148 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



was founded in 1716 on the the banks of San Antonio river. It is still 

 used for church purposes, and like all others, built so as to answer as a 

 fortress — the roof being an arch of stone as solid as the walls. The 

 land is in a beautiful location and is well watered by irrigating ditches. 



Going from thence to Govt. Hill, we had an opportunity of visiting 

 one of Uncle Sam's homes. Here quite a reservation is kept, about 

 twenty acres of the most beautiful spot about San Antonio. The arsenal 

 contains an abundance of arms for this portion of the country. 



San Pedro springs is one of the notable resorts of San Antonio 

 and the spring is one of the important features about the city. San 

 Antonio springs, the head of the river, is one of the beauties of the 

 city. The old aqueduct is one of the notable features of the surround- 

 ing country also. I can but mention many of these points of interest 

 worth visiting — Alamo plaza, Military plaza, fair grounds, missions, 

 city hall and custom house. The river running through the city, a pure, 

 cool stream of beautiful water, is one of the most attractive features 

 of the whole city or surrounding country. 



At the close of the day we are rapidly driven to our hotels and 

 then to the depot of the San Antonio and Aransas^Pass railroad on the 

 way to Aransas pass, and then Galveston. 



Passing through some more of the beautiful country, we saw 

 abundance of cotton fields and thousands of cattle on the prairies. 

 The country about Beeville, in Bee county, notably struck your corre- 

 spondent as one of the choice locations in this portion of Texas for 

 cotton, corn, vegetables or cattle. Oftentimes we saw some prairie 

 which reminded us of home. Before reaching Bockport some of our 

 party took a run across to Corpus Christi, while the greater portion 

 went to Bockport, which we reached about 8 p. m. 



After a good night's rest we took a sail on the bay and out to the 

 Aransas pass. The wind was high and the boats were small, but the 

 writer, with a few others, chose a smaller one so as to enjoy the rolling 

 of the waves. Oft-times the boat would be washed by the waves, but 

 it was part of our sport. The Pass can easily be improved to make 

 deep water, and if so done, will give a wonderful impetus to the affairs 

 of this portion of Texas. 



Returning, we again spent the night at Bockport, and at 6 a. in* 

 we were on our way to Galveston. Two cars were at our disposal, and 

 a very pleasant trip, indeed, had we on this journey. The people of 

 Bockport would not allow us to pay our bills, and we could but only 

 thank them and leave them with many kind remembrances. 



Passing through Beeville, Kennedy, Yorktown, Richmond and 

 Houston, we reached Galveston late at night, glad to go to bed. 



