USA > Texas > Bexar County > San Antonio > San Antonio de Bexar; a guide and history > Part 6
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Artesian Wells. - The finest Artesian Well of the State is the natural one formed by the Springs of the Head of the San Antonio River. This water comes from an enormous depth, being of an even temperature of 70° Fahr. the year round. It affords the purest possible drinking water, and is San Antonio's chief blessing. It is evident that there are several water-bearing strata, all arte- sian and of considerable volume, in the neighborhood. Mr. Brackenridge is having a well bored which is already 2500 feet deep, but artesian water has not yet been struck ; the boring however will continue to the depth of 3000 feet.
The Kampmann well, sunk on the Salado to a depth of 465 feet, yields a strong sulphur water, used for medical purposes.
The Crystal Ice Factory has a well of pure water at a different depth, flowing several hundred thousand gallons per diem.
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
The Scholz well, on the River bank, flows water slightly brackish, and by a separate pipe the same well supplies his establishment with gas.
At West End clear Artesian water was reached at a depth of only 250 feet in one case, and 259 in another. These wells have their overflow into the artificial lake of that suburb. In boring most of these wells, oil and gas were encountered, but the most notable instance of this is that of Mr. G. Dullnig, near the Salado. It has a flow of oil which is marketed. The apparatus on the ground is extensive and altogether this subject is worthy the attention of visitors with capital to invest.
Real Estate .- There are many reliable and old established Real Estate firms in the city. The stranger should consult only such, and if purchasing, it is well to get an abstract of title; this is easily obtained.
Amongst all the States, Texas is peculiar in her land matters, and differs in many things, even from her ancient Spanish sisters. The United States owns no . public lands within her borders, save such small tracts and parcels as may have been ceded for Military Posts, Cemeteries, or Public Buildings for Federal purposes. The old Spanish vara (33} inches) is still a legal land measure, though, curiously enough, the Mexicans have long since discarded its use for that of the metre. We speak, too, of a "league," of a "labor," or of a " suerte" of land. The titles to land in Texas are very variously derived and their origin frequently curious. We have grants from the Kings of Spain, * grants to colonists and individuals by the Republic of Mexico, and similar concessions by the Republic of Texas. Then there are Headrights, and Locations on Scrip, issued to supply the necessities of the infant State, or to reward veterans. Later we have
* Yoakum, who has done more for Texas History than auy other man has or now cau, relates an interest- ing chapter on Land Titles iu Texas. The following is an interesting excerpt, Vol. II, pp. 231 et seq .:
"The first grants of the Spanish government in Texas, of which we have any record, are those of the three Missions of Concepcion, San Juan, and La Espada. The grants for the Missions of Valero and San José were doubtless made earlier, and probably some individual grants, but we know of none now in existence. The three first-named Missions were located in the first instance on the St. Mark; but such was the difficulty of procuring water for irrigation, 'so necessary to the support of the people who were to be indoctrinated,' that ou the 29th of October, 1729, the viceroy of Mexico, Casa Fuerte. commissioned the Governor of Texas, the ex-guardian of the apostolic college of Queretaro, and the president of the Texan Missious, to make a new settlement or location. After some search, they made their selectious of three places-two on the San Antonio river, and one on the ‘Me- dina,' below the junction of the two streams. They next proceeded to the neighboriug tribes of Indians, to whom 'they spoke, and explained the holy and benevolent purpose of their institution; and three tribes, among others in the vicinity, viz., the Pacaos, the Pajalats, and the Pitalacs, agreed to settle the three places selected, and to submit to doctrine.' The commissioners, having completed their labors, made a report to the viceroy, and petitioned him to make the necessary decrees. The viceroy laid the matter before Ribera, former inspector of the presidios of New Spain for his opinion. The ex-inspector reported on the 22d of September, 1730, con- curring with the report of the commissioners, except in regard to the location for the lower Mission 'on the Medina river, at thirty leagues' distance from the presidios (San Antonio and La Bahia), where it may be liable to attacks from the Apaches, who on many occasions appear in a hostile manuer in that territory. This danger would not exist if the said Mission were located in the same vicinity with the other two.'
