ning, representing the law of wrath, while on the opposite side is a tablet showing the open gospel surmounted by a golden glory, representing the law of love. Between these are two tablets bearing interlaced triangles with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, across the first being the Greek word Arche, and across the second the Greek ,word Telos. The top central tablet bears a golden crown in a glory, while from the crown protrude the cross, crook, and key, the whole being surrounded by a golded circle bearing the words: "Lux, Dux, Rex, Lex," signifying Light, Leader, King, Law. The general idea of the design is to show the unity of the church withthe old and the new dispensations. THE CHURCH MEMORIAL. The remainining window on the north side of the Cathedral, not previously described, is the result of general contributions of all the commimicants, and is emblematical of hope. The central tablet has a hand holding the cross of faith in a golden glory, while above are tablets ccmtaining an anchor and a dove. The text given at the bottom of all explains the design : "That through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope." THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL MEMORIAL. At the rear of the Cathedral, quite elevated, is a large triple window, the gift of the children of the Sund;i3--schoo] of the parish. The centre window shows a pelican feeding her young with her own blood, emblematic that Christ shed His 40 THE ALAMO CITT GUIDE. blood for children, and in the top a baptismal font. The other windows bear, one the palm, emblematic of praise, and the other lilies of the valley in a wreath, emblematical of innocence, and a large scroll running: through all three of the windows bears the word "Hosannah " three times repeated. Below and across the windows are the words: "To the glory of the holy child Jesus, and the children in the Temple crying Hosannah to the sou of David. By the children of the Sunday-school." THE ST. MATTHEW WINDOW. Iq the chancel, which is beautifully decorated with wreaths and flowers and potted plants, are five beautiful windows, four of which repieseut the four Evan- gelists. The first of these on the left bears the wini^ed man. emblematical of St. Matthew, above which are the letters, I. H. S. This a memorial of Lewis A. Maverick, by his mother. THE ST. MARK WINDOW. The next window is emblematical of St. Mark, and bears his emblem of the winged lion, above which is the crown of thorns, within which are the letters, I. N. R. I. This is the gift of Major J. F. Minter, in memory of his father and mother. THE ST. LUKE WINDOW, On the right of the center window is one to St. Luke, and bears his emblem, the winged calf, at the top of which is the double crown of royalty and high- priesthood. This window was not a special gift. THE ST. JOHN WINDOW. On the right of the lact window is one given by Mrs. Bradley, in memory of her husband and children, and contains the eagle, the emblem of St. John, above which is a combination of the Greek Alpha and Omega. THE MACLIN MEMORIAL. The central window in the chancel, and immediately above the altar, is the gift of Miss Annie Sweet, in memory of Mrs. A. J. Maclin and her sons, Robert, Thomas, and John. The central medallion shows the Lamb triumphant, bearing the cross and banner, the emblem of love, and the whole is bordered with grapes and wheat. The windows on the right of the chancel are typical of the humanity of Christ while those on the left typify His divinity. ^* An exceedingly interesting historical feature about St. Mark's is its bell, whicb hangs in a small bell-gable over the vestry door, and was cast from a cannon found buried near the ou er wall of the Alamo, in what is now the grounds of the old THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 41 Maverick homestead on the corner of Houston Street and Avenue D, and fronting the Alamo Plaza. This gun was of nearly pure copper, and was presented to the church by Colonel Samuel A. Maverick to be cast into a bell, and was sent to Messrs. Meneely & Co. of Troy, N. Y., and cast by them in 18T4 The bell weighs five hundred and twenty-six pounds, ami bears the following inscriptions, viz., a Texas star with the word Alamo in the center, and above it the date 1813 (the time Oi the Magee Expedition, when the gun is supposed to have been dismantled and buried), and below it 1836, to commemorate the massacre at the Alamo, near whose walls it was found. Under this are the words: "Presented by Colonel Samuel A. Maverick," and on the opposite side of the bell, these lines : " ' Ye must be born again,' the Master said, and spake of man's new birth by water and the spirit. I too have been born again from works of death to words of life through Christ's eternal merit." The musical services of the Cathedral are led by a surpliced choir of twenty- five choristers, regularly organized into a choral society called " The Choristers of St. Mark," who by their punctuality and zeal nave contributed greatly to the interest and attractiveness of the services. A Chorister Library Association has been organized by them for mutual improvement, by which it is hoped to supplant the trashy " Boys Weeklies " and dime novels by works and papers of a healthier tone, and thereby to cultivate a higher taste in literature. Among the devices for parish work is the " Ladies' Parish Aid Society," organ- ized in 1874, and which has been most efficient and faithful. They have raised in various ways «;ince their organization upwards of seven thousand dollars for church work, aud while organized, more especially to aid in building the church and in paying the debt upon the church, they have not been unmindful of the poor. An efficient and zealous Altar Society is also one of the valuable agencies of church work. Their especial sphere of labor is in the beautifying of the'sanctuary and the preparation and care of the vestments of the choir and the hangings for the altar and other church furniture ; they also in their ministerings forget not the poor. The Sunday-school is very large and thriving. Its work has been largely con- ducive to the present prosperity of the parish, and a memorial window in the Cathe- dral attests the love of the little ones for the house of God. We append a few statistics of parish growth taken from an address delivered by Dean Richardson, on Trinity Sunday, June 4, 1883, that being the fourteenth anniversary of his rectorship of the parish. Number of families belonging to the parish on his accession to the rec- torship in 1868 75 Present number ... 215 Number of communicants in 1868 90 Present number 805 This is an increase of about two hundred and fifty at present, or twice the rate of increase of the city's population from 11,000 in 1868, to 25,000 in 1883, about one hundred and twenty-five per cent. Baptisms 396 Confirmations 236 Marriages 93 Burials 110 The total contributions for all church purposes are about $70,000.00, and the value of the church property, including the mission chapels of St. Luke and St. John and the St. Mary's Hail, Diocesan School, is $50,000.00. Bi-shop Elliott is a very enthusiastic worker, and has secured other property in various portions of the city, on which other churches will be erected in the near future. The regular services at the Cathedral are: Sundays, at 11 A.M. and 8 P.M. in summer, aud 7 P M. in winter. Special services on all holy days at stated hours, and also on Fridays at 6 P.M. in summer, and 5 P.M. in winter, Sundav-school, 9:30 A.M. 42 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. The Diocesan school is mentioned under the head of the educational institutions of this city. EPISCOPAL CHAPELS. It is the purpose of the Ri^ht Rev. R. W. B. Elliott, D.D., Bishop of the Mis- sionary District of Western Texas, to extend the Episcopal work in the city of San Antonio. One of the means adopted to accomplish this most desirable object is the establishment of Mission Chapels in different portions of the city remote from the Cathedral. At these chapels the children of the neighborhood are gathered into Sunday-schools and carefully instructed, and the services of the church are regu- larly^ held for the benefit of the people. At present, there are only two chapels — St. Luke's and St. John's; but the Bishop has ground in oilier parts cf the city upon which he will erect suitable buildings, as they maybe required. St. Luke's Ciiapel (corner Leoiia and Zavala streets) is a very neat and com- fortable place of worship, with the sittings free. St. John's Chapel is situated on Austin Street, near the Sunset Depot. The congregation and Sunday-school which assemble at this point now occupy a rented house, which furnishes ample accommodations. The permanent Chapel building will soon be ei'ected. The above chapels are specially ])resided over by Rev. Wd- liam Cabanass, an earnest and energetic divine, who is very enthusiastic in his work. FIRST PRESBTTERIAN CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO. In the year 1842, Rev. John ^!cCullough, a Presbyterian minister, visited San Antonio. He found it a miserable and dilapidated looking place, affording ocular demonstration of desolating war and ruinous raids. Nearly one half of the houses around the Plaza were roofless, or leaky, or empty — many of tbcm used as stables to protect horses from the Indians. He preached here, but did not remain. In the spring of 1845 he again visited the city. He found four or five American families, and a half dozen young men. In June, 1846, he organized a Presbyterian church, the first Protestant church ever organized in San Antonio. Mr. McCnllough was now acting in the employ of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. The organization w:is small, only iive or six members constituting it. Mr. Charles D. Sayer was elected the first Ruling Elder. A Sab- bath School was started in connection with the church, Mr. McCullough, in addition to his work of serving the church, taught a school of white and Mexican children. In 1846 Mr. McCullough purchased a lot on Commerce Street, next to the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. John James, and in the summer of 184,' an adobe house was erected for a church. The house was enchased with roof, doors, floor, windows, and plain seats — the whole costing $1,200. This adobe house was the first, and, for a number of yenrs, the only Protestant place of worship in the city. Tlie organization thus described ceased to exist in 1849, owing to the death and removal of most of its members. In 18ol, and on the I9th of October, Rev. Daniel Baker, D.D., so well known throughout the southwest as the great Evangelist, reorganized the first Presbyterian Church of San Antonio. The following members were enrolled : Samuel Newton, Mrs. John Vance, John C. Atwater, Mrs. Ann Walker, Frank McC. Newton, Miss Lucy Jane Newton. Mr. Samuel Newton, and Mr. John C. Atwater were elected and installed ruling elders. Soon after this organization Rev, Mr. Baldwin, of Virginia, occupied the pulpit, and preached for tliis church for eighteen mouths. In 1S53, Rev. J. P. Hen- dricks, of Kentucky, supplied the church with a sermon once or twice a month. After Mr. Hciidricksleft, Rev. T. H. Leekey, of the Presbytery of New Orleans, supplied the pulpit for about six months. In November, 1855, Rev. R. F. Bunting, D.D., who was then preaching in La Grange, Texas, was invited to become pastor of this church. He accepted the invi- tation and remained with the church until the spring of 1^61, when the war broke out, and Dr. Bunting entered the Confederate Army as chaplain of the 'I'exas Rangers. Dr. Bunting did a great work for the church. Alter raising some $8,0C0 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 43 in San Antonio, he visited other States in 1860, and raised $6,000 more for the erec- tion of the present handsome stone church on tlie corner of Flores and Houston Streets. The corner stone of this edifice was laid in February, 1860. Tlie San Antonio Herald of Marcli 2, 1860, says : " A large assemblasje of our citizens gathered upon the ground at the corner of Flores and Houston Streets, on the evening of February 29, to witness the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the First Presbytrrian Cliurcli of San Antonio. The Pastor, Rev. R. F. Bunting, read Psalm xlviii., and 2d Chronicles, ii., 1-13. The Pastor then spoke briefly of the occasion and its importance to the city. Rev. Je-sie Boring, D.D., of tlie Methodist Church, led in prayer. The corner stone was then put in place and the following deposits placed in it : Holy Bible, Confession of Faith, Hymn Book, copies of city papers, daily and weekly Herald, brief report of history ot Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, roll of church members, names of subscribers of church building, making a total of $15,000; a draught of Old Church on Commerce Street. After this the stone was struck three times by the Pastor, and, in the name of the Holy Trinity, was laid. Rev. L. H. Jones, of the Episcopal Church, then pronounced the Apostolic Benediction. The church thus begun was not finished until November 80, 1879, when it was dedicated, just twenty years after the corner stone was laid. After the war, in August, 1806, Rev. J. F. Martin, of Missouri, became the paslfir, and remained witli the church until 1871, when Rev. J. H. Tively was called as pa-tor, and remained for only a few months. In June, 1872, Rev. J. W. Neil, of Muifrecsbjro, Tennessee, became the pastor, and has ever since served the church. There are now two hundred communicants on the roll. The church has six elders, to wit : F. McC. Newton, J. D. Geddis, J. D. Stevenson, A. Wood, II. H. Means, and H. K. Northway. The following are deacons: J. W. Glass, P. H.Ward, Tom Wren, W. B. Hamilton, and J. B. Moflfett. There is a flourishing Sabbath-school of two hundred pupils and twenty-five teachers, superintended by J. D. Stevenson. The large church is filled every Sab- bath with a most intelligent congregation. Its influence is second to no Protestant congregation in the city. Soon they hope to begin a mission work in the Second or Fourth Ward, which it is expected will speedily result in another church. The regular Sunday services are as follows: At 11 A.M. and 8 P.M , with Sunday school at 9:o0 A.M. A prayer meeting is held every Wednesday at 8 P M. The Pastor, Rev. J. W. Neil, is noted as being one of the most earnest workers of the Protestant clergy in this city, as well as being one of the most effective orators and close reasoners in Western Texas. As a ripe scholar and liberal Christian, in the true meaning of the term, he is second to none. [Note. — As this book is e-oiug to press, an effort is being made to organize a Cumberland Presbyterian Churcu in San Antonio, and the efl'orl will undoubtedly be crowned with success.] M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. The first Methodist sermon preached in San Antonio, so far as is known, was delivered by a preacher of this church, who came to the city in 1844 in company with a minister of the Presbyterian Church. (This preacher — Rev. J. W. De Vilbis — still lives near the city. ) In 184(5 a missionary was appointed to the field, and from that time to this the authorities of the church have, according to the custom of the church, annually sent a preacher to the church. During this time the church has met with varied success — now flourishing, and now seemingly a failure. At present the church is in an excellent condition every way. The Sunday-school is well attended; members are constantly being received both by letter and in profes- sion of faith. The attendance on church worship is large, one remarkable fact being the unusually large attendance of young men, and of persons formerlj' not in the habit of visiting any church. Dunng the last two years the membership has increased from eighty to nearly two hundred. The present church building was built in 1852; and, while it is perfectly safe, is becoming very dilapidated. A lot has been secured in a beautiful locality — on the southwest corner of Travis and Navairo Streets— and enough has been raised to begin a new church; the work will be started in a month or two. It will be a 44 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. large, comfortable structure, and, with Mr. Dobson as architect, we feel assured it will be both ueat and beautiful. The present Pastor is the Rev. W. J. Young, a preacher of ^reat power and marked ability. The Sunday-school Superintentendent is Dr. J E. Breeding. The hours of Sunday services conform with those of other Protestant churches in the city, being at 11 A.M. and at 8 P.M., with Sunday-school at 9:^0 A.M A Prayer Meeting is held each Wednesday at 8 P.M. MADISON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church was organized February 19. 18S2 by Rev. Wm. Howell Buchanan, under the care of the Presbytery of Austin, and in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. It is a child of the old National Ir'resbyterian General Assembly, which has under its care churches in every State and Territory in the United States of America, except two. Viz : Alabama and Mississippi. Madison Square Church is located on the corner MADISON SQUAWE PUESBYTEKIAN CHURCH. of Camden Street and Lexington Avenue, and fronts on Madison Square, in the Second Ward. It is a handsome Gothic structure, built of rubble stone. It is tastefully finished and furnished, with frescoed walls and ceiling, and stained glass windows. It is ea^y of access by the Alamo and San Pedro Springs Street Car Line, two blocks northeast from' the Camden Street switch. Its regular services are as follows: Preaching every Sabbath at 11 o'clock A.M. and 8 o'clock P.M. Sabbath-school at 10 o'clock every Sabbath morning, and 4 o'clock in the afternoon; and prayer meeting every Wednesday night at 8 o'clock. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 45 At this (late (1883), the following are its oflQcers: Rev. Wm. Howell Buchanan, Pastor; Captain J. B. Irvine and George W. Konkle, Ruling Elders. Oenrge W. Breckenridge, Geo. W. Konkle, H. H. McClean, J. B. Irvine, and Major D. N. Bash, Trustees. They extend a standing invitation to citizens and strangers to attend its services. TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Represents the Methodism first organized in this country, which knows no " North " or '• South," or atiy form of sectionalism; which has proven true to the Union and the whole human race, and which spreads over the whole country. It stands on a beautiful site, at the corner of Avenue C and Pecan Street. The edifice is of stone, of pleasing and unique design, containing a beautiful audience room, and a chapel, with a gallery over it. It is neatly frescoed, finely finished, and has elegant siained-glass windows. It seats five hundred people, and is, doubtle.ss, the most cheerful and convenient church establishment in our city, as well as the most eligibly located. Street-cars pass its doors, making it accessible from every part of the city. Its existence is due to the efforts of the Rev. M. A. Daugherty, its first pastor, seconded by a- few leading men of the city, who felt that such an enterprise was needed. The results have justified their opinion, although many thought it unwise, and some opposed openly. It has awakened much activity in the other churches, called together a good congregation, and created a new religious agency in our city without damaging any other. It has done not a little to cultivate frater- nal and banish sectional prejudice. It is an ornament to our city, and constantly attracts to our midst a desirable class of people, and those who were instrumental in accomplishing it deserve and have the respect and gratitude of all good citizens. Its cost was only a little more than ten thousand dollars, much less than it could be built for now. . The regular Sunday services are at 11 A.M. and 8 P.M., with Sunday-school at 3:30 P.M. A new pastor has been installed over this church since this book has been in preparation. OTHER METHODIST CHUKCHBS. Besides those already mentioned there are: The German M. E. Church; Rev. Henry Dietz, Pastor; a very flourishing church organization. The Mexican M. E. Church, South; located on the corner of "West Commerce and San Saba Streets; Rev. C. A. Rodriguez, Pastor. This church does a good work among our Spanish speaking citizens. Tenth Street M. E. Church, South; located on Tenth Street between Austin Street and Avenue D. This is now practically a mission chapel. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. Situated on corner of Travis and Jefferson Streets, southeast corner of Travis Park, opposite Synagogue Beth El, and near the two horse car lines. The parson- age adjoins the church property, and is known as No. 16 Jefferson Street. The location selected is peculiarly appropriate, being light and airy, and at the same time central, and fronting on the large square occupied by Travis Park, which also has been selected by the Episcopalians for their bf.autiful Cathedral, the Southern Methodists for tlieir new church edifice, and the Jews for their Synagogue. The exact time of the organization of the Baptist Church in San Antonio is not known. The nearest correct data we have been able to obtain is that somewhere about 1859 or 1860, the Rev. John Thurman rented a room on Soledad Street and for a year or more conducted divine services. Whether this church was organized here before the room was rented or whether its organiz.ition was the outgrowth of these services is not certainly known. Because of family afflictions and other ills a pioneer of such a faith was liable to meet with in this city in those daj^s, the Rev. Mr. Thurman abandoned the work and took his departure. Those who had been members of the congregation, becoming discouraged, were soon scattered as sheep having no shepherd. No record of what the church accomplished under its first 46 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. pastor was made, or if it was made, it is not now available. As far as we have been able to pick up bits of its history after Rev. Mr. TlmrmaQ retired, we learn that some of its members join 'd Pedobiptist denominations, and a few continued stead- fast in the old Jaitli. jN'othing more was done in the way of reorganization until 18' 8 or lUGii, wlicn the Rev. J. W. D. Creath, after consultation with some of the principal members of the Baptist State Convention, visited this cit}' and went to work bravely and untirini^ly to secure lots for tlie location of a church l)uiiding and parsonage Possessing himself nerve, push, tenderness of heart, and unflinching faith in his mission, and having at his back the support of the Baptist State Conven- tion and the San Antonio Association, he rested not in his zeal here and all over Texas and in many of the old Slates, and his success soon presented itself in the shape of a substantial stone parsoDa?;e, which was completed in 1872. This same year the corner stone of the present com modious and solid stone structure on the corner £)f Travis and Jefferson Streets was laid. Work on the church building progressed BAPTIST CHUECH. slowly, as money was scarce, and the building was not completed until 1878. In 1878, Dr J. Beall, a member of this faith, came to San Antonio, and finding no place to worship after his desire, divided his time between his practice and looking after the affairs of the church membership, holding, as opportunities offered, praise and prayer meetings in private families, and in this succeeded in holding the little l)and of the faithful until 1877. In this year the Executive Board of the Texas Baptist State Convention resolved to send to the church in San Antonio tlie proper man for unwavering and and courageous work. The choice, without a dissenting voice, was laid upon tlie Rev. W. 11. Dodson, D.D., tlie present earnest and untiring pastor of this church. The outlook for him on his arrival was not the brightest nor the most hopeful; the church building was in an unfinished condition and with a debt of five thousand dollars hanging over it and with no funds in the treasury. Gloomy and uninviting as the field was, Rev. Dr. Dodson was neither dismayed or sorrowful. His watchword was, " By the help of God these things must change," and they did. THE ALAMO CITY OrrDK. 4"^ The first service conducted by Rev. Dr. Dodsoa was held ia the basement of the present building, on the first Sabbath in March, 1877, sixteen persons being in attendance, eight of whom comprised the church raembersliip. The amount of labor on the part of pastor and peoph; between this service and the year 1879, when the ciiurch declared itself self-sustaining, is enormous. Truly, it was a handful of workers, but they knew no such word as fail. Especial mention should be made of Rev. Dr. Dodson's consecration to the work in these uncertain days. His labors have been arduous, but they have been crowned with abundant success. Besides stimulating the liberality of the church members and the friends of the church in San Antonio, his appeals were sent all over Texas. Not content with tills, he visited the great business centres of the old States, and laid_ before some of their rich and generous men his mission, and returned to this city witli ample returns for his work. Since this church declared itself self-sustaining its meinber- ship has increased, its intiuence is aggressive and progressive, and its spirituality Is productive of brotherly love, watchfulness, and peace. To-day its membership is one hundred and sixty-five, and its congregations are intelligent and growing. The Sabbath-school is also robust and moVing forward, Mr. E. C. Everett being the superintendent. The church building aud parsonage, together with the lots on which they stand, are worth from twelve thousand to foiuteen thousand dollars, with an insurance of ten thousand dollars. The present happy condition of affairs at the church includes besides those above mentioned, a fair balance in the treasury and no debts, a harmonious membership, and a faithful and energetic band of workers. The church has also purchased land and built a mission church, which it aids in its work. Certainly Rev. Dr. Dodson has abundant cause to thank Almighty God for the grand results of his pastorate. The hours of religious exercises are, for Sundays: Sunday-school at 9:30 A.M.; Preaching, 11 A.M. and 8 P.M. Mondays: Young men's Prayer Meetings at 8 P.M. Wednesdays: Prayer Meetinsr at 8 P.M. Attached to this church is the Wcmien's Missionary Society, which does a gen- eral missionary work, both home and foreign. This society meets Tuesdays at 5 P.M., and is steadily increasing in membership, and is a power for good. THE BAPTIST MISSION CHAPEL. This is one of the praiseworthy results of the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. W. H. Dodson. It was through his efforts that a lot was purchased on the corner of West Third and North Third Streets, in a locality rich in material for mission work, and a pretty little frame chapel erected, and the Rev. Jacob De Korman placed in charge. The services are conducted at times in Spanish, and at times in German, in order to meet the wants of those who attend, them. A good work is being done, and its prosperity is assured. ST. John's German lxjtheran church. This is one of the artistic little rock churches of San Antonio, and is situated on Nueva Street, near the double iron bridge over the river, and between Presa and Alamo Streets, being handy to the San Pedro Park line of street cars, and centrally located. The Rev. J. A. Wieder is the Pastor, and the regular Sunday services are at 10 A.M. and 8 P.M , with Sunday-school at 9 A.M. the evangelical association Originated A. D. 1880, in the state of Pennsylvania. Its founder, under God, was Bev. Jacob Albright. Its work extends through the Northern, Eastern, and Western States in the Union tf> the Pacific coast, through Ontario in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and into Japan. Recently it commenced work in Texas by stationing a missionary at San Antonio and one at Galveston. It has twenty-two (.onferences which hold annual sessions. A General Conference for the entire chuich is held every four years. Statistics of 1881 show 113,813 members, 1,913 travelling and Gil "local preachers. The Bishops are : Rev. J. J. Esher, of Chicago, Illinois; R. Dubs, D.D., of Cleveland, Ohio ; and Rev. Thomas Bowman, of Allentown. Peiinsvlvania. At Cleveland, Ohio, it has a very flourishing publishing house. JJer dhristlicke Botschafltr, the oldest, largest, and widest circulated Gerrnan reli- gious newspaper in America, is the German Weekly ; and The Evangelical Mes- 48 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. senger, the English weekly organ of the church. Besides it publishes two monthlies, viz., Dass Emngelische Magazine, and The Living Epistle, the former in the Ger- man, the latter in the English language, also German and English Sunday-school Literature. In Germany it has another publishing establishment where a number of periodicals, etc., are issued. It has five institutions of learning : the i!