^^ MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR O. B. COLQUITT to the Thirty-third Legislature ^ RELATING TO THE ALAMO PROPERTY YON BOECKMAMN-IONB3 CO., PRIMTERS AUSTIN, TEXAS 1913 IDIM 13-10(10 MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR O. B. COLQUITT to the Thirty-third Legislature 96 RELATING TO THE ALAMO PROPERTY VON BOECKMANN-JONES CO., PRIMTERS AUSTIN, TEXAS 1913 D. OF B. IVIAR 38 1913 ■\5l I Governor's Office, Austin, Texas, March 6, 1913. To the Scuni" fiwl Jlon.f i^ommunication trans- mitting to you the printed data and information already referred to which is herewith respectfully transmitted. Pespectfully, 0. B. Colquitt, Governor of Texas. PART ONE. EXHIBIT "A." Showing Title Papers to the Alamo Church, or Chapel, Purchased by the State of Texas, From Catholic Bishop. POWER OF ATTORNEY— JNO. M. ODIN TO B. CALLAGHAN. STATE OF TEXAS. County of Galveston. Know all men by these presents that I, John M. Odin, Roman Catholic Bishop of Galveston and Chief Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Texas, have constituted and appointed and by these presents do constitute and appoint Mr. B. Callaghan of San Antonio de Bejar my true and lawful agent and attorney in fact for the following purposes,- namely: Whereas I have been informed that the cor])oration of the town of San Antonio de Bejar wider some pretended claim to the Church of the Alamo and the buildings connected therewith have caused the rents of the said buildings and church, payable to me by the Government of the United States, to be sequestered or in some way seized in the hands of the law. Now this is to authorize my said agent to sign my name and affix my seal to any bond or bonds which may be necessary or convenient in order to replevy the said rents and property so se- questered or seized, and for this purpose to do all and every act whatsoever which I myself could do if present and acting. And I hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and successors in office to ratify and confirm, warrant and defend, all the acts of my said agent in the premises. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and put my seal this I8th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred fifty, the words "my true and lawful agent and attornei/ in fact" having been interlined in the sixth line of this instrument before signing and sealing. J. M. ODIN, (Seal) Bishop of Galveston. STATE OF TEXAS. County of Galveston. Before me, Jas. P. Nash, a Notary Public in and for the county of Galveston, being duly commissioned to practice, personally appeared John M. Odin, Bishop of Galveston, to me known, who acknowledged he had signed, sealed and delivered the annexed or foregoing power of attorney for the purposes therein set forth. In testimonv of whicli I have hereunto set mv hand with the impress of mv official seal, tliis 18th dav of March, A. D. 1850. ' JAMES P. NASH, N. P., C. G. Filed in the office of the Secretary of State this 4th dav of October. 1005. O! K. SHANN'ON. Seeretarv of State. STATE OF TEXAS. County of Galveston. Know all men by these presents that I, John M. Odin. Bishop of Galveston in the State of Texas, in consideration of the special trust and confidence which I repose in B. Callaghan of the county of Bejar, have constituted and appointed, and by these presence constitute and appoint, the said B. Callaghan my true and lawful agent and attorney in fact for the following purposes: Namely, in my name and for me to demand and receive from the proper officers of the United States possession of The Alamo at San Antonio de Bejar, with its appnrtenances, also to rent and lease the same to the United States or any of their properly authorized oflicers for such term of years and for such rent as he, my said agent in his good judgment may think" proper ; and for. these purposes to sign my name and put my seal to any writing or contract necessary or convenient in this intent. And I the said John M. Odin, Bishop as aforesaid, hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, and my successors in the office of Bishop to warrant and defend, to ratify and confirm all the acts of my said agent in the premises. In testimony of all which I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my .seal this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred forty-nine. J. M. ODIN, (Seal) Bishop of Galveston. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Galveston. Before me, James P. Nash, notary public in and for the county of Galveston, being duly commissioned, etc., personally appeared John M. Odin, Bishop of Gal- veston, Texas, known to me, who acknowledged he had signed, sealed and de- livered the foregoing power of attorney for the purposes therein particularly ex- pressed. In testimony of which I the said notary hereunto subscribe my name with the impress of mv official seal this 4th day of December, A. D. 1849. JAMES P. NASH, (Seal) Notary Public Co. Galveston. (Endorsed: Power of Attorney.) Endorsed: Filed in the office of the Secretary of State, this 4 day of Oct., 1905. O. K. SHANNON, Secretary of State. CERTIFIED COPY OF A DEED OF REV. A. GAUDET TO RT. REV. C. M. DUBUIS. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Galveston. Know all men by these presents. That I, A. Gaudet formerly a priest of the Diocese of Galveston and sole surviving legatee and devise under the last will and testament of the lat Right Reverant J. M. Odin, Bishop of Galveston, Texas, for and in consideration of one dollar to me paid by the Right Reveiend Claudius Moria Dubuis. the successor in office of the sold Right Reverend J. M. Odin Bishop and in consideration of the purpose and Trust declared in the said last will and testament and in pursuance and performance of the directions therein contained of which said sum of money the receipt is hereby acknowledged have granted bar- gained sold released and conveyed unto the said Right. Reverend Claudius Moria Dubuis of Galveston aforesaid all of the following described premises viz. All and singular the property and estate seal personal at mixed reights credits assets and values of whatever nature or character bequeathed or devised to me in and by said last will and Testament in conjunction with the late Very Reverend L. C. M. Claudius noAV deceased or in to or about which I am or might be in anywise entitled under and by fore of said Lst Will and testament together with all and singular the rights members here testament appuoteances tenements and improve- ments unto the same belonging or in anywise incoent or appertaining. To Have and To Hold all and singular the premises above mentioned unto him the said Right Reverend Claudius Moria Dubuis Bishop of Galveston as afore- said and unto his heirs and assigns forever And I do hereby Bind myself and my heirs executed and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the premises aforesaid unto the said Right Reverend Claudius Moria Dubuis his heirs or assigns against every person whom soever lawfully claiming the claim the same or any part thereof by through or under me. — 3— In Witness of all of which I have hereunto signed my name this 22nd day of March in the year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Eighty Five. A. GAUDET, (Seal) S. M. S. ^Vitness at request of Grantor R. B. Rabbins Y. J. Filhitre P. 0. M. T. M. Froe Pta 0. M. T. THE DOMINION OF CANADA, County of Carleton. Btfore me R. B. Rabbins United States Commercial Agent and Ex. Officers a Notary Public in and for said County and Dominion at Ottawa on this 10th day of April 1882 personally came and appeared A. Graudet to me well known to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Instrument and acknowl- edged that he had executed and delivered the for going conveyance as his volun- tary act and deed for the pvirposes and consideration therein expressed and as sole surviving legatee and deresee under the Last Will and Testament of the Rt. Rev. J. ;M. Odin Bishop of Galveston, Texas. Given under mv hand and seal this 10th day of April 1882 (Signed) ' ' R. B. RABBINS U. S. Commercial Agent & Ex. Officer Notary Public in Filed for record July 31, 1882 at 12 o'clock a. m. Recorded Aug. 11 1882 at 4 o'clock p. m. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Galveston. I. S. P. Wren, County Clerk, in and for the said County of Galveston, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Deed from Rev. A. Gaudet date the 22nd. day of March 1882 as the same appears of record in my office in Records of Deeds. Ec, Book 42 pages 454, 455, and 456 In" testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal, at my office in the Citv of Galveston, on this the eighth day of May 1883 (Signed) " I. "p. S. WREN, County Clerk Galveston County. By W. E. Danelly. OPINION RESPECTING TITLE OF CATHOLIC CHURCH TO PROPERTY IvNON AS "ALAMO CHURCH." San Antonio, Texas, :\Iay 10th, 1883. Hon. John Ireland, Governor of Texas. Sir: I have examined the Title of the Catholic Church to that portion of the Alamo Propertj' known as the "Alamo Church," and find that, by "Acts of the Republic of Texas." Januai-y 13th and 18th 1841, the entire Alamo was granted to John M. Odin, the then Catliolic Bishop of Texas, as the Chief Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church in Texas, and his successors in Office. In 1851, the City of San Antonio instituted a Suit in the District Court of Bexar County, to recover this property then occupied by Major Babbit, U. S. Quartermaster, as Tenant of Bishop Odin: A jury being waived, and the Cause submitted to the Court, the Hon. M. P. Norton, presiding Judge, gave Judgment in favor of the Church, or Bishop Odin. From this Judgment the City of San Antonio took an Appeal, and at the Austin term of the Supreme Court, 1858, rendered a Judgment affirming tlie Judgment of the Court below in favor of the Defendant. See Texas Reports Vol. 15th Page 539, San Antonio vs. John M. Odin. At the date of the Judgment in Supreme Court, the Catholic Church in Texas was represented by John M. Odin as its Chief Pastor or Bishop. On the 23rd day of May in the year 1862, Claudius M. Dubuis was consecrated as Bishop of Texas, at Lyons, France, by John M. Odin, who was at that time Arch Bishop of New Orleans. In the year 1874 the Bishoprics of San Antonio and Brownsville were carved out of the Bishopric of Galveston which before that time embraced the entire State of Texas, and Bishop. A. D. Pellicer consecrated Bishop of San Antonio. He died in 1881 and was succeeded by the present Bishop, Rt. Rev. John C. Nerez, who was consecrated Bishop of San Antonio May 8, 1881, in this City. On the 30th of Nov. 1879, Bishop A. D. Pellicer conveyed to H. Grenet, for the sum of Twenty thousand Dollars, all the interest of the Roman Catholic Church in the Alamo Property. This conveyance does not include the Church or property contemplated in the purchase by the State from the Church at this time. From' my Positive Personal knowledge and from an examination of the Judg- ment of Supreme Court herein referred to, and papers presented, I- am satisfied that the Catholic Church of the Diocese of San Antonio has good Title to the Alamo Church in the City of San Antonio, and that the present Bishop of San Antonio, Rt. Rev. John C. Nerez, is as to this and all other Clmrch property in the Diocese of San Antonio, held by the former Bishop Rt. Rev. J. M. Odin, his lawful successor in Office, and is competent as such to convey to the State a valid Title to said Church Building, according to the oflfer made by the Church to the State of Texas. Reference being made for a description of said property to the Field Notes of Survey and Plat of the same made on the 5th day of January. 1883, by Chas. P. Smith, Engineer of the City of San Antonio now on file at Austin in the Office of Hon. H. P. Brewster. Respectfullv. THOS. J. DEVINE (Endorsed: Opinion on title to Alamo Church.) Also notation: "Deed sent to San Antonio to be recorded May 12" 1883."' ( Copy ) RENT VOUCHER. No. 22. THE UNITED STATES, To Rt. Rev. C. M. Dubois, Dr. Novbr. 30, 1865. Dollars Cents. To Rent of Alamo Buildings used as Storehouses workshops stables &c. Q. M. Dept. at San Antonio, Texas from November 16th to November 30th, 1865 (inclusive) Fifteen days @ Two hundred and Twenty two Dollars per month Rent set by order of Maj. G«n. W. Merritt, Comm'dg. Cav. Fes. M. D. Gl 112 50 One Hundred and Twelve Dollars and fifty cents $112 50 I certify that the above account is correct and just; that the services were rendered as stated; and that they were necessary for the public service. And that the same has been reported by me as pr. my Report of Persons and Articles for the Month of November 1865. RICH. P. EGANE, 1st. Lt. R. Q. M. ISth N. T. Cav. Chf. Q. M. Cav. M. D. G. Filed in the oflfiee of the Secretary of State this 4th day of October, 1005. Ol K. SHANNON. Secretary of State. (Copy) Asst Qr Mr's Office San Antonio. Texas. February 3rd, 1854. Sir: I have received a reply from Major Chapman, Chief A. Q. M. Dept. of Texas to my letter to Major Babbite dated January 2nd upon the subject of the rent of the Alamo Property in which he informed me that he had laid it before the General Commanding who instructed him to say that unless the City of San Antonio secures the Government in their lease to this property the Dep't. must he br()l payment said note was the property of said John J. Stevens. Now, therefore, etc., do by these presents remise, release and quit claim unto the said August Grenet. heirs and assigns the lien heretofore existing on said premises by virtue of said mortgage, and do hereby declare the same fully re- leased and satisfied. JOHN J. STEVENS. Witnesses : T. E. Joiner. Adolph Wessely. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, Geo. R. Hines, Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared John J. Stevens, known to me to — the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office, this 16th day of May A. D. 1902. GEO. R. HINES, ( Seal ) Notary Public, Bexar Co., Texas. AUGUST GRENET ]\Iortgage. to Dated Mav 22, 1882. BRYAN CALLAHAN. Filed May 22, 1882. Recorded' in Book 17, p. 55S, Deed Records Bexar Co., Tex. Whereas I am justly indebted to Bryan Callahan in a large sum of money, as evidenced by my promissory note of even date hereof, payable three months after date and bearing interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum after maturity. And whereas, I am entitled as heir of my father Honore Grenet and as heir of my deceased mother, as is shown by the last will and testament of said Honore Grenet and in the community estate of my deceased mother. And whereas, I am desirous of securing more eft'ectually the payment of said — 3?— indebtedness and of any and all otLer future sums which the said Callahan may advance to me in person, as well as all interest due or to be due thereon, it being understood that all sums of money advanced to me by the said Callahan shall bear interest from tlie date upon which said advance is made at the rate of 12 per cent per annum until paid. Now, therefore, etc., grant, sell and convey and set over unto the said Bryan Callahan all my rights title and interest in said estates of my father and mother, and empower the said Callahan to collect from the executor of the extate the said Honore Grenet my entire interest and, share in said estate, and I hereby au- thorize and empower said executor to deliver and set over unto the said Calla- han my interest as aforesaid in said estates, hereby declaring that the receipt of Bryan Callahan to said executor for my interest and share in said estate shall be sufficient to discharge said executor and to dispense and release the said exec- utor from any and all claims which I have and may have against him in his capacity aforesaid. And 1 do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint the said Bryan Callahan my true sifficient and lawful attorney, irrevocable for me and in my name hereby ratifying and confirming all and every thing which my said attorney may do in the premises. AUGUST GRENET. STATE OF TEXAS County of Bexar. Before me, Sam S. Smith, County Clerk of Bexar County, on this day personally appeared August Grenet, known to me to be the person whose name is sub- scribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under mv hand and official seal at office in San Antonio this 22d day of May A. D. 1882. " SAM S. SMITH, (Seal) County Clerk, Bexar Co., Texas. By Juan E. B^rrera, Deputy. BRYAN CALLAHAN Release of Mortgage, to Dated Feb. 8, 188G. AUGUST GRENET. Filed March 20, 1886. Recorded in Book 43, p. 70, Deed Records, Bexar Co. Tex. Whereas, the promissory note and the indebtedness of August Grenet to Bryan Callahan more fully described in the mortgage coupled with a power of attorney bearing date May 22. 1882, and made and delivered by said Grenet unto said Callahan, duly recorded in the registry of Bexar County, in Vol. 17, p. 553 and 554, has been fullly paid and satisfied by said Grenet. Now, therefore, know all men by these presents, that I, Bryan Callahan the holder and owner of said note and mortgage, do hereby declare the same to be canceled and extinguished and released and relinquished unto said August Grenet and to his heirs or assigns forever. BRYAN CALLAHAN. STATE OF TEXAS. County of Bexar. Before me, J. H. French, Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, this day personally appeared Bryan Callahan, known to be to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing and acknowledged to me that he signed the same for the purposes and considerations therein ex- pressed. Given under mv hand and seal of office this 18th day of February, A. D. 1886 J. H. FRENCH, (Seal) Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. AUGUST GRENET to MARY G. CALLAHAN. Power of Attornev. Dated Fob. 3, 1883. Filed March 13, 1883. Recorded in Book 25, p. 404, Deed Records Bexar Co., Tex. Do make, constitute and appoint Mary G. Callahan, etc., my true and lawful attorney in fact for me and in my name, place and stead to bargain, sell and con- vey in fee simple all my right, title and interest, for such price, upon such terms of credit to such persons as she shall think fit, the following described premises situated in the City of San Antonio, County of Bexar, and described as fdllows: (First three tracts not here \ni(ler search) 4th That certain tract of land commencing at the 8. W. corner of the old convent building. Thence running in 112 E. along the outer face of the W. wall of the said convent building 191 feet to the N. W. corner of said convent building. Thence along the south boundary line of Houston street S. 78f E. 107 22/100 feet to a point in line with the wall of the old convent yard. Thence running in a line with said old convent wall and toward it S. 11 W. 84 72/100 to tiie N. E. corner of the old convent yard. Thence S. 783 E. 73 feet to a stake on the west bank of Alamo ditch. Thence down the bank of said ditch to a point in a line Mith the South wall of the old convent building and yard for S. E. corner of this lot. Thence N. 78f W. running in a line with south wall of said convent yard and building about 148 feet to the point of beginning. (Fifth and sixth tract not here under search) 7tli Any and all of the real estate lying and being in Bexar County, Texas, and not specially mentioned herein. Given and granted unto my said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully, to all intents and purposes, as I might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney shall lawfully do by virtue hereof. AUGUST GRENET. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me. Bryan Callahan, Notary Public in and for Bexar County, on this day personally appeared August Grenet, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and considerations therein expressed. Given under mv hand and seal of office this 3d day of Feb. A. D. 1883. BRYAN CALLAHAN, (Seal) Notary Public, Bexar County, Tex. AUGUST GRENET to MARY GRENET CALLAHAN. Power of Attornev. Dated Julv 18, 18"84. Filed Aug. 11, 1884. Recorded in Book 38, Records Bexar Co., Tex. p. 168, Deed Do nominate, constitute and appoint my sister, Mrs. Mary Grenet Callahan, etc., my true and lawful agent and attorney in fact for the purpose of selling and making good and sufficient deeds in law, so far as regards any interest I may liave in and to the following described property, to wit: . (First two tracts, in San Antonio, Texas, not here imder search) 3rd. That tract of land in said State and City known as the Alamo property and bounded on the North by Houston Street, west by Alamo Plaza, south by Alamo Plaza and the old Alamo Church, and on the east by Alamo Ditch. (And other lands not here under search.) And by these presents I further authorize and empower my said agent and attorney to sell and in my name and stead to make titles to any and all lands lU" lots of land save and except my interest in and to that certain tract or lot of land in San Antonio, Texas, situated on the corner of Crockett and Nacogdoches Streets, consisting of lots Nos. 21 and 22, being the old store and warehouses of mv deceased father. —34— Giving and granting unto my agent and attorney by these presents as full and whole power, strength and authority in and about the premises as if I was per- sonally present at the doing thereof. AUGUST GRENET. In the presence of: Theodore R. Shear. STATE OF NEW YORK, City and County of Xew York. Before me, Theodore R. Shear, Notary Public for the City and County of New York, on this day personally appeared August Grenet. known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowl- edged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under mv hand and seal of office this 18th day of July, A. D. 1884. THEODORE R. SHEAR, (Seal) Notary Public City and County of New York. AUGUST GRENET Transfers. to Dated April 9, 1885. GEORGE FREYGANG. Filed May 7, 1885. Recorded in Book 40, p. 489, Deed Records Bexar Co.. Tex. In consideration of the sum of $1,000 to me paid, etc., do assign, transfer and set over unto the said George Freygang any and all amounts or sum or sums of money that may be due and coming to me as my share of the community interests of my deceased mother and the estate of my deceased father Honore Grenet, my said share being one-fifth of $50,000, as set forth in the last will and testament of my said deceased father upon my said share the sum of $6,400 has been paid to me or to my order by the late executor of said last will. And I hereby authorize and empower the said George Freygang, his executors, administrators or assigns, to receive and collect from the present administrator of the said estate of my deceased father any and all. sums of money for his own use and benefit as may be yet due and coming to me as my share of the afore- said community interest of my deceased mother, and to give to the said admin- istrator acquittances thereof, the same as I might do if this assignment and transfer had not been made. (Seal) AUGUST GRENET. STATE OF NEW YORK, City and County of New York. Before me, Thos. B. Cliflford, a Commissioner of Deeds for the State of Texas in New York, on this day personally appeared August Grenet. known to me to be the person whose name "is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowl- edged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and considerations therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office this 9th day of April, A. D. 1885. THOS. B. CLIFFORD, 206 Broadway, (Seal) Commissioner for the State of Texas in New York. ESTATE OF HONORE GRENET. DECEASED. No. 1269. IN PROBATE COURT, BEXAR COUNTY, TEX. Probate of Will. Marcli 21, 1882. :\Iinutes I, p. 318. This day came on to be heard the application of Joseph E. Dwyer for the probate of" the last will and testament of Honore Grenet, deceased, and to cod- iciles endorsed thereon. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the court, from the evidence A. Heusinger, one of the subscribing witnesses to the will and of Henry Braun, Charles Theriott, reduced to writing, that said Honore Grenet is dead, that he died on the 20th day of February, A. D. 1882 in San Antonio, Bexar County, leaving an estate situated in said county and elsewhere, that he left a last will and testament bearing date June 1, 1869, and to codicils endorsed thereon bearing date July 11, 1873, and Sept. 21, 1881 respectively, that the document filed herein on the 25th day of February, 1882, is the valid last will and testament of said H. Grenet deceased, that said will has been proved as de- scribed by law, that Joseph Dwyer whose name as executor of said will witiiout bond, and tliat said Josepli Dwyer is not disqualified from accepting letters testa- mentary; that due and legal notices have teen given and returned, that no opjKJsition has been made or filed thereto. it is tlierefore ordered, adjudged and decreed by the court that said instrument of writing be admitted to probate as the last will and testament of Honore Gre- net, deceased, and that same together with evidence be recorded by the clerk and it is further ordered by the court that letters testamentary issue to said Joseph Dwyer (better known as Joseph E. Dwyer) upon his taking the oatli prescribed by law, no bond being required under said will. It is further ordered that said executor return an inventory and list of claims of said estate, and that Otto H. Wefing, Leo Nardo Garza and Otto G. Xeutwich be appointed to appraise the same. Will and Codicils. Filed Marcli 20, 1SS2. -Minutes I, p. 319. Translated from the French for the abstracters. STATE OF TEXAS, Countj^ of Bexar. I, the undersigned Honore Grenet, a French citizen established in the business of a merchant in the city of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, etc., being on the point of taking a trip to Europe, which always presents danger, I have resolved to dispose of my effects before my death, which I do by the present testament and in manner following, viz. : Article 1. I declare that I was lawfully married to Miss Magdeleine Coll, who died in Marseilles (in France) on Dec. 21, 1864, leaving as her survivors, the issue of our marriage, five children, of whom two are boys and three girls, all of whom are living today and known by the following Christian names, to wit: The two boys are named Edward and August Grenet and the three girls Mary Margaret and Adle Grenet. The five are minors and under my control. Article 2. I constitute my five children above named as" my general nnd resitluary legatees of all property whatsoever know to belong to my estate at the moment of my death. They shall devide my said estate in portion of equal value, according to the appraisement made of the same, under the care and di- rection of my testamentary executrix hereinafter named, with an eye to the division of the same amongst them, observing however, the following: I wish and decree that my daughter ]Mary shall receive in her share, accord- ing to their just value my dwelling house situated in said city of San Antonio, in the neighborhood of the Alamo, together with the store houses and other buildings erected on the two town lots constituting my resident, it bein^ well understood that the ground of those two lots shall be comprised in her part. (Gives to daughter ^Margaret other land he has in Texas, and to daughter Adele all the real estate he has in France.) As for my two sons, Edward and August, they shall receive their respective shares out of the personal property of my estate, giving to these wards personal property, they shall include all that is not realty. Article 3. Names as guardian of the persons and estate of his minor cliildren his sister Madam Gerard, born Emilie Grenet, a widow, living in France, etc. And in order to facilitate the accomplishment of the onerous duty I have imposed upon the devotion of my said sister P^milie Grenet, widow Gerard, I name her as my testamentary executrix, giving her during a year and a day the seizin of that part of my effects existing in France at the moment of my decease. As for my estate in Texas. I wish that my said sister shall be wholly exempt from the obligation of giving security whatever to secure the justice of lier administration. She shall not be held to give any security to answer for her administration as guardian, having absolute confidence in her honesty. Article 4. I order furtherfore, taking advantage of the provisions of tlie law that the court of the County shall have nothing to do witli my estate, except to receive the proof of my present will and to have the same registered, and to re- —•36— ceive the inventory to be made according to law of the goods composing my said estate. Article 5. (Provides for closing np his mercantile business.) Such is my will recorded in this document by a strange hand at my request, and after having first read the same I declare that it contains the expression of my thoughts, and in which opinion I declare I still persist. Thus made and signed in San Antonio, in the presence of the witnesses required by law, the first day of June, 1S69. H. GREXET. Witnesses : Detler Xiper, A. Heusinger. San Antonio. July 11, 1873. At 11 o'clock of the night before my departure for France I republish the foregoing and desire that all the property I possess shall be divided among my five children, share and share alike, and that neither of them shall be entitled to preference, and that everything shall be appraised anew, in order to make an equal division. I choose to make the partition Messrs. F. Guilveau, G. H. Kampmann and Mr. P. Gallagher. H. GREXET. San Antonio, Sept. 21, 1881. (Deals with $100,000 in cash and securities deposited with bankers in Paris, France.) In the event that my sister. Madam Gerard, shall be unable to serve as testamentary executrix I appoint Joseph Dwver, whom I invest with the same authoritv. H. GREXET. Qualification. March 21, 1882. Minutes I, p. 332. Comes Joseph E. Dwyer, and having taken the oath of executor of the last Vi'ill of Honore Grenet, deceased, as prescribed by law, presents the same to the court and the court being satisfied that the same is correct, orders that the same be approved and entered of record. (Oath follows, statutory form.) Administrator Appointed. Xov. 17, 1884. Minutes J., p. 596. It is ordered by the Court that the applicant George H. Kalteyer have leave to file his first supplemental petition herein. And thei-eupon on this day came on to be heard the application of George H. Kalteyer for letters of administration with the will annexed upon the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, and it appearing to the Court that citation in this behalf was duly issued and served according to law, and the opposition of C. H. Merritt having been considered and overruled, and it appearing to the court that the said application of said George H. Kalteyer is made by the authority of the heirs of said Honore Grenet, deceased, and there being no further opposition thereto, and it appearing to the Court that there is a necessity for letters of administratioii of said estate. It is ordered, adjudged and decreed by the Court that adminisl ration with the will annexed upon said estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, and that George H. Kalteyer receive letters of administration with the will annexed as heretofore, to wit, on the 30th day of March, 1882, by the jiulgment of this court probated. It is further ordered that said George H. Kalteyer do give a bond in this behalf of $150,000, conditioned as the law directs, and that letters of administration do issue to him upon the giving of said bond and taking the oath prescribed by law. It is further ordered that Henry Braun, C. H. Merritt, Wm. H. Young. C. M. Barnes and Otto Xeutwich be and the same are hereby appointed appraisers of said estate. Qualification. Xov. 19, 1884. Minutes J, p. 617. It is ordered by the Court that the bond and oath filed by Geo. H. Kalteyer as administrator with the will annexed of the Estate of Honore Grenet. deed., be approved and recorded. (Bond and oath in usual form follow, bond in sum of $150,000.) —87— Inventory and Appiaisonient. Dec. 5. 1884. Minutes J, p. 633. It is ordered by the Court in vacation that the inventory, appraisement and list of claims filed by Geo. H. Kalteyer as administrator with the will annexed of the estate of Honoro Grenet, deed., be approved and recorded. Note. — The inventory follows, and includes: Lot and improvements thereon, on corner of Houston Street and Alamo Plaza, including gas apparatus and fixtures, being the separate property of the testator Honore Grenet. deed.. $30,000. Inventory signed and sworn to by the administrator and also by three of the appraisers named in his appointment, etc. C^aini of r>isl)op Neraz Approved. Minutes K.. v- 12. This inth day of January, 1885, in open court coming on to be heard the application of J. C. Neraz for tlie approval of his certain claim against the said estate, and it appearing to the court that the said claim wqs properlv veri- fied in accordance with the law, and that same had been allowed by George Kalteyer, administrator of said estate, for the amount of .$1800, principal, and interest thereon from Dec. 18, 1884, at 9A per cent per annum, and on purchase money $.596.22 interest accrued thereon to said Dec. 1, 1884. And it further appearing to the Court that said amount is secured by a mort- gage with power of sale executed by said Honore Grenet, deed., Nov. 30, 1877. and recorded in the office of County Clerk of said Bexar County. Texas, in Record Book No. 7, pages 373, 4, 5, upon a certain lot oi' parcel of land situated in said County of Bexar and State of Texas, within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, and described as follows, to wit: Commencing at the southwest corner of the old convent building. Thence running N. Hi E. along the entire face of the west wall of the said convent building 191 feet to the northwest corner of said old convent building. Thence along the south boundary line of Houston Street S. 78| E. 147 feet to a point in a line with the east wall of the old convent yard. Thence running in a line with said old wall and towards it, S. 11 W. 84 72/100 feet to the northeast corner of the old convent yard. Thence S. 78| E. 73 feet to a stake on the west bank of the Alamo Ditch. Thence down along the bank of said ditch to a point in a line with the south wall of the old convent building and yard for the southeast corner of this lot. Thence N. 78 ^ W. running in a line with the south wall of said convent yard and building about 198 feet to the place of beginning. Being a part of the old Alamo property in said city. It is therefore considered by the Court, and it is so ordered, adjudged and de- creed that the said claim be in all things approved for the said amount of $1800, principal, and interest thereon from Dec, 1, 1884, at 9^ per cent per annum, and the further sum of $596.22 interest thereon accrued to said Dec. 1, 1884, and that the said sum of $18,000 principal, $596.22 accrued interest, and interest upon said principal after Dec. 1, 1884, is and that be a lien upon said aforesaid property for the payment of the same. Claims Ordered Paid. Jan. 24, 1885. Minutes K. p. 55. This order directs tlie administrator to pay certain taxes arid also to pay in- terest on the approved claim of Bishop H. Neraz to Dec. 1, 1884, amounting to $596.27, and also thret notes, a part of the claim of said Bishop J. C. Neraz, also approved, each for $1000, being now due and unpaid and being secured by deed of trust on the Alamo property, the interest and notes to be paid out of the money received for rent of said Alamo property, etc. Order of Sale. :\farch 18. 1885. Minutes K, p. 117. This day came on to be heard the application of Geo. H. Kalteyer, administra- tor with the Avill annexed of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, for an order to sell, for the jjurpose of paying debts and expenses of administration, the following property belonging to the aforesaid estate, viz.: (Several tracts not liere under search.) Third. Lots (with improvements) on Alamo Plaza and Houston Street in the City of San Antonio, known as Grenet's Alamo store, the property aforesaid being bounded on the north by Houston street, fronting 2654 feet more or less —38— upon said street, on tlie south by Alamo Plaza, fronting 89 feet more or less on said Plaza, and also by the old Alamo Churcli property sold to the State of Texas, and running back to the ditch, bounded on t!ie west by. Alamo Plaza, front- ing on said Plaza 191 feet and on the east by Alamo Ditch. For further descrip- tion of same to deed conveying same by Rev. Bishop A. D. Pellicer to said Honore Grenet, recorded in the office of said County Clerk. And it appearing to the Court that legal notices have been given and returned, and that no opposition is made or filed thereto, and that a necessity exists for the sale of said property for the purpose of paying debts due by the estate and expenses of administration. It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed by the court that said George H. Kalteyer, administrator Avith the will annexed of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, proceed to sell said property at iJublic or private sale for cash, and that he make due report of such sale iie nuiv make to this Court for confirmation. Filed Feb. 13, 1885. Confirmation Sale. Jan. 19, 1886. 'Minutes K, p. 584. In this cause came on to be heard the report of sales, by the administrator, George H. Kalteyer, filed Dec. 9, 1885, and it appearing to the Court that there was a valid and subsisting lien upon the property on Alamo Plaza and Houston streets, purchased at the reported sale by Hugo and Sclimeltzer, through H. L. Degener, their agent, in favor of Bishop J. Neraz, and that the sale of said prop- erty was made for the satisfaction of said lien upon said property, and that the sale of same was made for a fair' price. And it further appearing to the Court that the property sold to George J. P. Schmitt at private sale and to Dr. F. Herff and Fred Cocke at private sale, was also for a fair price, and it appearing to the eourt that it was to the interest of said estate that all said sales were made as ordered by the Court and as now reported by the administrator, it is ordered and decreed by the Court that said report of sales be in all things confirmed, that the sales be approved and that tlie administrator be ordered to make good and proper deeds of conveyance to the purchasers upon their complying with the terms of sale, and that said report of sale be ordered of record. Note.- — Report of sale is recorded on page 545, and shows that the administrator sold at public sale, in front of the courthouse door, on the first Tuesday of De- cember 1st, 1885, (among other land) 3rd. to Maj. A. J. Fry, Alamo store property, having a front of 265 feet more or less on E. Houston St. and 280 feet more or less on E. and W. side of Alamo store, with all buildings now occupied by Messrs. Hugo and Schmeltzer, to Mr. Hans L. Degener, agent for Messrs. Hugo and Schmeltzer, for the sum of $28,000. This sale is made with the conditions of the vendors lien held by Bishop Neraz. ESTATE OF HONORE GRENET, Deed. DECD., Dated Jan. 23, 1886. to Filed Feb. 1, 1886. CHARLES HUGO, Recorded in Book 48, p. 50, Deed GUSTAV SCHMELTZER AND Records, Bexar Co., Tex. WM. HEUERMANN, Consideration $28,000 paid. Whereas, on Feb. 13, 1885. George H. Kalteyer, administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, filed his application in the County Court of Bexar County for an order of sale of the property hereinafter described. And whereas, on the 18th day of March, 1885, and on July 28th and July 29, 1885. the County Court, by decrees duly recorded in the probate minutes of said court, ordered the sale of said property, see records of Bexar county. Journal K, pps. 113 and 324. of the said probate minutes. And whereas, in conformity with said decrees of said court, the administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, advertised the sale of said property for the time and in the manner prescribed by law and directed by i^aid court, and there- upon on the first day of December sold said propeity at public outcry before the courthouse door of Bexar County to Hugo and Schmeltzer for the sum of $28,000 cash, that being the highest and best bid therefor. And, whereas, on the 29th day of December, 1885, the said administrator filed his report of the sale aforesaid in the County Court of Bexar county, and there- upon, the same coming up for hearing, the said County Court made and caused —39— to be entered upon its minutos the following order and decree: (Copies order of confirmation dated Jan. 19, 1886, and here before shown in this abstract.) Now, therefore, T, George H. Kalteyer, administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, etc. (consideration paid by Hugo and Schmeltzer, a firm composed of Charles Hugo, Gustav Schmeltzer and Wni. Heuermann ) . Do bargain, sell, convey and deliver unto the said Hugo and Schmeltzer, their heirs and assigns, all and singular the following descrilx'd tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Bexar and in the State of Texas, and in the City of San Antonio, bounded on the north by Houston Street, E. by Alamo Ditch, S. by tract of land heretofore sold to the State of Texas and known as "The Alamo"' and Alamo Plaza, and west by said Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed to Honore Grenet, now deceased, by Anthony Bominic Pellicer, and W.'h. ]\Iaverick by two several deeds recorded in the recoixls of Bexar County in Vol. 7, p. 373, in Vol. 5. pps. 538 and 539, to which reference is hereby made. The tract or parcel of land herein conveyed is more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a stake set on the west bank of Alamo Ditch, being the' S. E. corner of tliis tract and the N. E. corner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas, as aforesaid. Thence N. 79-1/3 W. 200 feet 2-2/5 incites. Thence N. 11 33' E. 191-52/100 feet. Thence S. 79-1/10 E. 272-22/100 feet. Thence with the meanders of said ditch to the place of beginning. To have and to hold, etc., forever. GEORGE H. KALTEYER. Admr. with the will annexed. Est. of H. Grenet, Deed. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me the undersigned authority, personally appeared Geo. H. Kelteyer, administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledge that he had executed the same for the person and consideration therein expressed. Given under mv hand and seal of office, this 28th dav of January A. D. 1886. " J. H." FRENCH, (Seal) Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. CHAS. HUGO, WM. HEUERMANN Deed in Trust. AND GUSTAV SCHMELTZER Dated Feb. 2nd, 1880. to Filed Feb. 3rd, 1886. L. C. GROTHAUS, TRUSTEE. Recorded in Book 46, p. 578, Deed ROSSKEN GERTSLEY & CO., Records, Bexar Co.. Tex. C. Q. T. Bargain, sell, transfer, and confirm unto the said L. C. Grothaus and his suc- cessors in trust and his or their assigns the following described property, to witt: Being all that tract or parcel of land lying and being the County of Bexar, State of Texas, and in the citv of San Antonio, bounded N. bv Houston St. '?"'^ Ft. W. by Alamo Plaza 182 'ft., S. Alamo Plaza and the old 'Alamo Church 200 ft., and E. by the Alamo Ditch, being the same property r-onveyed by Anthony Dominic Pellicer, Bishop of San Antonio and W. H. Maverich to the late Honore Grenet, see record of Bexar County Vol. 7, p. 373, and Vol. 5 p. 538. et seq., and by Geo. H. Kelteyer Administrator of Honore Grenet, deceased, conveyed to these vendors, see also rrcords of Bexar County, to which several deeds reference hereby made for more particular description and train of transfers. In trust to secure beneficienry in payment of five notes dated Jan. 23rd, 1886, for five thousand each, payable in one. two, three, four, and five years, 6 per cent interest, payable semi-annually. With power of sale. etc. CHAS. HUGO. O. SCH^TFLTZER. w. heuer:^iann. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me Thad W. Smith, county Clerk for and within said state and county, on this day personally appeared Chas. Hugo, G. Schmeltzer and Wm. Heuermann, 40- composing tlie firm of Hugo and Sclmieltzer known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instruments and acknowledge to me that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therin expressed (Mven under my hand and seal of office ----- - -- ( Seal ) R0SSIO.M, GERSTLEY & CO. to CHAS. HUGO, WM. HEUERMANN AND GUSTAV SCHMELTZER. this 2nd. day of February A. D. 1886. THAD W. SMITH, County Clerk, Beaxar Countv. Texas. By H. B. Potts." Deputy. Release Deed of Trust. Dated June 23. 1890. Filed Sept. 5, 1890. Recorded in Book 78, p. 153, Deed Records, Bexar Co., Tex. Whereas, on the 2nd day of February, 1886, Charles Hugo, Wm. Heuermann and Gustav Schmeltzer, composing the firm of Hugo and Schmeltzer, etc., made, executed and delivered unto Rosskam, Gerstley & Co., etc., their certain five prom- issory notes for $5000 each, bearing 6 per cent interest per annum, and to secure the payment thereof on the same day made, executed and delivered unto L. C. Grotha'us, as trustee, their certain deed of trust upon the following described prem- ises, to wit: All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county of Bexar, State of Texas, and in the City of San Antonio, and bounded on the north by Houston Street, 272 feet, on the west by Alamo Plaza 192 feet, on the south by Alamo Plaza and the old mission church 200 feet, and on the east by the Alamo Ditch, which said deed of trust is recorded in the records of Bexar County in volume 46, page 578 et seq. And whereas, the said payors Hugo & Schmeltzer, the firm composed of the members aforesaid, have fully paid and discharged said five promissory notes, together with all the interest due thereon, according to their tenor and effect. Now, therefore, Ave, the payees of the promissory notes aforesaid, acknowledging full payment thereof, hereby release, relinquish and reconvey unto said payors, Charles Hugo, Wm. Heuermann and Gustav Schmeltzer, composing said firm of Hugo and Schmeltzer all and singular the premisses above described, hereby can- celing and annulling all right, claim, interest, title and demand we had and held in and to said premises by virtue of the notes and deed of trust aforesaid. ISAAC ROSSKAM. HENRY GERSTLEY. LOUIS GERSTLEY. WILLIAM GERSTLEY. Comprising firm of Rosskam, Gerstley & Co. THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, City and County of Philadelphia. Before me, Jos. R. Teller, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, this day personally appeared Isaac Rosskam, Henry Gerstley, Louis (jeistley, William Gerstley, known to me to be the persons whose names are sub- scribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the j'urposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office this 23d dav of June, A. D. 1890. JOS. R. TELLER, (Seal) Notary Public. CHAS. HUGO. GUSTAV sch:meltzer AND WM. heuer:mann to REAGAN HOUSTON. General Warranty Deed. Dated Sept. 11, 1890. Filed Sept. 11, 1890. Recorded in Book 05, p. 361, Deed Rec- ords, Bexar Co., Tex. Consideration: .