The viceroy, in conformity with this opinion, on the 2d of October, 1730, decreed that the captain of the royal presidio of San Antonio, should issue a decree that the three Missions should be located as recommended using his judgment as to the plan of locating the lower Mission. He further ordered that each Mission so to be located 'be furnished with three soldiers for the term of two years, this time being considered necessary for the instruction of the Indians in tillage, and at the expiration of this time one soldier shall remain in each Mis. sion, the other two returning to their corps.'
On the 15th of December, 1730, the captain of the presidio of San Antonio de Bexar, in pursuance of this order of the viceroy, remitted the same to Don Gabriel Costales, captain of the presidio of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, with orders to execute it, he being delegated as judge for that purpose, in the absence of any public or royal notary. In making a return of his proceedings, Captain Costales says: 'A dispatch was presented to me from the most excellent viceroy, through the captain of the royal presidio of San Antonio, which I kissed and
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REAL ESTATE.
the State granting sections to Railway, Canal and Irrigation Companies, and issuing scrip to Confederate veterans. The State has still a vast domain subject to homestead entry, and the University and School land endowments are princely. The State Capitol, at Austin, was built by disposing of 3,000,000 acres of public lands to a Chicago syndicate. Hence, it will be seen that Real Estate in Texas is a large question.
To be seized of a piece of property is an old English law phrase, and means to own it : The following curious ceremony of taking possession smacks strongly of that old-time expression, and seems to lend point to the poor joke of William the Conqueror who, falling to the ground upon stepping from his boat at Hastings, quieted the ill-omened fears of his followers by remarking that he was only taking "seizin' " of the land.
Here is the record : "I took said Simon de Arocha and proceeded with him over the said property, and he pulled weeds and threw rocks and made other necessary demonstrations in actual possession, calling upon the adjoining property holders to show cause why he should not be put in possession." April 21, 1778.
Other induction ceremonies refer to the grantee as "throwing stones to the four winds of Heayen," "driving stakes " and performing such like ceremonies.
The original City Grant from the King of Spain having been lost in the troublous revolutionary days, the city found it advisable to sue out its title, con- sequently, on February 26th, 1845, an agreement was entered into with T. J. Devine to prosecute certain trespassers upon the city domain. The consideration the attorney was to receive,-was one-eighth of the assessed value of land recov- ered and $100 per year in addition thereto for no longer a period than five years, or to receive nothing if he did not prosecute successfully. Then followed the celebrated suit of the City versus Nat Lewis, senior, in which the City sues Nat Lewis and others for certain lands specified to be within the confines of the Original . Royal Grant to the people and inhabitants of the town of "San
placed on my head, as a message from my king and natural lord, which with blind obedience I obey, and am ready to execute whatever it commands.' Upon this return, the captain of the presidio of San Antonio, on the 12th of January, 1731, decreed the establishment of the Missions named. All these formalities being attended to, and the acts of each party written down, and attested by assisting witnesses, the captain of San Antonio pro- ceeded on the 5th of March, 1731, to the first Mission-gronnd, called Our Lady of the Concepcion de Acuña, accompanied by several of the officers of the presidio, and Father Bergara, and seized the hand of the captain of the tribe, in the name of all the other Indians who had attached themselves to said Mission, and led him about over the locality, and caused him to pull up weeds, throw stones, and perform all the other acts of real possession, that by virtue thereof they might not be dispossessed without being first heard and defended by Father Bergara, president of the Texas Missions, or such other of the clergy as might have administration over them. After declaring the bounds of the Mission, there was attached to it pasture-lands, watering-places, irrigating privileges, uses, and services, and the further right, in planting time, to drive their stock out west for pasture, so as not to prejudice the crops. The act of possession concluded by notifying the Indians, through an interpreter, what they should do in advancement of Christian doctrine, and in avoidance of crime.
At the same time, Captain Perez proceeded to put other tribes in possession of the Mission-grounds of San Francisco de la Espada, and San Juan, situated below, on the San Antonio river; the same formality being observed in each case. The record of the titles (which, as will be seen, is a simple narrative of the action of each party) was then filed in the archives of San Fernando de Bexar, and a certified copy furnished to each Mission. It will be observed, in the foregoing abstract of the transfer, that the title was assumed to be in the king of Spain, and that the transfer was to the Indians, and not to the priests, who, by their vows, could own no worldly estate.