^orth Western College at Naperville, Illinois ; the Union Biblical Institute at the same place ; the Union Seminary at Berlin, Pennsylvania ; the Lebanon Valley Semi- nary at Reading. Pennsylvania, and a Theological Seminary in Germany. At Flat Rock. Ohio, it has an Orphan Asylum, where parentless children are educated and tenderly cared for. As a church the Evangelical Association claims to be. and is what its name indicates, viz.. Evangelical according It) the Bible standard, both in doctrine and in practice, and strives to possess not merely the form of godliness, but also its poioer and substance. It is also well organized and governed, is noted for agressiveness in work, and expends annually large sums of money in missionary effort and numerous benevolent purposes. The San Antonio Missionary Station was established in May, 1880, by the Rev. D. Kreli. Pastor's residence, No. 325 Lavacca Street. The present church is located on Tenth Street, in the third ward, near the Immigrants' Home and the Avenue C horse car stables. The Avenue C horse car line passes by the church. Sunday services are : Sunday-school at two P.M. Preaching at three P.M. THE SYNAGOGUE BETH EL Is a commodious and well arranged stone structure, two stories in height, the lower floor being used for school purposes, and the second floor being the Synagogue proper, having ample accommodations for a large congregation, with music loft con- JEWISH SYNAGOGUE. taining a very fine pipe organ. Every appointment about the building is complete, and it is one of the best arranged liou'^es of worship in this city. The location is especially favorable, being on the corner of Travis and Jefferson Streets, fronting Travis Park, and near both street car lines. Fronting on the same square is the THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 49 Episcopal Cathedral, the Baptist Church, and the site of the new Methodist Church. The congregation of the Synagogue numbers seventy-five members, and their property is worth about eighteen thousand dollars. The services are conducted mainly in English, and the mode of service is what is known as the reformed mode, being liberal and progressive in its tendencies. The choir is pronounced by musical critics to be the best in San Antonio, which is iiigh praise for a city like this, where so much musical talent is found. The Sabbath-school is large and very prosperous, and connected with the congregation are several benevolent societies. The regular hours of services are: in the winter, on Fridays, at 7:30 P. M, and Saturdays ai 10 A.M. In summer the hours are: Friday«, at 8 P.M., and Saturdays at 9 A.M. The Rev. Dr. Isidore Lewinthal is the liabbi, and has been over this congregation for three years. THE .JEWS IN SAN ANTONIO. The date of the arrival of the first Jews in San Antonio is not known, but it must have been within a few years after the fall of the Alamo, when the city was regularly opened to iiTimigrants from all nations. Up to the close of the late war their only organization, that we can learn of, was a benevolent society, but in 1873 the present Congregation of Beth El was organized, and the next year the present Synagogue was begun, and was completed and dedicated in the following year. The Jews in San Antonio form the backbone of our commercial people. They are foremost among the most progressive and public spirited citizens, and to their foresight, public spirit, and business energy, San Antonio is largely indebted for its commercial prominence. COLOKED CHURCnES. Our colored citizens attend all of the churches already mentioned, but they also A. M. E. CHUBCH. have distinctive cnurca organizations and good houses of worship, to which the white citizens are almost continually invited to contribute funds. Among the prin- cipal of these are: 50 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. St. Paul's M. E. Church, located on South Centre Street, betweet Chestnut and Walnut Streets. African M. E. Church, located on the corner of Zavalla and North Concho Streets. Macedonia Baptist Church, located on Live Oak Street, between Starr and Daw- son Streets. Mount Zion Baptist Church, on the west side of Santos Street, between Labor and Chestnut Streets. The attendance of these churches is large, and the proceedings are frequently animated. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 51 CHAPTER III. MILITARY. FROM the coming of the early Spanish settlers who closely fo]|«^f ^^/;.^^ J;;;°,' ciscan Fathers, San Antonio has conttnued to ^*-^ '-^S'^-^^l^.J -'Ww hi finSn";. S noint of the first importance. Indeed, trndition, substantiated by t^^*^ ^f "^'^=.('^ m nv arrow heads and savage implements in and about the city, intorms u lu i the avaJe predecessors of the white men regarded its possession as the ^P/cia /r.ze of beh- valor. The historical sketch which precedes this ^^ticle shows how cos^^^^ nd persistently it was contested for up to the t meof Texas being adnottted into ihe Union, and it only remains now to show the importance the U. S. Govern ment place's on it as a military point to-day, MILITARY HEADQUARTERS, At the close of the Mexican war, San Antonio became the Military Headquar- ters of Ihe Department of Texas, which position it held until the passa^^e of the ^^§j|^^ MILITARY HEADQU.vra'ERS.-EXTERIOR. J- * „ r,^ccir.r, ^r>on iffpr the fall of the Southern Confederacy the Mill- Sr'vTerdqua eTorthisTepaftnTenrwas again established here and still ren,ains soTocaLd TlVe US Government own^ lar^e reservations in the city, on which so locatea ' "•; u c* ,,,,:, .Kncrs needed for the accommodation of the officers and SS'lJiVirnr pn.pl,"';! "o'add .0 tbe number of these buUdings so as to accommodate a larger number of troops. 52 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. The permanent location of the military headquarters in this citv was the favored project of a number of ihe leading ciiizens for several years before it was an accom- plished fact. The Arsenal tract, on South Flores Street, was accepted by the gov- ernment before the late war, but that was deemed unsuitable for tlie military head- quarters and the department quartermaster's depot. The petitions and correspond- ence on thi.^ ^uiiject between citizens am! military and civil officials and the lieads of departments at Washington would fdl volumes; but the delays were long unci vexatious. Some six or more donations of land were made before the present site was accepted by the general government, and even then there were vexatious delays before the tlTle was piouounced satisfactory and the land accepted. So that it was not until 187G that woric was begun on what was then known as the U. S. Quartermaster's Depot. The site sele<-fed is a fine tract of land, situated on the line of hills uorihe.a'^t from the o a c.ty, and disrant from tlie M liu Plaza about two and a half miles. Tli • tract includes ninety-two and seventy-eighth hundredth acres near the souihcru MILITARY HEADQUAKTERS.— INTERIOR. boundary of which are the present Quartermaster's and Headquarters buildings. Tlie elevation of the tract at this point is about one hundred and three feet alcove th J San Antonio River at its nearest point, and about a hundred and tifty feet above the I\Iain Plaza, which is tlie centre of tlie town tract or city proper. While sufH- cienily removed from the business centre, J'ef it is also closely connected with ( very pnrtiun of the city by the street car line and by telephone; a branch from the Galvest"U, Harrisburg, and'San Antonio Railroad is built from the main line of the road to tlie Quartermaster's Depot, enabling all government freight to be loaded and unloaded directly at the headquarters. This locati n is also high and very healthy, with a food breeze blowing during the entire year. The tract was donated by the City of an Antonio, and the State of Texas has specially relinquished all rights over it to the general government. THE ALAMO CITT GUIDE. 63 The Quartermaster's Depot and Headquarters buildings cover four sides of a square of six hundred and twenty-four foet, outside measurement, and are con- rtructed of grey limestone from the quarries near the head of the San Antonio River. The walls are very thick, witli rock foundations, and the whole work is of tlie most massive character. The south front is two stories in height, the second story being devoted to the offices of the di^partment officers and their clerks. There are twenty- four office rooms, generally twenty by tvventy feet in the clear, high between joinis, and well ventilated. These open on a verandah and arcade on the north, ten feet wide, and extending the entire length of the south front. There arc three entrances to the enclosure, the main entrance being an archway in the centre of the south front, also a gateway on the east side near the northern line of buildings, which form the enclosure, and another directly opposite on tlic west side of the enclosure. The first stories are devoted to government store rooms, the department printing office, other offices, and the numerous v^orkshops. In all there are thirty-eight store- MILITARY HEADQUARTERS.-COMMANDING GENERAL'S RESIDENCE. rooms and offices on the lower floor, and two cellar-rooms, all these offices and rooms opening only on the enclosure. The en( lo.sed space, which is nearly seven and a half acres in size, is tastefully laid out in beautiful grass plats and gravelled driveways and cement -walks. There are two small basins or ponds fed by pretty little fountains, numerous beautiful trees are planted at intervals, and in the centre is the look out tower, which also gives force to I he water supply of the depot, and supplies the National Cemetery. The lookout tower is in the centre of the enclosure; it is constructed of grey limestone, the same as is used in the main buildings, and is fifteen feet square at the base and ninety feet high to the roof ; on the top of which is placed a lantern which at night lights up the entire enclosure and makes the three entrances and every store-room and office doorway plainly visible to the watchman from his room near 54 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. the top of the tower, sixty-four feet from the ground and about two hundred and fourteen feet above the f^entre of the city. The water supply of the Quartermaster's Depot and Military Headquarters has been amply provided for and includes two underground cisterns of the capacity of seventy-seven thousand gallons each, located in each of the rectanrular spaces nearest the south front of the enclosure. These are fed by the rain fali.Dg on buildiuirs on cast, west, and south fronts of the enclosure Besides this there is an iron tank of six thousand four hundred gallons capacity located at the top of the look-out tower above the watchman's room, which is fed by a forty-horse power ste'im-engine and jmmp ill the government pump-house located to the wc-t of the depot near the Aeequia Madre or Alamo Ditch, and distant from the river about fcurteen haiidred and thirty feet, both furi.ishing the supply of water and enabling the tank in the tower to l)-^ filled in about thirty tive minutes. An indicator on the out^ide of the tower shows the height of the water in the tank, and is plainly visible to the engineer in charge of the pump-house by day and night. A brick shaft, four feet square, MILITARY HEADQUAETEES— OFFICERS' RESIDENCES. extends through the centre of the tower from the base to the floor of the watch- man's room, tile stairway being on the outside of the shaft to the walls of the tower. Through this shaft are extended the pipes leading to and from the tank. Those leading from the tank supply the various offices and numerous hydrants conveniently placed about the enclosure and the stables. corral, stock yard, and officers' residences. A pipe also leads an abundant water supply from the tank to the National Cemetery, about three thousand one hutdreJ and seventeen yards south of the Quartermaster's Depot. Immediately north of the depot enclosure are the corrals, stables, bay-yard, and men's quarters, in a secure enclosure six hundred and thirty-eight by seven hundred and twenty-eight feet in size. Below these, to the west, is the camp of the troops statione(J here, and below these in the valley is the pump-house and government THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 55 ice faiPtory, which contains very powerful and finely kept machinery, which will both pay the trouble of a visit. Here all the ice used at the headquarters and by the officers and their families is manufactured. THE officers' RESIDENCES. On a plain below, and to the west of the Quartermaster's Depot and Military Headquarters, yet considerably above the level of the city, the U. S. Government has erected fifteen fine two story stone residences, at a cost of above one hundred and twenty five thousand dollars, which are used as the dwellings of the department officers and their families. These dwellings are handsomely constructed, and are an ornament to the locality. Thej' front east and south on the large parade ground, and are above the general average of the dwellings of the wealthy portion of our citizen-j. Two afternoons in each week are devoted to dress parades of the troops, and at such times there are a large number of visitors from the city. In fact, on parade days the Military Headquarters are the fashionable drive for San Antonians as well as visitors. Tlie total amount expended by the U. S. Government on the Quartermaster's Depot, Military Headquarters, and officers' residences in this city is above a quarter of a million dollars. The pay roll is quite large, and the city is largely benefited by the Department Headquarters being located here. New barracks are now being built of hard rock and capable of accommodating a large number of troops, it being the apparent intention of the military authorities to mass the larger part of the troops assigned to the Department of Texas at San Antonio, where they can be better cared for and be under better discipline than when scattered through many small frontier posts, and at the same time can be rapidly moved by rad at short notice to any desired point along the frontier. This change will prove an immense saving to the Government in the transportation of supplies alone, and will at the same time cause the bulk of the troops to be available for distant service at short notice. THE SAlSr ANTONIO ARSENAL. This institution is well worthy of a visit by strangers, and is one of the numer- ous attractions of this city. It is situated on South Flores and Arsenal Streets, and extends east to the San Antonio River. It includes a tract of nearly twenty acres in extent, the ample grounds being tastefully laid out with beautiful drives and walks, and well sliaded with various varieties of trees, while semi-tropical plants are planted in convenient localities about the enclosure. The grounds are lighted by gas lamps, and are well supplied with water, the mains of our waterworks com- pany passing the arsenal on two sides, besides having five large cisterns on the grounds fed from the roofs of the various buildings, and capable of holding water enough to supply all present and prospective needs. A part of this tract was purchased from ex-Governor P. H. Bell, of Texas, and part from Dr. G. P. Devine, about the year 185U, containing nearly sixteen acres, and an additional four acres was purchased from the heirs of the late Tourtant Beaure- gard, in November, 1871. The United States Ordnance Department was first established in San Antonio during the Mexican War, and the office or arsenal was then located in the buildings now occupied by the Milbourne Wagon Agency, on Soledad Street, near the historic Veraraendi House. The officers who have commanded the Ordnance Department here since its establishment are as follows: BEFORE THE CIVIL "WAR. Lieutenant-Colonel, then First Lieutenant, John McNutt. Ordnance Department, Colonel, then Captain, R. H. K. Whitely, " DURING THE CTVIIi WAR. Colonel Phil. Stockton, C. S. A. / 56 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. AFTER THE CIVII.. WAR. , Captain J. W. Todd, Ordnance Department. J. Arnold, I. C. Bradford, Clifton Comly, " u Frank H. Pbipps, " " " John A. Kress, " " now in command. The regular employes at present are: Matthew F. Kippax, chief clerk; B. Barth, property clerk ; J. Johnson Minter, foreman ; C. M. Wolcken, master armgrer; M. J. Keating, master saddler, and Joseph Linnartz, m^ister carpenter- Besides these there are an average of from twenty to twenty-two additional men consiantly em|)loyed there. The Arsenal was tirst designated the San Antonio Ordinance Depot, then as the Texas Arsenal, and lastly the San Antonio Arsenal, which name it still bears. Part of the present commanding officer's quarters, a beautiful building, was formerly the residence of Dr. Devine, from whom part of the Arsenal grounds were purchased, but additions and alterations have been made to it at various times since the pur chase. The office building was erected in 1860. The magazine was built up to the arch by the U. S. Government, and was finished during the civil war by tlae Con- federates, under M ijor J. H. Kannpmann, C. S. A. The Armorer's shop was partly built by the U. S. Government as far as the top door step, when, the war breaking out, the Confederates finished it with soft rock. In 1871, when Captain Comly assumed command, the soft rock part was torn do vn, and the shop was finished with hard rock, as originally intended. The carpenters' shop and storehouses, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, frame buildings, were erected in 1873. The stone stable was built in 1874. Two frame storehouses, now torn down, were also erected by the Confede- rates, and were used by them as blaeksmiths' and carpenters' shops. The troops in the Department of Texas are all supplied with ordinance stores from this Arsenal, and mmor repairs to small arms, equipments, and accoutrements are m-:!de there, while some few articles are also manufactured. An upright engine in the rear of the Armorer's shop furnishes the motive power for lathes, etc., in all the shops, and, should occasion require, no doubt several kinds of ordinance stores could be manufactured here as well as at the large arsenals of construction in the North. Had it not been for the late war this Arsenal would have been one of the finest in the country, as is shown by the original plans, the necessary funds having been appropriated and the work commenced, but was abandoned in consequence of the war. It would unrloubtedly be a great saving to the U. S. Government if the original plans were now carried out and properly extended to answer the present and prospective needs of this military department. ROSTER OF TROOPS. The following is the roster of troops in the Department of Texas, June 1, 1883: BRIOADEER-GENERAL C. C. ATTGUR, UNITED STATES ARMY, COMMANDING Personal Staff. Captain G. B. Russell, Ninth Infantry, Aide-de-Camp. First Lieutenant Colon Augur, Second Cavalry, Alde-de-Camp. Department Staff. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas M. Vincent, Adjutant General's Department, Adjutant General. Captain G. B. Russell, Ninth Infantry, Department Inspector. Captain J. W. Clous, Twenty-Fourth Infantry, Judge Advocate. Major J. G. C. Lee, Quartermaster's Department, Chief Quartermaster THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 57 Major M. P. Small, Commissary of Subsistence, Chief Commissary of Subsistence Depot and Purchasing Commissarj' of Subsistence. Surgeon J. R. Smith, Medical Department, Medcial Director. Major C. M. Terrell, Pay Department, Chief Paymaster. Captain W. R. Livermore, Corps of Engineers, Chief Engineer Officer. Captain John A. Kress, Ordnance Department, Chief Ordnance Officer, and com- manding San Antonio Arsenal. Second Lieutenant L. E. Sebree, Signal Corps, Signal Officer, and in charge of the Texas Divisioq United States Military telegraph lines. Quartermastefs Department. Captain L. E. Campbell, Depot Quartermaster, San Antonio, Texas. Captain C. W. Williams, Fort Brown, Texas. Medical Department. Surgeon Anthony Heger, Fort Clark. Surgeon J. C. G. Happcrsett, Fort Brown. Assistant Surgeon W. H. Gardner, Fort Davis. Assistant Surgeon P. Middleton, San Antonio. Assistant Surgeon F! C. Ainsworth, Fort Mcintosh. Assistant Surgeon Valery Havard, San Antonio — temporarily. Assistant Surgeon J. A. Finley, Fort McKavett. Assistant Surgeon B. D. Taylor, Fort Ringgold. Assistant Surgeon J. L. Powell, Fort Stockton. Assistant Surgeon W. F. Carter, Fort Ctmcho. Assistant Surgeon W. C. Gorgas, Fort Duncan. Assistant Surgeon T. J. C. Maddox, Fort Clark. Acting Assistant Surgeons. A. L. Buffington, Fort Davis. ]Moses Cooper, Camp Del Rio. J. A. Wolf, Camp near Presidio del Norte. ' J. R. Harmer, Mayers Spring. T. B. Davis, Fort Davis. J. S. McLain, Fort Clark. W. C. Henderson, Fort Davis. S. M. Finley, Head of North Concho. B. F. Kingsley, Fort Quitman. J. L. Mulford, Fort Davis. S. S. Boyer, Pena Colorado. William Myers, Mouth of Rio Pecos. James Roane, Fort Ringgold. Pay Department Major I. O. Dewey, Fort Worth. Major J. R. Wassou, Galveston. Major F. S. Dodge, San Antonio. Major D. N. Bash, San Antonio. Major J, C. Muhlenberg, Galveston, 58 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. Post Chaplains. B. L. Biildridge, Fort Stockton. M. C. Blaine, Fort Clark. Posts. Fort Browt7. — Colonel C. H. Smith, Nineteenth Infantry, commanding.— I, Eighth Cavalry; headquarters, and B, C, D, E, G. K, Nineteenth Infantry. 7 Fort Clark. — Colonel D. S. Stanley, Twenty-second Infantry, commanding. — Headquarlers, and A, C, D, E, G, K, and L, Eighth Cavalry ; headquarters, and B, C, G, I, and K, Twenty-second Infantry 13 Fort Concho. — Colonel B. H. Grierson, Tenth Cavalry, commanding. — Head- quarters; and D, E, F, and M, Tenth Cavalry; A. B, C, and F, Sixteenth Infantry 8 Fort Davis. — Lieutenant Colonel A. L. Hough, Sixteenth Infantry, com- manding — A, C, H, I, and K, Tenth Cavalry; headquarters, and B, C, D, E, F, G, and K, First Infantry 12 Fort Duncan. — Lieutenant Colonel A. J. Dallas, Twenty-second Infantry, commanding. — H, Eighth Cavalry; D. and F, Twenty-second Infantry.. . . 3 Fort McIntosh. — Major S. S. !>umner. Eighth Cavalry, commanding. — F, Eighth Cavalry; A, and F, Nineteenth Infantry. ... 3 Fort McKavett. — Colonel G. Penny packer, Sixteenth Infantry, commanding. — Headquarters, and D, E, G, H, I, and K, Sixteenth Infantry 6 Fort Ringgold. — Major R. H. Offley, Nineteenth Infantry, commanding. — B, Eighth Cavalry: H and I, Nineteenth Infantry 3 San Antonio. — Captain J. B. Irvine, Twenty-second Infantry, commanding. — A, E, and H. Twenty-second Infantry , 3 Fort Stockton. — Major C. B. MeLellan, Tenth Cavalry, commanding. — B, G, and L, Tenth Cavalry; A, and I, First Infantry 5 Total 62 Sub-Posts. Santa Maria. — Detachment troop I, Eighth Cavalry }- of Fort Brown. Camp del Rio. — First Lieutenant S. W. Fountain, Eighth Cavalry, commanding. — Troop D, Eighth Cavalry Mayers Springs. — Captain L. T. Morris, Eighth Cavalry, com- manding — Troop L, Eiahth Cavalry, and Indian scouts . . . Mouth of Pecos. — Detachment Twenty-second Infantry Grierson s Springs. — Captain J. M. Kelly, Tenth Cavalry, ^ commanding. — Troop E, Tenth Cavalry Head op North Concho. — Captain A. S. B. Keyes, Tenth Cavalry commanding. — Troop D, Tenth Cavalry Camp Ch.arlotte. — First Lieutenant G. H. Palmer. Sixteenth Infantry, commanding. — Company F, Sixteenth Infantry... Pena Colorado. — Captain C. D. Viele, Tenth Cavalry, com- ' manding. — Troop C, Tenth Cavalry Camp near Presidio del Norte. — Second Lieutenant J. S. Jouett, Tenth Cavalry, commanding. — Troop I, Tenth Cavalry Fort Quitman — Captain Nicholas Nolan, Tenth Cavalry, com- manding. — Troop A, Tenth Cavalry Catvtp seak Edtnrtirg.— Detachment Nineteenth Infantry .... '}- of Fort Ringgold. of Fort Clark. - of Fort Concho. )■ of Fort Davis. