USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume I > Part 52
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The De Zavala Chapter was organized in 1891 with the following as charter members : Miss Florence De Zavala. deceased : Miss Parma Fisk, deceased; Mrs. Emily Edwards Smith, Miss Sarah D. Adams, Mrs. Mary A. Adams, Mrs. E. Cooley, Miss Mary Fisk, Miss Adina De Zavala.
Miss Adina De Zavala, who founded the chapter and has been pres- ident since 1891, is a granddaughter of General Lorenzo De Zavala. Texas soldier and patriot, the first vice president of the republic, and one of the most eminent of those who espoused the cause of Texan in- dependence. De Zavala Chapter was named in his honor, and Miss De Zavala, as its president, has been a tireless and enthusiastic leader in the movement to restore the Alamo.
Concerning the Alamo and San Antonio sixty years ago, J. P. New- comb recently wrote :
How the Alamo Looked in 1845.
In 1845, as a rugged. healthy boy. I stood on the ruined walls of the Alamo chapel and looked over the scene. It was less than ten years from the date of the famous battle that has always been called the "Fall of the Alamo." I was only a bov-full of plav and adventure. With other boys I hunted out the owls, stirred in the bats and threw stones at everything in sight. The old ruined chapel was talked of as the center of the defense and attack. The roof over the main part of the building had fallen and had been utilized as an approach to the outer wall on the west. So long had this been a ruin that shrubs had grown from the debris. The thick walls and dirt embankment made this part of the Alamo a strong defense from the cannon fire of those times. Yet there was an opening in the south wall that was said to have been made by Santa Anna's cannon.
We boys could run along the crumbled walls to the top of the building now occupied by Hugo. Schmeltzer & Co. This building was partly in ruins, having been abandoned for half a century.
From the roof was a perfect view of the old town, which lay mostly in the valley between the river and the San Pedro creek. This part of the valley is much lower than the east bank on which the Alamo is built. The belfry of the little church was the most prominent structure in sight. The flat roofed stone buildings that embraced the Main and Military Plazas, with straggling rows of jacals, con- stituted the old town of San Antonio between the creeks, while on the Alamo side of the river flat roofed stone buildings stood on Alamo street on the corner of the Alameda that ran east to the irrigation ditches. Great cottonwood trees flanked the Alameda. From the ruins the fields in the river valley to the north and east and south were visible. No habitations to the eastward or northward.
It was evident that not a stone had been disturbed from the day that the last gun had been fired that ended the bloody tragedy. In fact. real blood stains were on the walls, but whose blood no one could tell. From the account of the
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battle there was more Mexican blood spilt on these old stones. It was before the day when idle strangers visited the old ruin and wrote their names on its walls. The Englishman who penciled the motto, "Thermopylea had its messenger of de- feat, the Alamo had none." will longest be remembered.
In 1845 began the era that put an end to the long story of the ancient village; from that date the character of the town began to develop into an American set- tlement, or, rather, a cosmopolitan community. To the west stretched the pathless prairies until the Medina was reached, where Castro had founded a colony. A single horseman could be trailed through the tall grass for miles. Savage Indians raided the entire west and even eastward and south to the Rio Grande. And yet the old town basked on the banks of the bright stream that raced to the Gulf of Mexico. There was always a feeling among the early inhabitants that Old San Antonio would be a big, modern, beautiful city some day.
DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY.
The Texas Division United Daughters of the Confederacy was organized at Victoria, May 25, 1896, by Mrs. Katie Cabell Currie, as- sisted by Miss Ruth Phelps, secretary of Veuve Jefferson Davis Chapter, Galveston, and the members of William P. Rogers Chapter. At the second annual convention sixteen chapters were represented, at the third annual convention there were thirty-two, and the growth of the order has been steady from the first; at the annual convention in December, 1905, there were reported 113 chapters in good standing, with 33 "silent" chapters, and a membership in the state of 5,218. Though a patriotic order and by its nature hereditary, the Daughters of the Confederacy is admittedly the strongest woman's society of the south, and in the past decade its influence has often been directed in a very positive manner to support or oppose matters of special significance in the south.