In regard to the Mission-lands of San José de Aguayo, they were claimed by Don Domingo Castelo, one of the king's ensigns, for his services at the presidio of San Saba; but, after a protracted lawsuit between him and the Mission, the title was vested in the Indians of the Mission, on the 18th of November, 1766, by purchase, for one hundred and fifty dollars."
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
Fernando " (San Antonio). The Lower Courts first decided and established the boundaries of the Original Grant to the city (John James, Sr., surveying the same)* and gave judgment for the city. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision, and upon this rests the title to all lands situated within the " Town Tract," as it is now called. Vide : Tex. Rep. Vol. VII, pp. 288, et seq.
Passing from the old-time reflections and recollections the reader's attention is invited to the following remarkable table for which we are indebted to the daily press. It shows the comparative sales during the first six months of the years 1889 and 1890 :
January, 1889.
$ 171,045
January, 1890. .
574,889
February, 1889 ..
160,315
February, 1890 ..
397,559
March, 1889
191,822
March, 1890 .
704,247
April, 1889
293,441
April, 1890
132,134
May, 1889 319,438
May, 1890
1.489,692
June, 1889
183.198
June, 1890
1,004,502
ENERAL LAN
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* October 29, 1849. The Council resolved to ask the United States Minister to Madrid to secure a copy of the Original Grant to the Corporation or town of San Fernando, in the Province of Texas or New
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PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Public Buildings .- The Alamo church, amply treated elsewhere. The Federal Building affording accommodation for the Federal Court and Postoffice (for dates see calendar) was designed by M. E. Bell, of Chicago, who was super- vising architect at Washington under President Arthur's administration. The original plan was modified, in the direction of economy, by W. A. Freret, of New Orleans, during President Cleveland's term. Mr. Gordon of this city being appointed architect in charge, again re-arranged the building in its present form. Under his direction, the structure grew to be the beautiful mediaval dream that it is. Its details are worthy of careful study. The style may be called Richard- sonian Romanesque with a touch reminding one of Lombardy and the South of France. Notice the tower and the bold angle turret-the arcades whose pro- portions are so cleverly relieved by the flight of approaching steps-the beautiful mass of the building, and the construction and outline of the tile roof.
The City Hall, a Renaissance Building designed by Mr. O. Kramer, and now nearing completion on Military Plaza. Its location is the best possible one, and the effect of the four white facades of native lime-stone relieved by pink granite columns, is extremely fine.
The County Jail is a massive and serviceable building designed by Mr. A. Giles.
The County Court House on Soledad street by the same gentleman completes the list of public buildings."
Phillipines. What came of this we are unable to say. The field notes of the town tract are as follows :
COUNTY SURVEYOR'S RECORDS. F. I pp. 28, 29. REPUBLIC OF TEXAS,-COUNTY OF BEXAR.
BEXAR COUNTY. Field Notes of the survey of the lands claimed by the Corporation of the City of San Antonio, mnade under an order of the District Court of Bexar County, at the Sept. term, 1845.
Beginning at an old stone dam on the Concepcion ditch from the southeast corner of which a pecan 30 in. in diameter bears south 27° west, 714 varas, this place being pointed out to me as the presita of the Concepcion ditch, by Rafael Herrera and Manuel Cadena.
Thence north 83º east, 6800 varas to a pecan tree 10 in. in diameter, on the west bank of the Salado creek, marked X from which a pecan 9 in. in diameter bears south 70° west, 13 vara; a pecan 13 in. diameter bears
north 5814°, west 1634 varas. This point was shown to ine as the Paso Hondo on Salado, by Rafael Herrera and Manuel Cadena.
Thence north 351/2° west, 3790 varas to a stake set on the top of a hill from which a mesquite 8 in. in diameter bears north 2334° west, 4212 varas, a mesquite 3 in. diameter, bears north 84° west 412 varas, this be- ing pointed out to me as the Lomita Devisidera, by Manuel Cadena.