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 59 CHAPTER IV. SAJSr ANTONIO AS A TRADE CENTRE. Wrrn a histcrt^ so rich in valorous deeds, and with so many historic landmarks claiming attention, it is not to be wondered at that the business, history, and present and prospective advantages should be in a measure overshadowed and forgotten, save by those who visit Sun Antonio to seek business. The general traveller over- looks the practical under the poetic halo of the rich historic past, yet the fact remains that many of the Jioroes of the past were first attracted here by the superior business advantages offered, and only became noted in the local history through their determined resistance of those who sought to forcibly deprive them of those advantages. From the earliest times San Antonio has been a natural trade centre. At first limited to being an Indian trading post, then a village community, then the capital of the Province of Texas undtr Spanish rule, on the old trade road between the United States and Mexico, and thus progressing until now it stands the junction commercial centre of the Southern Trans-Continental line and the great international railway systems of the United States and Mexico, also being at the same time the natural market for Western Texas, and the leading southern wool and hide market. It is also makino steady advances in other lines, and will soon rank high among the manufacturing centres of the South. BTTSINESS OKGANrZATIONS. It has already been shown that San Antonio was from the earliest days a natural trade centre for a large range of country. This advantage has always been held here, and has been steadily extended with each new accession to its transportation facilities. Indeed, San Antonio always has been, is, and will continue to be a busi ness point. As the railroads open up new territory, it will be made tributary to this city. The merchants of San Antonio are examples of business energy and thrift, and are steadily making new business connections as their facilities for improve- ment are developed. The business houses are of a sub.stantial cliaracter, ample in size, and with heavy and well selected stocks. The volume of business done is shown more fully under the appropriate heads in this book. SAN ANTONIO BOARD OF TRADE. This institution was incorporated November 14, 1872. For a time it was very active in securing proposals for the building of various railroads to this city, but latterly, although still holding its charter, it has yielded to a new institution, THE SAN ANTONIO MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE, which was chartered March 30, 1881, and which is of more practical benefit to the business interests of the city. The Merchants' Exchange has leased the two-story stone building. No. 245 West Commerce Street, formerly occupied by the San Antonio National Bank. The lower floor is devoted to the blackboards containing the telegraphic quotations, while the second floor contains the private rooms of the Exchange. During the wool seasons, spring and fall, wool auctions are held in the Exchange, and form an important and attractive feature. Auction sales of cotton, hides, skins, and flour, have also been held there, and the rules will admit of further exten.sion of these auction sales. Strangers are admitted to the Exchange on being introduoed by a member, and all visitors to the city wishing information regarding the business growth of San Antonio and Western Texas should call there soon after their arrival. The Texas Cotton and Grain Exchange a'.so has joint use of the lower floor of the Exchange building. THE BANKING FACILITIES of San Antonio are unexcelled by any city in Western Texas, and include a GO THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. National Bank and three large private banks. The fact that there has never been a failure of any of the bankers in this ciiy is proof of the conservative principles which have always governed San Antonio banker.^. The .sound financial standinuj of the merchaots of Ban Antonio led the wool- prowers, cattle men, and farmers of tlie tributary countrj^ to deposit their surplus funds on call with tlie merchants through whom they dealt, and this |)ractice pre- vails to a large extent to the present lime. Before the late war tliere was but one banker in the city, Mr. J. C. French, and during the war there was no regular liankmg house here. At the close of the war, however, there w^as a considerable addition to the population in noitiiern men, who were attracted here by tlie extraordinary facilities offered for acquiring wealth, and this class demanded regular banking facilities such as they had bicn accustomed to in their old homes. This demand resulted in the establishment of a National Bank and several firivate banks. The laws of Texas are liberal on this subject, while, at the same ime, the interests of depositors are properly protected. Thus today (July 1, 1832) we have the San Antonio National Bank and the private banks of Messrs. Lockwood & Kampmann. F. Groos & Co., and John Twohig. All of these are doing well and are steadily extending their business. Their deposits to day are not less than two mill- ions five hundred thousand dollars. The rule of requiring ample collateral security as the basis of every loan is strictly enforced. LOANING AND INVESTMENT AGENCY. The establishment of this agency by Mr. W J Ballantyne Patterson, who came here from the old country for this especial object, is encouraging evidence of the increasing confidence with which Texas is being regarded by capitalists as a field for investment. He represents important Mortgageand Investment Companies of Great Britain, which possess capital practically unlimited, for the purpose of effect- ing mortgage loans on town and co*uutry projierties, as well as dealing in r^al estate and general financial undertaliings for fore'gn account. Orlier fe^xtures of this agency are detailed in the advertisement on another page. Office over Lockwood & Kampmanu's Bank, West Commerce Street. OTHER TRADE ORGANIZATIONS. Among the other trade organizations we name the following: Bexar Building and Loan Association. San Antonio Buildmg and L'>an As.sociation. Merchants and Mechanics' Building and Loan Association. San Antonio Board of Underwriters. The Building and Loan Associations are in a ver\- thriving condition, and are largely palrunized. Their stock is always in active demand. THE SAN ANTONIO "WOOL MARKET is the principal wool market in the South, and invariably leads in prices. The season opens early, and is about equal in time with the Saa Francisco market. Here the ranchmen also come for their supplies, and many personally superintend the sale of their clips. There are two regular wool sea.sons here — the spring and the fall. The spring season opens from the loth to the 25th of April, and usually lasts about two months. Tue fall season opens from the 20th to the 30th of Septem- ber and lasts about two months and a half. During these wool seasons the city is visited not only by the ranchmen, but also by representatives of northern manu facturers and wool speculators. Besides these, there are a number of local buyers and wool commission firms. It must be remembered that it is of comparativc-y recent date tbat Texas wools have received favorable notice from the northern manufacturers. Some six years ago. Colonel T. H. Zanderson, one of the largest. if not the largest resident wool buyer, was attracted here, and immediately began to build up tbe local wool market by inducing northern manufacturers to give the Texas wools a more thorough trial than they had formerly done, and at the same time inducing the Texas growers to grade up their flocks and take more care in the preparation of their fleeces for this market. Recently large numbers of Califoinia wool growers have brought tl:eir tine-bred flocks tc Texas, and there has also been a great improvement in the native sheep through the importation of blooded stock THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 61 from the best northern breeders; so that as fine wool is now grown in Western Texas and is sold in the San Antonio market as can be found in any seclion of America; the only difference being in the amount of care bestowed on the wool at shearing-time and in its preparation for market, and even in these particulars there is constant improvement being made. Western Texas is a natural home for sheep. Pasturage is abundant, with sum- mer and winter grasses on the prairies, so that it is rarely necessary to gather fodder for the flocks or feed grain to them. Of course, the best flockmasters take extra care of their sheep, but they can exist on the open prairies throughout the entire year without extra care, and with only a Mexican shepherd to each flock of about twelve hundred sheep. Such a thing as barns or sheds for them is unknown. The winters in Western Texas are generally open and spring-like, and snow and ice are rarely seen. The cold weather is caused by strong north winds (northers) which come from the northern limits of Minnesota, and from how much further north i§ not known. A norther is invariably preceded by higher temperature^ and a falling barometer, about three days of this kind of notice being usually given. So thatthe careful ranchman who has a good barometer and consults it daily, need never be surprised by extremes of cold weather, and can drive his flocks to protected localities on the first ind'c ition of the approach of a norther. The San Antonio wool mnrket is a growth. In 1873 the total receipts amounted to only 677, o03 pounds, which was a gain ot 351,088 pounds over tlie receipts of 1871. In 187!) the shipments by rail alone amounted to 3,214,315 pounds. In 1880 the shipments by rail, with a considerable loss in weight from the scouring of a large amount of wool, amounted to 3,005,223 pounds. In 1881 the shipments by rail, with still more wool scoured here, amounted to 5,053,323 pounds. This year (1882) the estimate of the amount of wool that will be shipped from here is about nine or ten million pounds, and the prospects for yearly gains are excellent. Tlie facilities for handling wool here are unequalled by any other point in Texas or in the entire South. Our railroads pierce the wool growing sections and afford a ready means for bringing wool fo this market, while in this city are large warehouses devoted exclusively to wool during the spring and fall seasons, a large number of local and foreign buyers, large commission houses, such as Messrs. Oothout & Nash, Military Plaza, all the advantages of a large city, with much less expense, a wool cleaning and scouring mill, further mention of which is made under the head of manufactures along the river, the Merchants' Exchange, where special facili- ties are offered the wool growers and dealers to meet and exchange views with the latest American and foreign market reports before them, and other advantages which are more fully shown at other places in this book. COTTON. The grade of cotton raised in Western Texas, particularly that section which is tributary to San Antonio as a market, is generally above middling, while the extra length of staple causes it to be quoted about a quarter of a cent per pound above upland cotton of the same grade. Within the past two years more attention has been paid to cotton in this section of the country, and there has also been a general reform in the San Antonio cotton market. Formerly cotton was bought here at a fixed price per pound, with no regard to grade, but now, with regular cotton buyers and factors, the market is conducted more on sound business principles. The establish- ment of the San Antonio Merchants' Exchange has had a very beneficial effect on the local cotton market. Formerly the principal buyers in this market were Mexican manufacturers, who mix the Texas cotton with the Mexican staple to produce their best goods. The price of cotton in Mexico is far above the New York price.^, and although the impoit duties are very high, the Texas cotton can be sold there at a good profit, especially so now that the international railway systems offer cheaper and better transportation facilities than have heretofore existed. The Mexican demand is, however, very uncertain, and will not do to rely on for a large amount of cotton. Again, while cotton is cash in every other market in the world, the Mexican orders are on time, hence it is hardly likeiy that any other market will compete activelj'' for this trade. For years it'has been very popular here to talk of erecting cotton mills along the San Antonio River, but althougli the natural advantage3 are all that could be asked 63 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. for, and land and the staple are cheaper here than in more eastern or northern locali- ties, Libor also beins^ abundant and cheap, yet as yet the manufactories are all on paper There is no doubt that cotton mills, if rightly managed, would pay very large dividends, but no one with sufficient capital and force has taken hold of the matter. As to the size of the Western Texas crop it is difficult to state correctly. The best figures here are the shipnii'nts by rail, and they show nothing of the ]\Iexican move- menr, and only give what is shipped from this city alone, while every railroad town ships largely. The shipments by rail in 1879 were 2,279 bales; in 1880 the shipments were B,U(iO bales; in 1881 the shipments were 7,912 bales, although there was a marked falling off in the crop. This shows the gain which is being made in the San Antonio cotton market, and that a much larger territory is being made tributary to it. The shipments this year (1882) promise a much greater gain than ever before, and the time is not far distant when San Antonio will be regarded as an important interior cotton market. THE SAN ANTONIO HIDE MAKK'ET. San Antonio is the largest market in Texas for hides. Every hide, skin, and pelt received here is sold in this market, or has been bought for local dealers and shipped here to be reshipped on tanners' or northern dealers' orders. As to the permanence of this business there can be no doubt, as the dealers here have branch houses or agents in every frontier market, and are backed by ample capital to continue their business and meet any prospective competition from other points. The class of hides received here is mainly the best heavy average, shade dried, long stretched, flint Mexican, and frontier hides. These are sought by tanners, and always command the best prices. The proportion of low grade stock in this market is very small, and wet salted hides are seldom met here. The recent boom in Texas live stock, where values have advanced nearly a hundred per cent , and in many instances have exceeded these figure*, has caused such an increase in speculation in cattle on hoof, that the receipts of hides have fallen off, but this is only temporary, as values must soon become fixed, and then with the increased number of cattle in this section of the country hides will again become plentiful, and San Antonio will do an increased business in them. A great lack here is the absence of large tanneries ; such as we have are small affairs, but they are very profitable to their proprietors and turn out very superior leather, but not in sufficient quantities to supply the home demand. Large invest- ors here are attracted to other speculations and have hitherto neglected the tanning interests. Perhaps one cause of this is the lack of a local supply of tan bark ; but the mesquite, which grows very abundantly here, is very rich in tannic acid, though thus far it has not yet been utilized to any considerable extent. If tanning prepa- rations are increased in number and power, as they now promise to be, the main difficulty will be solved, as will also be the case' if the mesquite is utilized to its full power. Certainly one would suppose that if small tanneries can thrive here and the supply of hides is so large as our figures show, .larger enterprises of this kind can do equally well. On one point investors can rest assured, the local demand is equal to all the local production of leather that thercvcan be for many years, During the first five months of the present year (1882), the shipments of hides by rail from this city amounted to over six hundred thousand pound.--:, and the stocks in the hands of local dealers were unusually large. For the past three years the exports of hides from this city by rail have averaged one million eight, hundred thousand pounds, the heaviest shipments being during the fall months, SKINS AND PELTS. San Antonio also has large receipts of goat, deer, and sheep skins, and the com- mon 'I'exas furs, some of the latter being much sought after, especially those of the leopard. The goat skins include many choice lots of tlie best Mexican skins, which were formerly leceived per long wagon trains, but will in future be received by rail. The deer skins are from Western Texas, and the receipts have been very heavy, but must continue to grow lessias the march of progress is continued to the west. Furs will also decrease in numbers for the same reason, although the decrease may not be felt as soon owing to more distant territory being opened to the hunters and made THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 63 tributary to this market. The small tanners here do a good business in dressing the choice pelts that are brought here, as these tind ready purchasers in the large num- ber of visitors from other sections of the country. SAN ANTONIO AS A LIVE STOCK MARKET. San Antonio is the business centre of the stockraising portion of TeScas, Here the large shippers of cattle and horses come to get the money accommodations ■which they need during the shipping season, and here also the ranchmen come for their ranch supplies. Formi^rly it was the geographical centre of the stockraising district of Texas, but the demands of the agriculturists have crowded the stockmen and so bought up and cultivated the old cattle ranges that the stockmen have moved further south and west, and have themselves fenced up their extensive ranges into immeuse pastures. Then, too, the Indians have been driven into their distant reser- vations, and the western prairies are no longer the scene of disastrous raids by thieving and murderous savages and Mexican desperadoes. A great cliange for the better has come upon this section of the country within a short time, and still greater changes are now taking place among tlie stuckmen themselves. Formerly good shipping beeves. were sold here for from fifteen to twenty dollars per head, but during the past year Mr. A. Cerf, au enterprising French contractor, has paid as. high as forty dollars per head for beeves in suitable condition for imme- diate slaughtering here, and has shipped the meat in refrigerator cars to northern and eastern markets, and so marked has been his success in this enterprise that he proposes to erect large abattoirs in this city for the slaughtering of beeves and mut- tons for shipment to larger markets. This enterprise will also give rise to others, such as glue factories, fertilizer factories, meat canning establishments, etc., besides adding very largely to the number of hides and skins for local tanneries and ship- ment to other markets. The old way was for the stockmen to allow their herds to run wild over the prairies, and have a general round up once each year, when the increase would be branded and the marketable stock culled out and driven on the trail to Kansas, where, after a journey of about three months, and being subject to losses from the stampeding of stock, theft, and disease, they were sold. 'J'he expenses of the drive were heavy, and included the pay of the drivers, provisions, camp outfits, etc. Already the stock trail is being rapidly settled up, and this has cut off many of the old water holes and camping grounds, while the pasture fences compel the stock drivers to go many miles out of their former direct course to tlie Kansas market. Then, too, the stock buyers of the north are now either coming themselves, or are sending agents to San Antonio to purchase the stock and ship it north by rail, where it arrives in far better condition than when driven over the trail. True, the shipping of live stock from this city by rail is but in its infancy, but it has more than doubieil in the past six months, and last year it was over double the totals of the previous year, and this increase in shipments by rail will continue each year as the trail becomes more and more obstructed, and the demands of the San Antonio market become greater. With a short line railroad to the Gulf of Mexico there would also be a large demand. for Texas beeves and muttons. Already Mr. A. Cerf has shipped muttons at a profit from this city by rail to New York, and thence by steamers to France. The foreign demand is "for better meat, as well as for cheap meat, so that there will be another change inaugurated here and the number of imported thoroughbred bulls and bucks will be increased, scrubs will become half-breds in the next generation, and then the big pastures will be divided among many breeders, and the profits of stock-raising in Texas will be largelj'^ increased. The foregoing remarks, while intended for cattle-men and sheep raisers, will apply with equal force to the raisers of horses. Our climate is admirably adapted to all kinds of live stock. The short and mild winters, with only occasional northers, of which ample warning is always given, reduces the liability of loss to the minimum, and at the same time does away with the necessity for large barns and" extensive sheds and the storage of hay, fodder, and grain for winter feed as is necessary in more northern latitudes. The demand for Texas ponies has steadily increased during the past few years, and is still increasing. They are very hardy, and require less care than northern horses. By crossing them with thoroughbreds a very haa-dy animal is produced, 64 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. especially if raised on the Texas prairies and accustomed to rough it until old enough to be broken. STOCK SHEEP. In our remarljs about muttons we did not include sheep used for wool growing purposes exclusively, or, as they are termed in Texas, " stock slieep." The sales of these stork sheep form a very considerable item in our general trade, and this busi- ness is mainly done by Messrs. Chabot, Moss & Co, who by extended experience in this business huve become to be the largest dealers here, and at the same time their office on tlie southeast corner of the Main Plaza is the headquarters for the sheep men v^ ban in this city. Mr. P. J. Moss, of this firm, was the founder of the Texas Wool Growers' Association, and was its first secretary, he holding that office for a series of years. The commercial standing of this firm is second to none in San Antonio, and their thorough knowledge of the business makes them valuable advisers of those contemplating tiie starting of a t^heep ranch in Texas. They always have sheep on hand, which they will sell in large or small lots, to suit purchasers. Their sales this year will approximate one hundred thousand head. Their terms are reasonable, and they are strictly honorable in all their dealings. All parties visit- ing Texas with a view of going into the business of wool-growing should first call upon Messrs. Chabot. Moss & Co., before making any contracts elsewhere. GRAIN. San Antonio, as is natural, is becoming a considerable market for grain. The local millers are large consumers, and there is also a large local demand from stable- men, outside of the demand from points along the lines of^the railroads. Although the acreage of grain is being yearly increased in the territory naturally tributary to this city, yet last year nearly a thousand carloads of grain was imported by rail, and this year the imports will be fully double those of last year. This is due in a great measure to the large number of settlers constantly arriving here, and also to the demands of the railroad builders Farmers need have no fears of not having a home market for all the grain they can raise in Western Texas. The crops are easily raised, and are harvested much earlier than in the Northern States. Bc'sides, the prices paid for grain in bulk from farmers' wagons on the Plaza frequently exceeds those of the Northern retail market of the corresponding date. MESQTJITE BEANS. The mesquite tree is a species of acacia, and grows wild and in great profusion in Western Texas. This tree bears beans in large pods wiiich are very abundant in dry seasons, but are not so abundant in wet seasons when the grain crops are the heaviest. This bean is eagerly eaten, pods and all, f)y all kinds of live stock, and is very nutricious. A ready sale for these beans, which can be gathered by the wagon load by children, is found in San Antonio, at from twenty to thirty cents per barrel containing about two bushels. For new comers this afEoids an immediate income, provided they do not make crops the first year. PECANS. The pecan crop is a source of considerable income to our city, and is hirger than any statistics yet prepared will show. All through Western Texas the banks of the numerous water-courses are lined with large groves of pecan trees, the nuts being gathered and brought to San Antonio by Mexicans and others, and sold at prices ranging from two to eight cents per pound, according to the supply and demand at the time of sale. The local consumption of these nuts is very laige, and the candy manufacturers and jNIexicans use a large amount of them in their productions, besides those used by families here, yet the yearly export of pecans by rail alone, as shown by the books of our railroad companies, amount to over seven Imndred thousand pounds. The business of collecting these nuts in small quantities, as they are brought to this city by the gatherers, and then selling them in car-load lots for shipment to other cities, is a very lucrative one, and is steadily on the increase. A large pecan grove is good paying property, and if the trees were proper))' cared for and young trees set out each year, a few acres in pecan trees would be as good an investment as any one could wish. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 65 The lumber trade of San Antouio is large and is constantly increasing'. The supply comes from the lumber mills in the pineries of Texas and Louisiana, with some Utile Northern lumber. Our lumberyards are extensive and are well stocked. This business yields a large profit, as prices here are quite high, owing to the largely increased demand from new railroad towns as well as on account of the local build- ing boom now in progress. GENERAL BUSINESS PROSPERITY. It is impossible, in a work of this character, to mention each line of business in detail and follow it out in all of its subdivisions. The most that can be done now is to give a mere outline, leaving the visitor to examine into the details for himself. We can truthfully say that every line of business in San Antonio is in a very pros- perous condition and is making steady advances over the advances of former years. Our city is growing rapidly, new towns are springing up as if by magic on every side, our railroads are being rapidly extended, and numerous tap roads and branches are being projected. Tlie demand for stores and dwellings far exceeds the supply, although every mechanic in this city is employed, and many new blocks of business houses and numerous dwellings have been erected during the past year, and more are now in process of erection. This is no mere -'mushroom" devolopment, but is a legitimate u;owth based on the rapid settling of the rich agricultural and stock-raising country m ilie district naturally and directly tributary to San Antonio. As soon as the fine \\ater-powers in this vicinity and our other natural advantagfs are utilized and developed, as they must be in the near future, by manufactur..'rs, the advance in ihe material advantages of our city will become more marked and a still more rapid growth will have to be recorded. THE GROCERY TRADE. In no branch of business here has there been greater advances than in the grocery trade of this city during the past year. With the bu'lding of new railroads guods are laid down here from the large markets of the north much cheaper than ever before, and the extension of the railroads west and south of this city is rapidly developing the tributary country, and developing our trade with that country. The further the railroads are extended the more orders are received by our whole.salers, and tlie completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad will enable our grocers to lay down goods from the Pacific coast, C'lina, and Jiipan at less cost than can be done by the New York merchant. Btsides this, the rich mineral districts of Texas, Mexico, Arizona, and New .Mexico will be witiiin easy reach, and a large amount of trade may be expected from these sources. Our present wholesale trade extends all over the wool growing and cattle districts south and west of this cit.v, and far into Mexico ; and as we have before stated, its limits and volume are being rapidly extended and increased. In another part of this volume will be found the illustra- tion of the large grocery house of the estate of the late Honore Greuet, next to the Alamo, which is also used as a store-house by this firm. DRY GOODS. Our dry goods trade is even more extensive than our grocery trade, and the profits are proportionately large, considering the immense amount of capital invested. Our dealers buy from first hands in the north, with close calculation as to trade prospects and the course of the markets, taking every possible advantage of declines and cheap freights. They are therefore enabled to sell to dealers in tributary towns and to Mexican dealers as cheaply and generally cheaper than the large wholesalers in competing markets. Knowing their trade thoroughly and possessed of ample capital, they take less risks than would be required of northern wholesalers, and at the same time grant long credits (at twelve per cent, interest) where prudence directs. The wholesale dry goods trade of this city now includes boots, ,«hoes, hats, caps, fancy goods, etc. The fact that all our wholesalers are in prosperous circumstances, and that their sales are steadily increasing each year, is one to which we direct special attention. One of our largest firms divided over a 66 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. hundred and fifty thousand dollars profits amoni^ its partners last year, and the others did proportionately well for the amount of capital invested. OTHER LINES OF TRADE. The hardware trade is very large, and includes agricultural implements. The furniture and house furnishing business is very active una is being steadily increased each year. The advertisement of L. Wolfson & Co. will be found on another page. The jewellers of San Antonio are headed by the old firm of Bell & Bros., and the stocks are extensive and embrace all the latest novelties in this line. Patent medicines, drugs, and chemicals form a very important branch of trade here. Our wholesalers, Messrs. L. Orynski and F. Kalieyer Son do a large trade with Mexico as well as with tributary, cities and towns in Texas. L. ORTNSKI'S STORE. The wagon business is principally done by the Milburn Wairon Co.. though all of the principal wagon manufactories of the country are represented here. The sales of wagons for farm use and for freighters are very lieavy, as also are those of the better class of vehicles for city use. They are brought here by the carload from the manufactories and are set up at the local branches in this citj^ The number of local artists here has also created a large demand for artists' materials, wbich is admirably supplied by C. II. Mueller, West Commerce Street, opposite China Hall. The itusiness in house painters' supplies and wall papers is also large and steadily increasing. C. H. Mueller above named supplies the trade. There is also a lively trade in Mexican curiosities, which is met by Gregory & THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 67 Co., of China Hall, and Narcisso Leal, near Herd's Hotel. Gregory & Co. also do a good business in souvenirs of the Alamo and the old Missions. The trade in china and glass ware is also a large one. All the wholesale frocers deal in this line with their regular business, but Gregory & Co., of China [all, make it a distinctive feature, and do a thriving and rapidly increasing business. As would be expected, the trade in guns, ammunition, and sportsmens' supplies is a very considerable one here. Messrs. Hummel & Son, south side of West Commerce Street, near the Main Plaza, do the most of the trade in this line. The trade in coffees and teas is monopolized by R. A. Holland, No. 34 West Commerce Street and East Houston Street. The business is large ^^nd rapidly increasing. These two stores are the only ones of the kind here, and Mr. Holland also does a large country jobbing business. Real (Stale and land agents are here in large .numbers and are very reliable. Parties desiring to have the facts stated in this book verified, or desiring additional information on the subject, will do well to correspond with Messrs. Bradley «fe Wadsworth, Geo. W. Caldwell, Cayce & Co., Geo. Al. Gordon, J. A. H, Hossack, L. WOLFSON & CO.'S STORE. or W. J. Ballantyne Patterson, all of whom we cordially endorse as well informed and thoroughly reliable business men. Mr. Geo. W. Caldwell, besides being a general land agent, is also a notary public, and one of the aldermen of this city. His position as the special agent for the extensive tracts of land and choice city lots owned by Messrs. Adams & Wicks, gives iiim peculiar facilities in his business, and his long residence and extensive business connections here make liim a desirable person to be consulted by those seekins homes in Western Texas. His office on West Commerce Street, near the Main Plazii, is handily located near the banks, and is one of the centres of informa- tion regarding land matters. Here will be found numerous maps, not only of city lots, but of tracts of rich agricultural and grazing lands all over this section of the State, which he has for sa'e on favorable terms. Courteous and obliging to all, and possessed of a rich fund of information regarding the history, soil, climate, and productions of Western Texas, he combines all the elements of a 68 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. careful adviser of all new comers. As a prompt and reliable business man his name stands among the first of our citizens, and as such he merits and receives the confidence of all. Parties coming here with the intention of making this their home should call at his office soon after their arrival; and those contemplating coming here should address him on this subject. All inquiries by mail will be promptly answered, and his advice can be relied on in every instance. This tribute to his worth is no mere advertisement, but is written by the author after having enjoyed his friendship, as well as having had business dealings with him during a series of years, and while also testifying to the high standing and honor- r. KALTEYEB & SON'S STORE. able dealing of all the others engaged in this business, we take special pleasure in thus recommending Mr. Geo. W. Caldwell. The leading merchant tailors of San Antonio are Messrs. Pancoast & Son, West Commerce Street. Their stock always includes the latest styles and the best goods. They are the bon t(m tailors of West Texas, and do a very ]ari;e business. Wire Fencing can be found at all of the hardware stores of the city, but C. Wilijus, at Cayce & Co.'s grocery store, on East Houston Street, opposite the Maverick Hotel, makes a specialty of this business, and it will be well to call on him before purchasing elsewhere. The following cut shows an article of furniture which is made here to perfection, and is .very popular with visitors as well as residents. Mr. Wm. Mittmann, the THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 69 manufacturer of this chair, is a genius in his way, and does a very large business in making these chairs on cM-ders. His place of business is No. 214 West Commerce Street, and should be visited by those desiring to learn more on this subject. HORNED CHAIR. Mr. Mittmann also does a considerable business as an upholsterer as well as manu- facturing horned chairs. For the benefit of those wishing further information about the trade of this city, ■we give the following table from the annual business review of 1881, prepared for 70 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. the San Antonio Daily Express by the author; but we will add that the totals for the present year to July 1, far exceed those of the corresponding time last year : SALES AND INCREASE DURING 1881 OVER PREVIOUS TEARS. Cotton Drugs, etc Dry Goods, wholesale. Dry Goods, retail Furniture Grain Groceries, wholesale . . . Groceries, retail Hardware Hides, Skins, and Furs. Jewelry Liquor Live Stock Lumber Tobacco and Cigars. . . . "Wagons Wool Miscellaneous Total Sales Sales. Increase and Loss. $625,000 25 percent . gain. 500,000 100 " " 4,500,000 50 " 2,500,000 5) " " 300,000 100 '• " 1,250,000 50 " 5,000,000 50 " ' ' 2,500,000 50 " " 750,000 50 " " 200.000 10 " loss. liO.OOO 50 " gain. 500,000 75 " " 2,500,000 100 •• (( 1,000,000 125 " 250,000 25 " " 200,000 25 " 1,300.000 25 " " l,00n,000 75 " " $25,075,000 THE ALAMO CITY GUTDE. 71 CHAPTER V. RAILROADS. Until the latter part of February, 1877, San Antonio was only connected with other cities as well as various points on the frontier and in Mexico, by the lumbering stage coach and the "prairie schooner." Even under this primitive means of convey- ance the trade of the city was considerable, and when, in Febru;iry, ls7r the GaLes- ton, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad, otherwise known as the Sunset Road, was completed here, there was a property boom which continued for some time, values being advanced to a ridiculous figure. The decline wliich naturally followed was checked in January, 1881, by the completion to this city of the International and Great Northern Railroad, and the immediate extension of both railroads, the Sunset West to meet the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the International South to Mexico and through the heart of that country. The present prosperity of San Antonio is no transitory boom, but a rapid and steady growth based on an actual business increase. This is shown by the freight reports of both railroads. In 1878, the leceipts of freight by rail amounted to 5,824 carloads, while in 1881 the consolidated receipts by both railroads amounted to 16,097 carloads of freight. Thus far this year the receipts of freight by rail show a steady gain over 1881. The export freiglu by rail shows a corresponding gain : thus in 18?1 there were exported by rail 7,972 bales of cotton against 2,279 bales in 1879; 5,053,323 pounds of wool against 3,214,315 pounds in 1S7:); 7,696,214 pounds of merchandise against 1,457,478 pounds in 1879; 37,158,085 pounds of miscellaneous freight again'^t 9,383,620 pounds in 1879; 9,848 head of horses and mules against 647 head in 1879; 2,048 head of cattle against 842 head in 18T9; 35,995 head of muttons against 3,818 head in 1879; 6,842,345 pounds of lumber against none in 1879 ; 43 carloads of flour agamst none in 1879, etc. These figures are given to show the impetus given to local trade by the railroads, and especially by their Southern and Western extensions, which have caused the build- ing of a number of new cities and towns along the lines, and which are directly tributary to San Antonio as a market and source of supply. This good work is yet in its infancy, and must continue to increase yearly. The totals lor the present year will, in many instances, show an increase of over double the figures of last year. GALVESTON, HAKRISBURG AND' SAN ANTONTO RAILROAD. Every chapter in this book shows the great advances which have been made, and the still greater advances which are being made, in the march of progress in Western Texas. Twenty five years ago savage Indians were so numerous that it was not safe for a solitary traveller to go from San Antonio to Fredericksburg, and the savages mur- dered a man near the San Pedro Springs in 1857. Western settlements were in constant danger from the Indians, and ranches were raided on so frequently by these savages that the announcement of an Indian raid, with a number of herders killed and large numbers of stock stolen, caused b;U little excitement, except among the relatives and friends of the victims. In those days the lumbering stage coach was the only public conveyance for travellers in any direction to and from Uiis city, while the long trains of Mexican carts aid prairie schooners furnished the only mpans of transportation for freight. San Antonio was then a one-story chy, with quaint old adobe buildings "huddled" together near the common centre, with narrow streets boa'-ting of no sidewalks, and doing its frontier trading in the most primitive manner. Now look at the change to-day, and if you seek the cause we will point with pride to the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway, the contribution o< a citizen of Massachusetts to the Lone Star State, and a donation to the cause oi progress and civilization which has been, and is, and must continue to be, of vital importance not only to Western Texas, but also to Mexico, and indeed to the great markets of the North, and even to European ports. For, as the connecting link ol 78 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. the Southern Pacific Railway, and indeed the enterprise which made that trans- continental line possible, it cheapens the rates of freight on the valuable products of the Pacific coast to the nearest Gulf port, as well as furnishing the nearest coast line for the rich mineral fields of Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, and Western Tex;\s. Practically beginning at Houston where it connects with the Star and Crescent Road to New Orleans, the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railway to Galveston, and all tUe northern lines centreing at Houston, it extends west through what is now one of tli(i richest agricultural belts of country in the State, and which has been developed mainly by the building of this road. Many of the thriving cities and towns along this line owe their existence solely to the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway, and many of the prosperous farms along the line are owned by immigrants brought to Texas by the immigration department of this railway company. B 'fore this railway was completed the country between Houston and San Antonio was sparsely settled, and large herds of wild cattle roamed in unre- stricted freedom where now are found the most fertile fields of sugar, cotton, grain, and garden truek. The benefit which this enterprise has conferred on Texas is beyond computation, and reflects great credit on the head and heart of its distin- guished projector. At San Antonio, which for about four years was its western terminus, the radical changes for the better Avhich it produced are fully shown elsewhere. Indeed, there is not a chapter in this book that does not prove the good influence exerted here by this railroad. From here the western extensions with the various branches take their start, and connection is made with the Huntington railway interests of Mexico and the Pacific coast. This western extensi >n is destined to do a work for San Antonio and Western Texas which mu^t cause a rapid advance in business interests here of permanent importance. Already the advance made here has been little short of marvellous, but it must bs much greater when the California and Mexican freights, the rich products of the mininsr regions of New Mexico, Arizona, and Western Texas are added to them. Besides this, there is a very rich and comparatively undeveloped agricultural region lying west of this citj'. as well as the immense stock range*, which will contribute very largely to this and other markets. A number of new towns have already been laid out along the line of this western exlen.sion, and all of them are now in a thriving condition; other new tovvns must follow in a short time as the railroad is extended, both on the main line and on various branch lines which will be built as fast as men and material can be placed on the ground. While the Eastern section of this railroad, from Houston to San Antonio, passes through a very rich agricultural country, abounding in excellent locations for far- mers from other sections of the United States and from Europe, the Western exten- sion passes through not only rich agricultural districts, but also stock raising sections and rich mineral belts abounding in silver, gold, lead, iron, and other minerals which are found in paying leads which will contribute largely to the wealth of Texas in the near future. For the tourist this railroad possesses many distinctive charms, some of which have been dwelt upon more at length in other portions of this book, and others which will have to be seen to be appreciated. Of the latter we mention the magnificent scenery of the Devil River countrj' on the Western extension, which foreign travellers pronounce more grand than any to be seen in the mountains of Europe. Here, too, are many wonderful caves, including the celebrated Painted Caves, which might be justly termed the art galleries of the aborigines. There are also many beautiful canons in the mountains, whoso rocky sides rise almost perpen- dicul;ir for above a thousand feet, the bottoms being well carpeted with rich grass, with here and there little groves of beautiful forest trees and a stream of crystal water winding its way along its entire length. These and other wonders of nature which abound along this railroad must be seen to be appreciated, and once seen will be never forgotten. This Western extension also makes several connections with the leading lines of railways now being built through Mexico, as well as being the best transccntincntal line now built or projected. Colonel Pierce has already done a great deal towards settling up Western Texas with a desirable class of immigrants both from the Northern States and from Europe. The railroad owns large tracts of valuable farming lands, besides the mineral fields THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 73 and large tracts admirably adapted to stock raising. These efforts to induce immi- gration will be continued in the future as in the past, and each year sees new accommodations presented. Besides the various agents distributed through the other American States, this road is represented by Dr. Wm. G. Kingsbury, wlio has his headquarters in London, but who travels over the continent of Europe from time to time as necessity may require. Dr. Kingsburj^ is an old Texan, a thoroughly educated gentleman, and very enthusiastic in his work. He is also the author of a large number of pamphlets relating to Western Texas, besides being a constant cor- respondent of the British press. He has been instrumental in inducing a large number of hardy Europeans to emigrate to Texas. In order to facilitate the proper distribution of immigrants after their arrival in Texas, Colonel Pierce has erected Immigrants' Homes at all the principal points along the line of his road, where immi- grants are given free lodgings for a limited time after their arrival, and where they receive all needed advice as to the selection of homes. A large two-story frame building of this character has been erected in this city, on the corner of Tenth and Austin Streets, on the line of the street railroad and near the Galveston, Harris- burg, and ;San Antonio Railroad depots. A local immigration society also aids in caring for those who come here, and besides, there are several intelligence offices and numerous land agents here. The land department of this railroad is under the personal management of Colonel H. B. Andrews, the Vice-President and General Manager of the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway, who takes special pride in giving all desired information on this subject. The history of the building of this railroad by Colonel Thomas W. Pierce reads like a story from a book of fairy tales, being full o? apparently insurmountable obstacles and financial ditficulties, all conquered by his indomitable energy, abiding faith, and business enterprise. A weaker man would have failed at the very outset of the enterprise, but Colonel Pierce is built of firmer stuff; and although hindered and obstructed by four years of civil war and the long panic of 1873, after long years of toil and trouble, and constant hindrance and annoyance, he now sees the great work of his life so far completed that the fruition of his hopes is in view, and the rich results are already pouring into his coffers and placing him among the wealthy benefactors of this age. The term "public benefactor" will apply to him not only as the builder of a mighty iron band across a former wilderness, and the founder of many cities in a peculiarly healthy and rich territory, but also as a generous patron of very many public and private charities and business enterprises in that territory through which his railroad passes. One of the surest signs of a good general is his discernment of character in the selection of his subordinates. Colonel Pierce possesses this faculty in a marked degree, and this has contributed largely to the success which has crowned his efforts. We can safely saj^ he has not an indifferent general officer in his employ, and, on the contrary, he has some who are rarely equalled, and certainly not excelled by any engaged in the railroad interests of America. First among these is Colonel Henry B. Andrews, Vice-President and General Manager of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad Company — a gentleman thoroughly identified with the varied interests of Texas, and a firm believer in glorious future which awaits his adopted home. A thorough organizer and practical business man, a close student and a brilliant orator, full of energy, foremost in all local enterprises for the public good, and deservedly popular with all classes of our citizens, his open-handed liberality has made him among the first of benevolent benefactors of local charities, and has given him a hold on the affec- tions of our people second to none. It was he who first saw the great wealth which lies within the grasp of the Galveston, Harrisburg *and San Antonio Railroad, through the devc lopment of the rich mineral deposits of the Chinati Mountains, and seconded by Colonel Pierce, he sent out several exploring expeditions through the Chiuati region, and found the silver and other mineral deposits were greater than at first supposed. This mining discovery will eventually lead to his being one of the wealthiest citizens of the Lone Star State. As soon as the western extension of this railroad reaches the mineral belt, active mining operations will be commenced, and with San Antonio as the natural base of supplies, there will be a new impetus given to the already large trade of the city. This discovery in the hands of another would have resulted in much less gain to San Antonio, but Colonel Andrews is an 74 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. enthusiastic worker for the future prosperity of this city, and by his personal mag- netism, backed by energy and zeal in inducing others to share his belief, he has so influenced the course taken by the railroad engineers that there is no doubt of success attending his endeavors. In this connection we would state that Colonel Andrews is one of the best posted amateur geologists in Western Texas, and visitors to this city will find in his oflBce, in the Pancoast Building, on West Commerce Street, the best collection of geological specimens from this section of the country that is now in existence. Colonel Pierce was also peculiarly fortunate in his selection of Maj ir James Conveisp, also of Massachusetts, as his General Superintendent and Chief Engineer. Major Converse is a civil engineer of marked ability and thoroughly trained in his profession. In addition to his professional knowledge he possesses great executive ability and untiring energy and zeal in his work. The admirable construction of this railroad, and the conquering of natural difficulties along the entire line, are monuments of his fitness for the important position which he fills. Colonel C. C. Gibbs, the General Freight Agent of this railroad, is another admirable officer. Thoroughly acquainted with the country and its people, he caters to their ueeds, while at the same time faithfully serving the interests of his employ- ers, and is a popular as well as a very efficient official. The General Passenger Agent, Mr. T. W. Pierce, Jr., a nephew of Colonel Pierce, is another very popular and eflicient official of this railroad, and takes special pleasure in answering anj' and all inquiries sent to him regarding his road and the countiy through which ii passes. His address is Houston, Texas. The local Ticket Agent in this city, Mr. P. B. Freer; the Western Passenger Agent, Mr. Charles E. Miner; and the local Freight A^ent, Mr. W. P. Pryor, are all courteous, well informed gentlemen, and are very efficient officials. Indeed, we doubt if there is an official in the employ of this company who will not compare favorably with similar officials on other railroads. When we add that all the passenger trains are provided with Westinghouse air brakes. Miller platforms and couplers, elegant parlor and sleeping cars, and other conveniences for the comfoit and safety of travellers, the road bed being rock bal- lasted and very smooth running, and steel rails being used during its entire length, our claims for the special merit of this railroad will be seen to be well grounded. THE INTERNATIGNAL AND GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD. This is the second railroad which has been constructed to San Antonio, reaching there in the early part of 1881. This railroad is one of the most important of any in Texas, being a part of the great Gould system, and -having numerous feeders, taps, and branches throughout the State, besides several northern connections. The name International is not a misnomer, since it crosses the State from its northeastern boundary through a very rich country to San Antonio, thence to the Rio Grande River at Laredo, and thence across the river into Mexico. The