Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1913 — C. W. Platt Writes Letter From San Antonio, Texas [ARTICLE]

C. W. Platt Writes Letter From San Antonio, Texas

C. W. Platt, who with his wife, are visiting relatives at San Antonio, Tex., writes as follows to the Republican: We are at San Antonio and are having a good time, taking in all the sights of interest and making long trips to see them. The weather has been, very fine in the day time but quite cold at night and I have contracted a very bad cold. Garden truck is plentiful her# and it certainly tastes good in midwinter. San Antonio is made up of three classes of people, Mexicans, negroes and whites. There Is a scarcity of work now and people are idle most of the time, and wages are only $1.50 per day for common labor and $3 a day for plasterers and carpenters. For an old town San Antonio is not very well improved, especially in the matter of sidewalks, which, of course, I noticed. The cement work is poor, too, and some of the walks are all broken up. I saw cotton picking in progress and it was quite a sight for me, having never seen it before. I also too a trip to the mission, a 20-mile ride for only 50 cents. The houses here are many of them very fine. They are built on cedar posts instead of foundations. The lawns are green with winter grass, and the parks are all green and springlike. The streets are about 50 feet wide here, not so wide as ours. We made a visit to the Hot Springs, which is a fine place. I drank some of the water, but did not take a dip in the natatorium or bathing pool. One of the state asylums is located near here and the buildings are very fine. I will visit it while here. Our trip here proved a V very deligtful one We were on the road two nights and two and a half days. We passed through the mountains and saw some very rough but interesting country and feel well repaid for making the trip. I think of visiting some other 1 points in Texas before returning home Tomorrow I plan a trip to the army post. There are no hills here The country is low and flat and after a rain the earth becomes very sticky. I understand that J. O. Gwln was here but I did not see him. -~ Texas seems to lack the enterprise that northerners have They breakfast at 9 o’clock instead of 5 or 6. They drink lots of whiskey and beer but so far I have not seen may drunks. Will be able to tell you more upon my return, but think of noth ing more of interest now. With best regards, CHARLES W. PLATT.