Thence north 2534º west, 4,700 varas to a mound of rock, shown by Pedro Flores and others as one of the corners of this tract. Thence north 5233º west, 10,000 varas to a pile of rocks round the roots of a live oak tree, now nearly destroyed by fire, from which a live oak 15" diameter bears south 75º east, 9 varas, a live oak 9" diam- eter bears south 16%° east, 7 varas. This point is between the Almas (sic) and Norillo creeks, and was shown to me by Manuel Cadena as one of the corners of this survey. Thence south 2912º west, 11,775 varas to a stake set on the east bank of a small creek at a water hole from which a hackberry on west side of the creek bears south 85° west, 50 varas, a mesquite2 in. diameter, bears south 361/2° west, 121/2 varas, this point being shown to me by Do- mingo Bustillo, Delgado and others as one of the corners of this survey, called the real of San Nicolas, or Tomas Hernandez. Thence south 12,910 varas to a stake set on the east bank of the Leon creek, at the present crossing of the road leading from San Autonio to Jett's rancho, from which a musquite (sic) 16 inches diameter, bears north 9º east, 83 varas, a musquite 3 inches diameter, bears south 64° east, 35 varas. This point shown to me by Manuel de la Garza and Delgado as the pass of the acalitos and one of the corners of this survey. Thence south 28° east, 2400 varas to a cottonwood tree 12 in. diameter in the bed of the Leon creek, from which a pecan 6 in, diameter bears south 57º east, 5 varas, a pecan 6 in. diameter bears south 1412° west, 834 varas. This point was shown to me by Pedro Flores and others as the L'Aguila, (sic) oue of the corners of this survey. Thence north 3723 ° east, 12,610 varas to a pass on the San Pedro creek, shown to me as the Paso Nogalitos by Pedro Flores and others as one of the corners of this survey. Thence south 8812º east, 2655 varas to a stone dam, the place of beginning, including within its limits thirty-eight thousand acres of land.
This survey was commenced on the 1st and ended on the 11th day of February, 1846. Nathaniel Melton aud James Cocks, chainmen, who were duly sworn. Bearings marked x -
Then follows John James' sworn certificate of Survey. This survey does not actually close, and was after- wards corrected as to course and distance by Giraud. The natural marks, however, here described are the basis for establishing the boundaries of the Town Tract.
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
Banks .- San Antonio is a wealthy city. There are no less than four Na- tional and six Private Banks, all stable institutions. They occupy palatial quar- ters. . Bank failures in the city are unknown. The bank rate of interest is from eight to twelve per cent. There are many mortgage and loan institutions who furnish money on good security at six per cent. There is, moreover, a Local In- surance Company, the directory of which is made up of our wealthiest citizens.
San Antonio Club .- This institution was founded by the association of a party of gentlemen who obtained a charter dated December 21st, 1881. It was instituted for "literary purposes, to promote social intercourse among its members and to provide tlien the convenience of a Club House." The following were the original incorporators : Messrs. E. D. L. Wickes, H. B. An- drews, Jas. T. Thornton, C. K. Breneman, Erastus Reed, A. B. Frank, J. B. Lacoste, H. B. Adams, Frank Grice, F. P. Hord, Jas. Callaghan, Thos. J. Devine and H. Grenet. The club is managed by a committee of thirteen direc- tors elected annually ; their terms expire on the 30th of November of each year. They elect from among their number a president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary and have power to fill vacancies. They also pass upon the admission of members. Their meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 8 o'clock p. m. in winter and 8:30 p. m. in summer. The president, or in his absence the vice-president, authorizes the call of special meetings of directors or of the club. The first president was E. D. L. Wickes, Esq., and he held the office inany years. The present president is A. W. Houston. The club installed itself speed- ily after its formation in a suite of rooms (110w occupied by the Harmony club) at the corner of Alamo Plaza and Alamo street above the old postoffice, but soon set about plans for a more suitable home. Eventually a comprehensive scheme was realized and the present club and opera house was occupied in the winter of 1886-87. The building fronts on Alamo Plaza, it is of brick and is al- together a tasteful structure. Here the club fulfils its ends and during the sea- son dispenses a hospitality that has become proverbial. Its receptions are among the great social functions of the winter, and its attentions to distinguished stran- gers who deserve well of their fellow-inen have been innumerable. Members have the privilege of introducing visitors who are non-residents of the county. The present secretary is W. A. Little, Esq.
Other Clubs .- Are the "Harmony," a coterie of influential Hebrews ; " The San Antonio Rifles," inaugurated by a company of volunteers of that name ; The " Casino," an old established German association ; the Turners and various Singing, Literary and Shooting societies.