building of the Mexi- can line is progressing very rapidly, and that country is being rapidly developed through its agency. The counties through which the main line and branches extend are: Gregg, Smith, Rusk, Cherokee, and Anderson, the latter being the county in which is situ- ated Palestine, the headquarters of the road, and where' are located their extensive machine and car shops. These five counties compose some of the finest lumber regions in the world, and also abound in iron ore rich in quality and inexhaustible in quantity; besides, they are all good farming cnunties, and are unsurpassed tor all fruits indigenous to the South and Southwest. Of the same nature are II ^uston. Trinity, Walker, Montgomery, and Harris, along the line from Palestine to Houston. From Harris the Columbia Tap goes through Brazoria to the Brazos, opening some of the most productive sugar lands in the world, the productive capacity of which is incalculdble. From Palestine westward to Hearne, it goes through Leon and Robeitson counties, embracing the cslebrated Trinity River bottom lauds, which have no superior on this continent. Thence it strikes that vast, rich grain and gen- eral agricultural and stock-raising region of country extending to the Rio Grande, being rolling prairie all the way, passing through the counties of Robertson, Milam, Williamson, Travis (where it crosses the Colorado on a magnificent iron bridge of six spans, at Austin, the Texas capital), Hays, Comal, Bexar (pronounced Behor), THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 75 ■where is situated San Antonio, the Alamo City, one of the most historical cities and the oldest organized one in the United Slates; Medina, Frio, La Salle, and Webb to Laredo, the American terminus, thence into Mexico. This company has over five million; acres of the very finest lands in tlie Union, which they offer very cheap and on favorable terms; and, also, they lease large tracts of good grazing lands for five years, at two cents per acre. Tickets trom any part of the world can be bought over this line; and they offer superior inducements to immigrants, having an immigrants' home at Palestine, where rooms, cooking utensils, fuel, and everything except food, are furnished free of charge to those seeking homes, until they are suited and settled down. Any mlormalion solicited will be promptly and cheerfully given in regard to their lands and homes, by addressing the Immigration Bureau of the International Railroad, at Palestine; and all information in reterence to tickets and passenger and immigrant transportation will receive a prompt reply if addressed to Mr. B. W. Mci'ullougb. General Agent, Marshall, Texas. This road runs two mail and express trains each way daily, with first-class coaches and everything that money and enterprise can suggest to insure speed and comfort to passengers. Pullman sleepers and drawing-room cars on all through trains. AtLongview Junction connection is made with the Texas and Pacific for St. Louis, via the Iron Mountain and Southern, and at Minneola with the Missouri Pacific for Chicago and points west along the Texas and Pacific line. Colonel H. M. Hoxie is the general manager of this road and all its branches; and, with General Talmagc, he is master of the entire Gould system, which includes, by a recent coup de grace, the Wabash line in addition to the ones enumerated above. The officers are: R. S. Hayes, President; T. W. Pearsall, Vice-President, New York; H. M. Hoxie, General Manager, St. Louis; D. S. H. Smith, Secretary and Treasurer, Palestine, Texas; Jacob S. Wetmore, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, New York; B. W. McCullough, General Agent, Marshall, Texas. PAPER RAILKOADS. There are numerous other railroads which have been projected to this city, for some of which charters have been obtained, but they exist only on paper, and although some of these will be built in the near future, we confine ourselves at thie time to actualities only. 76 THE ALAMO CITY QUIDE. CHAPTER VI. SAN ANTONIO AS A HEALTH RESORT. The earliest ■writings concerning San Antonio make special mention of the healthfulness of the climate. From the earliest settlers of this city to the present inhabitants, all have united in praising our health-giving breezes and wonderful climate. Healthy, robust men walk the streets of San Antonio to-day, who a few years ago came here apparently in the last stages of the consumption. It sounds strangely to a visitor from other sections of the United States to liear a party of great, healthy San Autonians telling of the number of hemorrhages they had when they first cam? to tliis city, yet such meetings are of almost daily occurrence. Were there space in this little book (which has already exceeded its originally prescribed limits), vve could give the names of many such former invalids who now w^ould make worthy members of a fat men's club. We will mention but one, Dr. Mor- timer Slocuin, who came here several years ago a confirmed consumptive, having frequent hemorrbages from his lungs, weak and emaciated, but who now is a picture of perfect; health, and weighing about two hundred pounds. Parties writing to Dr. Slocum, who is now engaged in real estate business here, can learn more concerning the beneficial effects of our climate. Invalids coming here will find the best accommodation and attention at our hotels and boarding-houses, and, witii all, very skilful physicians and surgeons to prescribe for th'^m. Few cities in America can boast of moie skilful physicians than San Antonio, and every school of medical belief and practice is represented by distinguished practitioners. A lew of these will be found named in our advertising columns, and letters addressed to such will receive full answer. Tiie reader must not suppose that San Antonio is the only health resort in "Western Texas. True it is the objective point of invalids seeking relief from their lung and thruit troubles, and many invalids prefer to remain here and be treated by local physicians; but there are hundreds of mineral springs of rare power in special diseases, which springs are found at convenient distances by rail and stage from this city. The Luling Springs, situated at Luling, Texas, on the line of the Galveston, Har- rishurg and San Antonio railroad, about fifty-eight miles east of Han Aniouio, possess rare curative power in all affections of the kidne3's, being of special power in curing Bright's disease of the kidneys. Many wonderful cures have been eilected there by using the waters from these springs. They also are of special benefit in obstinate cases of indigestion and resultant diseases. There is ample hotel accom- modation at these springs. Another valuable mineral spring is known as the Sutherland Spring; it is situ- ated an easy distance from San Antonio by stage, and lies southeast of this city. In fact mineral springs abound here, and nearly every di-sease that tiesh is heir to finds a natural remedy at once cheap and effective. Further information regarding these mineral sprmgs can be obtained by writing to our local piiysicians, and particu- larly to Drs. Jones and Bo wen, of this city, who have given special attention to this subject, and who can give a number of instances of truly rcuiarkable cures which have been effected by the use of these waters. Dr. Joseph Jones, one of our most distinguished practitioners, and who has devoted a series of years to the study of our wonderful climate, thus writes on this subject : WESTERN TEXAS. Tfie Great Health Besort for Invalids Suffering from Chronic Affections of the Air Passages, Pulmonary Consumption, Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Inflammation of the Throat, Chronic Nasal Catarrh, Asthma, etc. , etc. (The most important climate elements, temperature of the atmosphere, its dry- ness or moisture, density, electricity, brightness or cloudiness of the sky, the ozone THE ALAMO CITY GtriDE. 77 of the atmosphere, etc., will be considered in the comparison of this section with other places having a reputation as health resorts.) MINNESOTA. Bei^inning with Minnesota, which has a very severe climate, but for the very- short pleasant summers there would be but little to commend it to the invalid. The summer is so short that in most cases there cannot be more than temporary improve- ment. Tlie winters cannot be endured by invalids from a warmer climate. The mean temperature for the year is 42°. The daily variations amount to 40\ Much of the Slate is free from malaria, and the air is pure. Results represent the State unfavorably, especially for consumptives. AMONG THE ROCKIES. The .climate of the western and interior mountain country (Cordilleras) of the States and Territories requires our earnest attention because of the thousands of invalids-going there yearly. Thi^ vast mountain country of Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Dakota, of nearly a million square miles, has a climate notorious for its sudden and violent changes of temperature, also very light and dr\' air. At Denver, Colorado, an elevation of more than five thousand feet above the sea, the annual mean temperature is 47*. Extremes for the year about 17° below, and 100" above zero; in a single month, 10° below and 83° above zero. It is not uncommon for the daily variation to reach 40°; equability cannot be claimed for either of the seasons. The effect of this rare atmosphere ou invalids but recently from one of greater density', suffering from chronic disease of the lungs, is wonderful. All can understand that in pulmonary consumption the capacitv of the lungs for receiving air is more or less curtailed, and that air may be very pure, as it is in this mountain country, yet if sufficient cannot be received into tiic lungs to supply the oxygen necessary to change the blood from venous til arterial, life cannot be supported — the sufferer must die. If we consider that density of the atmosphere diminishes in the ratio that volume increases, at an eleva- tion of one mile (that being about the elevation of Denver), the density is diminished one-fourtli and the volume increased one fourth. Therefore, at Denver tbe invalid has to take into the lungs by each inspiration one fourth more of air by voivum^ I ban would be required at the level of the sea to receive the same amount of oxygen. In health the adult takes into the lungs by each insp'ration twi-nty inches of air at sea level; at Denver, twenty-five is required. The imme- diate "effect upon the consumptive on reaching that altitude is ihe dreadful feeling of want of air, the sufferer exclaiming, frequently: "I can't get enougli air." Accompanying this feeling we find frequent feeble pulse, frequent respirations, reaching sixty or more per minute, congestion and acute inflammation of lung tissue adjacent to parts affected by tubercle; hem irrhages, passive or active, are common. We see persons having light hemorrhages while walking about, and it is not a rare occurrence to see an active hemorrhage produce death very suddenly. These con- ditions and facts apply in greater or less deirree to this vast mountain countrj', known as the Cordilleras. It is a good country for diseased liver and spleen, caused by living in a malarious country; also for dyspeptics, but it is evidently the duty of the physician to advise his patients suffering from pulmonary consumption against going to a country so fraught with danger of dreadful hemorrhages, prema- ture death, etc. CALIFORIA. The California coast, from Santa Barbara to San Diego, has a good climate for consumptives. The air is invigorating, temperature uniform, the range per annum is very small. The great distance to be travelled by most invalids is one of the principal objections to making this selection. FLORIDA has been well tried by consumptives and has failed to sustain its once good reputa- tion. Malaria, an enervating amosphere, and the body of cold water coming down from the extreme north, between the coast and Gulf Stream, reaching a great way if not the entire length of the Florida coast, causing chilly winds several months of the year, constitute some of the disadvantages of this climate for invalids. 78 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. The climates of other health resorts in the United States are very well repre- sented in respect to temperature, character of the atmosphere, etc., by those treated of above .We tind an exception in some important respects in Western Texas. This section af "health belt" has become the home of the consumptive and for those suffering from any of the forms of chronic disease of the air passages. « WESTERN TEXAS has an elevation of about four hundred to sixteen hundred feet above the level of the sea. ,The atmosphere is dry, deuse, very invigorating, free from fogs and malaiia. The following is clipped from the Texas Sun. Dr. Peterson has been regarded as one of the most careful and reliable observers. Dr. Fred Peterson, who made observations for several years for the govern- ment during the years 1868, 1869, and 1870, reports as follows : 1868— Degs. Mean temperature of spring months 74-33 " '' " summer months. 84 33 " " " autumn months 71-35 " " " winter months 5466 " " whole year 7116 Rainfall 46 6 inches^ 1869— Degs. Mean temperature of spring months 6ii"43 " " " summer months 831 " " " autumn months 67-55 " " " winter months 52-93 " " " whole year 67*05 Eainfall 49-03 inches. 1870— Degs. Mean temperature of spring months 68 7 " " " summer months 831 " " " autumn months 6753 " " " winter months 53-93 " " " whole year 68 36 Rainfall 35-12 inches. The walls of rock or brick buildings never show dampness or mould, and there are more bright, beautiful days during the year than bless the famed land of Italy ; the skies are as clear, and the blue vault of heaven more lovely than it can possibly be in Italy. From the middle of September until the end of April there can cer- tainly nowhere else be found so delightful a climate, and during the summer months the nights are cool and pleasant. The climate of Western Texas, according to the isothermal lines, which differ materially from the parallels of latitude, is placed, San Antonio being the principal city, in average temperature with Guaymas, Mexico ; New Orleans, La. ; Madeira Islands, and Canton. The climate receives some of its mildness from the great ocean current or gulf stream of the Atlantic Ocean, which makes its circuit of about ten thousand miles, bringing its heat from the equatorial region and throwing its warm streams hundreds of miles inland ; and it fortunately escapes the chilly winds of the Florida coast, caused by the body of cold water coming from the north and insinuating itself between the land and gulf stream, the coast of Western Texas being hundreds of miles beyond its terminus. It is the Pacific Ocean current (Eura Sewa stream) which imparts to the coast climate of California much of its mildness. A NATURAL DISINFECTANT. Western Texas is again favored by nature in the abundance of her disinfectant (ozone). This element of the atmosphere is so abundant that meats are preserved perfectly in the open air without salt. The bodies of hundreds and thousands of dead animals lying on the prairies emit no odor whatever. It is this, with the other elements of a pure atmosphere, which removes tubercle and cures the consumptive. It is a well established fact that yellow fever cannot prevail here as an epidemic. It is equally true that ozone constitutes the exemption. THE ALAMO CITY GUrDF. 79 WONDERFUL CURES. Time and space will not permit rae to make anytbins^ more than a hasty review of a few of the many cases in our midst, illustrating the wonderful cliaiiges and effects which nature has in this climate wrought upon the constitution of man -, and these very cases stand amongst our leading citizens to-day as living monuments to the credit of Western Texas. Among others who have felt the lasting benefits of this balmy clime may be mentioned Judge Ogden, now one of the leading practising attorneys of this city ; Colonel King, formerly editor of the San Antonio Daily Express ; \V. H. Jaclison, the owner of a large ranch of improved cattle, and H. H. McLane, a retired stock- raiser, who resides on a beautiful place at the head of the San Antonio River, and there, surrounded by health, wealth, and happiness, sings the praises of Western Texas. LIFE INSURANCE DISCOUNTED. A short sketch from what is known of the life of Dr. Mortimer Slocum, one of the old and much-esteemed citizens of this place, will undoubtedly interest many of our readers. About twenty years ago Dr. Slocum was a resident of Chicago, 111. He was then practicing homoeopathy in that city. He had a steadily-increasing practice, and as time flew by he became the son-in-law of Dr. Smith, who was about the first doctor to unfurl the banner of homoeopathy iu the West. He afterwards formed a partnership with Dr. E. A. Small, a celebrated horaceopath of Chicago, and they were soon doing the leading business of that city. Dr. Slocum's health, however, gave way, and he was soon afflicted with severe hemorrhages. He saw at once that he would be obliged to give up his practice and seek a more genial climate, therefore he went to New Orleans, La. After remaining two winters there, without much improvement, he returned to Chicago In Chicago, however, he grew worse so rapidly that it was feared he would not live from one mouth to anotlier. As a last resort he bid farewell to his friends and departed for San Antonio, Texas, which was then quite a journey from Chicago. A short time after he arrived here he received an offer from the Life Insurance Com- pany in which he was insured, to compromise with him, as no one expected him to live. Hj accepted the compromise, received $1,5U0 in gold for his policy, and determined to live. He was at this time, and long after, only able to walk about one hundred yards at a time, and after resting a while, would continue his walk. I have heard it stated by himself and others that he has frequently been tracked along the pavement by the blood that flowed from his lungs as he walked along. Such was tl.e condition of this gentleman upon his arrival in San Antonio some twenty years ago; but with the advantages of this magnificent climate, assisted by careful and judicious homoeopathic treatment, he steadily improved until freed from the inroads of that fearful disease. He is at the present time the picture of health, and is living on a high hill just seven miles west, which overlooks this city, where he can still enjoy the delightful breezes and balmy air to which he owes his life. Mr. Robert Vance, formerly connected with the house of Emory, Lowe & Co., of Louisville, Ky., was, when he arrived here, afflicted with frequent and severe hemorrhages, and was of a consumptive family, most of whom had died of lung disease. He .spent two years, from April, 1860, at the ranch of H. H. McLane, in Karnes County, West Texas, and there left with health perfectly restored, and is now with his family residing in Louisville, Ky. He has also a sister, Mrs. Payne, of Goliad, "West Texas, who came here in the fall of 1861) with very decided symptoms of tubercular disease, who has long since been perfectly restored to health. Two brothers and two sisters of the Ruckman family, also consumptives by hereditary descent, were similarly restored to health; the two former are still living in Helena, Karnes County, Texas, and the two sisters have returned to their old home in Pennsylvania. It would take volumes to enumerate each individual cure, and these that I have cited are some few of those which we have evidences of, daily, in our social inter- course with our friends. 80 TOE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. One crrer t mistake that seems to prevail generally amongst invalids, is that they think they must go home as soon as the summer seasonsets in; that it will not only do them no ^ood to remain here, but it will debilitate and further weaken their exhausted frsm3s. I have examined this matter thoroughly, and while I find that it is better for invalids to come here during the fall or early spring, yet the greatest benefit that they derive from this climate is during the spring and summer months; and the best and most remarkable ^cures that I have found were of those who remained here both summer and winter. Suitable accommodations can be obtained here in the city, but after February the weatli'^r is pleasant enough to go to the country, and there, with good diet, com- fortable quarters, healthy exercise in the pure country air, unrestrained by etiquette or fashion, "roughing it" in such a way as will eventually restore all those to* health who will follow this advice, if their coming here has not been delayed into the last stages of the disease. While we have numerous evidences of wonderful cures before, yet I must unhesitatingly urge all those who are afflicted not to delay but come at tince to San Antonio, Texas; and from here you can select that portion of Western Texas best suited to your disease, and the sooner you invalids make up your minds to come, the sooner your health will be restored, and the better will be your chances in after life. Yours truly, J. Jones, M.D. San Antonio, Texas. VITAL STATISTICS. The City Physician, Dr. R. Menger, presents the following ofiicial report of the mortality in this city during the year 1881. We give it almost entire, only omitting such portions of the report as have no bearing on the city's health, and relate to recommendations made by Dr. Menger to the City Council in regard to amendments proposed to the City Ordinances for the preservation of health. Total number of deaths from all causes, 560; total number from diseases of the respiratory system, 133; total from diseases of the nervous system, 1(.3; total from diseases of the alimentary system, 95; total fromzymotic causes, 124. Whites, 3G7; colored 03; Mexicans, 130; residents, 115; non-residents, 445. Natives of Texas, 323; United States, 160; Mexico, 27; Germany, 33; other States, 18. In January there died 28; February, 34; March, 40; April, 20; May. 82; June, T-i; July, 51; August, 49; September, 44, October, 41; November, 44; December, 46. Ward 1, 128; Ward 2, 123; Ward 3. 176; Ward 4, 75. Under 1 year, 203, from 1 to 5 years of age, 72; from 4 to 19, 20; from 10 to 20, 29; from 20 to 30, 61; from 30 to 40. 62; from 40 to 50, 33; from 50 to 00, 29; from 60 to 70, 22; from 70 to 80, 22; from 80 to 90, 4; from 90 to 100, 1 ; at 105, 1 ; at 106, 1. Consumption, 78; pneumonia, 24; hemorrhage of lungs, 4; bronchitis, 11; whooping cough, 11; croup, 3; abscess of pharynx, 1; asrhyxia, 1; gastritis and inflammation of bowels, 26; cholera infantum, 40; cholera morbus, 3; dysentery, 13; diarrhoea (mostly chronic), 17; natural obstruction of rectum, 1; cancer recti, 1 ; meningitis and encaphalitis, 13 ; apoplexy, 9; cerebro-spinal meningitis, 4; myelo-meningitis spinalis, 2; tetanus and trismus (mostly children), '^7; con- vulsions (mostly cliildren from teething or meningitis), 13; sunstroke, 2; fright, 1; alcoholism, 5; rheumatism, 1; muscular atrophy, 1; hepatitis, 10; drop.sy, 5; icte- rus, 3: omphlitis, 1; heart disease, 12; thrombosis of pulmonary artery, 1; typhoid fever, 16; intermittent fever, 2; malarial fever, 5; measles, 11; puerperal fever, 4; erysipelas, 1; gangrene, 3; general peritonitis, 2; Bright's disease, 3; syphilis, 4; teething, 5; general debility and inanition, 10; stillborn, 25; premature birth, 15; marasmus and scrofula, 43; congenital antemia, 1; strangulated hernia, 1; stone in bladder, 2; secondary hemorrhage after amputation, 1; secondary amputation, 1; accidental injuries, 9; internal injuries, 2; shot wounds, 4; burns, 4; drowned, 2; suicides, 6: poisoning, 5. There is an increase of deaths during this year of 75, as compared with the total number of deaths of the year previous. This is mostly due to the increase of our city in population, the population of this year being estimated up to 35,000 inhabitants; that of the year previous up to 23,000. The report shows that the largest mortality prevailed during the year in the THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 81 first and second wards. In May, June, and July we had the most sickness and the greatest mortality. As usual, the causes of death were mainly from consumption and children stillborn, or in infancy or childhood. The total number of deaths in infancy and childhood were 305. If this number and those from consumption are excluded from the entire mortuary report, but 177 deaths, from the most different causes, are left. Having already gone into detailed explanations concerning the mortality of last year, it may be allowed to say a few more words and ascertain the CAUSES OP THE INCllEASED MORTALITY AMONG CONSUMPTIVES IN OUR CITY. TheSB unfortunate consumptives are generally sent here by the advice of northern physi- cians on account of our headhy climate. Now that our climate in general is extremely healthy and beneficial to lung troubles is unquestionably approved by the older physicians of this country, and is also proved by many former consumptives, who came here apparently near the marjrin of the grave, and are now enjoying the best of health in our city. But frequently strangers from the north, and even from Mexico, visit our city, whose lungs are so affected or partially destroyed by disease, that our climate is and can be of but short benefit to them. The doctor goes oa to relate that invalids come here and remain in unfavorable localities for comforts which they have been acccustomcd to enjoy at their homes. A desire to save expense is often the cause of this; but cheap accommodations can be obtained in neighboring localities at a greater elevation than this city, which is of benefit in all lung troubles. If the invalids on their arrival here will at once consult our local physicians they can obtain all the needed information on the subject. Dr. Mcnger has also added the following report of deaths in this city from January 1 to May 'SI, 1882, which will prove of general interest: Total deaths from all causes, 33'2; of these, 146 were whites; 20 colored, and 56 Mexicans. These are again divided into 165 residents and 57 non-residents. Their nativity was: Texas, 106; United States, 74; Mexico, 16; Germany, 15; other countries, 11. Divided according to age, the report shows 63 under one year; 11 from one to five years; 6 from five to ten years; 6 from ten to twenty years; 36 from twenty to thirty years; 43 from thirty to forty years; 23 from forty to fifty years; 14 I'rom fifty to sixty years; 12 from sixty to seventy years; 7 from seventy to eighty years; and 3 from eighty to ninety years. The causes of death are divided as lol- iows: Zymotic diseases, 11; diseases of nervous system, 31; diseases of respiratory organs, 52; typhoid fever, 7; malarial fevers, 4; phthisis pulmona is, 47; pneumo- nia, 5; meningitis and encephalitis 12- convulsions. 