From the cruel war times, when woman's devotion and self-sacrifice at home and in the field was no less a part of southern valor than the blood immolation of the soldiers in battle, the work of the Confederacy's daughters has changed in scope, but is still directed by the spirit of patriotism and readyhelpfulness that idealized the cause of forty years ago. As stated in the constitution of the Texas Division, the first object of the order is to "fulfil the duties of sacred charity towards Confederate veterans and their descendants." Thiis done, the society endeavors "to promote an intelligent understanding of the constitutional prin- ciples for which the men of the Confederacy fought and died"; to per- petuate "the traditions and literature of the south"; to preserve historical material of the war; and to use its influence that "American history shall be properly taught in the public schools of the state"; and, lastly, "to erect monuments to the heroes of the Confederacy."
Of the dozen or more chapters to be found in Southwest Texas, the largest is the Barnard E. Bee Chapter at San Antonio, with a member- ship at this writing of approximately 300. The names on the roll include representatives not only of some of the best known families of Texas, but of the entire south, in whose homes are preserved the best traditions and culture of what is now so often called "the Old South."
The chapter was named in honor of a martyr to the southern cause, whose family record is closely linked with Texas history since the days of the Republic (see history elsewhere). Organized October 6, 1896, the chapter began with a charter membership of 30, and in keeping with the
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steady growth of the chapter in membership its practical efforts along the lines laid down by the constitution have been directed to larger fields of worthy benefit. The first work, in co-operation with the camp of Confederate Veterans, was adorning the Confederate Rest cemeterv and caring for the graves of the dead. Its most important accomplishment in memorial work has been the erection of the Confederate monument in Travis Park. Those who are acquainted with the slow process by which funds for such a purpose grow, understand the persistence and courage necessary to carry out the work. The proceeds from teas, receptions, entertainments of various kinds, private contributions, were carefully collected for this purpose, and the success of the movement was given public proof in the laying of the corner stone, June 3, 1899. It was a memorable occasion for San Antonio, with the principal speaker of the day the late Judge John H. Reagan, the last surviving member of the Confederate cabinet, who gave eloquent expression to the true purpose of such a monument when he said: "Every nation in the history of the world which has become great and powerful cherishes its traditions and has its history, its poetry, its songs and its monuments perpetuating the memory of its great achievements and the name and character of its great men and women." April 29, 1900, the monument was unveiled in the presence of the chapter, the Confederate Veterans, Sons of Veterans, the G. A. R. post, the Belknap Rifles, San Antonio Zouaves and Beck's Band and a large gathering of people. Judge Columbus Upson was orator of the occasion, and Judge Reagan and Governor Sayers were also guests of honor.
Other memorials due to the chapter are the erection of a drinking fountain in the Alamo Plaza. the presentation of silk flags to the Albert Sidney Johnston Camp and the Confederate Home at Austin, and con- tribution of funds to the erection of monuments elsewhere, in and out of Texas. The cases of individual philanthropy, though the first in importance, are too numerous to receive mention, since hardly a week passes that some direct financial or personal help does not go from this chapter to necdy Confederate survivors or their families.
During the first eight years the post of president of the chapter was held consecutively by Mrs. A. W. Houston, who in recognition of her long and faithful service is now honorary president of the chapter. Succeeding Mrs. Houston the next president was Mrs. Ed. Goldstein, and for the past two years the office has been held by Mrs. T. D. Guinn. Mrs. Guinn's administration has brought continued and increasing strength and prosperity to the chapter. A lineal descendant of the Vir- ginia Jeffersons and connected by blood ties with southern patriots since the Revolution, herself a southern woman who has cherished and exem- plified the culture and beauty of the race, Mrs. Guinn is an excellent choice for the head of a society whose work is so intimately beneficial to the descendants of the Confederacy.