$160,000 as follows: $60,000 cash and three notes of even dale for $33,333.33 each due on or before 12, 18 and 24 months from Oct. 1, 1890, 8 per cent interest. Ven- dor's lien. Grant, sell, convey and deliver unto the said Reagan Houston, etc.. all that certain tract, parcel or piece of land lying and being in the State of Texas and —41— County of Bexar and in tlio City of San Antonin. Ixmnded on tlie Xortli by Houston Sti'eet, east by the Alamo Ditcli. south b\- a tract of land heretofore sold to the State of Texas and known as the "Alamo" and Alamo Plaza, and west by said Alamo Plaza, and beino; the property conveyed to Honore Grenet, now deceased, by Anthony Dominic Pellicer and W. H. Maverick by two several deeds recorded in the records of Bexar County in Vol. No. 7, page 373, and Vol. No. 5, pages 538 and 539, to which reference is hereby made. The tract or parcel of land herein conveyed is more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a stake set on the west bank of Alamo Ditch, being the southeast corner of this tract and the northeast corner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas as aforesaid. Thence N. 79^ W. 200 feet 2 2/5 inches. Thence N. 11 33' E. 191 52/100 feet. Thence S. 79 1/10 E. 272 22/100 feet. Thence with tlie meanders of said ditch to the place of beginning. And being the same property conveyed to these grantors by the administrator of the estate of H. Grenet, deceased, by deed dated Jan. 3, 1886. recorded in the records of Bexar County, Texas, in Vol. No. 48, pages 50, 51 and 52. To have and to hold. etc. CHAS. HUGO. W. HEUERMANN. G. SCHMELTZER. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me. Henry Lajiger, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Chas. Hugo, W. Heuermann and G. Schmeltzer, composing the firm of Hugo and Schmeltzer, known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under mv liand and seal of office this 11th day of September, A. D. 1890. HENRY LAAGER, (Seal) Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. REAGAN HOUSTON Special Warranty Deed, '"By, through to or imder me."' CHAS. HUGO. Dated April 18, 1892. WM. HEl'ERMANN AND Filed April 20, 1892. G. SCH:MELTZER. Recorded in Book 106, p. 612, Deed Records, Bexar Co., Tex. Whereas, on Sept. 11, 1890, grantees herein, composing the firm of Hugo & Schmeltzer, etc.. executed and delivered luito Reagan Houston, etc., their deed to a tract of land in the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, lying and being on the corner of Alamo Plaza and Houston Street, and bounded East by the Alamo Ditch, south by property sold to the State of Texas, West by Alamo Plaza and north by East Houston Street, which said deed of conveyance is recorded in the oflUce of the County Clerk of Bexar County in Vol. 65, on pages 361-363, and to which reference is hereby made for description and all further particulars. And wdiereas, only part of the purchase money was paid for the property above described by the said Houston to the said Hugo, Heiiermann and Schmeltzer, and a. vendor's lien was specially retained for the payment of the balance of the pur- chase money, to wit: the sinn of $100,000. as evidenced by three certain notes of even date with said deed of conveyance for the sum of $33,333.33 each. And whereas, two of the aforesaid notes, interest on said total amount, as well as taxes, are now due and payable, and whereas, I am desirous but unable to pay the amount so due. Now, therefore, I, Reagan Houston, for and in consideration of the premises and in consideration of the surrender of the said promissory notes to me by the said Hugo and Schmeltzer in full satisfaction of my said debt to them, etc. Do grant, bargain, sell, convey and deliver unto the said Chas. Hugo, Wm. Heuermann and G. Schmeltzer all and singular the premises above described. REAGAN HOUSTON. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me. Wm. S. Temple, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Reagan Houston, known to me to be the person —42— whose name is subscribed to tlie foregoing instrument, and aclcnowledged to me that he executed the same for tlie purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under mA' hand and seal of office tjiis 18th day of April, A. D. 1802. WM. S. TEMPLE, (Seal) Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. WM. HEUERMANN. General Warranty Deed. GUSTAV SCHMELTZER Dated May 12, 1900. AND CHAS. HUGO Filed Feb. 10, 1904. to Recorded in Book 22.3. p. 259, Deed Rec- HCGO & SCHMELTZER COMPANY. ords, Bexar Co., Tex. Co7isideration: .$75,000 evidenced by three notes for $25,000 each, due on or Ijefore five years, 4 per cent interest and 10 ner cent attorney's fee. Ven- j dor's lien. Grant, sell and convey unto the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, a corpo- ration, et-c., all that certain tract, parcel or piece of land lying and being situated in the State of Texas, County of Bexar, and within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, on the east side of Alamo Plaza, and being tlie same property conveyed to these vendors by the executor of the estate of H. Grenet, deceased, and bounded on the south by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza, on the east by the property of Mrs. Eliza Gallagher, on the north by E. Houston Street, and on the west by Alamo Plaza. $75 tj. S. Rev. stamps canceled. W. HEITERMANN. G. SCHMELTZER. CHAS. HUGO. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, Louis Heuermann, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Wm. Heuermann. G. Schmeltzer and Chas. Hugo, known to "me to be tlie persons whose name are subscribed to the foregoing instru- ment and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for tlie purposes and considerations therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office, this 12t]i dav of May, A. D. 1900. LOUIS HEUERMANN, (Seal) Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. ESTATE OF WTLLTAM HEUERMANN. DECEASED. Will Probated. July 16, 1900. Minutes 15, p. 455. No. 2846. IN PROBATE COLTRT OF BEXAR CO., TEXAS. On this tlie 16th day of July, A. D. 1900, came on to be heard the application for the probate of the last will and testament of said deceased and for letters thereon, filed herein on the 26th day of June A. D. 1900, by Mrs. Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann. And it appearing to the court that legal notices of the filing of said application have been issued and posted in the manner and for the length of time required by law, and no one came to contest the same, and it further appearing from the testimony of the subscribing witnesses t-^ said will, sworn to and subscribed in open court and filed herein, that said Wm. Heuermann, deceased, dies in the Countv of Bexar, in the State of Texas, where his residence and principal estate was situated, on the 17th day of May, A. D. 1900, that this Court has jurisdiction of the estate, that four years have not elapsed since his decease, prior to the said application, that said deceased at the time of executing said will was over 21 years of age and of sound mind, that said will was executed with the formalities and solemnities and under the circumstances by law to make it a valid will, and that such will has not been revoked by said testator, that the said Mrs. Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann are named in said will as executors thereof without bond, and are not disqualified by law. It is therefore ordered and decreed by the Court that said will is hereby proven —43— and established as tlie last will and testament of said William Heuermann, de- ceased, and that Mrs. Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann named in said will and appointed executors of said will and estate, without bond as directed in the will of said testator, and that Albert Steves and Henry Umscheld and Jesse M. Bell, three discreet and disinterested persons are appointed appraisers of said estate and that the Clerk of this Court issue warrant of appraisement to each of said appraisers. It is further ordered by the Court that letters testamentary iipon said will and estate of Wm. Heuermann, deceased, be and the same are hereby rjranted to the said Mrs. Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann upon taking the oatli as required by law, and that the Clerk is further required to issue letters testamentary in accordance with this order to the said Mrs. Line Heuer- mann and George Heuermann when they shall have qualified according to law. Note: The application is recorded on page 459, and states facts as recited in the above order, etc. Will of Deceased. Filed June 26, 1900. Minutes 15, p. 459. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. I, Wm. Heuermann, a resident citizen of said County and State, being of sound and disposing mind and discretion, do make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament. Items I to V and VII make special bequeaths of personality, etc. VI. I give, devise and bequeath unto my wife Lina Heuermann the homestead consisting of the house and premises now occupied by us as a home, situated in the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and I give and bequeath unto my wife Lina the use and profits of my other property, real and personal and mixed, until my children shall all have become of age, when all property remaining of my estate shall be divided among all my children, share and share alike. VIII. I appoint my wife Lina and my son William executors of this my last will and testament, and in case of the death of my wife I appoint my daughter Lina executrix in her stead. IX. (Appoints the same two guardian of minor children.) X. I will and ordain that my said executors shall not be required to give bond as such nor shall they be entitled to any commission or remuneration for their services as executors, except their actual expenses, which shall be paid out of my estate. XL No court shall take further proceedings in the administration of my estate than such as the law imperatively requires. XII. I hereby revoke any and all wills I may have heretofore made. Witness mv hand at San Antonio, the 14th dav of April, A. D. 1885. W. HEUERMANN. The above instrument was now here subscribed by W'm. Heuermann, the tes- tator, in our presence, and we at his request and in his presence sign our names hereto as attending witnesses. L. C. GROTHAUS. G. SCHMELTZER. Codicil. In place of my son William, who is dead, I appoint my son George, with the same power as was given my son William in the above instrument. Given under mv hand this 14th Julv, 1892. W. HEUERMANN. Codicil 2. I hereby authorize my executors Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann to dispose of my interest in the Alamo property purchased l)v the meml>ers of the firm of Hugo & Schmeltzer from Reagan Houston, at any time they may see fit, and their convevance shall be in all respects absolute. July 16, 1892. WM. HEUERMANN. Oaths. Filed July 19, 1900. Minutes 15, p. 488. Oaths of Line Heuermann and Geo. Heuermann as executors, etc., in statutory form, dated July 19, 1900. —4-1— Inventory. Minutes 16, p. 161. Inventory approved Sept. 14, 1900, and includes: "500 shares of stock of the Hugo & Schmeltzer Co., with contigent interest in property on Alamo Plaza or proceeds thereof, $50,000.00." MRS. LINA HEUERMANN Release of Vendor's Lien. AND GEORGE HEUERMANN, Dated Sept. 28, 1903. INDEPENDENT EXECUTORS OF Filed Feb. 10, 1904. THE ESTATE OF WM. HEUER- Recorded in Book 221, p. 162, Deed MANN, DECD., CHAS. HUGO AND Records, Bexar Co.. Tex. GUSTAV SCHMELTZER to THE HUGO & SCHMELTZER COMPANY. Whereas, on May 12, 1900, Wm. Heuermann, Gustav and Chas. Hugo did exe- cute and deliver to the Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, a corporation existing under and by virtue of tlie laws of the State of Texas, a certain deed of conveyance, wherein the parties first named did convey to the party last named the following tract or parcel of land, to wit: All that certain tract or parcel or piece of land lying and being situated in the State of Texas, County of Bexar and within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, on the east side of Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed to Hugo & Schmeltzer by the executor of H. Grenet, deed, and bounded on the south by the "Alamo" and Alamo Plaza, on the east by property of Mrs. Eliza Gallagher, on the north by East Houston Street, and on the west by Alamo Plaza. And whereas, as a part consideration for said land the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Company did execute and deliver to the said Wm. Heuermann, Gustav Schmeltzer and Chas. Hugo three certain promissory notes each for the sum of $25.00, bearing even date with said deed and payable to Wm. Heuermann, Gustav Schmeltzer and Chas. Hugo on or before five years after the date thereof and a vendor's lien was expressly retained in such deed to secure the payment of said promissory notes. And whereas, said promissory notes have been fully paid oft" and discharged, both principal and interest, and at the time of their payment said notes were the property of the undersigned. Now, therefore, etc., do remise, release^ quit claim, discharge and acquit unto the said Hugo and Schmeltzer Co., their successors and assigns, the vendor's lien heretofore existing upon the land and premises aforesaid. LINA HEUERMANN. GEORGE HEUERMANN, Independent executors of the estate of Wm. Heviermann, deceased. CHAS. HUGO. G. SCHMELTZER. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, W. A. Wurzbach, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Mrs. Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann, independent executors of the estate of Wm. Heuermann, deceased, Chas. Hugo and Gustav Schmeltzer, known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrixment, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed and in the capacities therein set forth. Given under my hand and seal of office, this 28th dav of Sept. A. D. 1903. W. A. WURBACH, (Seal) Notary Public Bexar Co., Tex. HUGO & SCHMELTZER COMPANY General Warrantv Deed, to Dated Sept. 26, 1903. CHAS. HUGO. Filed Feb. 10, 1904. Recorded in Book 223, p. 260, Deed Records Bexar Co., Tex. Consideration $75,000 paid. The Hugo & Schmeltzer Co., a private corporation, acting herein by and through its president, G. Schmeltzer, and Secy. August Bryan, hereunto duly authorized — io— by a lesolulion passed on Sept. 15, 1903, by the Board of Directors of said corpo- ration, which was authorized and confirmed at a meeting of the stockholders of said corporation on the same date, which said corporation has its legal domicile in the County of Bexar and State of Texas^ etc. Do grant, &"ell and convey unto the said Chas. Hugo, etc., all that certain tract or parcel of land lying and" being situated in the County of Bexar, State of Texas, and within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, and more particu- larly described as. follows, to wit: Bounded on the north by Houston Street, on the east by Alamo Ditch, on the south by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza, on the west by Alamo Plaza and being the same property conveyed to Honore Grenet, now deceased by Anthony Dominic Pellieer and W. H. Maverick, by two several deeds recorded in the records of Bexar County, Vol. 7, p. 373, and in Vol. 5, pp. .538 and 539, and by George H. Kalteyer, administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, to Hugo & Schmeltzer, by deed dated .Jan. 23, 1886, and recorded in the records of Bexar County, in Book Vol. 48, on pp. 50 to 52, and said tract of land being described as: Beginning at a stake set on the west bank of Alamo Ditch, being the S. E. corner of this tract and the N. E. corner of the tract here- tofore sold to the State of Texas and being known as "The Alamo." Thence North 79-1/3 West 200 feet 2/5 inches. Thence North 11 33' East 191-52/100 feet. Thence South 79-1/10 East 272-22/100 feet. Thence with tlie meanders of said ditch to the place of beginning. This conveyance is, however, made subject to an option to purchase this said property given by Charles Hugo, G. Schmeltzer and George Henermann and Lina Heuermann as independent executors of the Estate of William Hcuermann, dec, to Miss Clara Driscoll on the 18th day of March, A. D. 1903, and which said option w'as given in writing and is hereby referred to and made a part hereof. Witness the name of said corporation by its President G. Schmeltzer and the seal of said corporation attested by its secretary August Briam, Jr., at its office in San Antonio, etc. (Seal) G. SCHMELTZER, Attest: President of the Hugo & Schmeltzer Co. AUG. BRIAM, JR., Secretary The Hugo & Schmeltzer Co. THE STATE OF TEXAS. County of Bexar. Before me, W. A. Wurzbach, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared G. Schmeltzer, President, and August Briam, Jr., Secretary of the Hugo & Schmeltzer Co., known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and as the act and deed of the Hugo & Schmeltzer Company. Given under mv hand and seal of office this Sept. 26. 1903. W. A. WURZBACH, Notary Public, Bexar Co., Texas. CHAS. HUGO General Warrantv Deed, to Dated Feb. 10, 1904. CLARA DRISCOLL. Filed Feb. 10. 1904. Recorded in Book 223, p. 261. Deed Records Bexar Co., Texas. In consideration of the sum of $75,000 paid and to be paid by Clara t)riscoll as follows: $25,000 in cash, etc., and $50,000 as evidenced by five notes of even date herewitli for $10,000 each and ])ayal)le on or before one, two, three, four and five years after date, with 6 per cent interest until maturity and 10 per cent after matTirity, payable annually, failure to pay any interest or note when due, at election of holder, to mature all, 10 per cent attorney's fees, vendor's lien re- tained, etc. Grant, sell and convey unto the said Clara Driscoll. a feme soul of San An- tonio, Bexar County, Texas, all ^hat certain tract or parcel of land situated in Bexar County, Texas, within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, and more particularly described, to wit: Bviunded on the north by Houston street, on the east by Alamo Ditch, on the south by Alamo and Alamo Plaza, —46— and on the west by Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed to Hon- . ore Grenet, now deceased, by Anthony Dominic Pellicer and W. H. Maverick, by two several deeds recorded in the records of Bexar County, in Vol. 7, p. 373, and in Vol. 5, p. 538, and by George H. Kalteyer, administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, to Hugo & Schmeltzer by deed dated Jan. 23, 1886, and recorded in the records of Bexar county in Vol. 48, p. 50, and said tract of land being described as : beginning at a stake set on the west bank of the Alamo Ditch, being the southeast corner of this tract and the northeast corner of the tract heretofore sold the State of Texas and being known as "The Alamo." Thence X. liii degrees west 200 feet 2 2/5 inches. Thence N. 11 degrees 33 minutes E. 191 52/100 feet. Thence S. 79 1/10 degrees east 272 22/100 feet. Thence with the meanders of said ditch to the place of beginning. It is distinctly understood and agreed that this propertj' is purchased by Clara Driscoll for the use and benefit of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and is to be used by them for the purpose of making a park about the Alamo, and for no other purpose whatever. CHAS. HUGO. Witnesses : N. S. Graham W. A. Wurzbach. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, W. A. Wurzbach, Notary Public within and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Chas. Hugo, known to me to be the per- son whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein ex- pressed. • Given under my hand and seal of office this 10th day of Feb. A. D. 1904. W. A. WURZBACH, ( Seal ) Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. No. 3464, 45th Dist.' Court. Abstract of judgment ALAMO NATIONAL BANK OF S. A. Dated June 8, 1896 vs tiled August 14, 1896 SAN ANTONIO DRIVING PARK Recorded in Book 4, p. 284 ASSN. ET AL. (INCLUDING Judgment Records, Bexar Co., Tex. CHAS. HUGO, G. SCHMELTZER Judgment for $20,799.00 AND WM. HEUERMANN.) Costs: $26.65 Interest: 10%. ALAMO NATIONAL BANK Release of judgment, to Dated Oct. 28, 1896 HUGO & SCHMELTZER ET AL Filed Oct. 28, 1896 Recorded in Book 4, p. 332, Judgment Record Bexar Co., Whereas, a certain judgment was recovei'ed by the Alamo National Bank in the 45th Judicial District Court of Bexar County, Texas, at the June term, 1896, for the sum of $26,799.00 and interest, which judgment was duly recorded and ab- stracted in the records of Bexar County, Texas, to which reference is herewith made, said judgment having been obtained against A. C. Schryver, H. D. Kamp- mann, Ehaendorf Co., the last named both as a company and as individuals, Hugo, Schmeltzer & Co., the last named both as a company and as individuals, U. Lott and B. F. Yoakum. Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the said above named judgment having been fully satisfied, the said Alamo National Bank, acting by and through Chas. Hugo, President of said Bank, etc.. does remise, release, quit claim, dis- charge and acquit to the said parties herein above named all and singular said judgment, interest and all liability arising therefrom. ^LAMO NATIONAL BANK. (Seal) By Chas. Hugo, President. — IT- STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, Otto Ottesen, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this the 28tli day of October, 1896, personally appeared Chas. Hugo, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for tlie purposes and considera- tions therein expressed, and as the act and deed of the said Alamo National Bank. OTTO OTTESEN, (Seal) Notary Public, Bexar Covuity, Texas. TEXAS TITLE COMPANY. Abstract No. 5053. We lierewith certify that the foregoing is a complete abstract of all instru- ments of writing placed upon record in the public records of Bexar County, Texas, affecting the title to the real estate described herein at page 1. Our search covers the County Clerk's office, the District Court (except tax suits), the Probate Court, United States Circuit and District Court. Witness our signature, this January 27, 1905, at 8:00 a. m. TEXAS TITLE COMPANY (Incorporated), By W. Morris, Secretary, ESTATE OF H. GRENET, DECEASED. No. 1269. Report of Sale. Filed Dec. 29, IHSo. Min. K., p. 545. Your petitioner, George H. Kaltej-er, adm'r, estate of H. Grenet, respect- fully reports that he has sold at public sale in front of the Court House door, on the first Tuesday of December 1st, 1885, the following property: (Among other property.) I bird. To ^laj. A. J. Fry, Alamo store property, having a front of 265 feet more or less on East Houston Street and 280 feet more or less on E. and \V. side of Alamo Store with all buildings now occupied by Messrs. Hugo & Schmeltzer to Mrs. Hans Degener, agent for Messrs. Hugo & Smeltzer, for the sum of $28,000. This sale is made with tlie conditions of the vendor's lien held by Bishop Neraz. Here follows report of rents : Third. The Alamo building was leased to Messrs. Hugo & Schmeltzer at a rental of .