19; al^ular and other heart diseases, 9; and stillborn, 21. S„NTA ROSA HOSPITAL. This is an institution of which San Antonians justly feel proud, it being ably conducted under the charge of Mother Superior St. Pierre, a.ssisted by a trained corps of Sisters of Charity, and affording an unequalled home for the afflicted who visit this city in searcii of health and npeding the best medical attention and careful nursing. The hospital building is large and roomy, with perfect ventilation. The location is an admirable one, being on high land west of the old city, fronting San Pidro Plaza, and convenient to the International and Great Northern Railroad depot and with the depot line of the street cars passing within a short distance from the door. Here, retired, yet easily accessible from any part of the city by means of the street cars or haeks, commanding a beautiful view from its windows, and con- stantly fanned bj' health bestowing breezes; removed from the bustle and confusion of the city, yet connected with every poition of it by telephone; having ample grounds and all the modern conveniences, including water from the San Antonio Water Works, with ample bathing facilities on each floor; it is a model of its kind, while the scrupulous neatness of every part of the establishment and the motherly care of the good Sisters bring comfort and rest to the weaiy invalid, and often of itself restores the patient to perfect health, even without the intervention of medical skill. The City Physician, in referring to this institution in his annual report for 1881, says: "Our private hospital, Santa Rosa, has undergone many improvements during the past year. There is more room fur the sick, and these are provided with good, clean beds. The hospital has its water works, several bathing apparatus in well- ventilated apartments, litters on which to carry sick or injured persons, a dead house. 82 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. etc. It has been kept in good sanitary order during the year, and the Sisters of Charit}' deserve much credit for their untiring attention to the sick. The total number of sick persons admitted during the year is two hundred and twelve; of these one hundred and fifty were private patients, and among them twenty-seven deaths are recorded. The remaining sixty-two patients were city paupers, mostly strangers, of which number twelve died. Several patients were admitted in a dying condition, and were laborers employed on the various railroads centreing here." Private patients are given rooms by themselves, supplied with all the home comforts so grateful to invalids, and at a cost ranging from a dollar to two dollars per day, including board and nursing. Each private patient engages his own physician, and must pay extra for his medicines It will be seen from the above that this hospital not only offers superior accommodations, but is also much cheaper for an invalid than any liotel or boarding-house. THE ALAMO CITT GUIDE. 83 CHAPTER VII WATER POWER AND MANUFACTURES. THE SAN ANTONIO IIIVER. One of the principal natural attractions of San Antonio is the beautiful little river which bursts forth from the ground from innumerable springs about three miles north of the Main Plaza. The two principal springs are beautiful points to visit. The one in the villa of Mr. Geo. W. Brackenndge can only be seen by obtaining the permission of the owner, but the other large spring on the Lane estate can be visited at any time and will well repay the visitor. The true source of the river is believed to be an underground stream which first finds an outlet at the point indicated. One of the facts which goes to substantiate the sub- terranean river theory is that the water in the head springs remains at a uniform temperature during the entire year, and the rise and fall of the water in the river, other than from overflows of other streams in this vicinity, and which are of very rare occurrence, is not affected by local rains. By some it is supposed that the subterranean source of these springs is fed by the melting snnws of the Sierra Nevada mountains, which, entering the subterranean channel, are thence conveyed to this locality, where they find an outlet and form one of the most attractive little streams in Western Texas. From the head springs the river flows in a very tortuous course between well wooded banks to the Gulf of Mexico, winding its way through this city so that in the six rpiles included in the city limits, its bed is fully fifteen miles in length, and, besides furnishing the power anil water supply for the waterworks and the power for local mills, also feeds the ancient and modern irrigation ditches which also traverse the city's length and irrigate the vegetable and other gardens along their course. The river is crossed within the city limits by eight bridges; six of these are large iron bridges for teams and pedestrians and two foot bridges. The iron bridge over the river at the Houston Street crossing is to be replaced by a large bridge, and the present Houston Street bridge is to be placed over the river at some other point. These bridges are beautiful as well as substantial structures, and add to the attractiveness of the city as well as to the convenience of citizens and visitors Fish abound in the river, and consist of the blue catfish, common catfish, perch, gars, trout, suckers, buffalo, German carp, shad, and other varieties, placed there by the United States Fish Commissioners. Above where the irrigation ditches empty into the river, near its head, the water is very clear and of a beautiful blue color, but lower down it becomes more tinged with the color of the clay which borders its banks. In 1877 Mr. W. R. Freeman, an expert in such matters and the designer and engineer of the San Antonio Waterworks, made a very careful survey of the river. From his report we glean the following facts: The volume of the river, determined by actual experiments, is about 16,149 cubic feet per minute, equivalent to SOJo horse power for each foot of fall. The horse power for any fall may be found by multiplying 30}.^ by the fall. The total fall in the river from its source to the end of the city limits on the south is about lU7o8 feet. Being but the visible result of a powerful subterranean river, its volume and power are capable of being indefinitely increased by artesian wells near its source, while, by removing existing obstructions or by straightening its course the rapidity of its current can be more than doubled and its original purity will be retained along us course. As yet the capabilities of this wonderful stream are but partially developed, yet it drives the powerful machinery of our waterworks, furnishes pure water to the many private consumers, the fire hydrants, private hydrants, the public and private fountains about the city, and is also used to drive the water motors which run the large presses of the Daily Express. Evening Light, M. M. Mooney and other printing establishments, besides a number of small manufactories. It also furnishes the 84 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. water for our ancient and modern system of irrigation ditches and drives the machinery of laiger mills and manufactories alonij its course, and yet has sufficient unemployed power to drive many times the amount of machinery now in use. SAN ANTONIO WATERWORKS. The waterworks here are the monument of the engineering sliill of Mr. W. R. Freeman, who, though still a younir man, is an engineer of considerable experience and sound judgment in the construction and management of waterworks, he having been connected with the construction of the Kansas City and Austin waterworks, besides other engineering enterprises calculated to give him great experience and of great benefit in a work of this character. That he did his work well the present success of the waterworks fully attests. Mr. Freeman was backed in his work by Mr. J. B. Lacoste, a public-spirited citizen, who, by his financial standing and ability, furnished the funds necessary to complete the enterprise. The works are now in the hands of a powerful stock company, headed by Mr. George W. Brackenridge, presi- dent of the San Antonio National Bank, under whom numerous improvements and extensions have been made. The main buildings, machinery, etc., of the waterworks are situated near the head of tiie river on the road to the Brackenridge villa, advantage being taken of a large bend to secure the desired fall of water to work the powerful turbines which drive the pumps. The pump-house, a one-story stone structure, built with an eye to beauty as well as use, contains all the machinery of the works, and is connected with the company's office by telephone, thereby placing the machinery under the control of the officers of the company three miles away, and in ca.se of fire or other emergency, enabling word for an increase of quantity or power to be given imme- diately. The works are a combination of the reservoir and direct pressure system, a system which was originated and perfected by Mr. Freeman. The reservoir is situated on a hill about a mile east of the works, at an elevation above the Main Plaza of fully one hundreil and fifty feet. This reservoir has a capacity of five millions gallons, and an additional reservoir of larger capacity is projected. The original pumping machinery con-isted of two Wortliington duplex pumps, with water plungers fourteen inches in diameter and ten and one-half inch stroke, driven by two Eclipse double turbines seventy-two inches in diameter, working under a head of six and one-half feet fall. This fall was produced by excavating a race course six hundred and fifty feet in length and forty feet in width across a neck of land at the works. Since then additional power has been added and the mains now extend to every part of the city. This is the first use of the water power of the river below its source. THE ALAMO MILL. Passing down the river siveral miles in its windings along the valley, and by many admirable locations for manufacturing enterprises, we next come to the Alamo Mill, which was established about eight years ago, and is situated on Avenue B and Eighth Street, and is run by water power, driving a sixty-inch iron turbine water wheel, of about forty-horse power, which can be increased to one hundred and twenty-five horse power, and is said to be the finest water power now in use within the city limits. The present capacity of the mill is about fifty barrels of flour per day, and the enterprising managers of the mill manufacture all grades of flour, including the famed " patent process;" also corn meal, and all kmds of mill feeds. The mill has been doing an increasing business, and improved macliinery has been added since its commencement. No flour is better thought of than the products of the Alamo Mill, and the machinery is kept running day and night, with orders ahead. THE LAUX MILL. Passing down the river by other undeveloped sites for manufacturing enter- prises, we next come to the Laux mill. This is a five story stone structure, with ample machinery, which can be diiven by either water power or steam. The water power is communicated to the machinery by a large undershot iron water wheel, of about twelve horse power, while the steam engine now in use is of about forty-horse power. The capacity of the mill is from twelve to fourteen bushels of flour per THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 85 hour, besides corn meal, mill feeds, and hominy. The mill is now run hy Messrs. Landa & Sons also of New Brounfels, Texas, and is situated on the bank of tlie river a little back from Soledad Street. THE LEWIS MILL. Ap:ain following the course of the river in its tortuous windings, we next come to the Lewis Mill, which has been run for many years, and is situated on the river bank, at the double iron bridge which crosses the liver at this point and connects with Garden Street on the south. This mill is now controlled by A. Beyer »fc Co., and has about twelve hor.'^e power communicaled to the machinery by an undershot water wheel. Its capacity is ubout twenty-four barrels of flour or three hundred and .sixty bushels of corn meal in each twenty-four hours. THE GUENTHERS MILLS. Following the river in its windings by other undeveloped water powers we next come to the Guenthers Mills, run by C. H. Guenther & Sons. These mills are des- ignated as the upper and lower mills, and are located near the iron bridge which leads to the road passing the United States Arsenal. The upper mill is run by a thirty horse power undershot water wheel, operating three pairs of stoue.«, and has a capacity of twenty barrels of No. 2 flour and two hundred and fifty bushels of corn meal in twenty four hours. The lower mill, situated below the upper mill, consists of flour and corn mills. The flour mill°is nm by a seventy-two inch (forty horse power) turbine water wheel, operating five pairs of stones (burrs), and all the latest improved mill machinery. Its capacity is seventy barrels of the best flour in twenty-four hours. The corn mill is run by a twenty horse power undershot water wheel, operating two pairs of stones, and has a cajjaeity of two hundred and fifty bushels of corn meal in twenty-four hours. THE MISSION MILLS. From this point there are no mills of any description, although the river abounds with admirable water powers, until we reach the old Mission of San Juan, about six miles below the city, where are located theMissif)n Mills, the largest enterprise in the way of manufacturing yet established here. It was about two years ago when Messrs. Berg Bros, started this enterprise and built a large four story frame mill for their wool burring, scouring, and pulling establishment. Here the burry and dirty wools are converted into a merchantable article, ready for immediate manufacture. They also began pulling wool, and have thus made this city a large market for sheep skins. Some skins and furs are tanned at these mills by a quick process, and all the work done is strictly firsf-class. So great has been the success of the enterprising projectors of these mills ih it last year they erected a large cotton gin near by, also run by water power, and have done a large amount of business, which has caused them already to increase their power, and even tlicn they constantly had a large amount of work ahead. The present power in the main mill is obtained from a forty-four inch turbine water wheel, of a present capacity of about forty horse power, which is capable of being increased to three hundred and fifty horse power. They now contemplate putting in full machinery for manufacturing woolen fabrics next winter, and will use only the latest patents of machinery in the work. The mill is connected wiih the otRce of Messrs. Berg & Bro., in this city, by a private tele- phone line erected by Messrs. Berg & Bro. In order to avoid being considered vis- ionary we will not speak of the possibilities of this enterprise, but we only repeat the opinion of all who are capable of judging of the matter, when we say that no enterprise has ever been established in this city which promises grander results than the Mission Mills. OTHER STREAMS, ETC. San Antonio is one of the best watered cities in the Southwest; not only has it the San Antonio River winding its way through the eastern part of the city, its very extensive system of accquias or irrigation ditches, and the waterworks mains extending to every part of the city, but also there are several small streams or creeks extending through the city limits west of and parallel to the river from north to south. The principal of these is the San Pedro Creek, which takes its rise 8G THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. at the beautiful resort known as San Pedro Spring-s, gushing forth from rocks and feeding numerous little ponds and lakes, feeding the San Pedro acequia or irriga- tion ditch, and emptying into the San Antonio River near the southern boundary of the city. This creek is a perpetual watercourse, and might be utilized by manufac turers," but at present is only used as a bathing place and for irrigation. West of this, and within the city limits, li^s the Alazan Creek, which al.so feeds an acequia. but the creek itself has been neglected, and is so filled that it can only be relied on during the rainy season. Still further west lies the Leon Creek and the Medina River, with several minor creeks intervening. There are numerous wells about the city, and very many cisterns, so that at no time in the history of the city has there been a total lack of water, even in the seasons of the most prolonged droughts. The artesian origin of our rivers and crefks also attest the feasibility of an extensive system of artesian wells, which could bs established at any time if there existed a reason for boring them. In such an emergency the cost of the wells would be very slisht, as the rocks in this vicinity are mainly limestone, and would offer but slight resistance to the augers used for that purpose. Besides, the quality of water obtained here is very pure, and once the limestone formation was pierced it would be equal to the best freestone water of other countries. The rich and varied mineral deposits of this section of the country give promise of mineral wells of rare m>di- cinal power. Many such have already been found in the adjacent country, as will be seen elsewhere in this volume. OTHEK MANUFACTimrNG ENTERPRISES. With an abundance of raw material, water power unexcelled by any city in the South, cheap land, a climate which enables out-door work to be done during the entire year without causing the operative any inconvenience, an abundance of supe- rior building material and "moderate taxes, it is a matter of surprise to visitors that there arc not more manufacturing enterprises here. The fact is that Western Texas has until recently been almost entirely given up to the stockmen and general tradi-rs. Until recently it was a common sayina: that even agricultun; could not be profitably engaged in west of San Antonio. This fallacy is now being rapidly disproved by the sturdj' agriculturists who are rapidly converting the western prairies into fertile farms, where not only grain but fruits are being raised with profit to the producers. The stockmen of the past made largo profits, and were a lavish set of men, great big- hearted fellows, who bought what they wanted without regard to price, and who cared little for other enterprises than the one in which they were engaged. To .such a class the arguments of projectors of manufacturing enterprises were nonsense; they had what they wanted, bought it and paid for it, and with their large gains they thought very little of saving a few dollars by patronizing home industry, or by the development of the country. It has only been within the last few years that a change has been noted. The stockmen are now located further West while the quiet farmer has located near the city. A new people have come on the scene, men from the manufacturing districts of the North and from Europe, who have been trained to closer ideas of economy. These are the men who are now developing the resources of this wonderland of America, and who, aided by others, will cause the San Antonio of the future to be the Lowell of Texas. The present showing, there- fore, is but the beginning of the end, and, although small, is the neuclus of the grand results which must follow the present business boom which is waking the old Spanish town into a realization of present opportunities. Other than those already mentioned, we have the following quasi-manufacturing enterprises here : Two soap factories, several small tanneries, a broom factory, a cotton-seed oil mill, patent wood pavement factory, several steam planing mills, and sash, door, and blind factories, several cotton gins, cement, and artificial stone fac- tories, extensive lime kilns, breweries, ice factories, etc., etc. THE AliAMO CITY GUIDE. 87 CHAPTER VIII. WATER POWER OF THE CO:SIAL. A WORK of this character is necessarily circumscribed in its scope, and deals more in generalities than in special descriptions of other than purely local scenes and events. The reader may, therefore, b:; deceived as to the general character of the surrounding country and be led to believe that San Antonio possesses all the natural advantages of a very large range of territory. Such is not the case, as there are very many valuable manufacturing sites in Western Texas, of wiiich we can only- mention one, but which can be taken as a sample of others, which if they do not equal it in all of their natural advantages, yet which offer rare opportunities for investments which cannot fad to yield very large profits in proportion to the amount of capital required. About thirty miles in a northeasterly direction from San Antonio lies the beau- tiful little city of New Braunfels, the county seat of Comal County, a thrifty city well supplied with churches and schools, and surrounded by a very rich agricul- tural country, now tributary to San Antonio, and possessing several very fine water powers, but chiefly those of the Comal and the Gaadalupe Rivers, both of which water the city. The New Braunfels woolen mills have a wide reputation beyond the limits of Texas, and other like enterprises here yield correspondingly large returns. The International and Great Northern Railroad passes through the city, and gives it direct communication with the large markets of the north; San Antonio, which is about an hour and thirty minutes ride by rail, and thenre with Mexico, the International and Great Northern Railway being a link in the Gould system of radroads; also with the Pacific coast and Gulf ports by changing cars at San Antonio and tnking the Southern Pacific Railway at that point for the Pacific, or the Galves- t(m, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway for Galveston, New Orleans, and other Gulf ports and eastern markets. There are also several stage Hoes which connect New Braunfels with various points along the line of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway. Here is also located THE FINEST WATER POWER IN TEXAS. This water power is from the head springs of the Comal River, a tributary of the Guaduiupe. These springs, which are almost innumerable, and thus far in all seasons have been found to be apparently inexhaustible, gush forth from the bise of the Comal Mountains and the river banks, while for nearly three miles the river itself fairly boils with springs, which burst forth from the river bed. Such a supply of water power the writer has never before seen, and its artesian origin causes it to maintain a uniform temperature during the entire year, while at the same time its purity is little short of marvellous. No more beautiful scenes can be imagined than aro afforded along the entire length of the Comal River. The heavily timbered banks, with their innumerable springs gushing forth at the very roots of luxuriant tropical water plants, which wave their immense leaves in mute acknowledgment of the mighty power of the swift flowing stream which gives them sustenance; the mar- vellously clear water, through whose depths can be seen large fish darting among the vari-colored fern-like plants and mosses which carpet the river bottom, with fre- quent breaks sparkling with the dazzling brightness of the pebbles which mark the outpouring of fresh contributions from subterranean water courses to this great motor. Oa one side fertile fields, rich in their waving crops of grain and cotton, while high up on the other side are seen the wooded heights of the Comal mountains with occasional glimpses of the outcropping of the inexhaustible rock supph% which a beneficent Creator has placed thus hand.v for the builders of the great manufacto- ries which will in the near future line these baaks, and in turn feed thousands of peo- ple yet unborn. There may be those who think we write too stronglj-, but they are those who have not seen the beauties and appreciated the possibilities of the Comal River. This river, from its head spring for several miles, together with the 88 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. property on both banks, including stone quarries, cedar brakes, forests, mountain tops and fertile fields, is the property of Mr. Joseph Landa, the Rothschild of New Brauafels, himself a manufacturer, and constantly extending his manufacturing enterprises along his property. Mr. Landa is a native of Germany, but has resided in New Braunfels thirty years, and in Western Texas thirty-five years. It is a good proof of the healthfulness of the climate of New Braunfels that although Mr. Landa is now seventy-one years of age yet he is as sprightlj" as many a man of thirty years, and if he was quietly sitting in his busduess office (which he seldom is, as he is a man of great activity), a stranger would not suppose him to be a day older than fifty years Fed by a raceway from the Comal River in his large flour, meal, and feed mill, a three story and a half stone structure, very solidly built, seventy- five feetin length by thirty feet in width, and provided with all the hitest patents of mill machinery, driven by a single, thirty inch turbine water wheel, at present working under a force of twenty feet fall, which can at will be increased to a fall of thirty- three feet. This mill he intends to increase in size until it is more than double its present dimensions, as his constantly increasing business demands larger manufac- turing facilities. So far as water power is concerned, it is, as we have before staled, practically inexhaustible. There are three additional raceways already constructed for this mill, each of which have a present fall of twenty feet, and capable of being increased to thirty three feet, which will carry the largest sized turbine water wheels. Besides these there are two other raceways, each with a like fall, which are intended to run other machinery for manufactories not yet established. A forty-eight inch turbine water-wheel, with all the necessary shafting in a well constructed power-house, is now in position and awaits the coming of capitalists to utilize it. This location is at once high and dry, although with the water-power so abundant and immediately at hand. A cool breeze blows almost constantly during the sum- mer months, and there is an abundance of shade all over the place, the trees being pecans, elms, various varieties of oak, figs, peaches, plums, pear, etc. Fruit is very abundant, and rare varieties of grapes are raised there with much less care than is required for the common varieties in the North. Another important recomn e idation for this site for manufacturing enterprises, is the fact that the land is so hii;h that there is no possible danger of an overflow or freshet; surface water producing no appreciable effect on the volume of the water flowage, the same being entirely artesian and continuous during the entire