USA > Texas > Bexar County > San Antonio > San Antonio de Bexar; a guide and history > Part 5
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Col. Black, May, 1890, 19th Infantry leaves and are replaced by six Companies, 23rd Infantry; four troops, 3rd Cavalry and one Battery of Light Artillery. These troops, with the Battery of Artillery before mentioned, now constitute the Garrison of the Post of San Antonio.
Some Further Notes on Military Affairs.
Perhaps it is because of the Wars and rumors of Wars which have made up so much of the life of San Antonio in the past, that everything military is popular with its citizens. It is purposed in the following article to trace the history of the present huge establishment from its birth in humble surroundings, thence through a checkered career of weary wanderings to its final abode on Govern- ment Hill .:
That San Antonio is a natural strategic point, has been recognized by Aboriginals, Spanish, French, Mexicans, Texans and both the National and Con- federate Governments ; thus its development has been but a natural growth, sometimes aided, and sometimes impeded, by local influences.
From the end of the seventeenth century, Spanish troops had marched and counter-marched in the valley and across the country, taking promiscuous quar- ters, as occasion demanded and opportunity offered. The French traversed the country in 1714, and somewhat disturbed the sleepy security of the Spanish soldiers, but nothing came of the raid. What a country Texas must have been in those days for rapid campaigning ! Little need for tents or much baggage. Unlimited forage and game made the Quartermaster's office, in the olden time, almost a sinecure. Enough Indians to keep the troops on the qui vive, an occa- sional lack of water or perhaps an excess from swollen streams, together with a more frequent scarcity of corn, were the chief impediments to the annexations of their Catholic and Christian Majesties of Spain and France,-Catholic truly in their territorial views.
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
The first permanent Barracks, in the city, were built on the north side of the Military Plaza, in 1773, by Baron de Ripperda, and shortly after the seculariza- tion of the Alamo, a company of volunteers from San Carlos de Parras was quartered in the building.
After a period of nearly forty years of peace, the Mexican revolutions and Texas counter-revolutions plunged the province into a series of military con- vulsions between Republicans, Royalists, later Dictatorships and Texan patriots, which culminated in the Fall of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, a set- tlement of the question only disturbed by two subsequent raids from across the Rio Grande.
During all these disturbances, the color of the Military Post of San Antonio varied with the fortunes of war, and the soldiers billets were the desecrated Missions and the homes of afflicted citizens. These expeditions are treated at length in other portions of the work, and their termination brings us to the period of annexation in 1845-46, the occupation of Corpus Christi by Zachary Taylor and his advance into Mexico.
These events led to action, on the part of the United States authorities, with a view to establishing a permanent military post in San Antonio. Col. Harney was on the ground as early as 1845; and in 1846 the City Council (Bryan Callaghan, the elder, being Mayor ; C. F. King, pro temp.) offered the Govern- ment one hundred acres at San Pedro Springs for the purpose in question. The location at the Springs was not accepted, and for obvious reasons, the ground being comparatively low and easily commanded ; so on March 2d, 1846, the Council appointed a committee to reconsider, and on January 2d, 1847, the records say that the " grant " was "rescinded." In the meantime soldiers re- mained in the city and, after a temporary sojourn in the Military Plaza, the Alamo was occupied as a Quartermaster's Depot by Major Babbitt, this branch of the service continuing there until 1878, with the exceptions of the period covered by the Civil War and a subsequent removal of the troops to Austin, as noted elsewhere.
The United States held possession of this property pending a suit between Bishop Odin and the city, to try title, and demurred to a demand of the latter for rent. The suit was won by the Bishop.
In 1849 the Council again proposed a site for barracks on Military Plaza, this offer was rejected on the score of insufficient room, and besides, the grant was to be hampered with conditions, an element in titles which the United States never entertains. At this time, General Worth, commanding, lived at the James homestead on Commerce street, where he died May 7th, 1849, of cholera. He was buried near the Head of the River, his body afterwards being taken to New York. He established a camp at the Concepcion Mission and another at the Head of the River whose Springs are officially known as the Worth Springs. The Headquarters were then established on the North side of Main Plaza. After the war the Arsenal was removed from a building near the Veramendi House, corner Houston and Soledad street, to its present home on South Flores street, which had been preparing for it since 1859.