Young Men's Christian Association. - This body has rooms on the corner of Alamo and Commerce streets, up stairs, temporarily. Mr. Rae will be found in charge and everybody is welcome to their Reading Rooms and Gymnasium.
Military Organizations .- San Antonio has seen much of war in ear- nest and in the peaceful contests of competitive drilling has retained her military laurels. The San Antonio Rifles, under Capt. Badger, and the Belknap Rifles, under Capt. R. Green, achieved a national reputation at Washington, and have won prizes at every inter-state and state drill they have attended. The Maverick
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THE SAN ANTONIO NATIONAL BANK.
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THE WATERS OF SAN ANTONIO AND SAN PEDRO.
Rifles, a younger company, has also distinguished itself. The armories of these companies are the scene of many pleasant informal hops during the season, and the members are otherwise a great social force in the city. Many dates of interest in the history of these companies will be found in the Calendar at the end.
Friendly Societies. - All these organizations are very adequately rep- resented here. The Masons are contemplating erecting a fine hall. The Odd Fellows are already installed in a magnificent building on Houston street. The Knights of Pythias are extremely strong, and the society comprises some of our most active business and professional men.
The Waters of San Antonio and San Pedro.
THE DITCHES OR ACEQUIAS.
" He'll turn your current in a ditch."
-Shakespeare.
And now comes a pleasant chapter to narrate, pleasant because it deals with that which makes San Antonio the naturally charming place that it is, pleasant because it deals solely with the efforts and arts of peace in a history that is only too full of the strivings of war, bloodshed and contention ; pleasant because it has to do with clear crystal springs rising in volume from unknown, mysterious depths, deep translucent pools and bubbling brooks, a swirling river of pure living waters and the arborous accompaniments of foliage, high canopies of greenery, broad groves, great trunks and tangled vines, and with the plenty of fields of waving corn. Let imagination wander back to the time before the waters were in the least fouled by the contact of civilization, when the first Spanish Missionaries traveling over the drier western plains happed suddenly upon this valley, knowing little of it, and that little only by hearsay, how their hearts must have leaped at the sight of this abundance of pure water, these strong
Several of the smaller cuts in the letter-press are produced here by permission of L. Prang & Co., Boston, and are copyrighted designs from their series of studies.
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SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR.
constant springs, and goodly lands. They might have had within them a feeling of thankful exultation that their lot was cast for at least a brief space in pleasant paths. In these peaceful glades they might soon forget the lurking danger and hostility of the warlike natives : and overlooking the valley they might have concluded "Verily a river went out of Eden to water the garden ; and here are provided two, that river was divided into four heads, these by the blessing of God and our Lady Mary on our labors and resources shall be divided into many to water this second Eden." Some such an inspirtion was likely enough the origin of some of the older acequias or irrigation ditches. Or it may have been that the plain practical thought only occurred to them, " here is provided an abundance of water and fine facilities for irrigation, necessi- ties to the success of our undertakings and Missions. Let us take and have enough and to spare, for nature is lavish ; besides our converts and the people that shall be afterwards drawn here and shall follow us soon, and shall enjoy and supplement our labors,-these will need it all by and by." It may be that this is nearer the truth, for that the Fathers were eminently practical and unselfish workers as well as thinkers has been proved by works which testify to this day. In these later days, when the Spanish domination is almost forgotten by the prevail- ing population, when the representing race of it is regarded simply as one of the attractive curiosities rather than one of the main historic quantities of the place, when the past and present influence of it is only keenly remembered by the lawyers, searchers after land titles and aspirants to local political emoluments (and honors) at election times, we are apt to forget how much we modern San Antonians owe to the right estimate that these men and their generation put upon the value of the water of this valley and their quick appreciation of the facilities for its distribution. San Antonio owes its very existence to this estimate. For that it has been a city always more or less flourishing, it may thank these pioneers. Are we not now also-in our arrogance of the possession or rather enjoyment of an almost perfect modern system of water works, with its miles upon miles of iron pipes that was almost pressed upon the citizens like a dose of wholesome medicine upon a wilful and perverse child-only too prone to despise in our scientific superiority these monuments of a simple wisdom and industry of the past.
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