year. The main track of the International and Great Norther-J Railway, which extends from St. Louis through the he; r of Mexico, runs within five hundred feel of the Landa Mills, and a switch will be constructed which will run to the mill elevatojs and to such other factories as may be erected in that locality, so that there will be every facility afforded for the receipt of the raw material and the shipment of the products of the mills. Mr. Landa will soon build a corn shucker and sheller, and a hay-press on a large scale, which will be operated by water-power and will furnish raw material for a paper-mill, which he hopes will be erected by capitalists in the near future. Such an enterprise would pay a very large per cent, profit, as the country abounds with fibrous plants which are peculiarly adapted to paper-making. Indeed, the power at this and other points along the land owned by Mt. Landa is amply sufficient lo drive all the machinery of the hundreds of mills and factories that can be erected there. Manufacturers who desire to know more on this subject should address Mr. J. Landa, New Braunfels, Texas, and mention that they saw this notice of the property in the "Alamo City Guide." Information regarding all the various manufacturing sites in "Western Texas and kindred subjects will be fur- nished by Stephen Gould, Secretary Sau Autonio Merchants' Exchange, San Antonio, Texas. THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 89 CHAPTER IX. BUILDING MATERIAL, QUARRIES, ETC. Few localities are so liberally provided with various descriptions of building material as San Antonio. Tlie lumber regions of Texas are all accessible to the city by rail, and sufficient lumber lor fencing and like purposes is found in the hdls about twenty miles to the north, which is brouglit here on wagons. Of stone there is no lack; the hills in the immediate vicinity are underlayed with limestone of various degrees of durability, some of which yields an excellent lime on being subjected to heat. Tliere are several of these limekilns about the city, and they are rim to their full capacity both on home orders and orders from other localities. If sufficient cipitil was invested in this work the present production might be increased many times, and the product would have a ready sale, as even now the home demand otten exceeds the supply, and a lack of stock frequently causes delays in local building operations. This is another of the business opportunities to be found here. The building stone is obtained in such liberal quantities that many of the private residences and all of the public buildings are constructed of it. This stone is generally described as the soft limestone and the hard limestone. The first is used in many of the smaller buildings, and when first quarried can be cut into any shape with an ordinary hatchet. This soft rock is also used in making lime. The stone becomes quite hard on exposure to the air, and will last for a long time, as is proven by (he many old buildings about the city which are constructed of it. The supply is" apparently inexhaustible. The hard limestone is equally plentiful, and is the material used in the construc- tion of the U. S. Quartermaster's Depot and numerous public buildings about the city. That found at the San Gcronimo quarries, twenty-five miles northwest of this city, is pronounced the finest. The city quarries, situated near the head of the San Antonio River, furnishes a hard limestone, which, when first quarried, can be cut with a hand saw. These quarries are the best patronized on account of their loca- tion, and the stone having also been approved by the U. S. engineers in the cf)nstruc- tion of government works. The Salado quarry, situated about six miles north of the city, furnishes a rock still harder than that obtained from the city quarries, and is an excellent building material. From the Calaveras and Chupederas Creeks, southeast of the city, we receive a very fine quality of flagging stone, which is extensively used here. In fact, in every direction from the city stone of various qualities is found in large quantities. It is safe to say tbat, although some of our quarries have been worked ever since the white men first entered this valley, yet they have never been fully developed, and it will be an impossibility to exhaust them, at least f'>r centuries to come. The San Geronimo quarries, situated about twenty-five miles northwesterly from San Antonio, lie at the base of a series of high hills, or, as they are termed here, moun^ai'_s, with abundant water all about them, .several valuable mineral springs, and well shaded with cedar groves and other valuable timber. The rock is of various qualities, and all of it is of superior quality and is inexhaustible. A new town has been laid out near the quarries, and the entire property is now in the market. For capitalists this property presents a ready means for making a very large profit in a short time The town site is well watered, and is several hundred feet above the highest point in San Antonio, which is about seven hundred feet above the Gulf of Mexico. If the proper parties take hold of this property it can be made a celebrated health resort. Cements of the finest qualities are manufactured from various stones and clays found here in the greatest abundance. A reference to our remarks about the Alamo Cement Works will show this more fully. Brick are manufactured in this city on a limited scale only, although large beds of brick-clay are known to exist in this vicinity. The trouble seems to be that 90 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. sufficient capital has never been invested in the work, and skilled labor has not been employed. There is a large demand for brick here, but although (here is every facility for making brick in this city, yet the best quality is brought here by rail. A few years will change this, and then San Antonio brick will form a large item in our exports. The manufacture of artificial stone injthis city has been carriel to a degree of perfection that is very gratifying. The substantial and excellent sidewalks on our business streets are constructed of this material, and attest to its superiority over any other material previously used for this purpose. Drain tile, chimney caps, etc., are also made of it, and it is put to a variety of other uses. This business is still in its infancy, but is steadily increasing, .and will soon reach large proportions. Pottery of supprior quality is manufactured along the line of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad, but with our large and inexhaustilile beds of excellent fire-clay and other fine clays, the manufacture of fine pottery should be an extensive business here. All that is needed is for parties with experience in the work, backed by sufficient capital, to make the start, and a business will be inaugu- rated which will pay a very large profit to its projectors. At present there is a large and constantly increasing demand for pottery of all kinds here, and San Antonio is the depot of supply for a very large section of "Western Texas and Mexico. Indeed a large trade can be built up in this line with the Pacific coast on the west, as far north as St. Louis, and bounded on the east by New Orleans. This is a prize which awaits some one possessing sufficient energy, experience, and capital to grasp it. THE AliAMO CEMENT COMPANY. This is a local corporation which has proved beyond the power of contradiction that the very best cement can be manufactured here from the rocks and clays found in great abundance in this vicinity. The works of this company are situated about three miles in a northerly direction from the business centre of "this city, and are at present run by a Greenleaf engine of fifty-hor.se power. In the quarry adjoining is found the various compounds necessary for their production. These are carried by an elevated tramway to large kilns, 'S2 feet high and nine feet in diameter, lined with home-made fire brick, and capable of holding three hundred barrels of cement. There it is calcined, and thence conveyed to the Blake crusher. It afterwards passes through roller crushers, aiid is conveyed by the elevator to mills on the floor above, capable of grinding eighty barrels per day. Here it is ground and immedi- ately passed down a chute into the barrels for shipment, unless it be Portland cement, which requires further manipulation. These are the present arrangements, but cer- tain improvements are being made by which the manual labor in the production of these cements will be reduced, and the execution of orders materially expedited to the extent of 200 barrels per day. There is a cooperage on the place, and here strong barrels are made by competent workmen. The staves and hoops are of northern manufacture, but Mr. Kalteyer thinks they could be equally well prepared in Texas, and cheaper, and he is anxious to encourage this kind of industry. The Alamo Cement Company manufactures two kinds of cement; the " Alamo Portland," and the " Alamo Roman." The first grade— the " Alaino Portland "—is the best quality, and is equal to the English Portland, which costs from $3 to $5 more per barrel. The second grade— the " Alamo Roman " — the company places in competition with the Rosendale, Louisville, and other American cements, and we are pleased to record that the Alamo Roman is at least twice as strong as the Rosendale and Louisville cements found in our markets. In other words, that one part ' Alamo Roman" cement, mixed with one part of sand, will give a stronger mortar, by 25 per cent., than Rosendale cement without sand. And, "what is worthy of note, the price of the Alamo cement is much less than that of the Rosendale. The company are now receiving extensive orders for sidewalks, not only in San Antonio, but for other cities. In these, for surface covering, the}'" use only the very best cements. In various parts of the city wdl he seen specimens of the company''s work, which, for durability and execution, are superior to the work of other contractors. Great care is taken in manufacture of all cements, and they are in all cases tested before they are sent from the works. The Alamo Cement Com- pany have also extensive quarry works on which they are continually quarrying for THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 91 sidewalks and building stone. Fourteen men and thirteen teamsters are actively employed here, and a very large quantity of stone is daily delivered from the works. The fact that these cements are of local production sliould be sufScient to induce Texans to employ them extensively f(jr sidewalks, cisterns, culverts, domes, concrete, artificial stone, and other building purposes, because it is to our real interests to conserve the trade, but when it is found that those cements are in all cases equal, and in many ca?es superior, to those produced outside the State and in foreign countries, there are further reasons in using them, and ere long there can be little doubt that the Alamo cements will be generally used as the clieapest and best in the market. Parties desiring further information on this subject should call on or address Mr. Geo. H. Kalteyer, of F. Kalteyer & Son , druggists, the manager of the com- pany, or Mr. Ben. Mauermann, the President. 33 THE ALAJIO CITY GUIDE. CHAPTER X. MINES IN WESTERN TEXAS. Frcxm various causes the rich mineral deposits in \7estern Texas have hitherto been neglected by the Aa,2:lo-Saxon race. The early Spanish explorers, however, knew of the valuable leads of silver, gold, lead, iron, etc., which abound in this reajion, and they worked mines here for a number of years until driven off by the Indians. The steady extension of the railroads in this section has of htte attracted special attention to these mines, and now the laud is being bought up and soon will be covered by a hardy set of miners who will add greatly to the wealth of the country. Tlils view is borne out by ancient documents of the early Spaniards, and which are now being brought to light. Mr. Lorenzo Castro, an old citizen of San Antonio, thus writes on this subject : But little is known of the great mineral wealth of Texas, which some day will be found to equal the rirhest of Mexico. Having lived in this great State f'lr over thirty-two years, my father, Henry Castro, having colonized that portion of Western Texas situated west of San Antonio, I will give you what little information 1 have gathered from tradition or otliervvise. Tlie archives of Coahuila and Texas have been so much purloined that nothing is found concernnig the minerals of Texas, either in San Antonio, Monterey, or Saltillo, but, no doubt, some interesting documents could still be found in the archives of the dty of ]\Iexico. In the last century silver mines were worked near Palafox, Webb Countv, on the Frio, in Uvalde County, and on various creeks in what is known to-day as Lfano and San Saba County. Gold was found in the Rio Grande, above Laredo. It is said to have been found on the San Miguel. It was found, also, in Llano and San Saba Counties. In the year 1757 several Spaniards worked the mines called El Espinaso de Judas and Los Almagres, situated in the hills of Llano and San Saba Counties. I saw in a report to tiie commanding officer at San Antonio, where one of the Spaniards, who had some of his men killed by the Lipan Indians, followed them with a detachment of soldiers stationed at San Saba Fort, as we call it, and overtook them near the mouths of San Saba and Colorado, killing some of them. It is not ki.own why these mines were abandoned, but it can readily be supposed that all the tribes of Indians having united in war against the Sp;tniards, owing to their small numbers they were forced to abandon them ; for in 1758 an important campaign against the wild Indians was organized at the Presidio de Bexar, under the command of Colonel Don Diego Ortiz de Padilla (whose report I have not been able to procure yet). In a report upon the situation of the Missions established in New Spain, made by the Viceroy, Count of Revilla-Gigedo, to the King of Spain, dated Mexico, 27th of December, 171)3, I find the following, viz. : "In Texas .... there are silver mines in the hills of this extensive country ; but more particularly in those known as del Espinaso de Judas (Judas' back bone) and los almagres (red ochre), distant, more or less, fifty leagues (131% American miles) north of the capital of the Province, which is the town of San Fernando (now San Antonio). " In the year 1822, Don Salvador Canasco, a resident of the town of Presidio del Rio Grande, denounced the mines called Los Almagres (the red ochre), which he describes in his petition as being situated in the territory of San Saba, in the Province of Texas, forty leagues, more or less, or a little over one hundred Amer- ican mile«, from San Antonio. Some persons residing in Bexar have brought specimens of the gold and silver ore, and have not devoted themselves to the working of these mines through fear of the Indians. "Upon the petition of citizen Canasco, an inquiry was ordered by Don Anastasio Bustamente, commanding Eastern and Western Internal Provinces, directed to Colonel Gaspar Lopez, commanding the Provinces of Coahuila THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 93 and Texas, which resulted in the following interesting report, made to the Emperor Itur'oide by Captain Sebastian Rodriguez Biednia." [This report, with other interesting documents, was given by Mr. Rejers, Secretary of State of Neuvo Lpon, to T. A. Quintero, who translated it. The same was published in the Texas xUmanac of 1868.] " To His Imperial Majesty : "Sebastian Rodriguez Biedma, a captain in the regular army of the Eastern Internal Provinces, and Director of the Military Academy established at Montclova for the instruction of Spanish Cadets, with greal respect, states : '• That upon the San Saba Hills, course northwest from San Antonio de Bexar, and about forty five leagues from said town (one hundred and eighteen miles) there are mines of unsurpassing richness, known as Los Almagres, which, judging from their outward appearance, promise more wealth than that produced by any of the mostfamous of San Louis Potosi, Zacatecas, and Guanjuato. I do not hesitate to make this statement, being convinced of that fact by my own eyes, and, therefore, I do not doubt thai the information given on the subject, both by tiie Deputy of the Province and the Municipality, will correspond with the assertions made in this report. " Some other persons have seen the above-mentioned mines, and brought speci- mens of the ore, taken from veins on the surface, which have been tried and found to yield much silver. I believe that it will not be necess^ary to make any other expenses for the W)rking of said mines than those for the purchase of implements and utensils, and the erection of some cabins for the miners. I am satisfied that the immediate yield of these mines will be more than sufficient to defray the expenses of the work. " I heard of the richness of these mines since I was stationed at Corpus Christi. I afterwards saw some specimens at San Antonio de Bexar, and I analyzed them with the best results. I was then in active service, with no influence to promote the undertaking; and, of course, did not take any steps in the matter; hut having recently, under the accompanying commission (which I desire to be returned to me), proceeded to the San Saba Hills to make the reces.sary exploration, I have to report, not only that said mines exist, but that I believe them to be of great richness. " Therefore your Imperial Majesty may order that a detachment of three hun- dred and fitly cavalry be stationed at the place called Los Almagres, with the object of protecting the new settlement to be made. As soon as this is ordered, many of the inhabitants cf the Province will congregate and build up a town. However great tlie cares of the government may be under the present circumstances, the small number of tiiree hundred and fifty men will not much diminish tlie forces of the Empire nor increase its expenses. The latter are comparatively small if we con- sider the great advantages to be derived from the settlement of Los Almagres, which will undoubtedly be followed by the subjugation of the Indians, the increase of our population, and the circulation of silver. " The undersigned dors not aspire to any other glory than the one he will gain by seeing his plans canied out. " Monclova, January 23, 1823. "(Signed) Sebastian Rodriguez." Owing to the abdication of the Emperor Iturbide, which took place March 19, 1823, Captain Bi'^dma's plan was not carried out. Count de La Beaume, who then resided in San Antonio, visited the mines, and sent some specimens to the City of Mexico. It is said that a specimen of gold from the Almagre mines was presented to Baron Von Humboldt while in the City of Mexico, and that he declared the same to be the finest he had ever seen. I bave heard it stated that Colonel Bowie (the same who fell gloriously with the defenders of tlie Alamo in 183G) had in his possession all the documents concerning these mines, and that they were probably lost in the Alamo. Colonel Bowie, in company with twelve others, some time previous to the declaration of independence of Texas (1835), started to explore the San Saba mines, but, while encamped near them, the party was attacked by one hundred and twenty Toacoway Indians. They retreated to the banks of the San Saba River, where they 94 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. entrenched themselves, standing a siege of several days and killing many Indians, and having only one of their purty wounded. Bowie's party, not heiug in sufficient force, gave up, for the time, the idea of exploring said mines, returned to San An- tonio, and dispersed. Some years ago, an old Mexican, who had accompanied Captain Biedraa on his exploration of the San Saba mines as a blacksmith's boy, was still living in San Antonio, and may, although very old, be still living A French company, of whom our esteemed fellow-townsman (now deceased), Mr. Francis Giraud, was to b ; the chief engineer, was about to be organized by Mr. De St. Pyre, French Consul at Galveston, for the purpose of discovering and vvork- iug of said mines, but the rebellion having broken out, the projected company fell through. Although many intelligent Americans and Germans have explored Llano and San Saba, they have not yet discovered these mines — at least, the lead. It may be tbai the San Saba mines are of the kind that the Mexicans call liziard or pocket mines. From what has been said above, it can be seen that the Spaniards considered the San Saba region as the richest mineral district of Texas in gold and silver, and much of the rei)orts made by experts of this portion of the great State of Texas go to prove the fact. 1 have not yet been able to learn when what is called the San Saba Fort was built, no more than the Mission, as they are called by us Texans, on the Nueces, where many shafts were opened, but I hope to solve that mystery some day. Iron. — In Llano County there is an iron hill, almost a solid mass of magnetic oxide of iron, surrounded by azoic granite. During the war of the rebellion some of this ore was smelted. It yielded seventy-five per cent, of metallic iron, and it is said there is enough ore to supply the United States for ages, according to Professor Buckley. Professor Roesseler says in regard to iron that the most valuable class of ores are met in the primary or paleozuic formation, extending through the counties of Burnet Llano, San Saba, Lampasas, Mason, Mci'ulloch, and other western counties. They consist of four varieties of ore, viz. : magnetic, spathic, specular, and hema- tite ores. Large beds of red and brown hematite ore are cropping out on the waters of Honey and Sandy Creeks, and near the mouths of Stroud and Walton Creeks in Llano County. Iron has been found in over sixty counties in this State. Copper is found in Archer County. The ore is remarkably rich. According to an analysis made in 1867 it yields sixty per cent, of copper. Professor Roesseler says that copper is found in large quantities, in different forms, in Texas, and he say>;; '' There is yet another copper region of importance in the Chinaii Mountain, Presidio County. A specimen collected by Mr. John James, of San Antonio, and analyzed by D. Biddle, gave the following "-esult: Copper as sulphuret 39 0186 Copper as carbonate 5 0;{8") Sulphuret of iron , 15-4999 Silicious matter 16-891i) Sulphur 19-804D Carbonic acid and oxygen 3"333S 100 A sulphuret of copper, containing n5 44, has been found in Hunt County. Copper is found in Wichita, Clay, Haskell, territory of Bexar (that is, most of the unorganized counties lying north and northwest of San Antonio), and Pecos and Presidio Counties. Silver and Lead. — The calciferous sand roik. which is the lead-bearing rock of Missouri, abounds in Burnet, San Saba, and Llano Counties. Load and silver are found combined together in T( xas, and are known to exist in El Paso, Presidio, Bandera, and Llano Counties. Of the former three varieties have been brought to notice: the carbonate of lead, or c. rusite, the sulphuret of lead, THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 95 or galenite, and the raolybdate of lead, or Wulfenite. The former two coniain silver in such quantity as to l)e cousidered silver ores. Arijenliferous and ferrug-inous cerumite is fouud in the Chinati and Guadalupe Mountains. The ore is free and mannite, and is found in separate veins, affording over seventy per cent, of lead and some silver. From it the white lead of commerce is manufactured. About fifteen miles North of El Paso and ten miles north of a mine known as the Padre silver mine, are numerous veins of argentiferous galena, appearing to be very rich in lead and silver. Gold has bi-en found in small quantities in Burnet, Llano, and Mason Counties in the sands of some few streams in the granite region- more successfully on Pack- saddle Mountain, in Llano County. In Texas, in many instances, gold was found in grains and scales through quartz, and occasionally, in ferruginous matter. Bismuth is .';aid to have been found associated with copper in the copper region of Northern Texas. It is native bismuth, and occurs in massive layers, principally in' Wichita and Archer Counties. It is native bismuth, associated with smaltine (white cobalt), and deserves a special notice as a metal of rare occurrence. Bismuth is exceedingly useful as an alloy. Saxony produces nearly all that is consumed in Europe, which amounts annually to about ten thousand pounds. It is said to exist in large quantity in Presidio County Antlmoky has been found in the northeast corner of Llano County, and on Miller's Creek, in Mason County. Antimony is of great usa for medicinal purposes. It IS found in other metals. There is also native antimony, but the only one which is worked as a mineral is the sulphur. It is composed of two atoms of antimony and three of sulphur. In weight, it contains twent3'-six parts of sulphur and seventy four of antimony. France and Spain are the countries that up to this day have produced most of the antimony used. It is principally used as an alloy with lead lor the mauufaclure of printing type. Coal. — In Northern Texas bituminous coalfields are found in Young and adjacent counties. Immense coal beds are found in Maverick County, and running in a southeastern direction, through Dimmitt, Zavulla, Uvalde, Frio, Atascosa, Presidio, and Bexar. They are so extensive and rich that they will suffice for all the wants of this country for ages to come. But coal is also found in Jack, Erath, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Coleman, Callahan, and Comanche, and the northwest corner of San Saba County. Specimens of anthracite coal have been found all over the State. The coals of more recent origin make their appearance on the Rio Grande, in Hill, Atascosa, and Frio, running in an uninterrupted belt to the northeast corner of Boner County. Specimens of superior tertiary coal, resembling a variety of coal known as cannel, is fouud in Noble County, near Palafox. Asphaltum has been found in Hardin, Travis, Burnet, Llano, and other Red River Counties. Gypsum is found in large deposits in the northwest portion of the State, principally on Red River. Salt is found in Northern and Northwestern Texas. It is known to exist in El Paso County. Near the Horsehead Crossing of the Pecos are large deposits of salt. It has been found extensively at Snenson Saline, iu the western part of Lampasas County, and in small quantities in Llano County. But the best and most curious Saline of Texas is j>ituated in Hidalgo County. Mr. Henry Castro was granted a colony extending from this great salt lake to a point on the Rio Grande gpposite Camargo, and up the Rio Grande to a Point called D. 