The Texas Division of the Daughters of the Confederacy under- took the erection of a monument to General Albert Sidney Johnston dur- ing the administration of Mrs. Benedett B. Tobin, when a committee was formed to solicit an appropriation from the state with Mrs. L. J. Storey, of Austin, as chairman. During the following administration of
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Mrs. Cone Johnson, of Tyler. the state legislature appropriated $10,000 for this monument. The execution in marble of this beautiful monument was entrusted to the noted sculptress, Elizabeth Ney, now living in Austin.
On the afternoon of September 26, 1906, beautiful ceremonies were arranged for the unveiling of this monument in the State Cemetery at Austin, by Mrs. J. D. Boberdeau, the chairman of the committee. Gov- ernor Joseph D. Sayers was the chief speaker on the occasion, and the monument was most appropriately accepted by the governor of Texas, S. W. T. Lanham, and the state president of the Daughters of the Con- federacy, Mrs. Joseph B. Dibrell.
Another notable event in the history of the division was the breaking of the ground for the Confederate Women's Home, located in the city of Austin, which occurred on the following morning, September 27th. This building is now in course of construction at a cost of $11,749.55. This home will be taken charge of by the state when completed, but will always stand as a monument to the valor and loyalty of the Daughters of the Confederacy for the women of the war times. The corner stone of this building was laid on March 15th, Texas Confederate Heroes' day.
MAJOR JOSEPH E. DWYER, who for many years was a prominent citi- zen of San Antonio and became a well known figure in national political circles, was born in this city and received the benefit of thorough classical education in Paris. He was a man in whom learning and culture vied to make an interesting gentleman and his own activity resulted in making his life one of intense usefulness to his fellowmen. He served on the staff of General Sibley during the period of the Civil war and was on the campaign service on the frontier in Western Texas, undergoing the usual experiences of such a military service.
Almost his entire life was devoted to active public duty and he stood as a high type of civic virtue and national honor. His talents and learn- ing well fitted him for leadership and among the early offices he held was that of alderman, in which he served for a term of ten years. He was chairman of the Bexar County Democratic executive committee for twenty years and it is recalled that the first defeat for the Democracy in Bexar county occurred the year following his resignation from the chairmanship. He was a delegate from Texas to the national Demo- cratic convention that nominated Tilden in 1876 and later was chosen as representative of Texas on the presidential notification committee. In the succeeding national convention at which General Hancock was made the standard bearer of the party, Major Dwyer was again a dele- gate from Texas and once more was chosen as representative from this state to notify the candidate of his nomination. Again he attended the national convention, at St. Louis, when Grover Cleveland was named for the high office and had the honor of being made chairman of the notification committee, which at Saratoga officially informed Mr. Cleve- land of the convention's choice. Major Dwyer was a man of the finest culture and polish and of impressive yet winning personality. As man and citizen he was greatly esteemed in San Antonio and throughout the
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state, where the circle of his friends was almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance. He numbered, too, among his friends many distinguished representatives of Democracy throughout the country.
Major Dwyer was married to Miss Annette Magoffin, a representa- tive of the prominent Kentucky family, being a daughter of General James W. Magoffin, who was an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Sibley in the Civil war in the operations in Western Texas and New Mexico. General Magoffin was the brother of Beriah Magoffin, one of the early governors of Kentucky: Mrs. Dwyer is also a sister of Judge Joseph Magoffin, of El Paso. He is called the father of that city, being its oldest prominent citizen and its mayor for more than twenty years.
On the 14th of September, 1884, when but forty-three years of age, Major Dwyer was called from this life. His widow still lives on the old Dwyer homestead on Dwyer avenue in San Antonio, although more than twenty years have passed away since Major Dwyer was called from this life. He yet lives in the memories of his contemporaries, encircled with the halo of a gracious presence, charming personality and purity of public and private life.
COLONEL OTTO WAHRMUND. The history of a community is best told in the lives of its citizens. It is its representative men, men who are controlling important business concerns and public interests, who shape the policy and mold the destiny of a city. Colonel Wahrmund by reason of important manufacturing, commercial and financial interests and also by his co-operation in movements outside of the direct line of business, has contributed to the general prosperity and progress of San Antonio. He is perhaps most widely known as the vice president of the San An- tonio Brewing Association and as the recently elected president of the fair association.