^300, and on which there was due $900 which I collected on Nov. 28, 1884, and the tenants being dissatisfied, they asked for a reduction, which was approved bv your Honorable Court to $250 per month. GEORGE H. KALTEYER, Admr. Est. of H. Grenet, deed. SAVorn to and subscribed to before me this 29th day of Deeember, A. D. 1885. THAD W. SMITH, Co Clk. Bex. Co., Tex. (Here follows report of rents, continued, and herein omitted.) We hereby certifj^ that the foregoing is an abstracted copy of the report of sales made by George H. Kalteyer, Administrator of H. Grenet, deceased, and filed in the Probate Court of Bexar County, Texas, December 29, 1885, as the same appears of record in IMinute Book K, p. 545, Probate Records, Bexar County, Texas. Witness our signature, this ^tfarch 7, 1905. TEXAS TITLE COMPANY, (Inc.) (Seal.) By R. 0. Huff, Mgr. C. G. CARTTAR NOTARY PUBLIC EXPERT ACCOUA'TANT. San Antonio. Texas. January 20, 1912. To His Excellency, 0. B. Colquitt, Governor of the State of Texas, Austin, Texas. Sir: I take the liberty of asking your attention to the following extract from a —48— General warranty deed dated 12th May, 1883, and recorded in Book 31, p. 265 of Bexar County Records. From the Roman Catholic Church by Bishop John C. Neraz to the State of Texas conveying the "Alamo Chvirch." "Whereas, There is reason to believe, and it is generally understood that this grantor is seized and possessed of a surplus strip of ground of some nine (9) feet in width adjoining the above described property and lying on its south side and constituting a part thereof, and "Whereas, It is the intention of both parties that the entire Alamo property not heretofore conveyed shall be conveyed to the State of Texas, "Therefore, The said strip of land is hereby conveyed to the State of Texas as fully to all intents and purposes as had the same been herein described by metes and bounds, with general warranty except as to the strip mentioned." I notice that there is now a fence on the south side of the Alamo Chapel, which fences off part of this nine feet "strip,"' enclosing also such part of the roadway as is between such fence and the wall of the building now occupied by the Collins Auto. Co., and there is a gate across such road. Such roadway extends from the east side of Alamo Plaza, to the old ditch. The course of this ditch is now very distinctly shown by a stone slab across it. Until quite lately, and for over twenty years, this roadway Mas a public high- way from the Plaza to the ditch, and was used as such. By whom or by what right it has been closed I do not know. The State of Texas as the owner of the Alamo Property I presume, owns the whole width of the Alamo ditch. It seems to have been dug (previously to 1792, when adjoining land was allotted by the Alcalde), by the Fathers of the Mission of San Antonio Valero and, of course, on their own land. Such land, when the land was abundant, (when?) reverted to the original owners and their assigns, and would not be subject to the original owners and their assigns, and would not be subject to any custom of its being divided be- tween adjoining owners. Surely this fence and gate should be removed and the right of way be de- clared for public use. I have the honor to be, Sir, Yours very respectfullv, C. G. CARTTAR, Alamo National Bank Bldg., San Antonio, Texas. In a general warranty deed dated May 12. 1882, recorded in Book 31, p. 26.5, Bexar County records, conveying the Alamo Church to the State of Texas by the Roman Catholic Church, is the following clause: "Whereas, There is reason to believe, and it is generally understood, that this grantor is seized and possessed of a surplus strip of ground some nine feet in width adjoining the above described property and lying on its south side and constituting a part thereof; and, "Whereas, It is the intention of both parties that the entire Alamo property not heretofore conveyed shall now be conveyed to the State of Texas. "Therefore, The said strip of land hereby conveyed to the State of Texas as fully to all intents and purposes as had the same been herein described by metes and bounds." "With general warranty except as to the strip mentioned." RT REV C M. DUBUIS BY N. A. GALLAGHER. HIS AGENT AND ATTOR- NEY, TO RT. REV. J. C. NERAZ. BISHOP OF SAN ANTONIO. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Galveston. Know all men oy these presents that I, N. A. Gallagher. Bishop of Galveston, in said Slate of Texas, am figent and attorney of Right Reverend Claudius Maria Dubuis, Catholic Bishop of Galveston, in said State of Texas, only thereunto constituted, was appointed by instrument in working only signed and acknowl- edged by the said Dubui.^. dated March 22nd. 1882. and recorded in the office of the Cou'ntv Clerk of Galveston County, Texas, in Record Book 42, in pages 111, 112 and 113, for and in considei'ation of the sum of the dollars to me in hand paid by the Right Reverend Bishop J. C. Neroz. of the Diocese of San Antonip, in said State of Texas, and for the purpose of efl'ecting a transfer to the said —49— Neroz as Right Kev. Bisliop of the ^aid Diocese of San Antonio, of all property lying within the boundaries of the present Diocese of San Antonio, being the property of tlie ("atholic Chuvcli and formerly held in trust by the said Dubuis a? Bishop of Galveston for and in behalf of the said Catholic Church, and as the Bishop thereof, and toinicily incluiied and situated in the Diocese oi \.hj a.'.id Dubuis as the said Kiglit Rev. Bisho]) of d'alveston have granted, sold, conveyed, aliened and transferred, and by these ])resents do grant, sell, convey, alien and transfer all the property, leal, i)ersonal and mixed, lands, tenements and heredita- nuMits lately held in trust f( r the said Catholic Church, and as one Bishop thereof by the said Claudius Afaria Dubuis. Bishop aforesaid of the said Diocese of (lalvcston. to the Right Re^■erend J. C. Xeraz, Bishop of the said Diocese of San Antonio, in said State of Texas, the said property herein transferred and con- v:*yed, l.\'ing and 'oeiiig situated within the said State of Texas, in that portion of the State of 'J'exas composing the present Diocese of the San Antonio, and including and composing all the aforesaid property' situated within the liound- aries of the said Diocese of San Antonio, being as follows, towit: Begin- ning in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the thence with the meander- ings of said Colorado Uivev iiorihwcstcrly to the River in Scurry County, thejice tJirough Scurrey, Borden, Dawson and Gaines Counties to the diA'ision line between New Mexico and the State of Texas, thence south with said division line to the thirty- second parallel of latitude, thence west with said parallel of latitude to tlve Rio Grande River, thence southeasterly with the meanderir.gs of said Rio Grande Rivei' to the mouth of the Arrogo de los Her- nianos in \^'ebb County, thence east to the San Roque Creek in said Webb County, thence Avith the meanderings of the San Roque to where it debouches into the Nueces River in Dimmitt County, thence due east to the boundary line between Live Gak and Be(! Counties, thence northeasterly with said boundary line to a point Avhere the said boundary line turns to the northeast, thence northeast with said boundary line to the south boundary line of Karnes County, thence wi;:h said south boundary lino of Karnes County to the south boundary line of Dewitt County, thence with said south boundary line of Dewitt County to the northwest corner of Victoria County and the northeast corner of Goliad County on the IS-Mile Creek, thence with the western boundary line of said \'ictoria County and partly folloAving the meanderings of the San Antonio River to where the San Antonio River debouches into the Guadalujie River, thence with the United Stream of Six Rivers to the Bay of San Antonio, thence through the center of San Antonio Bay through Matagorda, thence south at a point south of Mosquito Point in (^alhoun County, thence northeast with the southern coast of iVIatagorda Island and ^latagorda Peninsula one south of the mouth of the Colorado River, thence north to the said mouth of the Colorado River, to have and to hold the above described property, together with all and singular the risrhts and ap]nirtenanccs thereto in anv wise belono-ino- nnt" +li^ «-^i'i Rifrht Rev. J. C. Neraz as Bishop aforesaid and his successors to the said Diocese of San Antanio forever, and I, the said Gallagher, for and in belief of the said Right Reverend C. M. Dubuis as aforesaid, do hereby bind him, his heirs, ex- ecutors and administrator to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the said J. C. Neraz as said Bishop of said Diocese and his suct-essors against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or anv part thereof bv. through or under him, the said Right Reverend C. AT. Dubuis. Witness mv hand this 3 dav of August, A. D. NICHOLAS A. GALLAGHER. Bp. Admr. of Galveston. Atty. of Rt. Rev. C. M. Dul uis. Witnesses : L. Chaland. T. K. Crowley. STATE OF TEXAS, . County of Galveston. Jlefore me. Joseph Franklin, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid, or this day personally appeared Nicholas A. GallaLdier. attorney in fact for the Right Rev. C. M. Dubuis, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to jue that —50— he executed the same as attorney in fact of aforesaid for the purijoses and consideration therein expressed. (iiven under my hand and seal of office at Galveston, Texas, this 4th day of Auaust, A. D. 1882. JOSEPH FRANKLIN, Notary Public for Galveston County, State of Texas. Alamo, Texas, June 8, 1882. Endorsed: Filed for record in my office Sept. 22, 1882, at 10:30 o'clock A. M. Thad . Smith, Co. Clk. By Juan E. Barsera, Deputy. The committee on the part of the Texas Vetei-an Association for the purchase of the Alamo Church propejty met the Rev. Bishop Cortez in pursuance to iidjournment from Tuesday at the store of H. Grant, in San Antonio, mirl '-irdly received by Major J. E. Dwyer. Col. Frank W. Johnson, Pres. Texan V. A.; S.nm S. Smith, James S. Truehart, Mrs. Mary A. Maverick, Pres. Alamo Monu- ment Ass.; Rev. Dean Richardson and Sam Maverick. Absent: F. S. Paschal, S. Cayce. When, after mature consultation, the Rev. Bishop Corez proposed to sell the Alamo Church property to the State of Texas at the price of $20,000, which proposition was universally agreed upon and accepted at the pi'ice of Twenty Thousand ($20,000) Dollars, and we recommend its purchase by the State. EDWARD MILES, Supewiser U. Bexar Co. & Chairman of Committee. F. W. JOHNSON, MRS. M. A. MAVERICK, Pres. A. M. Ass. JAMES L. TRUEHEART.. J. S. SMITH, W. R. RICHARDSON, Dean Cathol. St. Mark. SAM MAVERir'K. Monumental Committee. San Antonio, June 8, 1882. Col. F. W. Johnson, President of the Texas Veteran Association. Sir: In reply to your inquiry as to what price I would place on the Alamo Church proper situated on the Alamo Plaza, of the City of San Antonio, I would respectfully sav that I will sell same to the State of Texas for the sum of Twenty Thousand" ($20,000) Dollars. I have the honor to be, Verv respectfully, JOHN C. NERAZ, Bishop of San Antonio. SAN ANTONIO, vs. JOHN ODIN. Supreme Court, Austin, November Term, 1855. This suit was brought by the appellant to recover the property known as the Alamo in the city of San Antonio. From tlie statement of facts, it appears that the city of San Antonio was founded about the year 1730. The cornerstone of the Alam.o was laid on the 13th of May, 1744. This mis- sion, as well as others in the valley of the San Antonio river, was erected by order of the King of Spain for the purpose of civilizing the Indians. The mis- sions were under the charge of the franciscans, or the Friars of that order, which was an order independent of the higher church. The mission of the Alamo was formerly known as the jNIission of Valerio, and was secularized by order of the Government in 1794. After the seculariza- tion, the Indians remaining were sent to the Missions of Conception and San Jose, none of the property belonging to this mission was ever disturbed by order of the Government, except a few quertos assigned to the Indians. The Friars continued to occupy the building until 1801, when the Spanish soldiers took possession of the buildings and continued to occupy them until 1835. The con- —51— sent and permission of the Curate of the Parish was obtained at the time the troops took possession of the same. In tlie year 1704, after the secularization of the missions, the baptismal registry of births and deatlis of this mission were delivered over into the hands of the Curate of Bexar, and the people of this mission subject to his jurisdic- tion. From 1808 until 18.35 there was a separate registry kept by the company stationed at the Alamo for the births and deaths and baptism of said company. From the year 1801 until 1835 Mass was frequently celebrated at intervals of from eight to ten days and other religious rights, such as baptism and burials and marriages. Tlie part of the building originally intended for the church, at- tached to the building, was never finished; it never had a roof. One of the rooms in another part of the building was fitted up as a chapel and was used as such. The Mission of -the Alamo is situated within the limits of the city of San Antonio. In 1827, the Secretary of the Treasury of Mexico ordered one Erasino Seguin to make an inventory of the property belonging to the Na- tional Government of ^lexico for the sale of the houses, lot, mills, and lands pertaining to the extinguished missions of San Jose, Conception, San Juan, and Espado, and the property was so sold, but the conventual houses were rescued from sale, except the convent attached to the Mission of San Jose, which was sold. There was no order for the sale of the Mission of the Alamo. All of these missions were erected in the same manner, and were subject to the same authority. The city of San Antonio never pretended to exercise any authority or control over the buildings or lots of the Alamo. The church, prior to the Revolution, exercised such claim as before stated. After the year 1835 these buildings were vacant, and in a very dilapidated condition, and so remained until 1841, when tliere were two or three families living in or occupying dif- ferent rooms. They took possession without the consent of any one. After being there two months, they were told by the Bishop at San Antonio that the pro])erty l)plonged to the churcli, and were requested to occupy and take care of the same for the church. Then families remained there for ten months, and then left. About the beginning of the year 1847 the Quartermaster of the United States Army took possession of the Alamo buildings and claimed them as belonging to the United States Government, but in April of the same year acknowledged to hold them as tenants of the Bishop of Texas. The fact that the Government held as tenants was not known to the (Cor- poration ? ) until about eighteen months before the commencement of the suit. The bishop had an agent in San Antonio in 1841. but liis agency was not made publicly known, but he did exercise a general control over it. The corporation of San Antonio never asserted title to the Alamo until the institution of the suit. The plaintiff claims under tlie statute incorporating the city of San Antonio of 1837, and also the statute of 1838, amendatory thereof, and also the statute of 1842, incorporating the city of San Antonio, and also by former own- ership. And the defendant claims under the evidence of ancient possession of the church as given in the statement of facts, and under the statutes of the Republic of 1841. A jury was named and the judge gave his judgment in favor of the defendant, from which judgment the plaintiff appealed. There is no shadow of title in the corporation to the property in controversy prior to the legislation of the Republic. It had never been claimed, and it was neither a common in the city as a plaza was a common way. nor an Ecidor thereof. It was neither used or claimed as the proi)erty of the corporation, and it might as well have set up such title to any other individual property within tlie city. If the claim of the city rested upon ancient ownership, the defendant would not be called upon to show any title whatever. If the corporation has any title it is derived from the legislation of the Republic. We will therefore proceed to inquire what right, if any, the corporation can claim from the acts of the Congress of the Republic. ^Yhateve'r right the plaintiff has to the property in question is found in the eighth section of the act of Congress of the Republic. It is as fol- lows: The said council, in conjunction with the justices of the county courts, are hereby empowered and authorized to sell and eliminate such public lots and parcels of land as may lie within their jurisdiction, and to wliich there is no legal claimant or title, and also to dispose of said houses, or other buildings as may have formerly been the jiroperty of the corporations of the said city, and the council may therefor recover all debts, forfeitures and accounts occurring —52— due to said corporation, the proceeds of such sale to be appropriated to the erection or repairs of a court house and jail, and other such public buildings as may be deemed most fit, and to the erection and endowinent of a public school. This act, or the legislative grant, as it has been called, authorized the corporation, in connection with the duties of the county court to sell none but such land and lots within the city of San Antonio to which there was no claim or title, and to sell such houses and other buildings as were formerly the property of the corporation. This act did not vest the fee of any property in the corporation, and the duties of the county court, but it conferred only a power to sell complied witJi a trust, that the proceeds of the sale should be appropriated to the particular objects designated. The fee remained in the Gov- ernment imtil the trust was executed, and then profered to the Government, without ever being in the corporation and justice of the county courts. The act of 1838 only changed the act commented on, so far as to authorize the corporation authority to do of itself what the former act authorized to be done in connection with the duties of the county court. The power to sell gi-ven by the two acts cited has never been executed!! and on the 18th day of Jany., 1841. The Congress of the Republic of Texas passed the following act: "That the church of the Alamo in the city of San Antonio, be, and the same is hereby yielded and granted for the use of the Catholic Church, upon the same terms and conditions as the churches of Conception, San Jose, San Juan and others." The act to which the act refers was passed on the 18th day of January, 1841, only five days before, and is as follows: "That the churches at San Antonio, Goliad and Victoria, the church at Nacadoches, the churches at the Missions of Conception, San Juan, San Jose and Espado, and the Mission of Refugio, with out-buildings, and the same are hereby acknowledged and declared the property of the present Chief Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church in the Re- public of Texas, and his successors in office for ever, for religious purposes, and purposes of education and none other; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to give title to aYiy lands except the lots upon which the churches are situated which shall not exceed fifteen acres." Jt is believed that this act would have been sufficient to have included the Alamo, if the acts of 18th of Jany. of the same months had not passed, because it includes the chvirches of San Antonio, but for the greater cer- tainty the last act was passed only five days after expressly giving the church at the Alamo, and the acts may be taken together in support of the defendant's rights to the property mentioned therein. If the hypostesis is affirmed, that anterior to all legislation under the Re- public of Texas the property in question was the property of the Republic, and that the act in favor of the corporation if San Antcnio conferred upon the corporation all that assumes to be done by these acts, yet the acts subsequently passed giving the property to the Catholic Church was' constitutional, and con- stituted a valid grant to the church, because, as we have shown that the first named gave not the fee but only the power to sue for specific purposes, and until the power was execiited the authority remained in the legislature to revoke the power and to change the uses for which the first power was given. The principles here laid down were considered and decided by this court in the case of Bass vs. Fontleroz, Texas, 698, and as we are well satisfied with our decision in that case, need not be further discussed. It would have afforded the court pleasure to have followed and answered the extended argument of the plaintiff's counsel furnished in his printed brief on other questions raised, and not noticed for the want of time, and the pressure of other matters. We are well satisfied that had we done so the result would not, and could not, have been changed. We will give a passing notice to the objection to the legislative grant, that it is too vague and imcertain as to the persons to whom the trust is confided, and the objects it has particularly in view. The case of the Baptist Association vs. Hart, 4, Lena R. 371, was to an incorporated association as trustees, who were legally incapable of taking the bequest, for the want of a legal existence. The case of Green et al. vs. Allen et al., 5th Term R.. 170, was regarded by the Supreme Court of as obnoxious to the same objection, and also that it was imcertain as to who were the objects or beneficiaries of the bequest, the latter case cannot be regarded as settled on satisfactory basis, as the very able dissenting opinion in the case leaves some doubt, if in that case the bequest —53— should not have been sustaintd. This is not believed to come within the ob- jections taken in either of those cases, in that there is no unctrtainty as to who is to be the trustee to take nor of the capacity to take, nor who is to continue to execute the trust. Nor is there any ambiguity as to the object of the trust. It is a stronger case than Beaty vs. Kents, 2 Peters, 566, which was sustained. If, however, we were not satisfied that this case of principle could be distinguished from the case of the Biptist Association vs. Hart and Green et al. vs. Allen et al., it is believed it could be sustained on the grovuid of its being a legislative grant and not a bequest as wore the two cases first noted. And that it could be claimed for this legislative grant that if conferred on the persons designated as trustees the capacity to hold, and made liim a corporative sole grant the object of tlie act, and the English au- thority referred to in Appellers brief, 3 Peters, 99-111). But we do not design to put our assertion upon this ground, as the others are entirely satisfactory. The judgment is affirmed. LIPSCOMB. Clerk's Office, Supreme Court, Austin, January, 1856. San Antonio Opinion John Odin. I certify that the foregoing light passed contain a correct copy of the opinion in the Supreme Court in the above named cause. Witness Thomas Green, Clerk of Supreme Court. With tlie seal thereof annexed at Austin this 28 dav of Jany, A. D., 1886. THOMAS GREEN, Clerk. S. C. By W. L. CHALMERS, Dept. Ct. Recorded June 2d, 1883, at 12:30 p. m. CERTIFIED COPY OF A POWER OF ATTORNEY OF C. M. DUBUIS TO N. A. GALLAGHER. Know all men by these presents, that I, Claudius Maria Dubuis, Catholic Bishop of Galveston, in the State of Texas, have made, constituted and ap- pointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint the Rt. Rev. N. A. Gallagher, Bishop of Galveston aforesaid, my true and lawful attorney, for me and in ray name, place and stead to demand, sue for, collect, receive, hold, manage, control, dispose of, sell, convey, mortgage and generally to administer all and singular whatever property, real, personal or mixed, in nossession or in action held, owned, possessed by me in the State of Texas, or to which I may in any wise be entitled to in said State now or hereafter, whether in my own right or as a trustee for the Catholic Church, and in relation to said property, to make and complete any adjustment, settlement or disposition which to him shall seem best, and any and all instruments to execute and acknowledge for the ]iurpose aforesaid, and generally any and all acts and things to do and perform m relation to said property wliich I could do in person, hereby constitute in him my universal agent in rehition to said property and my interest in said State of Texas, and giving him imequalified dominion and power over the same and every part th^rcnf. and giving and granting unto ut" «nid At+ornev full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally present, with full power of sub- stitution and rcA-ocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his substitutes shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof. In Avitness whereof T have herewith set my hand and seal the 22nd day of March, in the vear One Thousand. Eiglit Hundred and Eighty-two. (Seal) ' ' C. M. DCBriS. On this the 25th day of April, 1882. REPUBLIC OF FEANCn Coniiulate of the LT. S. at Lyons. Personally appeared Monsurle Reverend Claudius Maria Dubuis, Catholic Bishop of (lalveston, Texas, U. S., known to me to be the person whose name ia subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal, the dav and above written. BEX F. PEIXOTTE, (Seal) Consulate of the United States at Lyons, France. Filed for Record May 24, 1882, at 12 o'clock m. Recorded June 2d, 1883. at 12:30 m. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Galveston. I, P. S. Wren, County Clerk, in and for the said County of Galveston, do hereby certify th.at the above and foregoing is a true and correct ccy r.' a Power of Attorney, from C. M. Dubuis to N. A. Gallagher, bearing date the 22nd dav of March, 1882, as the same appears of record in mv office, in Records of Deeds, Etc., Book 42, Pages 111, 112 and 113. In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed my official seal, at mv office in the Citv of Galveston, on this the 8th dav of March, 1883. P. S. WREN, Count V Clerk of Galv°ston Coun-v. By W. E. Danelly. CATHOLIC CHURCH, BY JOHN C. NERAZ, BISHOP AND TRUSTEE, TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Travis. Know all men by these presents, that the Catholic Church of the Diocese of San Antonio, in the State of Texas, acting by and through John C. Nevez, Catholic Bishop of said Diocese, its only authorized agent and trustee for the jiroperty hereinafter described, for and in consideration of Twenty Thousand Dollars, be it in hand paid by John Ireland, Governor of the State of Texas, tJie receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, has granted, bargained, sold, released and conveyed, and by these presents does grant, bargain, sell, release and convey unto the State of Texas all of that tract or parcel of land situated and lying in the City of San Antonio, County of Bexar and State of Texas, nnd described by metes and bounds as follows: Beginning from N. W. corner at a point 86 'feet 6-^ inches S. 7 10/93 E. from the present S. W. corner of the old stone convent Iniilding; thence S. 9h feet west, just grazing the base of the columns whicli stand on both sides of the entrance of the church, 72 feet 2 inches; thence S. 8H E., just grazing the S. edge of the S. W. wall of the church, 108 feet llf inches to the west edge of the Alamo Ditch; thence up the Alamo Ditch along its W. edge to a point in the east prolongation of S. wall of the convent building and convent yard at 116 feet and 30/100 S. 79 1/3 from the place of beginning, thus closing the survey of the site proper and in- cluding within its lines every portion of the Alamo Church proper. Whereas, There is reason to believe, and it is generally understood, that this grantor is seized and possessed of a surplus strip of ground of some nine feet in width adjoining the above described property and lying on its south side and constituting a part thereof; and Whereas, It is the intention of both parties that the entire Alamo property not therefore conveyed shall now be conveyed to the State of Texas : Therefore, The said strip of land is hereby conveyed to the State of Texas as fully to all intents and purposes as had the same been therein described by metes and bounds. To have and to hold all and singular the premises above mentioned and described unto the said State of Texas and its assigns forever. And the snid Catholic Church of the Diocese of San Antonio, acting as afore- said, both hereby bind itself, and the said John C. Nerez, Bishop as aforesaid, —55— doth lieiebj' bind liimself, his heirs, executors and administrators and suc- cessors in oilice, to warrant and forever defend the title to all and singular the premises aforesaid, save and except the said strip lying on the south side of the above described pro])erty, unto the said State of Texas and its assigns against every person whomsoever, lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any 23art thereof save as hereinabove excepted. In witness whereof this instrument is signed and executed in the' City of Austin and State of Texas, on tliis the 12th dav of Mav. A. D. 1883. ■ JOHN C. NERAZ, Bp. of San Antonio, Jno. B. Lul)bock. R. J. Kendall. STATE OF TEXAS, Travis County. Before me, Z. T. Fulmore, County Judge of the county aforesaid, this day personally appeared John C. Neraz, known to me to be the person wiiose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing, and he acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and considerations tlierein expressed. Witness mv hand and the official seal of the County Court of Travis Count v. at office in Austin, Texas, Mav 12th, 1883. Z. T. FULMORE. County Judge, Travis Countv, Texas. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. I, Thad W. Smith, County Clerk of said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing, with its certificate of authority, was filed for registration in my office on the 16th day of May, A. D. 1883, at 3:30 o'clock p. m., in the records of said county, in JBook Volume 31, on pages Nos. 265, 266, 267. In testimony whereof, witness mv hand and official seal, at office this 18th dav of October, A. D. 1883. THAD W. S?iHTH. County Clerk, Bexar Countv, Stnte of Tpxns. By Chas. M. Roberts, Deputy. Austin. Texas, :\Iay 5, 1883. Hon. .Joseph E. Dwycr, San Antonio, Texas. Dear Sir: T have your favor of date May 4th, asking when the contemplated transfer of the Alamo to the State could be completed. I know of no reason why it cannot be done at once. Preliminary to the final consummation it will be necessary for you to satisfy me of the perfect title and right of parties pro- posing deed the property, to do so. I desire to say that I wish to be furnished with a complete and perfect abstract title, connecting the present claimants with the sovereignty of the soil together with the written opinion of the Hon. Thomas J. Devine as to the right of the parties proposing to sell. I am, verv respectfiillv vours, JNO. IRELAND, Governor. CHAIN OF TITLE. The Republic of Texas. .1. M. Odin, Bishop of Calveston and his successors. 2 Will of Bishop Odin appointing Rev. Father Gandet and Cliambodut as execu- tors to hold in trust property for his successor as Bishop .of Galveston. 3 Rev. Father Gandet's transfer to Rt. Rev. Bishop Dubuis, succesor to Rt. Rev. Bishop Odin. 4 Transfer of Rt. Rev. Bishop Dubuis, by his attorney in fact and administrator of Galveston, N. A. Gallagher to Rt. Rev. Bishop Neraz. —56— REV. A. GANDET TO RT. REV. CLAUDUIS MARIA DUBUIS. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Galveston. Know all men by tlifse presents that I, A. Gandet, formerly a priest of the Diocese of Galveston, and sole surviving legatee and devisee under the last will and testament of the late Right Rev. J. M. Odin, Bishop of Galveston. Texas, for and in consideration of one dollar to me paid by the Rt. Rev. Cladius Maria Dubuis, the successor in office of the said Right Rev. J. M. Odin, and in con- sideration of the purposes and trusts declared in the said Ip.st will and testa- ment and in pursuance and performance of the directions therein contained, of which sum of money the receipt is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bar- gained, sold, released and conveyed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, release and convey unto the said Right Rev. Clauduis Maria Dubuis, Bishop of Galveston aforesaid, all of the following described premises, viz.: all and singular the property and real estate, real, personal or mixed, rights, credits, assets and values of whatever nature or character bequeathed or devised to me in and by said last will and testament in conjunction with the late Very Right Rev. L. C. M. Chambodut (now deceased) or into or about which I am or might be in any wise entitled under and by force of said last will and testa- ment, together with all and singular the rights, numbers, hereof; statements, ap- purtenances, tenements, and improvements imto the same belonging, or in any- wise incident or appertaining. To "have and to hold all and singular the premises above mentioned unto him, the said Right Rev. Clauduis Maria Dubuis, Bishop of Galveston as afore- said, and unto his heirs and assigns forever. And I hereby bind myself and my heirs, executors and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the premises aforesaid unto the said Right Rev. Clauduis Maria Dubuis, his heirs or assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming, or to claim the same or any part thereof by, through or under me. In witness of all of which I have hereunto signed my name this 22d day of March in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and eightv-two. (Seal.) A. GANDET, P. M. J. Witnesses at request of grantor: Rt. Rev. Robbins. J. Filtatre, Jr., 0. M. I. M. Froc, P. 0. M. I. THE DOMINION OF CANADA, County of Carleton. Before me R. B. Robbins United • States Commercial Agent and ex-officio a Notary Public in and for said County and Dominion at Ottawa, on this 10th day of April 1882 personally came and a-i^peared A. Gandet to me well known to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged that he had enacted and delivered the foregoing conveyance as his voluntary act and deed, for the purposes and consideration therein ex- pressed and as sole surviving legatee and devisee under the last will and testa- ment of the Rt. Rev. J. M. Odin Bishop of Galveston Texas. Given under niv hand and seal this 10th dav of April 1882. ■ R. B. ROBBINS, ( Seal ) U. S. Commercial Agent ex-officio. Notary Public in Ottawa Canada. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Galveston. The foregoing annexed Deed was filed for record in this office July 31 A. D. 1882 at 12 o'clock M. and recorded Aug. 11 A. D. 1882 at 4 o'clock P. M. in Book 42 pages 454, 455 & 456. In witness whereof, I, P. S. Wren County Clerk of Galveston County hereto subscribe mv name and affix the seal of said Court this 11th day of August A. D. 1882.' P. S. WREN, Clerk. (Seal) By A. D. Sims, Deputy. — or — CERTIFIED COPY OF LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF J. M. ODIN AND PROBATE THEREOF. THE STATE OF TEXAS, '- County Court County of Galveston. July Term, 1879. An Application being filed in said County Court by L. C. M. Chambodut and Claudius Main Dubius for the probate' of the last Will and Testament of M. Odin deceased. Notice is hereby given to all concerned, to file their objections thereto, if any they have, on or before the July Term of said County Court to be begun and held at the Court House of said County on the third Monday in July A. D. 187!) when said application will be heard by said Court. It witness whereof I, C. T. ^NIclNIahan clerk of the County Court of (Jalveston County hereto subscribe mv name and affix tlie seal of said Court, this the 7tli day of July A. D. 1879. C. T. McMAHAN, Clerk C. C, G. C. By W. T. Austin, Deputy Clerk. Received this Writ on the 7th day of July A. D. 1879, and I executed the same on the same day, by causing a copy of this notice to be posted in three public places in the County of Galveston, one of which was on the Court House door in the City and County of Galveston and no two of which were in the City of Galveston. C. JORDAN, Sherirt" Galveston County. No. 1232. In the County Coujt of the State of Texas in and for the County of Galveston. In the matter of the last will and testament of the Right Reverend J. M. Odin, Bishop of Galveston To the Hon. William H. Williams, Judge of the County Court of C4alveston County in the State of Texas. The petition of Rev. L. C, M. Chambodut and of the Right Reverend Claudius Main Dubius both of whom reside in the County of Clalveston in the State of Texas, respectfully showeth that heretofore towit on the 20th dav of June A. D. 1861, the Right Reverend J. M. Odin who was then the Bishop of Gal- veston, ex officio, the trustee and administrator of all property real and per- sonal pertaining to the Catholic Church in the State of Texas, made and due and legal form, in and by which he devised and bequeathed to the Reverend A. Gandet and the said L. C. M. Chambodut all the real and personal estate in the State of Texas which the said J. M. Odin should own up to the time of his death as trustee or otherwise and provided that the property so devised and bequeathed should be held by the said A. Gandet and L. C. 'M. Chambodut in trust and should by them be conveyed to the successor of the said J. M. Odin in the said office of Bishop as soon as possible after such successor should be appointed and should take possession of the Lee of Galveston afore- said that thereafter the said J. M. Odin departed this life in the Empire of France, towit on the 25th day of ^lay, 1870 being at the time a. resident of the State of Louisiana and being the owner in law of a large amount of real and personal property in the State of Texas, the principal part of which was and is situated in the County of Galveston aforesaid, all of which said prop- erty is owned as trustee and administrator as aforesaid of the Catholic Church in Texas. That under and by the terms of said will said property is ex- pressly withdrawn from the charge and control of the Courts of Probate for all purposes except the probate of said will and that there is no necessity for any administration upon the estate of the said J. M. Odin except to vest the title to said property formally in his successor in said office of Bishop. That the said Claudius ]\lain Dubuis has been duly appointed and has taken possession of the See of C4alveston as the successor of said J. M. Odin in the office of Bishop and as such is entitled to be invested with the legal title to the property real and personal, all and singular of the said J. M. Odin in the State of Texas, of which he died legal owner whether in trust or otherwise, Tliat the said A. C4andet had departed this life and the said —58— L. C. M. Cliambodut who is the sole survivor of the trustees named in said will for the purpose of transmitting the title to said propei'ty to the successor of J. M. Odin, joins in tliis petition to the end that the purpose and intent of said will may be accomplished. Your petitioners therefore pray that aftei- due proceedings had according to the practices of this Hon. Court in matters of Probate, said will may be probated and a decree of Court entered vesting in said Claudius Main Dubois, Bishop of Galveston as aforesaid the title to all the property real and personal in the State of Texas of which the said J. M. Odin died the owner in law, in trust or otherwise and for such other orders and deci-ees as unto you Honor shall seem meet and right in the premises and .as in duty bound your petitioners will ever prav etc. C. M. DUBOIS Bp. of Galveston. L. C. M. CHAMBODUT V. G. M. In the County Court of the State of Texas in and for the County of Gal- veston in the matter of the last will of J. M. Odin. The supplemental petition of C. M. Dubius and L. C. M. Chambodvit respect- fully shows the Court that since the filing of their application for the probate of the last will of the Eight Eev. J. M. Odin, they have discovered that the Reverend A. Gandet is still living and that the information • to the contrary upon which the averment of his death was insisted in the original application was incorrect. That discovering their mistake in this gregard they have pro- cured from the said A. Gandet his written consent to and joinder in their application and file the same herewith and pray as before for the probate of said will. J. T. H. SCOTT. Counsel for C. M. Dubuis and L. C. M. Chambodut. This indenture of will made on the 26th day of June A. D. 1800 in the City of Galveston, Texas. Know all men by these presents that I, J. M. Odin Bishop of Galveston considering the dangers of transitory life and being of sound and disposing mind and memory, I jvist offer my soul to God and my body to the earth whence it came. I bequeath to the very Rev. A. Gandet a priest of the Diocise now residing in Brownsville and to Very Rev. C. L. M. Chambodut of Galveston all my Estate both real and personal namey all the lots and houses I own in the City of Galveston and also of Houston, Harrisburg, Nacdoches, Liberty, Brazoria. Victoria, Indianola, Corpus Christi, San Patricio, Refugio, Austin, San Antonio, Roma, Laredo, Rio Grande City, Eagle Pass, Brownsville, Goliad, Castroville, Frederickburg, and New Braunsfels, and the tracts of land I own in Bexar, Live Oak, Polk, Bee, San Patricio, and Lavaca Counties and any other landed property, I own in the vState of Texas not here enumerated as well as moneys, wares, debts, notes, bills lands due or payable to me also my movables and house furniture, cattle, plate and such interest as I hold in the Harrisburg R. R., Tyler R. R. and the Insurance Company of Galveston or any other prop- erty that I may own up to the time of my Demise, as triistee or otherwise. Be it knnwn that it is hereby understood and intended that the fore^-'-iT devised premises are bequeathed to the Very Rev. A. Grandet and C. L. M. Chambodut, to be held by them in trust and to be reconveved by them to my successor in office as soon as possible after he will have been appointed and taken possession of the See of Galveston. To this my last will and testa- ment T nnpoint Very Rev. C. L. M. Chumbodut, Rev. Joseph Amstaett and .lame P. Nash to act as my executors and in case they or any of them should from sickness, distance of place, or inability of any kind be unable to act as my executors I hereby in virtue of this instrument authorize them or any one of them to substitute and appoint such person or persons as they or any of them may or shall deem fit to act in their place or stead and that their acts be as good and valid in law as if my executors herein named performed the duty assigned to them as executors. And I hereby protest and explicitly forbid that the probate Court or any other Court of th? State or comities shall have anything to do with the property herein mentioned, with the exception of granting testamentary letters to my lawful executors or their substitutes. In witness whereof I hereto proclaim and —59— ordain in the presence of the undersigned witnessed this to be my last will and Testament. Given under my hand using a scrawl in the place of a seal the day and date above written. J. :m. ODTN, Bp. of Galveston. We hereby certify that we have have heard Reverend J. M. Odin declare the above instrument of writing to be his last will and testament and that he signed and requested tliat that we sign the same as witnesses. JAMES P. NASH THOS. HENEETTA ■NATHAN SMITH. Before me James P. Nash a notary public in and for the County of Gal- veston appeared R. R. John M. Odin Bishop of Galveston, to me known who acknowledged he had signed scaled and delivered the foregoing will and testa- ment for the purposes therein set forth. In testimony of which I the said notary hereto set my signature this 30th dav of June A. D. 1860. JAMES P. NASH. N. P. C. G. I. A. Gandet legatee and devisee of the Right Rev. J. M. Odin under his last will and testament a copy of which is set oiit above hereby join in the application made by the Rt. Pev. C. M. Dubuis Bishop of Galveston and the Rev. L. C. M. Chambodut my co-legatee and devisee under said will to the Probate Court of the County of Galveston in the State of Tex is for tbe pro- bate of said will as a muniment of title and consent that said court shall make a decree vesting the title cast by said will upon me and the said L. C. M. Chambodut in the said Rt. Rev. C. M. Dubuis the successor of the Rt. Rev. J. M. Odin. A. GANDET. STATE OF NEW YORK. Clindore County. On the 6th day of August 1879 before me personally came Reverend A. Gandet priest of the 0. M. I. who signed the foregoing certificate and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purpose therein mentioned. PAUL GUARD, (Seal) Notary Public. This indenture of will made on the 26th day of June A. D. 1860 in the City of Galveston^ Texas. Know all men by these presents that I J. INI. Odin Bishop of Galveston considering the dangers of this transitory life and being of sound and dis- posing mind and memory T first offer my soul to God and my body to the earth whence it came. I bequeath to the Very Rev. A. Gandet a priet of the Dioces now residing in Brownsville and to the Very Rev. C. L. M. Chambodut of Galveston all my estate both real and personal namely all the lots and houses I own in the City of Galveston and also of Houston, Harrisbiirg. NacTdnches. Lib°rty, Brazoria, Victoria. Tndianola, (Corpus Christi, San Patricio, Refugio, Austin, San Antonio. Roma, Laredo, Rio Grande City, Eagle Pass, Brownsville. Goliad. Castroville, Banderia, Fredericksburg, and New Braunfels, and the tracts of land I own in Bexar, Live Oak, Polk, Bee, San Patricio, and Lavaca Counties, and any other landed properties I own in the State of Texas not here enumer- ated as well as moneys wares, debts, notes, bills, bonds, due or payable to me also my movables and house furniture, cattle, plate, and such interest as I hold in the Harrisburg R. R., TSier, R. R. and the Insurance Company of Galveston or any other property that I may hereafter own up to the time of my Demise as trustee or otherwise. Be it known that it is hereby understood and intended that the foregoing devised premises are bequeathed to the Very Rev. A. Gandet and C. L. M. —60— • Cliambodiit to be held by them in trust and to be reconveyed by tliem to the one who is my successor in office as soon as possible after he will have been appointed and taken possession of the See of Galveston. To this my last will and testament I appoint Very Rev. C. L. 