'lores, but owing to the iiresence of General Urrea. with a large Mexican force, at Mier, he was unable to colonize the g'-ant. A description of the celebrated salt lake will be interesting to your readers: Sal del Rey, or Great Salt Lake, in Hidalgo County, as described by Hon. T. S. Thompson : This celebrated palt lake is situated forty miles due north of Edinburgh and eighty-eight miles from Brownsville. It is about one mile iu diameter, and nearly round. On all sides it is completely hemmed in by land 96 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. considerably higher than the j^eneral surroundiug country, and can, therefore, have no CKmmuoicatioa at the surface with any other water. It is rarely ever known to have been dry. The bottom of the lake consists of solid crystallized salt, in layers of some twelve inches thick, with a liltie thin deposit of earth between the layers. To what depth the layers extend is not known, as the bottom has never been reached. When a train of Mexican carts have been filled by digi^ing up thin layers witli picks and crowbars, the excavation made is immediately filled with the bait water on the surface, and the salt is then so rapidly formed and precij^itated to the bottom that the excavation is filled again in a day or two, leaving no appearance of any salt havinj; been taken out. It is sent for from great distances in Mexico, the trains ol cartd being constantly coming and going This salt is entirely different from ail the salt in our lagoons along the coast, where it is formed by solar evapo- ration ; whde here its formation is liy precipitation, in consequence of the water being surcharged with more than it can hold in solution. So strongly is the water impregnated with fha salt that the human body can not be made to sink in it, but floats on tho surface like a cork on the surface of (he water. It is believed that this lake is on a bed of mmeral salt, as there seems no o her way of accounting for the formation. There is another salt lake called Sal Viejo (old Sidt Lake), twelve miles distant to the East. Thh is much smaller, and the salt is all dissolved by heavy rains, and is again formed ii» dry weather by evaporation, as in the lagoons. Guano, there i'? no doubt, is to be found in large quantity in the mountains of Northern and Western Texas. The following caves are known, and have been visited : 1. On (he Cibolo, in Bexar County, twenty-one miles from San Antonio (the MierCave), supposed to contain 2,000 tons. 2. New Braunfels, Comal County. Th:re are three small caves in the vicinity of said town, that can be estimated to contain 150 tons. 3. A cave on the Yord Creek, in Medina County, fifteen miles from New Fountain ; about 1,500 tons. 4. Two caves, sixteen miles from Uvalde, and two miles from the old silver mines in Uvalde County ; about 4,000 tons. Guano caves have been found in Burnet County. Petroleum has been found in Texas, but not in paying quantity ; still there is hope that it will yet be found. Pearl Oysters have been found in several streams in Texas, but more parti- cularly in the Llano River. The above report, by Mr. Ca.sfro, was written several years ago, and recent explorations have brought to light manj' rich mineral veins not hmted at in Mr. Castro's article. The Chinati is especially rich, and recent explorations have developed such rich results that (he owners of the laud (there is no mining law in Texas) are holding back information on the subject. The present extension of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad, which cDmpany owns a large amount of valuable mining land, west to the line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, passes almost through the richest mineral belt^of the State, and the completion of this railroad must o|)en up what experienced assayers and prospectors pronounce the most valuable mines on the American continent. The limits of this book, however, will not permit a description of these mines and leads as developed to date, but to all those interested in this subject we advise a correspondence with A. W. Gifford Esq., of San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Gifford has travelled all through the mines and mineral districts of Northern Mexico and Western Tex",s many times, on the b;ick of a pack mule, during the past six years, and has collected a vast fund of information on this subject. Moreover he is a practical man and has gathered a large number of mineral specimens frrjm every locality visited and has assayed them in his own office in San Antonio. He is also a newspaper writer with long experience, and is the editor of the lexas Sun. In the Texas Press Association he holds the office of Treasurer, as well as being the Secretary of The Anglo Texas-Mexican Mining and Smelting Company. We will also add what would be unnecessary to say if this book was intended only for Texas distribution, that Mr. Gifford is a temperance man, thoroughly honest and reliable THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 97 in all of his dealings and statements, and is live, energetic, and thoroughly posted in regard to his specialty, -which is Texas and Mexican mines. It will be seen by the above that he combines all the elements needed in an adviser of investors in mining property in this section of the country, TEE ANGLO-TEXAS-MEXICAN MINING AND SMELTING COMPANY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS. Capital : Paid up non-assessible stock, $250,000. A., C. Schryver, of San Antonio, President ; A. W. Gilford, of San Antonio, Spcretary ; J. C. Stafford, of Houston, Treasurer ; W. A. Taylor, of Waco, Vice- Presiflent. Board of Directors. — A. C. Schryver, A. W. Gifford, Lorenzo Castro, W. A. Taylor, J. C. Stafford. Smelting Works established at Vilalldaina, State of Neuvo Leon, old Mexico ; under management of J. F. Trapp, as General Superintendent. The above company is one of the most substantial and enterprizing now oper- ating in the Republic of Mexico, and their prospects for a big bonanza are very flattering. Their mining properties, tributary to the Mexican National Railway, now completed to the smelting works, are the richest mines in the district, having been worked for nearly two hundred years by the Spaniards and Indians, producing hundreds of thousands of dollars in silver and lead bullion, annually, and comprise the following mines to which they hold title from tLie Mexican Government : " Chi- huahua," "Farandula," ''Coayache," and "Morena." In addii ion to which the Company hold valuable land and water privileges, also leased mining claims, which tbey will develop. This enterprise was originated and organized by Mr. A. "W. Gifford, one of San Antonio's most enterprising newspaper men, who has devoted most of his time for the past six years to prosi)ecting and writing up our Texas and Mexican frontiers, and is certainly one of the best posted now in the Southwest as to the advantages of our frontier and its inducements for the investment of capital. The company is a close corporation, with latest improved machinery on the ground for handling fifty tons of ore per day, with abundance of capital for devel- oping purposes, and no stock on the market. The gentlemen comprising the company are among our prominent citizens and leading business men of Texas, and, undoubtedly, will make a grand success of their enterprise. 98 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. CHAPTER XI. AGRICULTURE, FRUIT GROWING, ETC. The agricultural facilities of Texas, and particularly of Western Texas, have as yet been but partially developed. C. G. Napier, Esq., long a resident of this section of the country, and now the agricultural correspondent of the San Antonio Daily Express, over the nom deplume of " Greeley No, ^," thus writes on this subject in an article prepared for the Texas Sun several years ago: Editors Texas Sun: I concluded to ijive a few facts, why I think Texas the equal of any, if not the best State in the Union for new comers or immigrants. In the first place I will tackle the great State of New York, and compare her with Texas. I spent about two years in the State of New York, when I was but a boy. One of those years I went to school, in Onondaga County, on the Erie canal, eight miles east of Syracuse. 1 boarded with an old man, Frederick Pratt, just one mile from Lafayette, the county seat. Old man Pratt was considered one of the best and largest farmers in his neighborhood. His main crop was wheat (this was the first time I ever saw a three-horse threshing machine). But they raised potatoes, beans, corn, oats, buckwheat, apples, clover, and tiraothJ^ Their stock is valuable, from which they have good milk, butter, and cheese. Lands. — Their lands are inferior to ours in soil, and much more liable to wash, and require constant feedhig, or manuring, to keep their regular crops up. Their lands are worth, I suppose, now, at least fifty dollars per acre. They have but six months in the year to work. Their stock has to be well sheltered, fed, and at times blanketed. This of itself is u terrible drain on their crops. Say fifty per cent, is required to run them until the next crop is made. Climate. — Their climate is much colder in winter, ground being frozen from November until April, requiring much warmer and more expensive clothing to stitnd the winter. The summers are more oppressive, and many more cases of sunstroke occur than with us. Their nights are hot, sultry, and opprest,ive, so that sleep is not refreshing. A man rises in the morning feeling heavy and dull, and not much like work, and when he does get to "vork, the sun is so oppressive he stops at eleven or half-past, and tries to rest at noon by a little nap; this he cannot enjoy, for the want of a breeze and excessive heat. At 2 P.M. he tries to work again, but with little satisfaction. So, were it not for that long, cold winter to brace up the system, they could not stand their short but terrible summers. No wonder labor is scarce at harvest time, and wages high — from $3 to $3.50 per day. But wiih all their climatic and other difficulties, they are a great, energetic, and progressive people, very fond of fine farms, comfortable houses, and fine stock. I rather liked tliem I was fond of skating and sleiifh riding. I loved their buckwheat cakes and mince pies. 'Twas there I had my first sweetheart. A great people. I wish they had less prejudice, and could believe that we are as good and law abiding citizens as any I ever knew. Poor Texas has to suffer in reputation for the bad conduct of tramps and adven- turers of other States. I do say for the native or old Texans, that they are not excelled for hospitality or kindness to strangers. It does seem to me that our rail- roads have had .'-ufficient time to correct the false impressions those people entertain towards the South. I once tried to persuade some peopln to come with me to Texas from Chicago. They seriously looked in my face and asked me how long I thought their heads would be on their shoulders if they did come. No arguments could induce them to risk themselves in our country. But time is not far distant when our railroads will disabuse them of their prejudices. There has been already enough good citizens from the North to refute these slanders. I say it to the credit of Gen- eral Grant that on his returnNorth he had the moral courage to do the South justice, and for which I think he suffered politically. V THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 99 Texas. — I have always been surprised, and never have been able to account for so few immigrants of our own people from the North coming here, and settling with us. A country that you can work all the year round, where stock of all discriptions can live the year through on nature's pasturage ; wliere all ihe crops that the North can raise, with the addition of twice as many more thafthey cannot raise at the North, are raised here in Texas. This, in a pecuniary view, is, of itself, a con vine ing argument ; but, in additiovi to this, our mild, healthy, and pleasant climate, I do not know what to make of so few coming. Is it because our country is no^ known ? Is it still believed that Texas is a cut-throat hole, and that there is no security for life and property ? Our criminal statistics will disprove this ; is there a country ■where the laws are better enforced than in Bexar County ? Is there a city in the Union that is more peaceable — municipal laws better enforced — than here ? I think not. Our population is principally Germans. It is well known that they are a peaceable, industrious, and quiet people — a music loving people. Who ever heard of music and crime going together ? Again, our country is free from the casualties attending the crops that are so common lo States north of us, such as cyclones, hail storms, chinch bugs, droughts, etc. It is true, we sometimes have partial droughts, but it has|boen proven that corn will mature here in ninety days' time, and, by breaking up the land in the fall, and planting in the first or middle of February there ni'cd be no failure ; and by diversifying crops and putting in fruits, strawber- ries, blackberries, sweet and Irish potatoes, artichokes, with millet, with the late Egyptian grass, there can be no failure of raising a paying crop. "We need a few more Yankees with us to give us lessons in farming. Lands.- Good A. No. 1 farming lands can be had within twenty miles of San Antonio for five dollars per acre, that will produce almost anything that grows in this latitude — lands whose soil is from three to five feet deep, and not given to wash, and will last for a lifetime without manuring. I prefer the rich, dark, sandy loam tliat will make a bale of cotton to the acre. If a man wants to make a fortune from fruit, Bexar County is the place to come to. I do not know of three thousand peach trees in this country, yet good peaches are worth, in this market, two dollars per bushel. Figs natural growth ; black Spanish cluster grapes a sure and valuable crop ; sugar cane on the Rio Grande unequalled in the United States.* Any good planter can muke his hundred dollars per annum per acre, and needs no replant- ing for three years. As for wheat, our Nicaragua wheat will average thirty-five bushels to the acre, and this after grazing on the whole winter. We need a mill to grind this whe.it, the earliest and best shipping wheat known. Our El Paso onions, the best in the United States, will make three hundred bushels to the acre, worth in market to-day ten cents per pound, retail. It will pay well to raise chickens at twenty five cents each, and eggs at fifteen cents per dozen. What an opening for an orchardist ! Labor. — Best, cheapest in the country. I have tried most all sorts except Chinese, Turks, and these outlandish fellows. I like our old darkies best because I have been raised with them; but I must say that the Mexican is the most faithful and reliable of any I know, and then it is cheap — fifty cents per day. Labor is the representative of money. It is with us plentiful and cheap. I see, nearly every day, one of our best, healthiest, and hardiest looking men, who came here to die with tlie consumption. He looks like a Dutchman. One of my neighbors came here a consumptive. He is now fat, and says he can't live anywhere except in Texas. Now, Mr. Editor. I must leave it to you to make known the advantages of our State. As we are neither of us land speculators, they cannot accuse us of making false representations to sell a little land. If I have here written anything that is not strictly true I do not know it. If I have written anything to encourage and benefit my own people I am pleased. If I have written anything to cause one man lo better his condition, either physically or financially, I shall be happy. Wishing you suc- cess in behalf of your efforts to increase immigration, for the good of all parties, and requesting all doubting ones to come and see for themselves. I stop. Yours, Greeley, No 3. Since the above article was written, there has been a great change in the agri- cultural development of Texas. Lands, and indeed whole sections of country, large 100 THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE enough to make any two of the New Eni^land States, that was formerly tliouirht unfit for any use escept for grazing land, aio now converted into vast fields of excel- lent grain, the yield in every instance wliere proper cultivation has been given being astonishing to visitors frora other sections ot the country. FRUITS AUn FLOWERS. The following brief notes are condensed from an article written for this work, by Mr. L. W. Madarasz, a local floiist and fruit culluiist, and are the results of bis personal experience. It must, however, be remembered, that his experiments have been contincd to the immediate vicinity of tbis city, and fruits and flowers which he has had poor success within this city, grow almost without care or protection a few miles north or south of the city. Indeed in this State, which is of such vast dimensions, as to be difficuk to conceive of by residents in the smaller States of the north, there is a great difference in tlie climate, and soil of different sections, so that there is hardly a fruit or flower yet discovered which will not thrive in the open air without protection during the entire year in some section of the State. He says : " With us the science of horticulture dates with the advent of our first rail- road, but the rapid strides that have been made during the past four years is ample proof of the elevated and refined taste of our people, and especially is this noticable among our German citizens. "Our climate being of a tropical nature as to heat, and with an abundance of cold weather to check vegetation for a short time, is thus richer in flora than that of colder or warmer climes, and where the least judgment is exercised in planting out trees, shrubs or flowers, not native to our climate and soil, the result will in most ca.ses be satisfactorv; so before plantin*ing-room's, green-room, etc. Also a billiard-room and well fitted saloon. The membership is large, and the financial condition of the organization is all that can be asked. The opera hall can accommodate an audience of eight hundred people, and the acoustic properties of the hall, ventilation, etc , are claimed to be the finest of any theatrical hall in the city. THE SAN ANTONIO CLUB. This is a recent organization, chartered in 1883, and having its formal opening, March 16, 1883. Its membership is large, and includes representatives of the best society here, including many members of the other local social organizations. The club occupies the entire second story of the post office building, fronting on Alamo Plaza and Alamo Street. The rooms are elegantly fitted, and contain all the con- veniences of a first class club house, including an ofiice, billiard-room, reading- room, with representative newspapers from every state in the union, and jirominent foreign journals as well as the popular weeklies, reception-room, parlor, card-room, and a first class saloon. The location is at once cool and central, being over the post office, opposite the Menger Hotel, and on the street car line. Slrangers are admitted when introduced by members. SAN ANTONIO SCHUETZEN TEREIN — SHOOTING COMPANY. This organization was established by some of our German citizens in the year 1857, and was chartered April 11, 18ri. It own^ a tract of about eight acres within the city limits, on what is known as Powder House Hill, near the site of the camp of the THE ALAMO CITY GUIDE. 123 Texans, when they besieged and captured this city from G^eneral Cos in December, 1835, and during which battle Colonel Benjamia K. Milam lost his life, a full account of which will be found in the historical sketcii whicii is given in this book. This society numbers now about sixty -five members, with tlie following officers : Charles Gross, president ; E. Doscli, vice-president ; R. C. Stiddig, secretary ; H. Dene dollar nor more than twenty-five dollars for each violation or attempted, violation. Dogs. — Dogs must be licensed, and wear a collar bearing the license tag on it. The fee is fifty cents for each dog, and must be paid to the City Collector, who will furnish the tag. BAxniNG IN THE RivER AND Other STREAMS. — There are a number of bath- liouses located along the river and at the San Pedro Springs, some of which are for public use, the usual charge being twenty-five cents, or as the citizens express it, " two bits," for a bath, where visitors and others can find every accommodation for a plunge in the cooling waters. If these are not used the bather must select a locality not visible from a highway or from a residence, under the penalty of a fine of not less than two dollars, nor more than five dollars for each offence. Deadly Weapons. — Chapter XIII. of the Revised City Ordinances, page 38 and o9, provides as follows : " Section I. If any person shall, within the corporate limits of this city, carry about his or her person a bowie knife, dirk, butcher knife, or razor, or any fire arms known as a six-shooter or pistol of any kind, or having about his or her person what is known as brass knuckles, slung shot, club, loaded or sword cane, or any other weapon manufactured or sold for the purpose of offence or defence, and cap- able of intiicting death or great bodily injury, such person shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before the Recorder of the city, shall be fined in a sum of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hun- dred dollars, and in default of payment shall be confined in the City Prison, cr placed at hard labor upon the public works of the city, for not less than twenty-five nor more than thirty days, to be determined by the Recorder ; provided, that this ordinance shall not apply to any legally authorized conservator of the peace, when he may be in the legal discharge of his duty. " Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of all civil officers from other counties than Bexar, visiting San Antonio, olficially or otherwise, who have authority to wear arms, shall, upon arriving in the city, report to the Mayor, who shall examine their papers as to their rigiit to wear arms, and endorse the same; otherwise to be dealt with as the lavv directs." The State law on this subject is even more severe in its penalties, and also provides for the confiscation of the weapon. Officers are very vigilant in i>rose- cuting violators of this law, and it is hardly possible for offenders to escape detec- tion and punishment both in the city and State courts. Visitors should remenib- r that San Antonio ranks as one of the best-governed cities in America. The citizens are law-abiding, intelligent, and refined. They are compcsed of representatives of every nationality in the civilized world, an^i with accessions from all of the older States of the Union. Human life and personal property are as safe here as in any of the cities of America or Europe, and compared with many far more pretentious cities, San Antonio occupies the first rank for the maintenance cf law and order. There is therefore no cause for visitors to marcii ab'Ut the streets armed as if they were in a state of siege, and those who thus violate the law will surely be punished. 138 THE ALAMO CITY GUrDE. WAKD BOTJNDARIES. The City of San Antonio contains thirty-six square miles in its limits, and is divided info four wards. The San Antonio River and Commerce Street and its continuations are the ward boundaries. West of the river and south of the centre of Commerce and Presidio Streets is ward Number One; west of the river and north of the centre of Commerce and Presidio Streets is ward Number Two; east of the river and north of the centre of Commerce and Alameda Streets is ward Number Three; and east of the river and south of the centre of Commerce and Alameda Streets is ward Number Four. HOUSE NUMBERS. For the purpose of numbering the houses in this city, the following rules have been adopted by the City Council: Commerce Street and its continuations divide the city north and south; and the San Antonio River divides the city east and west. Eacli street is designated as north or south, according as it is north or south of Commerce Street and its continuations. Each street crossing the river is designated east or west, according as it is east cr west of the river On such streets as do not cross or commence at Commerce Slreet and its con- tinuations or the river, the numbers begin at the end nearest said division lines. One hundred numbers are assigned to each block, the odd numbers being on the north and west sides of the streets. Thus from 1 to 100 West Commerce Street will be iu the first block or square on Commerce Street west of tiie river, and from 200 to 299 will be in the second block or square from the river. THE FIRST DAY. Let us suppose the visitor arrived on a night train and went at once to his hotel. Rising at early dawn the next morning after a refreshing night's sleep he should proceed at once to the Military Plaza, and see one of the distinctive features of San Antonio, the Plaza market. The Plaza is a large open square surrounded by busi- ness houses and crossed by the street railway. On the east side of the Plaza, after leaving room for the passage of vehicles between the curbstone and the central space, are long lines of tables for the sale of vegetables, etc., and here one can pur- chase fresh vegetables during the entire year. The butter, poultry, and eggs department is located on the north of the vegetable stands, while south of them are the Mexican lunch tables, where one can get a genuine Mexican breakfast with as good hot coffee as can be found in the city. Those who delight in the Mexican luxuries of tamales, chilli con came, and enchiladas, can find them here cooked in the open air in the rear of the tables and served by lineal descendants of the ancient Aztecs. All the tables are without roofs, so that a pleasant morning must be selected for this visit in order to make it enjoyable; but rain or shine the tables are there and served by their regular attendants, who reap a considerable profic from their business. The west side of the central portion of the Plaza to the rear of the tables is reserved for the wood, cotton, wool, hay, grain, and produce wagons, and a walk among them will prove very attractive as well as instructive to the visitor. The wr:gons are placed in perfect order and lines, so as to preserve the adjacent street lines, and along these are found Mexicans squatted on the ground before small squares of cloth or ctinvas on which are small piles of the Mexican necessaries, peppers, and wild fruits, and nuts iu their season. The bird peddlars are also here iu full force with their cagps of mocking birds and Mexican canaries and carcation of rooms and attention required. All patients required to furnish their own physician and medicine. For further particulars apply to Mother ST. PIERRE, Superiofess, San Antonio, lexas.