TOWER AT THE U.S. QUARTER MASTER'S DEPOT
PARADE GOVERNMENT GPOST.
KGU.S.MILITARY POST
REESE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
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NOTES ON MILITARY AFFAIRS.
The following is a list of military commandants from the first occupation of San Antonio by the National troops :
Col. Harney, 1845-6 ; General Worth, to 1849-he dying here of cholera ; General Harney ; General Percival Smith, Headquarters at Corpus Christi ; Albert Sydney Johnson, Headquarters, Vance House, San Antonio, to 1857.
General Twiggs* succeeded, but being unjustly court-martialed on a trivial charge, Robert E. Lee took command, entering the town February 21st, 1860. He had previously been with Jos. E. Johnston, Colonel commanding at Concho, Lee being Lieutenant Colonel at the time. He remained only a few months, and General Twiggs was again in command at the outbreak of the war; from him and Col. Reeves, the public property was acquired by a committee of citizens consist- ing of S. A. Maverick, P. N. Luckett and T. J. Devine. The same gentlemen served to restore what they could at the close of the War in 1865.
After the War, the Headquarters were removed to the French Building on Main Plaza, and afterwards to Austin.
General Reynolds, commanding 1869 to January, 1872.
General Augur, commanding January, 1872, to March, 1875, troops removed.
General Ord, commanding April, 1875, to December, 1880, Headquarters returned to San Antonio November, 1875.
General Augur, (2nd term) commanding January, 1881, to October, 1883. General Mackenzie, commanding November, 1883, to December, 1883.
General Stanley, commanding May, 1884, to date.
Lieut. Col. Robt. E. Lee boarded at the Hostelry (kept by Mrs. Phillips, where the St. Leonard now stands). General Twiggs lived near the Mission Garden.
There was some excitement in the city during the transfer of the property, and mustering of Volunteers and some talk of resistance, but everything was arranged withont blood-shed. Without reflecting on General Twiggs it is undoubtedly a fact that his sympathies, at least, were with the citizens.
Taking up the history of the Headquarters proper, we find that in 1857 the Headquarters were at the Vance House ; they remained there all through the war, being then under the Stars and Bars. In 1865, the Federal Headquarters were established in the "French Building" until they were removed to Austin in 1869, the troops following in August and September, 1873.
The Headquarters returned to San Antonio in November of 1875, and in 1878 were established in a building erected for the purpose, by the Maverick family, on Houston street (now the Maverick Hotel) ; and during the same month, the Quartermaster's Depot on the Hill was completed, the reservation having been acquired as noted in the foregoing article, beginning with the first
*There is an amusing anecdote connected with the court-martialing of General Twiggs which has the advantage of being authentic. He had been ordered by the Secretary of War, to publish an order reflecting upon himself. Discipline prevailed, but to save his amour propre, the General appended a statement of his own, in order, as he says, that " the antidote may go with the poison," the order was thus issued, despite the calmner suggestions of his Adjutant-General, Col. Withers. Twiggs was court-martialed, escaped with a reprimand and returned to the command of the Department.
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
donation by the city, February 16th, 1870, accepted by the General Government in June, 1871.
In 1873 General Sheridan, W. W. Belknap, Secretary of War, and General Meyers came to San Antonio on business connected with the proper establishment of the Headquarters of the Department of Texas. There was an effort made to keep them in Austin or remove them to either Fort Worth or Denison. All these projects fell to the ground.
On May 6th, 1875, W. W. Belknap ordered the work on the Quartermaster's building to be commenced, and the appropriation previously voted by Congress, in accordance with the acceptance of the land grant from the city, was directed to be applied for. The magnificent Post resulting from this action has been already described.
The Posts of Texas were put in telegraphic communication with each other, and the Government in 1876. Owing to the extension of railway lines and other telegraphic companies, these wires were disposed of to the Erie Telegraph Com- pany, December 6th, 1883.
In 1882, on behalf of the Belgian Government, Professor Housseau estab- lished a station on Government Hill for the observation of the Transit of Venus and for the collection of other astronomical data. The Professor came in August, the Transit taking place December 20th. He succeeded in getting 120 measure- ments, and Professor Hall, the American observer, obtained 204 photographs.