A native of Texas, Colonel Wahrmund was born in Fredericksburg, Gillespie county. His father, Judge William Wahrmund, was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and came to America in 1845, locating first at New Braunfels and soon afterward at Fredericksburg, becoming one of the earliest among the colonists from Germany who from that time for- ward made settlements in Southwestern Texas and aided in reclaiming this portion of the state for the uses of the white race and civilization. Judge Wahrmund became one of the prominent business men of his locality and for many years was engaged in the conduct of a mercantile enterprise at Fredericksburg. He also figured prominently in public life and was for nearly thirty years county judge of Gillespie county. His death occurred in Fredericksburg in 1898.
Colonel Warhmund was reared to business life and was connected with various interests in his native town for several years. Finally he became interested in a brewing business and in January, 1887, was one of the founders and promoters of the San Antonio Brewing Association,
City Brewery.
owning what has for many years been known as the City Brewery, which is now the largest enterprise of the kind in Texas, while San Antonio is the brewing center of the state. The president of the company is Otto Koehler, with Colonel Wahrmund as vice president and John J. Stevens
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secretary. This brewery as an industrial plant contributes largely to the prosperity of the city. It is located near the river, the entrance to the grounds being at James street and is composed of a group of buildings that are as imposing and handsome in their architecture as can be found anywhere, making them an object of interest to tourists and home people alike. The construction of these buildings has been accomplished from year to year as the business has increased, and represents an outlay of a very large amount of capital. The largest of these buildings is the storage and brew house, six stories in height, the storage department containing four hundred storage tanks, having in the aggregate a ca- pacity of over fifty thousand barrels of beer, affording the best facilities for storing and aging the product. This building, like all the others, is a marvel of cleanliness. It is thoroughly cleaned every day and every .- thing about the plant is conducted in such a way as to insure the sani- tary perfection and complete sterilization of the product. Purity is para- mount here. The brewmaster is one of the best in the business and the adoption of the latest improved brewing methods and the use of the latest machinery that can be obtained in every department, guarantee that the beer is of necessity of the highest quality. The name of the most popular bottle beer sent out by this brewery is the "Texas Pride" and the product is well known all over the state. A supply of pure water is obtained from private artesian wells and an ice refrigerator plant is con- ducted in connection with the brewery, ice being shipped to the wholesale trade. As an important home industry furnishing employment to a large number of people, the brewery is of no little consequence to the city, there being about one hundred and fifty names constantly upon the local payrolls. Colonel Wahrmund is also one of the officers of the Texas Transportation Company, which is a company subsidiary to the brewery which operates the railroad connecting the brewery with the different railroads entering San Antonio. He also has very large and valuable mining interests in Mexico and spends considerable time there.
Colonel Wahrmund is prominent in both local and state affairs and for several years during the administrations of Governor Sayres and Governor Lanham he has been on the governor's staff holding the rank of colonel. In February, 1906, he was elected president of the Inter- national Fair Association of San Antonio, of which he has been one of the directors for several years. Perhaps no better estimate of Colonel Wahrmund's position in public regard can be given than by quoting from one of the leading local papers, which said in connection with his selection for the presidency, "Colonel Wahrmund is one of the most sub- stantial, as well as one of the most progressive and public-spirited citi- zens of San Antonio. He is thoroughly identified with the business in- terests of this city and section and has a personal, as well as public, in- terest in the development and prosperity of that portion of the great southwest of which San Antonio is the commercial center. In accepting the office to which he had been chosen Colonel Wahrmund said he did so with a full appreciation of the duties imposed, as well as of the honor conferred, and declared his purpose to discharge these duties in the man- ner which the directors of the association felt quite sure he would do before fixing upon him as their choice for the position to which he has
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been called. Because of Colonel Wahrmund's intimate connection with other important business enterprises, the giving of his personal attention to the office of president of the Fair Association will involve some sacri- fice of valuable time, but, being a patriotic and public-spirited citizen, he makes the sacrifice freely and without any compensation in the way of salary or emoluments."