The distinguished men who have visited and commanded at the Post of San Antonio, are personages whose lives and doings are part of a larger history than that of this Department. They have come and gone, the blue and the gray, be- fore and since the war. Theirs has been a record of duty performed, be it grap- pling with a redskin or charging at Gettysburg. In the mesquite wilderness, with none to note, they bore themselves as men and, even so, under the apple trees at Appomattox with the world looking on .*
Somebody has said that the truly brave man is he that will do in solitude the most daring deed he might conceive before men. Surely this is so, and men of this kidney have made the Department what it is. They have guarded our frontier and, aided by a gallant population, have settled the Indian question in Texas. San Antonio, in the past, has seen much of the captured tribes-villains of a most villainous type-the last to be brought in being the notorious Geronimo and his band. They were en route for location in Florida and were captured by Captain Lawton after a long pursuit in the mountains of Arizona.
The present commander of the Department is Brigadier General Stanley, a gentleman who has endeared himself officially and personally to the State at large. His stay has been marked by a constant exchange of friendly courtesies with the people amongst whom he has come to dwell. His name also brings our record to a close, and we trust it may be long before another follows.
NOTE .- Col. Withers was the Adjutant General of the Department in 1857-8-9-60, serving on the staff of the following remarkable men : Albert Sydney Johnson, General Twiggs and that best beloved of men, Robert E Lee. The Adjutants General at Headquarters, after the War, were Colonels Wood and Taylor and Generals Vincent and Ruggles. At the present time Col. Martin is the incumbent.
* This is no figure of speech. Fitz-hugh Lee, as a Lieutenant under Van Dorn, was reported mortally wounded in an Indian fight. The parallel, moreover, applies to all.
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CHURCHES.
CHURCHES.
Roman Catholic .- The strongest body of Christians in the city is that of the pioneer faith. The Roman Catholic Churches are well built and well attended. Of course, the old Missions down the valley are of this Church. Their members are of many languages, as will be seen below. The city is the seat of a Bishopric, of which the Rt. Rev. Bishop Neraz is the present incumbent. The following is a list of Churches :
Cathedral of San Fernando, (Spanish) fronting Main Plaza ; reached by Belknap cars.
St. Joseph's, (German) north side of East Commerce street ; Belknap cars.
St. Mary's, (English) St. Mary's street.
St. Michael's, (Polish) 320 South Street.
Ursaline Convent Chapel, corner Augusta and Convent streets.
There is also a Chapel at the Santa Rosa Hospital. This Hospital is one of the most important and beneficent of the fruits of Christianity in the town. The other Catholic institutions are an Orphanage, a College for males, the Ursu- line Conventual School for girls, and many parochial schools.
Episcopalian .- San Antonio is the seat of the Missionary Bishopric of Western Texas, Rt. Rev. Bishop Johnston at present presiding over the see. The Churches are :
St. Mark's, north side Travis Square, Rev. W. R. Richardson, Dean.
St. John's, northeast corner North Cherry and Burnet streets.
St. Luke's, northeast corner Zavalla and North Leona streets.
St. Paul's, south side Grayson street, on Government Hill.
One of the results of Episcopalian effort is St. Mary's Hall, a high-class school for girls.
Presbyterian .- First Presbyterian Church, corner of Houston and North Flores streets ; reached by Belknap cars, San Pedro and Flores Street lines.
Madison Square Church, reached by Belknap cars, San Pedro and Flores Street lines. .
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 324 Soledad street.
Fourth Ward Presbyterian Sunday School, 436 South Presa street.
Baptist. - First Baptist Church, Travis Square.
Alamo Baptist Church, northeast corner Nacogdoches and Crockett streets.
Aransas Pass Mission, corner South Flores and Herff streets.
International Mission, corner Frio and ·Hidalgo streets.
Sunset Mission, corner Burleson and Cherry streets.
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
Methodist .- Methodist Episcopal Church South, Travis Square.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, southwest corner Avenue C. and Pecan street.
Methodist Episcopal, south side Crosby street.
German Methodist Episcopal Church, 230 Villita Street.
Mexican Methodist Episcopal Church, southwest corner Pecan and San Fernando streets.
Tenth Street Methodist Church, south side Tenth Street.
Jewish .- Temple Beth-El, Travis Square, a Synagogue the place of worship of the influential Hebrew citizens. Rev. M. P. Jacobson, Rabbi.
The City Hospital .- In the western part of the city. It may be, not inaptly, mentioned here, as an evidence of the practical religion of the city Government.
Many other denominations are represented, but this list will suffice for the spiritual needs of the majority of visitors. It should be mentioned, however, that the colored people have many places of worship-Catholic, Methodist and Baptist.
EDUCATIONAL.
Schools .- Education is well cared for in San Antonio. There are many private institutions of great efficiency, for both sexes, and the denominational establishments have been already noticed.
The Public Schools are the pride of the city. There are twelve school buildings, all excellent, and under Superintendent Smith. There are about seventy-five teachers of trained ability in charge of a scholastic population largely . in excess of that of any other city in the State.
The Central Grammar and High School is situated on Acequia street ; Professor Schoch, Principal. It may be reached by the Belknap cars, San Pedro line. There are, besides, eight Ward Schools for whites, and three for the colored people. The colored people having, perhaps, mnost accommodation in proportion to population, than the whites, were not the latter supplemented by tlie denon- inational and private effort before referred to.
The German-English School should be mentioned, as being an old established high-class day school, and somewhat of a land mark. It is situated on South Alamo street, and may be reached by the Belknap line of street cars.
Let us glance at the history of Public Education in San Antonio since the good Mission Fathers gave up their labor of love and patriotism.
The first mention of an American School in Texas is in a document in the Bexar County Records, dated July 5th, 1828, referring to the " McClure" School. This was under Mexican rule, and was probably an institution started for the benefit of the growing Anglo-Saxon colony. About this time there existed, also, a Spanish Public School, on the east line of the Military Plaza, 11ear the Cathedral. After this, and until 1839, education in San Antonio received
FEDERAL BUILDING.
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EDUCATIONAL
little attention. In that year the corporation evidently saw the necessity of a system of Public Education, and the question aroused general interest, for we find that on February 14th, 1839, J. H. Winchell proposed to the City Council to open a public school on the first of March ensuing, and offers to teach all that may enter therein, the English language, together with penmanship and arithmetic, provided the number shall not exceed thirty pupils. All this for the sum of $800 per annum, payable quarterly or monthly, as the honorable body may think proper.
His system of instruction, the good man goes on to say, has met with general approbation, as heretofore pursued by him, but he admits that it is susceptible of much improvement, which he is willing to effect, providing suffi- cient emoluments be given him, and begs a committee of three to examine fully into the merits of his system and to report thereon.
Again this subject of education comes up on June 2d, 1844, when P. L. Buquor (a well known old City Official) presented a memorial urging the utility of opening a Public School, and stating that he is willing to undertake to do so if sufficient encouragement be given him by the Council. A committee was thereupon appointed, and it reported substantially as follows on June 29th, 1844 :
The committee are of opinion that the law for incorporating the city, passed December 14th, 1837, makes it obligatory upon the Council to encourage by every means in their power the opening of a public school, and also to have a Court House and Jail, and the report goes on to recommend a plan to accomplish these things, and also to repair the_old Court House, (this is prior to the " Bat Cave") and fit it up in such a manner as to serve for both Court House and School House. Certain lots were to be appropriated to this object, for Section 8 of the Charter set aside certain lots for this purpose and for the endowment of a Public School. This was recommended to be done as soon as the lots would fetch a reasonable price. For some reason the land was not ordered to be sold until August 24th, 1849. See Article "The River." Out of the proceeds of this sale and in accordance with the recommendation, the " Bat Cave" was built.
J. N. Devine, in a long address on January 15th, 1849, urged the questions of education, peace, law and order very forcibly upon the people. His action produced the effect of a "Sunday Closing " ordinance, April 5th, 1849, for the closing of Bar Rooms, Workshops, etc., after 9 o'clock A. M , on Sunday. He also closed the Fandangoes for awhile. We mention these things to show that a spirit of reforni was abroad, and from this epoch San Antonio has been ever watchful and generous in the matter of Public Education. Indeed, at this time the tide set in which changed San Antonio from a blood-stained border town to a progressive and prosperous modern city. And to-day there is an inherited tradition of liberality toward Public Schools.
International Fair Grounds and Buildings. - These are situated about three miles south of the city in a fine park on the banks of the San An- tonio river and are used for an annual fair and other gatherings. The buildings are handsome and spacious and among other attractions is a good race course.