During the years of an active business career Colonel Wahrmund has constantly enlarged the scope of his undertakings, has made judi- cious investments and is today one of the substantial men of the city, contributing through active endorsement and co-operation to the welfare, material upbuilding, improvement and prosperity of San Antonio.
FREDERICK A. PIPER, well known in business circles in San Antonio and in Uvalde, was born in the principality of Waldeck, Prussia. His parents, Frederick and Johanna ( Waldeck) Piper, were both natives of Germany and with their family came to America in 1853, landing first at Indianola, Texas, and coming thence direct to San Antonio, where the father died in 1859, the mother passing away at a later date.
Frederick A. Piper was but a child when brought by his parents to this city and on account of the death of his father he began the strug- gle of life at an early age. He commenced selling newspapers when a youth of thirteen and later he followed any business pursuit that would yield him an honest living. In 1865 he obtained a position in the whole- sale dry-goods store of Webb, Arbuckle & Company, the first wholesale dry-goods establishment of the city. This business, however, was dis- continued in 1866 and in the following year Mr. Piper entered the em- ploy of Norton & Deutz, hardware merchants, with whom he continued for ten years or until 1877, when he opened a store of his own at Uvalde, the county seat of Uvalde county, where he is still in business, although he has always maintained his home in San Antonio, his family remaining in the latter city. The F. A. Piper General Merchandise Company of Uvalde controls an important commercial enterprise in that town-a large department store which has for years been a well known center of trade, especially among the cattlemen, Uvalde being the trade center for a large scope of cattle country in Southwestern Texas. Both a wholesale and retail business is carried on in all classes of merchandise. The store is splendidly organized and thoroughly equipped and the trade has con- stantly grown, reaching extensive and profitable proportions. Mr. Piper was also president of the Merchants' Transfer Company, controlling the largest business of the kind in San Antonio. He disposed of his interests in this company in 1906. He was formerly extensively interested in the cattle industry in the Uvalde country but has disposed of his stock in- terests there. He was the founder and is a member of the well known fire insurance firm of Piper & Stiles of San Antonio, which has been a leading and representative firm of this character in San Antonio for many years.
His high qualifications as a citizen led to the selection of Mr. Piper for the office of alderman at large, in which position he served for two years during the Hicks administration. During his incumbency in that position he was appointed purchasing agent for the city and the chair- man of the finance committee and acted as mayor pro tem. In this office
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he assumed responsibilities for which he was well fitted by his broad business experience and at all times he labored earnestly and untiringly for the general welfare. At one time he was a candidate for the nomi- nation of mayor. He is indeed a public-spirited citizen, one who subor- clinates partisanship to the general good and seeks rather the benefit of the entire community than the advancement of individual interests.
Mr. Piper was married in San Antonio in 1874 to Miss Minna Horner, and to them have been born six children: Albert Henry, Fred- erick A., George H., Ralph A., Mrs. Edwina J. Goodman and Mrs. Maud G. Long. The second son is a practicing physician. The children have been given excellent educational privileges, one of the sons having „been a student in the university at Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Piper is a member of the local lodge of Elks and was formerly active in the Turn Verein, Beethoven Singing Society and other organizations. He has been highly successful in business affairs and his financial standing is unimpeachable. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in life empty handed at a very early age and began selling newspapers, steadily working his way upward until he controls a large general mercantile trade and has other important and remunera- tive business interests.
F. W. WEEKS. San Antonio can boast of having perhaps a greater variety of citizens who have made the imprint of their individuality on the pages of American history, than any other city of its size in the west. This condition is no doubt brought about on account of its con- genial climate, and we find among her citizens men of every walk, who unaided and alone have made life a success, and prominent among them appears the name of F. W. Weeks, inventor, promoter and capitalist.
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