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
The grounds are reached by the Aransas Pass railway with a depot in the adjacent park, and from town direct by the McCrillis electric cars.
The president of the association is Mr. A. C. Schryver, whose office is on Commerce street near the bridge. The grounds were established in the fall of 1888 and the military encampment of the state militia was held here in 1890.
Riverside Park. - A beautiful sylvan pleasure ground, with lovely drives and groves of giant pecan trees, whose fruit is the delicious Texas nut of that name.
It is the very place of all others for pic-nics, with the river, the Missions San José and Concepcion adjacent, and the Exposition Park and buildings across the fence. There is a fine pavilion in the grounds and arrangements for refreshments. It is reached by the San Antonio & Aransas Pass railway when there is a crowd, and always from town direct by the McCrillis system of electric cars.
San Pedro Park .- A city park about a mile from the center of the town. Here are the lovely San Pedro Springs with stretches of green-sward and groves of stately live oaks, a southern evergreen that always makes us seem a summering. Pecan trees and shrubbery abound. Refreshments may be had, and there is a collection of birds and animals well worth a visit. It may be reached by Belknap System Cars. This park is a remnant of the former magnificent do- main of the city. In olden times it was a favorite resort of the Indians, and an- other fact of interest connected with the locality is, that the Canary Island set- tlers dwelt there for a short time previous to their removal to San Fernando. Vide Dr. Cupples' reminiscences.
Opera House .- Situated on the west side of the Alamo plaza, fronting the garden and almost opposite the Menger hotel. It is a veritable "Bijou " and during the season, Opera and the legitimate, follow each other unceasingly. The building is the home of the San Antonio Club, tasteful in all things. This admirable institution is treated of at length elsewhere.
Turner Hall. - A fine hall for public meetings ; concerts and other at- tractions hold the boards throughout the season.
Casino Hall .- An elegant room attached to the Casino club. The home of a famous German association. This hall is frequently used for concerts and, nearly always, for the larger select dances and germans that take place during the winter. It has pleasant parlors, is prettily decorated, and located in a re- tired bend of the river in the heart of the city.
Convention Hall .- A hall erected on Flores and Houston streets for the accommodation of the State Democratic Convention of 1890. There are otlier halls in the city, but these are all that will interest the tourist.
Newspapers .- The San Antonio Daily Express (morning) is the 'lead- ing journal of the city, as of Western Texas. It is devoted to the interests of its section, and, while democratic in politics, it is blessed with a large share of refreshing independence and the brightest staff of newspaper men in the state.
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NEWSPAPERS, ETC.
Its quarters are on Commerce street, and with its new press, stereotyping appar- atus and airy offices, the tout ensemble is a credit to journalism anywhere.
The San Antonio Daily Times (evening) is a sturdy democratic sheet. It claims to be the heir of the San Antonio Daily Herald (the earliest Texan daily) and is a pushing paper convinced of the great destiny of its city, and untiring in furthering its progress.
The San Antonio Daily Light, (evening) Republican. "The only Republican daily of the State," a newsy and ably edited journal. It makes local items a specialty, and is energetic in promulgating its principles according to the Light that is in it.
The Express has a good "semi-weekly" edition, and the Times a weeky one.
The Freie Presse fur Texas is also published here with a daily and weekly edition. It is a very influential German paper.
El Heraldo is a Spanish weekly for those citizens who prefer the language.
The Texas Stockman is what its name indicates, and circulates all over the State, being the recognized medium of the enormous stock industry of Western Texas.
There are other minor publications, and a Monthly Magazine, the Texas Field, devoted to sport.
Stock Yards -On South Flores street are many lots given up to the Horse and Mule trade. Here may be seen the true and only Cowboy, and with little difficulty in the matter of introductions, the tourist may make the acquaintance of stockmen whose flocks and herds browse upon a thousand hills. Here, too, may be met many a queer border type as may be noted in the accompanying illustrations taken from life.
City Additions. - The suburban Additions to the town are numerous, and enormous sums have been spent in land, Electric Street Railways and Landscape Gardening for their development. The most important are the West End, the Alamo Heights, the Lake View, East End, Beacon Hill, and Southern Heights. It would be invidious to compare them. The visitor will find ample facilities to visit them all.
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