'SI. Chambodut, Rev. Joseph Ausaett and James P. Nash, to act as my executors and in case they or any of them should from sickness, distance of place or inability of any kind be unable to act as my executors, I hereby in virtue of this instrument authorize them or any one of them to substitute and appoint such person or persons as they or any of them may or shall deem fit to act in their place or stead and that their acts be as good and valid in law as if my executors herein named performed the duty assigned to them as executors. I hereby protest and explicity forbid that the Probate Court or any other Court in the State or Counties shall have anything to do with the property herein mentioned with the exception of granting testamentary letters to my lawful executors or their substitutes. In witness whereof I hereunto proclaim and ordain in the presence of the undersigned witnesses this to be my last will and testament. Given under my hand using scrawl in place of seal, the day and date above written. J. M. ODIN. Bp. of Galveston. We hereby certify that we have heard Rt. Rev. J. M. Odin declare the above instrument of writing to be his last will and testament and that he signed the same in our presence and requested that we should sign the same as wit- nesses. JAMES P. NASH. THOS HENRIETTA. NATHAN SMITH. Before me James P. Nash a notary public in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared R. R. John M. Odin Bishop of Galveston to me known who acknowledged that he had signed, sealed and delivered the foregoing will and testament for the purposes therein set forth. In testimonv of which I the said notary public hereto set my signature this the 30th day of June A. D. 1860. ■ JA]\IES P. NASH, N. P. C. G. r John Main Guyot and J. M. 0. Menard being called as witnesses to prove the alleged last will of the Rt. Rev. J. M. Odin, and being duly sworn and examined do severally and respectively say that the instrument here and now shown to them as the last will and testament of the said J. M. Odin was wholly written by the said J. M. Odin. That tlie said will is wholly in tlie hand writing of the said J. M. Odin. That at the date of said will the said J. M. Odin was over the age of 21 years and of sound mind. That during the time he remained in Texas he resided in the County of Galveston and in said County lay the chief part of the property left by him at his death. That he died in France in the year 1870 or thereabouts, being at the time a resident of the State of Louisiana though temporarily sojourning in France. And that Claudius Main Dubuis is the successor of the said J. M. Odin in the office of Bishop of Galveston and has taken possession of his See at Galveston. J. M. GUYOT. J. M. 0. MENARD. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 11th day of August, 1870. *C. T. McMAHAN, C. C. G. C. ■ By Wm. T. Austin, (Seal) Dept. Clk. No. 1232 In the matter of the estate of J. M. Odin August 1879. This day came on to be lieard the application of Claudius M. Dubuis, L. C. M. —61— Cliambodut nnd A. Gandet praying for the probate of the last will and testa- ment of J. M. Odin formerly Bishop of Galveston and now deceased and a decree vesting the title to the property atTected by said will in pursuance of the terms and purpose thereof and it appearing to the Court that due notice of the filing of said application has been given as requiied by law. and that no objections thereto have been made or filed: And an instrument of writing pur- porting to be the last will of said deceased having tliereupou been jnesented and read to the Court there appeared in open Court, John ^l. (iuyot and J. ]M. O. Menard witnesses acquainted with the haiuhvriting of deceased who liaving been duly sworn u])on their oaths testified that they are acquainted with the hand- writing of said J. M. Odin and that the said instrument is wholly written in the handwriting of said J. M. Odin and signed by him with his own genuine signature and that at the time of making said will J. M. Odin was over the age of twenty-one years of age and it appearang to the Court that both of said Avitnesses are over the age of fourteen years and that the Court hath jurisdiction of the < state of said J. M. Odin for the purpose of probating said will and vesting title thereunder: And if further appearing to the Court that more than four years have elapsed since the death of said J. M. Odin and that there is no necessity for an administration upon his estate nor for grant- ing letters testamentary, but that said estate should be vested in the same L. C. M. Chambadut and A. Grandet the devices under said will, in trust and to be conveyed to the successor of the said John M. Odin in the office of Bishop of Galveston after his appointment and when he shall have taken possession of the See of Galveston and it appearing also to the Court that the said Claudis M. Dubuis has been appointed and is successor of said J. M. Odin in the office aforesaid and has taken possession of said See and th" said L. C. M. Chambadut and A. Grandet having that said will be probated and title to said estate be vested in him as ultimate beneficiary tliereunder: It is considered, adjudged and decreed that said application be granted; that said will is established and duly proven according to law in that regard; that the same be admitted. to probate and together with the ]iroof thereof be duly recorded as the last will and testament of the said J. M. Odin deceased and that the ownership and title to all the estate both real and personal of the said J. M. Odin namely all the lots and houses owned by him in the City of Galveston and also of Houston, Harrisburg, Nacagdoches, Liberty. Brazoria, Victoria, Tndianola, Corpus Christi, San Patricio, Refugio, Austin, San Antonio, Roma, Laredo, Rio Grande City, Eagle Pass, Brownsville, Goliad, Castroville. Bandera, Fredericksburg and New Braunfels, and the tracts of land owned by the said J. M. Odin in Be.Kar, Live Oak, Bee, San Patricio, and Lavaca Counties and other landed property owned by him in the State of Texas, not above enumerated; and also all moneys wares, debts, notes, bonds. bills, due or payable to said J. M. Odin and also his movable and house fur- niture, cattle, plate, and his interest in the Harrisburg R. R., the Tyler R. R., and the Insurance Company of Galveston, and all other property owned by the said J. M. Odin up to the time of his death whether as trustee or otherwise, be such, the same is hereby invested in the said Claudius ^lain Dubuis and that no further proceedings in relation to said estate be had in this Court. THE STATE OF TEXAS. County of Galveston. P. S. Wren Clerk of the County Court in and for Galveston County State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing twenty-three pages of paper writing contains a true and correct copy of all the proceedings had in the matter of the estate of J. M. Odin deceased as the same appears of record and on file in my office. Tn testimony whereof T hereon do sot my hand and the Senl of said Court at mv office in tlie Citv of Galveston this 21st dav of Janv. A. D. 1882. ■ P. S. WREN. Clerk Countv Court. Galveston Coun'y. Texas. —62— ABSTRACT OF TITLE To the Property known as the "Alamo" in the City of San Antonio. The Acts of the Republic of Texas, 13th and 18th January, 1841. See General Laws. Tlie Judgment of the Supreme Court of Texas in Case of "The City of San Antonio vs. J. M. Odin." See Texas Reports, volume 15, page 539. The Last Will or Testament of J. M. Odin, Bishop of Texas, or Chief Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church in Texas. See probate rec- ords of Galveston county and also copy of will. The Application of Rt. Rev. Claudius M. Dubuis, Bishop of Galveston, and Rev. C. L. M. Chambodiet and A. Gaudit to the Probate Court of Gal- veston County, July Term, 1879. . Probate of Last Will of J. M. Odin and "Decree of Court. See probate records of Galveston county, August term, 1879; also copy of the decree. Rev. A. Gaudet, Sole Surviving Trus- tee Named in Will of Bishop Odin, to Bishop C. M. Dubuis. See Gal- veston county records, book No. 42, pages 454, 455 and 456. Claudius M. Bubuis to Rt. Rev. N. A. Gallaglier, '"Coadjutor" or Assistant Bishop of Galveston. See Galveston countv records, book No. 42, pages 111, 112 and 113. N. A. Gallagher, Bishop Administrator of Galveston and as Agent and At- torney in Fact of Claudius M. Dubuis, to J. C. Nerez, as Bishop of San Antonio, and His Successor in Office. See Bexar eovuity records, volume 19, pages 595 to 598. Declare "The Alamo" to be the property of the Chief Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church in the Republic of Texas, and his successors in office in trust forevec, for religious purposes and purposes of education, and none other, etc. J. M. Odin was at that time Bishop of Texas or Chief Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church in Texas. Adjudged this property to belong to and vested it in tlie Catholic Church in Texas. Appointed Rev. A. Gaudet of Browns- ville and Rev. C. L. M. Chambodiet of Galveston, trustees to take all prop- erty, real or personal, held or owned by him in Galveston, San Antonio or elsewhere in Texas, whether in his own right or as trustee. They to hold the same in trust, and to be conveyed by them to his successors in his office, as soon after he will have been ap- pointed in office, and have taken pos- session of the "See of Galveston." For the probate of last will of J. M. Odin, former Bishop of Galveston, and for decree of court vesting all prop- erty in Texas held by the late Bishop Odin in his successor in office (Claud- ius M. Dubuis ) . Vesting in Claudius ]M. Dubuis, Bishop of Galveston and successor in office of J. yi. Odin, all the property of the deceased bishop held by him in Texas, whether held by the testator in trust or otherwise. Transfers all rights vested in liim to any property by last will of Bishop Odin. Transfer dated March 22, 1882, and recorded July 31. 1882. Power of attorney authorizing him to convey to Rt. Rev. J. C. Nerez, Bishop of San Antonio, all church property held l)y liim in trust in the Diocese of San Antonio. Power of attorney dated March 2, 1882. Transfers all the property belonging to the Catholic Church held by Bishop Dubuis in the Diocese of San Antonio. Deed dated August 3, 1882. Deed re- corded October 5, 1882. —63— Bishop Dubiiis was consecrated at Lyons, France, by Bishop Odin, May 23, 1862, Bishop Dubuis being at that time*^ Arch Bishop of New Orleans.' San Antonio was created a Bishopric in 1874; lilcewise Brownsville, Texas. Bishop Pillcer was consecrated Bishop of San Antonio in and died in April A. D. 1881. Bishop Nerez was consecrated May Stli 1881. Bishop Gallagher was appointed Coadjutor to Bishop Dubuis in Galveston April 30th 1882. The Records of the Catholic Church of Galveston and San Antonio contain evidence of the appointment and consecration of the Bishops above referred to Sun Antonio, Texas, May 10th, 1883. THOS. J. DEVINE. -G4.- EXHIBIT "C." Showing Options, Deeds and Releases to the Property referred to in Exhibit "B," together with Resolutions of the Daughters of the Republic; Opinion of the Attorney General. These papers show that the State required the cancellation of 'the stipulation to make a pai-k out of the property before it would purchase it, and that the Daughters of the Eepublic by resolutions adopted at La Grange completely agreed tc this course.. (Copy) LETTERS FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL TO S. W. T. LANHAM. Austin, August 3L 1905. Hon. S. W. T. Lanhani, Governor of Texas, Austin, Texas. Dear Sir: The Twenty-ninth Legislature enacted a law, which was approved by yourself January 22, 1905, authorizing the Governor of Texas to purchase, at a price not to exceed $65,000, and to procure to be executed to the State of Texas by the owners of the property a good and sufficient conveyance in fee of all the land in the city of San Antonio, Texas, known as the Hugo & Schnieltzer Company property, formerlj' a part of the old Alamo Mission, and adjoining the Alamo Church property now owned by the State, and described in said act as follows: Beginning at a stake set in the west bank of the Alamo Ditch, being the south- east corner of this tract, and the northeast corner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas, and known as the Alamo ; thence north 79J degrees west 200 feet and 2| inches; thence north 11 degrees 33 minutes east 11)1.52 feet; tht'nce south 79.1 degrees east 272.22 feet; thence with the meanders of said diteli to tlie place of beginning; and bounded on the north by Houston street, and on the east by the Alamo Ditch, and on the south by the Alamo and the Alamo Plaza, and on the west by the Alamo Plaza. The second section of said act makes an appropriation of money — $65,000 — to j)a,y for said property and a part of said Section 2 is as follows : "But no part of said money shall be paid until a good title is shown in the grantor and a valid conveyance of said land has been made to the State to the satisfaction of the Attorney General of the State." I beg leave to advise you that, after careful examination, I found the title to said land in Miss Clara DriscoU, the proposed grantor, subject to certain objec- tions wliich were enumerated in my report to Miss DriscoU. She has now com- plied with all of tlie requirements made in that report and my opinion is that •she now has a good title to said land and can convey the same to the State, in fee simple. I further advise that Miss DriscoU has executed a valid conveyance of said land to the State to the satisfaction of myself as Attorney General of the State, and. therefore, I report that she has complied with the said act and is enitled to receive the purchase money for said property from the State according to the terms of said act, viz., twenty-five thousand dollars thereof to be paid during the fiscal year ending August 3L 1905. and forty thousand dollars- thereof during the jiscal year ending August 31, 1906. I hand you the conveyance executed by Miss DriscoU, and also the abstracts -of title upon which this examination was made and also all other deeds and papers pertaining to the .title whicli have been delivered to the State. Yours truly, R. V. DAVIDSON, Attorney General. —65— Austin, October 3, 1905. Hon. S. W. T. Lanhani, Governor, Capitol. Dear Sir: I beg to hand you herewith an instrument for execution by yourself, delivering to the custody and care of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas the Alamo property recently purchased by you from Miss Clara DriscoU and the Alamo church property previously acquired by the State pursuant to the pro- visions of Cliapter 7 of the General Laws passed at the regular session of the Twenty-ninth Legislature. 1 enclose also a carbon copy of the instrument in case you should desire to file a copy of same among the title papers relating to this property. I enclose my report to you in this letter of date August 31, 1905, the abstract of title to the property made by the Texas Title Company, and the following title deeds : 1. Supplemental abstract made by the Bexar Abstract Company. 2. Opinion on title to Alamo property of Waelder & LTpson, dated February 2, 1886. 3. Deed from W. H. Maverick to Honore Grenet. .4. Deed from Anthony Dominic Pellicer, Bishop of San Antonio, to Honore Grenet. 5. Certified copy of deed from George H. Kalteyer, administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, to Hugo & Schmeltzer. 6. Release from J. C. Xeraz, Bishop of San Antonio, to George H. Kalteyer, administrator, for the use and benefit of Hugo & Schmeltzer. 7. Deed from William Heuermann et al. to Hugo & Schmeltzer Company. 8. Release from Charles Hugo et al. to The Hugo & Schmeltzer Company. 9. Deed from Hugo & Schmeltzer to Reagan Houston. 10. Transfer from Reagan Houston to Albert Maverick and retransfer from JNIaverick to Houston ( not recorded ) . 11. Deed from Reagan Houston to Hugo & Schmeltzer. 12. Release from Rosskam, Gerstley & Co. to Hugo & Schmeltzer. 13. Power of attorney from John M. Odin, Bishop of Galveston, to B. Cal- laghan, dated December 4, 1849 (not recorded). 14. Power of attorney fi'om John M. Odin, Bishop of Galveston, to B. CaJ- laghan, dated March 18, 1850 (not recorded). 15. Field notes of a survey made for Hugo & Schmeltzer of this property, January 22, 1886. 16. Deed from Hugo & Schmeltzer to Clara Driscoll. 17. Deed from Chas. Hugo to Clara Driscoll. 18. Deed of confirmation from Chas. Hugo to Clara Driscoll. 19. Release from Chas. Hugo to Clara Driscoll of vendor's lien. 20. Five vendor's lien notes given by Clara Driscoll to Chas. Hugo in part payment of the purchase money all marked "paid." 21. Quitclaim deed from J. A. Forrest, Bishop of San Antonio, to Clara Driscoll. 22. Quitclaim deed from the city of San Antonio to Clara Driscoll. 23. Certified copy of ordinance authorizing the execution of the quitclaim deed from the city of San Antonio to Clara Driscoll (not recorded). 24. Release from George Heuermann et al. to Clara Driscoll. 25. Release from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to the State of Texas, dated March 23, 1905. 26. Release from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to the State of Texas, dated August 3, 1905. 27. Agreement as to location of old Alamo Ditch executed by the executors of the estate of Eliza Gallagher, deceased, and Clara Driscoll. 28. ]\Iap and field notes of a survey of this property, dated July 20, 1905, made by John D. Rulhnan. city engineer of San Antonio. 29. Deed from Clara Driscoll to the State of Texas. 30. Affidavit of G. Schmeltzer as to occupancy of part of this property. 31. Similar affidavit of W. H. Maverick. 32. Receipt of C. Villemain, city tax collector of San Antonio, for .$1158.40, the estimated taxes upon the property for the current year 1905-06. and tax re- ceipt for taxes for the fiscal year 1904, on said property. 33. Receipt of Paul Meerscheidt, tax collector of Bexar county, to be applied to the payment of State and county taxes for 1905 as soon as the tax rolls are —66— turned over to the collector, to which is attached the collector's certificate that the records of his office do not show any other taxes due on the property. 34. Uncertified copy of petition in suit of Pilar Garcia de Sabriego et al. vs. Mary A. Maverick et al., No. 53, in Circuit Court of the United States for the Western District of Texas at San Antonio, and certified copy of the judgment in said cause. (Neither of them recorded.) 35. Letter from Thomas G. Johnston to Major General Merritt, dated Sep- tember 21, 1865; letter from James Belyn to Mr. Callaghan, dated February 3, 1854, and approved vouchers for rent of Alamo building for November 16th to November 30, 1865. All of the papers except the tax statements and tax receipts have been duly recorded in the deed records of Bexar county, except where otherwise stated. Yours truly, R. V. DAVIDSON. Attorney General. DEED OF W. H. MAVERICK TO HONORE GRENET. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Know all men by these present, that I, W. H. Maverick, in consideration of the sum of twenty-seven hundred and fifty ($2750.00/100) dollars, to me paid by Honore Grenet of the County of Bexar, State of Texas, the receipt of which is hereby acknawledged, have granted, bargained, sold and conveyed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, convey and deliver unto the said Honore Grenet, his heirs, and assigns, the following described property, situated in the State of Texas, County of Bexar, and City of San Antonio, that portion of Alamo block, described as follows: Commencing for the northwest corner at a point on the south line Houston St. fifty-three varas (147 22/100 feet) S. 78f E. from the N. W. cor. of said Alamo block—the S. E. intersection of Alamo Plaza with Houston St. Thence S. 11 degrees W. 30 1/2 varas (84 27/100 ft.) for S. W. cor.; Thence S. 78f E. 26* varas (73i ft.) to Alamo ditch, for S. E. cor.; Thence up said ditch to Houston St. for N. E. cor.; Thence N. 78§ W. 45 varas (125 fet) along Houston St. to beginning. For title, see deed Mariano Romano to S. A. Maverick July 27th 1841, recorded in Bexar Co. Book A No. 2 Pg. 470. And deed S. A. Maverick by Executrix to W. H. Maverick May 31st 1872, recorded in Bexar Co. in Book W. No. 2, Pg. 336. The said deeds are hereby made part of this instrument. To have and to hold, all and singular the premises above mentioned, with the right's, members, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging, or in anywise incident or appertaining unto the said Honore Grenet, his heirs and asigns forever. And I do hereby bind myself, my heirs and legal representatives, to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises, unto the said Honore Grenet his heirs and assigns, against all persons lawfully claiming, or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand, at San Antonio, Texas, this 25th day of January, 1878. W. H. MAVERICK. In presence of E. H. Terrell Wm. H. Young. STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me Wm. H. Young a Notary Public in and for said County, personally appeared W. H. Maverick to me well known, who acknowledged that he signed and delivered the instrument of writing on the reverse hereof, and he declared the same to be his act and deed for the purposes and considerations therein stated. To certify which, I hereunto sign my name and affix my official seal, at office in San Antonio, this the 25th dav of Januarv, A. D. 1878. WM. H. YOUNG, (No. 220) Notary Public of Bexar County, Texas. —67— THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. I, Sam S. Smith, Clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby cer- tify that the above instrument of writing, with its certificates of authentica- tion, was filed for record in my office, the 26tli day of January A. D. 1878, at 10:45 o'clock A. M., and duly recorded the 26th daV of January A. D. 1878, at 4f o'clock P. M. in the records of said Countv, in Vol. Xo. 5 on pages No. 538 & 539. Witness my hand and seal of said County Court, at office in San Antonio tlie, dav and vear last above written. SAM S. SMITH. Clerk C. C. Bexar County. By Thad W. Smith, Deputy. CERTIFIED COPY OF DEED OF CEO. H. KALTEYER, ADMR. ESTATE HONORE GRENET TO HUGO SCHMELTZER. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Know all men by these presents that whereas on the 13th day of February 1885, Geo. H. Kalteyer Administrator of the Estate of Honore Grenet, de- ceased, filed his application in the County Court of Bexar County for an order of sale of the property hereinafter described. And whereas on the 18th day of Alarch, 1885 and on July 28th and July 29th 1885, the County Court, by decrees duly recorded in the Probate Minutes of said Court, ordered the sale of said property, see records of Bexar County Journal K. page 115 and 324 of the said Probate Minutes. And whereas in conformity with said decrees of said Court, the Administrator of the estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, ad- vertised the sale of said property for the time and in the manner prescribed by law and directed by said Court, .and thereupon the first day of December sold said property at public outcry before the Courthouse door of Bexar County to Hugo and Schnieltzer for the sum of twenty-eight thousand dollars cash, that being the highest and best bid therefor. And whereas on the 29th day of December 1885 the said Administrator filed his report of the sale aforesaid in the County Court of Bexar Covmty and thereupon the same coming up for hearing the said County Court made and caused to be entered in its Minutes the following order and decree: X"o. 1269, Estate of H. Grenet, deceased, Tuesday January 19th 1880. In this cause came on to be heard the report of Sales by the Administrator Geo. H. Kalteyer, filed December 29th 1885, and it appearing to the Court that there was a Valid and subsisting lien upon the property on Alamo Plaza and Houston Street purchased at the reported Sale by Hugo and Schmeltzer through H. L. Degener, their agent in favor of Bishop J. Narez and that the sale of said property was made for the satisfaction of said lien upon said property and that the sale of the same was made for a fair price. And it further appearing to the Court that the property sold to George J. F. Schmitt at private sale, and to Dr. F. Herff and Fred Cocke at private sale was all sold for a fair price. And it appearing to the Court that it Avas to the interest of said Estate, that all said sales were made as ordered by the Court and as now reported by the Administrator it is ordered and decreed by the Court that said report of sales be in all things confirmed that the sales be approved; and that the said Admin- istrator be ordered to make good and proper deeds of conveyance to the pur- chasers upon their complying with the terms of the sale and that the said re- port of sale be ordered of Record. Now therefore, I. George H. Kalteyer, Ad- ministrator of the Estate of Honore Grenet. deceased, for and in consideration of the premises and the consideration of twenty-eight thousand dollars to me in hand paid by Hugo and Schmeltzer a firm composed of Chas. Hugo, Gustav Schmeltzer and William Heuermann all of the County of Bexar and State of Texas, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged before the signing and de- livery of these presents have bargained, sold and conveyed, and by these presents do bargain, sell and convey and deliver unto the said Hugo and Schmeltzer, their heirs and assigns all and singular the following described tract or parcel —68— of land lying and being in the County of Bexar and in the State of Texas, and in the City of San Antonio, bounded on the North by Houston Street, East by the Alamo Ditch, South by a tract of land heretofore sold to the State of Texas, and known as the "Alamo and Alamo Plaza," and West by said Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed to Honore Grenet, now deceased by Anthony Dominic Pellicer and W. H. Maverick by two several deeds recorded in the Records of Bexar County in Vol. No. 7 page 373, and Vol. No. 5 pages 538 and 539, to which reference is hereby made. , The tract or parcel of land herein conveyed is more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a stake set on the West bank of Alamo Ditch being the South East Corner of this tract and the North East corner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas, as aforesaid. Thence North 79J degrees West 200 ft. 2-2/5 inches. Thence North 11 degrees 33' East 191 52/100 feet. Thence South 79-1/10 degrees East 272-22/100 feet. Thence with the meanders of said Ditch to the place of beginning. Together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or in anywise incident, or appertaining. To have and to hold the property above described unto the said Hugo and Schmeltzer, their heirs and assigns forever. Witness my hand at San Antonio this Twenty-third day of January A. D. 1886. In presence of GEO. H. KALTEYER, Adm'r with the Will annexed. Est. of H. Grenet, Deceased. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, the undersigned authority personally appeared Geo. H. Kalteyer, Administrator of the Estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, Icnown to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument and ac- knowledged to me that he had executed the same for the purposes and con- sideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office this 28th day of Januarv A. D. 1886. J. H. FRENCH, (Seal) Notary Public. Bexar Co., Tex. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Bexar County. I, Thad W. Smith, County Clerk of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing, with its certificates of authentication, was filed for registration in my office on the 1st day of February, A. D. 1886, at 12 o'clock M, and duly recorded on the 5th day of February A. D. 1886 at 3 o'clock P. M. in the Records of said County in Book Volume 48, on pages Nos. 50, 51, 52. In testimony whereof witness my hand and official seal at office this 5th day of Februarv 1886. THAD W. SMITH, Co. Clk. Bex. Co. State of Texas. By John Stappenbeck, Deputy. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. I, Thad. W. Smith County Clerk of said County do hereby certify that the above and foregoing contains a true and correct copy of the Original Deed from Geo. H. Kalteyer Admr. of Est. of H. Grenet, deceased to Hugo and Schmeltzer as the same appears of record in my office in Book Volume 48 on pages 50, 51 and 52. Witness my official signature and Seal affixed at office in San Antonio, this 31st day of December A. D. 1892. THAD W. SMITH, Co. Clk. Bex. Co. State of Texas. By John Stappenbeck, Dep. —69— DEED OF ANTHONY DOMINIC PELLICER TO HONORE GRENET. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Know all men by the^^e presents, that I, Anthony Dominic Pellicer as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Antonio, Texas, for and in consicloration of Twenty Thousand gold coin dollars to me in hand paid by Honore Grenet, of the same place, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowhdged before the sign- ing, sealing and delivering of these presents, have granted bargained sold re- leased and conveyed and by these presents do grant bargain sell release and convey unto the said Honore Grenet, his heirs and assigns all that lot or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Bexar, State of Texxas, City of San Antonio and described as follows commencing at the South West corner of the old Convent building thence running N. Hi E. along the outer face of the West Wall of the said convent building one hundred and ninety one feet to the North West corner of said convent building: thence along the South boundary line of Houston Street S. 78| E. one-hundred and forty-seven 22/100 feet to a point in a line with the East wall of the old convent yard: Thence running in a line with said old wall and towards it S. 11 degrees W. eighty-four 72/100 feet to the North East corner of the old convent yard: Thence S. 78 J East seventy -three feet to a stake on the West bank of the Alamo Ditch : Tlience down along the bank of said ditch to point in a line with the South wall of the old convent building and yard for the South East corner of this lot: Thence N. 78f degrees West running in a line with the South wall of said convent yard and building about one-hundred and ninety-eight to the place of beginning. Together with all and singular the rights, members here detaments and appur- tenances to the same belonging, or in any wise incident or appertaining to have and to hold all and singular the premises above mentioned unto the said Honore Grenet his heirs and assigns forever. An I hereby bind myself and successors in office to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises imto the said Honore Grenet heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever, lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. In testimony where I have hereunto subscribed my name in San Antonio this 30th. dav of Nov. A. D. 1877 and puting seal attest. ANTHONY DOMINIC PELLICER, J. Wallthall Bishop of San Antonio. Courad Roth THE STATE OF TEXAS, • County of Bexar. Before me George R. Dashiell, clerk of the District Court of said Coiyity, personally appeared John Walthall to me well known, who, after being by me duly sworn, on oath says, that in his presence, Anthony Dominic Pellieer declared that he, as the Bishop of San Antonio, had executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein stated, and affiant further says that he and Courad Roth signed the same as witnesses at the request of the said Anthony Dominic Pellieer. In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name and afl&x the seal of the said Court at Office at San Antonio the 1st dav of December A. D. 1877. GEO. R. DASHIELL. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Clk. D. C. B. Co. County of Bexar. I, Sam S. Smith County Clerk of Bexar County, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing instrument of writing hereto annexed with its certificates of Authentication was filed for registration in my office the 1st day of Decem- ber A. D. 1877, at 3^ o'clock P. M. and duly recorded the 6th day of December A. D. 1877, at 11 o'clock A. M. in the records of said County in Vol. No. 7, on page No. 373. Witness my hand and the Seal of the County Court of said County at office in San Antonio, the dav and year last above written. SAM S. SISIITH. Co. Clk. Bexar Co. By Thad W. Smith. Deputy. —70— J. C. NERAZ, BISHOP OF SAN ANTONIO, RELEASE TO GEO. H. IvALTEYER, ADMINISTRATOR, FOR USE AND BENEFITS OF HUGO & SCHMELTZER. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Whereas on November 30th 1877 Honore Grenet now deceased made executed and delivered to Anthony Dominic Pellicer his certain promissory notes for Nineteen thousand dollars in the aggregate, the said Pellicer being then Bishop of San Antonio — and whereas, to secure the payment of the aforesaid notes on the day aforesaid the said Grenet made and executed to J. C. Neraz two certain deed of Trust upon the property described as follows to wit: — The lots or parcels of land lying and being in the City of San Antonio, in Bexar Coimty and State of Texas, bounded North by Houston Street, West by Alamo Plaza, South by Alamo Plaza and the Alamo Building recently sold to the State of Texas, and East by the Alamo Ditch; See records of Bexar County, Vol. No. 7 pages, 373, 374 and 375. And whereas, the said Honore Grenet departed this life on February 22nd 1882, and Geo. H. Kalteyer was duly appointed and, now the administrator of the said Grenets' Estate — and whereas the said Geo. H. Kalteyer has, as ad- ministrator as aforesaid sold unto Hugo & Schmeltzer the premises above de- scribed and out of the proceeds of said sale, has fully paid off and discharged the promisory notes above mentioned in and whereas said Anthony Dominic Pellicer has died and J. C. Neraz has been appointed and is now Bishop of San Antonio and successor to the said Pellicer as such — Now therefore I, J. C. Neraz, Bishop of San Antonio for and in consideration of the premises and payment in full of the notes as aforesaid, have released and relinquished and reconvey unto the said Geo. H. Kalteyer administrator of the Estate of Honore Grenet deceased all my rights, title claim, interest and de- mand, I had and hold to the property above described, by virtue of the deed of Trust and notes aforesaid, for the use benefits of Hugo & Schmeltzer pur- chasers of said property as above set forth. Witness mv hand at San Antonio this 30th day of January A. D. 1886. JOHN C. NERAZ, City of San Antonio. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, Thad W. Smith, County Clerk for and within State and County on this day personally appeared John C. Neraz, City of San Antonio. Known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instru- ment, and acknowledged to me that to executed the same for the purpose and consideration therein expressed. Given under mv hand and seal of office this 30th. dav of .Januarv lS8ti. THAD W. SMITH, County Clerk, Bexar County, Texas. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Bexar County. Thad W. Smith, County Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing with its certificate of authentication was filed for registration in my office on the 1st day of February A. D. 1886 at 12 o'clock A. jNI. and dvily recorded on the 5th day of February A. D. 1886 at 9f o'clock A. M. in the Records of of County, in Book volume 46 on pages Nos. 568, 569 and 570. In testimony whereof, witness my hand and official seal, at office, this 5th day of February 1886. THAD W. SMITH, By John Stappenbeck, Deputy. — 71— (Copy) WARRANTY ])EEU \^qTK VENDOR'S LIEN OF WILLIAM HEUER]\IANN, GUSTAVESCHMETZER AND CHAS. HUGO TO THE HUGO & SCHMELTZER CO. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Know all men by these presents: That we, William Heuermann, Gustave Schmeltzer and C has. Hugo of the County of Be.\ar and State aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of Seventy five thousand ($75,000.00) Dollars secured to be paid by The Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, a corporation existing under and by virtue of the State of Texas, as evidenced by the three promis- sory notes of the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Co., payable to the order of the said William Heuermann, Gustave Schmeltzer and Chas. Hugo in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, dated the 12tli day of May, A. D. 1900 for the sum of Twenty five thousand ($25,000.00) Dollars each, due on or before five (5) years after date and bearing interest from date until paid at the rate of 4 per cent per annum, and an attorney's fee of ten per cent should judicial proceedings be used in collecting one each of said promissory notes being payable to each of ther respective vendors individually, to secure which notes, principal, and inter- est, a Vendors Lien is hereby retained on the premises hereinafter conveyd, Have granted, sold and conveyed, and by these presents do grant, sell and con- vey unto the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, a corporation of the County of Bexar, and State of Texas all that certain tract, parcel or piece, of land lying and being situated in the State of Texas, County of Bexar, and within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, on the east side of Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed to these Vendors by the executor of the estate of H. Grenet, deceased, and bounded on the South by the "Alamo" and Alamo Plaza; on the East by the property of Mrs. Eliza Gallagher; on the North by E. Houston Street, and on the West by Alamo Plaza. To have and to hold the above described premises, together with all and singular, the rights, and appurtenances thereto in anywise belonging unto the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, its successors and assigns forever, and we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators to warrant and forever defend, all and singular, the said premises unto the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, its successors, heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. But it is ex- pressly agreed and stipulated that the Vendors Lien is retained against the above described property, premises and improvements until the above described notes and all interest thereon, are fully paid, according to their face and tenor, effect and reading when this deed shall become absolute. Witness our hands at San Antonio this 12th day of Mav, A. D. 1900. W." HEUERMANN. • G. SCHMELTZER. CHAS. HUGO. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, Louis Heuermann, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas on this day personally appeared Wm. Heuermann, G. Schmelter and Chas. Hugo, known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the fore- going instrument, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purposes and considerations therein expressed. Given under mv hand and seal of office this 12th dav of l\Iav. A. D. 1900. LOUIS HEUERMANN, Notary Public, Bexar Co., Tex. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. I, Frank R. Newton, Clerk of the Count}' Court of said County do hereby certify that the above instrument of writing dated on the 12th day of May, 1900 with its certificate of authentication, was filed for record in mv office the lOtli day of February A. D. 1904 at 3:10 o'clock P. M., and duly riecorded 72 he 16th day of February A. D. 1904, at 1:30 o'clock P. M., in the records of said County, in Volume 223 on page 259. Witness my hand and the Seal of the County Court of said County at office n San Antonio, Texas the day and year last above written. FRANK R. NEWTON. Clerk C. C. Bexar County. By August E. Huppertz. Deputy. (Copy) RELEASE OF VENDOR'S LIEN CHAS. HUGO. GUSTAV SCHMELTZER AND ESTATE OF WM. HEUERMANN,. DECD., TO THE HX^GO & SCHMELTZER CO. rHE STATE. OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Whereas, on the 12th day of May, 1900, William Heuermann, Gustav Schmeltzer md Chas. Hugo did execute and deliver to the Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, a corporation existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Texas, a certain deed of conveyance wherein the parties first named did convey to the party last named, the following tract or parcel of land, to-wit: All that certain tract or parcel or piece of land lying and being situated in bhe State of Texas, County of Bexar and within the corporate limits of the City af San Antonio, on the East Side of Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed to Hugo & Schmeltzer by the Executor of the Estate of H. Grenet, deceased, and bounded on the South by "The Alamo" and Alamo Plaza; on the East by property of Mrs. Eliza Gallagher; on the North by East Houston street and on the West by Alamo Plaza; and Whereas, as a part consideration for said land, the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Company did execute and deliver to the said William Heuermann, Gustav Schmeltzer and Chas. Hugo, three certain promissory notes, each for the sum of Twenty Five Thousand ($25,000.00) Dollars, bearing date with said deed, and payable to the order of William Heuermann, Gustav Schmeltzer and Chas. Hugo on or before five years after the date thereof, and a Vendor's Lien was expressly retained in such deed to secure the payment of said promissory notes; And whereas, said promissory notes have been fully paid ofif and discharged, both principal and interest, and at the time of their payment, said notes were the property of the undersigned; Now, therefore, know all men by these presents, that we, Mrs. Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann, Independent Executors of the Estate of William Heuer- mann, deceased, Chas. Hugo and Gustav Schmeltzer, of the County of Bexar and State of Texas, for and in consideration of the premises and the full and final payment of said notes, have remised, released, quit-claimed, discharged and acquitted, and by these presents do remise, ' release, quit-claim, discharge and acquit unto the said Hugo & Schmeltzer Company, their successors and assigns, the Vendor's Lien heretofore existing upon the land and premises aforesaid. Witness our hands this 28th day of September A. D. 1903. LINA HEUERMANN, GEO. HEUERMANN, Independent Executors of the Estate of William Heuermann, Deceased. CHAS. HUGO. G. SCHMELTZER. THE STATE OF TEXAS. County of Bexar. Before me, W. A. Wurzbaeh, a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Mrs. Lina Heuermann and George Heuermann, Independent Executors of the Estate of William Heuermann, deceased, Charles Hugo and Gustav Schmeltzer, known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that they exe- cuted the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed, and in the capacities therein set forth. Given under my hand and seal of office this 28th day of September, A. D., 1903. W. A. WURZBACH. Notary Public, Bexar Co., Texas. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. T, Frank R. Newton, Covmty Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing witli its certificate of authentication was filed for record in my otlico on the 10th day of February A. D. 1904, at 3:10 o'clock p. m. and duly recorded on the 16th day of February A. D. 1904, at 9:35 o'clock, a. m. in the records of said County, in book volume 221, on page 162. In testimony whereof, witness mv hand and official seal, at office, this 16th day of February A. D. 1904. • FRANK R. NEWTON, County Clerk, Bexar Co. Tex. By M. F. Campbell, Deputy. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Know all men by these presents : That we. Hugo & Smeltzer, a firm composed of Chas. Hugo. Gustav Schmeltzer and Wni. Heuermann, of the County of Bexar, and State aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars to us in hand paid by and secured to be paid by Reagan Houston, as follows: Sixty thousand ($60,000.00) Dollars paid in cash, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and One hundred thousand ($100,000.00) Dollars hereafter to be paid as evidenced by three promissory notes of even date herewith, signed by the said Reagan Houston, in favor of Hugo & Schmeltzer for thirty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty-three 33/100 dollars each, due respectively on or before twelve months, eighteen months and twonty-fout- months from October 1st 1890, and all bearing interest from October 1st, 1890 until paid at the rate of eight per cent per annum, to secure the payment of all said notes principal and interest, a vendor's lien is hereby specially retained on the premises hereinafter conveyed. Have granted, sold and conveyed and by these presents do grant, sell, convey and deliver unto the said Reagan Houston of the County of Bexar and State of Texas, all that certain tract, parcel or piece of land lying and being in the State of Texas, and County of Bexar, and in the City of San Antonio. Bounded on the North by Houston Street, East by the Alamo Ditch, South by a tract of land heretofore sold to the State of Texas, and known as the "Alamo" and Alamo Plaza, and West by said Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed Honore Grenet, now deceased, by Anthony Dominic Pellicer and W. H. Maverick, by two several deeds recorded in the records of Bexar County, in Vol. No. 7, page 373, and Vol. No. 5, and pages 538 and 539, to which reference is hereby made. The tract of parcel of land herein conveyed is more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a stake set on the West Bank of Alamo Ditch being the South East corner of this tract and the North East coiner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas as aforesaid ; Thence North 79-1/3 West, 200 feet 2-2/5 inches; Thence North 11 33' East, 191-52/100 feet; Thence South 79-1/10 East, 272-22/100 feet; Thence with the meanders of said Ditch to the place of beginning. And being the same property conveyed to these grantors by the Administrator of the Estate of H. Grenet, deceased, by deed dated January 3rd, 1886, recorded in the records of Bexar County, Texas, in Volume No. 48, pages Nos. 50, 51 and 52. To have and to hold, the above described premises, together with all and singu- lar the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging unto the said Reagan Houston, his heirs and assigns forever ; and we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, execu- tors and administrators to warrant and forever defend, all and singular the said premises unto the said Reagan Houston, his heirs and assigns, against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness our hands at San Antonio, Texas this 11th day of September A D 1890. CHAS. HUGO. w. heuer:mann, G. SCHMELTZER. —74— THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me a Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas, on this day personally appeared Chas. Hugo, W. Heuermann and G. Schmeltzer, composing the firm of Hugo and Schmeltzer, known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purposes and considerations therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal of office, this 11th day of September A. D. 1890. ar County, Texas, to which reference is here made for further description; and Wliereas, all of said notes, principal and interest, have been fully paid to me by the said Clara Driscoll ; Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises, I, Charles Hugo of Bexar County, Texas, have released and conveyed to Clara Driscoll of Bexar Countv, Texas, the property described in said deed as follows: All that certain tract or parcel of land situated in Bexar County, Texas, within the corporate limits of tlie City of San Antonio, and more particularly deseriljed as follows, to-wit: Bounded on the North by Houston Street, on the East by the Alamo Ditch, on the South by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza, and on the West by Alamo Plaza, and being the same property conveyed to Honore Grenet, now deceased, bv An- tliony Dominic Pellicer and W. H. INIaverick, by two several deeds recorded in the lecords of Bexar County in Vol. No. 7, page 373, and in Vol. No. 5, pao-e 538 and by George H. Kalteyer, administrator of t\\p Estate of Honore Grenet, de- —82— ceased, to Hugo & Schmeltzer by deed dated Jan. 23, 1886, and recorded in the records of Bexar County, in Vol. 48, page 50, and said tract of land being de- scribed as : Beginning at a stake set on the west bank of the Alamo Ditch being the South East corner of this tract and the North East corner of the tract hereto- fore sold to the State of Texas and being known as the "Alamo." Thence North 79-1/3 degrees West 200 feet 2-2/5 inches. Thence North 11 degrees 33' East 191-52/100 feet. Thence South 79-1/10 degrees East 272-22/100 feet. Thence with meanders of said ditch to the place of beginning. To have and to hold the same forever free and discharge from all right, titles or liens vested in me by reason of having been the vendor of said property, and by reason of having retained a Vendor's Lien thereon to secure the payment of the notes described in said deed. Witness my hand, this the 21st dav of August, A. D. 1905. (Signed) CHAS. HUGO. THE STATE OF NEW YORK, County of Erie, i City of Buffalo. Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Charles Hugo, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing iiistrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under mv hand and Seal of office this 21st day of August, A. D. 1905. G. HEADWAY, Notary Public in and for Erie County, State of New Y'ork. No. 1. $10,000.00. • San Antonio. Texas, February 10th, 1904. On or before one year after date, for value received, I promise to pay to the order of Charles Hugo at the Alamo National Bank, in San Antonio, Texas, the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars in Gold, with interest thereon from date until maturity hereof, at the rate of six per cent per annum, and ten per cent per annum after maturity; interest payable annually. This note is given in part purchase of a certain tract or parcel of land situ- ated in Bexar County, Texas, within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, and more particularly described as follows, to-wit: Bounded on the Nortli by Houston Street ; on the East by Alamo Ditch ; on the South by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza, and on the West by Alamo Plaza, and known as the Hugo & Schmeltzer property, this day deeded to me by Charles Hugo, and to secure the payment of this note atcording to the tenor hereof, a Vendor's Lien is retained in said conveyance. All past due interest on this note shall bear interest from maturity thereof until paid at the rate of ten per cent per annum. It is understood and agreed that failure to 'pay this note, or any installment of interest thereon when due shall, at the election of the holder of them or any of tliem, mature all notes this day given by me to Charles Hugo in purchase of said property, and it is hereby specially agreed that if this note is placed in the hands of an Attorney for collection after maturity, or judicial proceedings become necessarj^ to collect same, I agree to pay ten per cent additional on the principal and interest then due as attorney's fees. CLARA DRISCOLL. Across the face thereof is written: "Paid in full Feby 10, 1905. Chas. Hugo." Endorsed on back : "Chas. Hugo — without recourse." Endorsed: Vendor's Lien Note No. 1. Endorsed: Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State this 4 day of Oct. 1905. 0. K. Shannon, Secretary of State. No. 2. $10,000.00. San iVntonio, Texas, February 10th. 1904. On or before two years after date, for value received, I promise to pay to the order of Charles Hugo at the Alamo National Bank, in San Antonio, Texas, the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars in Gold, with interest thereon from —83— date until maturity hereof, at tlie rate of six per cent per aiimiiii, and ten per cent per annum after maturity; interest payable annually. This note is given in part purchase of a certain tract or parcel of land sitiuited in Bexar County, Texas, witlun the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, and more particularly described as follows, towit: Bounded on the North by Houston Street; on the East by Alamo Ditch; on the South by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza, and on the West by Alamo Plaza, and known as the Hugo & Schmcltzer property, tliis day deeded to me by Charles Hugo, and to secure the payment of this note according to the tenor hereof, a Vendor's Lien is retained in said conveyance. All past tine interest on this note shall bear interest from maturity thereof until paid at the rate of ten per cent per annum. It is understood and agreed that failure to pay this note, or any installment of interest thereon when due shall, at the election of the holder of them or any of them, mature all notes this day given by me to Charles Hugo in purchase of said property, and it is hereby specially agreed that if this note is placed in the hands of an Attorney for collection after maturity, or judicial proceedini^s become necessary to collect same, I agree to pay ten per cent additional on the principal and interest then due as attorney's fees. CLARA DRISCOLL. Stamped across signature is the following: "Alamo National Bank, San An- tonio, Tex., Paid, Aug. 30, 1905." On back appears: "Feby 10, 1905 — Interest paid to Feby 10, 1905." "Endorsed : Vendor's Lien Note No. 2." (Endorsed: Filed in the Oftice of the Secretary of State, this 4 day of Oct 1905. Secretary of State.) No. 3. $10,000.00. San Antonio, Texas, February 10th, 1904. On or before three years after date, for value received, I promise to pay to the order of Charles Hugo at the Alamo National Bank in San Antonio, Texas, the sum of Ten Thousand (10,000.00) Dollars in Gold, with interest thereon from date until maturity hereof, at the rate of six per cent per annum, and ten per cent per annum after maturity; interest payable annually. This note is given in part purchase of a certain tract or parcel of land situated in Bexar County, Texas, within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio and more particular^ described as follows, to-wit: Bounded on the North by Houston Street; on the East by Alamo Ditch; on the South by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza: and on the West by Alamo Plaza, and known as the Hugo & Schmeltzer property, this day deed to me by Charles Hu^o, and to secui-e the payment of this note, according to the tenor hereof, a Vendor's Lien is retained in said conveyance. All past due interest on this note shall bear interest from maturity tliereof until paid at the rate of ten per cent per annum. It is understood and agreed that failure to pay this note, or any installment of interest hereon when due shall, at the election of the holder of' them or any of them, mature all notes this day given by me to Charles Hugo in purchase of said property, and it is hereby specially agreed that if this note is placed in the hands of an Attorney for collection after maturity or judicial proceedings become necessary to collect same, I agree to pay ten per "cent additional on the^principal and interest then due as attorney's fees. (Signed) CLARA DRISCOLL. No. 4. $10,000.00. San Antonio, Texas, February 10th, 1904. On or before four years after date, for value received, I promise to pay to the order of Charles Hugo at the Alamo National Bank, in San Antonio. Texas, the sum of Ten Thousand (.$10,000.00) Dollars in Gold, with interest thereon from date until maturity hereof, at the rate of six per cent per annum and ten per cent per annum after maturity; interest payable annually. This note is given in part purchase of a certain tract or parcel of land situated in Bexar County, Texas, within the corporate limits of the Citv of San Antonio and more particularly described as follows, to-wit: ' —84— • Bounded on the North by Houston Street; on the East by Akinio Ditch; on the South by the Akxnio and Ah^nio Plaza ; and on the West by Alamo Plaza, and known as tlie Hugo & Schmeltzer property, this day deeded to me by Charles Hugo, and to secure tlie payment of this note, according to the tenor hereof, a Vendor's Lien is retained in said conveyance. All past due interest on this note shall bear interest from maturity thereof until paid at the rate of ten per cent per annum. It is understood and agreed that failure to pay tliis note, or any installment of interest hereon when due shall, at the election of the holder of them or any of them, mature all notes this day given by me to Charles Hugo in purchase of said property, and it is hereby specially agreed that if this note is placed in the hands of an Attorney for collection after maturity or judicial proceedings become necessary to collect same, I agree to pay ten per cent additional on the principal and interest then due as attorney's fees. CLARA DRISCOLL. Stamped across signature is the following: "Alamo National Bank, San An- tonio, Tex., Paid, Aug. 30, 1905." On back appears : "Pay to the order of Geo. Heuerniann — Chas. Hugo — with- out recourse." Also: Feby. 10, 05. Interest paid to Feby. 10, 1905. ( Endorsed : Vendor's Lien Note No. 4. ) Endorsed : Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State this 4 day of Oct. 1905. Secretary of State. No. 5. $10,000.00. San Antonio, Texas, February 10th, 1904. On or before five years after date, for value received, I promise to pay to the order of Charles Hugo at the Alamo National Bank, in San Antonio, Texas, the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars in Gold, with interest thereon from date until maturity hereof, at the rate of six per cent per annum and ten per cent per annum after maturity ; interest payable annually. This note is given in part purchase of a certain tract or parcel of land situated in Bexar County, Texas, within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, and more particularly described as follows, to-wit: Bounded on the North by Houston Street; on the East by Alamo Ditch; on the South by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza ; and on the West by Alamo Plaza, and known as the Hugo & Schmeltzer property, this day deeded to me by Charles Hugo, and to secure the payment of this note, according the the tenor hereof, a Vendor's Lien is retained in said conveyance. All past due interest on this note shall bear interest from maturity thereof until paid at the rate of ten per cent per annum. It is understood and- agreed that failure to pay this note, or any installment of interest hereon when due shall, at the election of the holder of them or any of them, mature all notes this day given by me to Charles Hugo in purchase of said property, and it is hereby specially agreed that if this note is placed in the hands of an Attorney for collection after maturity or judicial proceedings become necessary to collect same, I agree to pay ten per cent additional on the principal and interest then due as attorney's fees. CLARA DRISCOLL. Stamped across signature is the following: "Alamo National Bank, San An- tonio, Texas., Paid, Aug. 30, 1905." On back appears: "Chas. Hugo — without recourse." Also: "Feby 10, 05. Int. Paid to Feby. 10, 1905." End. : Vendor's Lien Note No. 5. (Endorsed: Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, this 4 day of Oct. 1905. Secretary of State.) — S6— (Copy) QUITCLAIM DEED— CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE DIOCESE OF SAX AN- TONIO, TEXAS, TO CLARA DRISCOLL. THE STATE OF TEXAS. County of Bexar. Know all men by these presents, That the Catholic Church of the Diocese of San Antonio in the State of Texas, acting by and through J. A. Forest, Catholic Bishop of said Diocese, its duly authorized agent and trustee, for and in con- sideration of the sum of One Dollar to it in hand paid by Clara Driscoll, a feme sole, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have released and quit-claimed and by these presents do release and quit-claim unto the said Clara Driscoll the fol- lowing described tract or parcel of land situated in Bexar County. Texas, within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, particvilarly described as follows, to-wit: "Bounded on tlie North by Houston Street; on the East by the Alamo Ditcli; on the South by the "Alamo" and Alamo Plaza and on the West by Alamo Plaza; and being the same property conveyed to Honore CTrenet, now deceased, by An- thony Dominic Pellicer and W. H. Maverick by two several deeds recorded in the Records of Bexar County in Vol. No. 7, page 373, and in Vol. No. 5, pages 538 and 539, and by George H. Kalteyer, Administrator of the Estate of Honore Grenet, deceased, to Hugo & Schmeltzer by deed dated January 23, 1886, and recorded in the records of Bexar County in Vol. 48 on pages 50 to 52, and said tract of land being described as: Beginning at a stake on the West bank of the Alamo Ditch, being the Southeast corner of this tract .and the Northeast corner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas, and being known as the Alamo ; thence North 79 1/3 degrees West 200 feet 2 2/5 inches; thence North 11 degrees 33' East 19152/100 feet; thence South 79 1/10 degrees East 272 22/100 feet; thence with the meanders of said Ditch to tlie place of beginning." To liave and to hold the above described premises unto tire said Clara Driscoll, her heirs and assigns, forever. Witness my hand, this the 26th day of May, 1905. J. A. FOREST. Bishop of San Antonio. (Copy) THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared J. A. Forest, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed and in the capacity therein set forth. Givn under my hand and seal of office, this 27tli dav of Mav, A. D. 1005. GEO. HUNHESS, Notary Public in and for Bexar County, Texas. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. I, Frank R. Newton, County Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing with its certificate of authentication was filed for record in my office on the 1st day of September A. D. 1905 at 10:40 o'clock a. m. and duly recorded on the 8th day of September A. D. 1905 at 5:10 o'clock p. m., in the records of Deeds of said County, in book volume 238, on pages 379-380. In Testimony Whereof, witness my hand and official seal, at office this 8th day of September, A. D. 1905. FRANK R. NEWTON, County Clerk, Bexar Co. Tex. By August E. Huppertz, Deputy. —87— (Copy) QUITCLAIM DEED— CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO CLARA DRISCOLL. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Know all men by these presents that the City of San Antonio, a municipal corporation duly incorjiorated by special act of the Legislature, acting herein, by and througli Bryan Callaghan thereof, inuler authority and by virtue of the pro- visions of an ordinance of the City Council of said City, passed and appi'oved August 14, 1905, does hereby quit claim, release and acquit unto Clara Driscoll of Bexar County, Texas, any and all right title and interest that the City of San Antonio may have or may have had, in and to the following described prop- erty, viz.: All that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Bexar and State of Texas within the corporate limits of the city of San An- tonio, known as the Hugo & Schnicltzer property formerly a part of the old Alamo Mission (and adjoining the Alamo Churcli property now owned by the State) included within the following corrected field notes, viz: Beginning at a stake set in the centre of the old, now abandoned Alamo Ditch, for the South-east corner of this tract and for the North-east corner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas and known as the "Alamo." Thence N. 79 degrees OG' minutes W. along the North boundary line of said "Alamo" tract passing its north-west corner, 202.8/10 feet to a stake set on the East side of Alamo Plaza for the South-west corner of this survey. Thence N. 12 degrees 00 1/2' E. along the east side of said Alamo Plaza 191.6/10 feet to a stake set on the south side of Houston Street for the North-west corner of this survey. Thence along the South side of said Houston Street S. 78 degrees 39' E. 181.7/10 feet and S. 74 degrees 23 1/2' E. 91.1/10 feet to a stake set in the centre of said old abandoned Alamo Ditch for the North-east corner of this survey. Thence along the centre of said old abandoned Alamo Ditch, S. 39 degrees 59 1/2' W. 140 feet and S. 14 degrees 53 1/2' W. 61.1/10 feet to the place of beginning. To have and to hold the same unto said Clara Driscoll, her heirs and assigns forever. In testimony whereof said City of San Antonio has caused these presents to be signed by Bryan Callaghan, Mayor thereof, and. attested by the City Clerk, with the seal of said City hereto affixed, this 14th day of August. A. D. 1905. CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, Attest: By Bryan Callaghan, Mayor. Frank Cassiano, City Clerk. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, on this day personally appeared Bryan Callaghan, Mayor of the City of San' Antonio, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same as Mayor of said City of San Antonio, for and in behalf of said City, for the purposes and con- sideration therein expressed. Given under mv hand and seal of office, this 14th dav of August, A. D. 1005. W. A. WURZBACH, Notary Public, Bexar County, Tex. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. I. Frank R. Newton, County Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument of writing with its certificate of authentication was filed for record in my office on the 1st day of September A. D. 1905. at 10:40 o'clock a. m., and duly recorded on the 8th day of September, A. D. 1905, at 4:45 o'clock p. m. in tlie records of Deeds of said Countv, in book volume 238, on pages 378 379. —88— In Testimony Whereof, witness mv hand and official seal, at office, this 8th day of Sept. A. D. 1905. FRANK R. NEWTON, County Clerk, Bexar Co., Texas. By August E. Huppertz, Deputy. AN ORDINANCE. Disclaiming any title or interest in and to that tract of land known as the "Alamo Tract," to be conveyed to the State of Texas by Clara DriscoU under the provision of an Act of the Legislature, approved January 26, 105, and authorizing the Mayor to execute quit claim deed thereto. Whereas under the provisions of an Act of the Legislature, approved January 26, 1905, the Governor of the State of Texas to (is) authorized to obtain suiiicient conveyance of that certain tract of land in the City of San Antonio, known as the "Hugo & Schmeltzer Property," formerly a part of the old Mis- sion and adjoining the Alamo Church property, now owned by the State. And whereas the Attorney General of the State has requested that the City of San Antonio execute a quit claim deed to said property, in order that the record might affirmatively show that the City of San Antonio asserts no claim or title thereto. And whereas there is nothing of record indicating any claim on the part of said City to said property, and that the use and occupancy thereof by the parties now proposing to convey the same to the State of Texas and their vendors have been sufficient to bar any claim on the part of the City, even if such a claim could at any time have been asserted. And whereas the City desires that the State of Texas acquire the said Alamo property as a sacred memorial to the heroes who immolated themselves upon that hallowed ground ; therefore, Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of San Antonio : Section 1 — That the Honorable Bryan Callaghan, as Mayor of the City of San Antonio, and in the name of said City, be, and he is hereby authorized to execute a quite claim deed to Clara Driscoll (through whom the State of Texas proposes acquiring the same) to that certain tract or parcel of land, lying and being in the County of Bexar and State of Texas, Avithin the cor- porate limits of the City of San Antonio, known as the Hugo & Schmeltzer property, formerly a part of the old Alamo Mission (and adjoining the Alamo Church' property,' now owned by the State), included within the following cor- rected field notes^ viz: Beginning at a stake set in the centre of the old, now abandoned Alamo Ditch, for the south-east corner of this tract and for the North-east corner of the tract heretofore sold to the State of Texas and known as the "Alamo," Thence N. 79.06' W. along the north boundary line of said "Alamo" tract, pass- ing its North-west corner, 202 8/10 feet to a stake set on the East side of Alamo plaza for the South-west corner of this survey. Thence N. 12 OOA E. along the East side of said Alamo plaza 191 6/10 feet to a stake set on the South side of Houston Street for the North-west corner of this survev; Thence along the South side of Houston Street S. 78 39' E. 181 7/10 Feet 'and South 74 23*' E. 91. 1/10 feet to a stake set in the centre of said old abandoned "Alamo Ditch" for the North-east corner of this survey. Thence along the centre of said old abandoned Alamo ditch, S. 39 59A' W. 140 feet and south 14.53*' W. 61 1/10 feet to the place of beginning. Said tract of land being bounded on the North by Houston Street, on the East by Alamo Ditch, on the South by the Alamo Church Property, and Alamo Plaza, and on the West by Alamo Plaza. Section 2 — That the rule requiring this ordinance to be read at three regular meeting of the City Council, be and the same is hereby suspended, and said ordinance under suspension of the rules be read three several times, and finally passed and approved at this meeting of the City Council, and be in force from and after its passage. Passed and approved the 14th day of August, A. D. 1905. BRYAN CALLAGHAN, Attest : Mavor. FRANK CASSICINO, City Clerk. —89— (Copy) Office of the City ClQrk, San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 23, 105. I, Franlv Cassiano, City Clerk of the City of San Antonio, do hereby certify that tlic above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of an ordinance passed and approved by the City Council of the City of San Antonio, on tlie 14th day of August, 1905. Witness my hand and the seal of the City of San Antonio, this the 23rd day of August. 1905. (Signed) FRANK CASSIANO, (Copv) City Clerk. (Copy) RELEASE OF CONDITIONS IN OPTION OF AGREEMENT. THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Bexar. Whereas, by instrument in writing of date March IStli, 1903, signed in trip- licate of which an original copy is hereto attaolied as part hereof, Clara Dris- coll made a proposal for the purchase of the property hereinafter desciibed and referred to, which was accepted and agreed to by us in the following terms: "We accept the foregoing proposition, however, only on condition that said property is to be purchased for the use and benefit of the Daughters of the Republic and to be used bj' them for the purpose of making a park about the Alamo, and we agree to convey said property, to such person or persons as may be designated by the Daughters of the Republic upon compliance of Miss Clara Driscoll of the terms and conditions contained in the foregoing proposition;" and Wliereas, thereafter the said propertj' hereinafter descriljed and referred to, was by Hugo and Sehmeltzer Company, a corporation, conveyed to (has. Hugo by deed dated September 2Gth, 1903, "of record in Book 223, page 200 of the Deed Records of Bexar County, Texas, to which deed and its record reference is made, which deed w^as expressly stated to have Ijeen made subject to the option to purchase said property given by us to Miss Clara Driscoll, on ^larcli 18th, 1903, as alx)ve stated, wiiich said option was in said deed referred to and made a part thereof; and Whereas by deed dated Feby. 10th, 1904, of record in Book 223, page 261 to which reference is hereby made, the said Chas. Hugo conveyed to the said Clara Driscoll the said property hereinafter described and referred to in com- pliance with the said option in favor of the said Clara Driscoll, in which deed there is expressed the following condition: "It is distinctly understood and agreed that this property is puix-hased by Clara Dri?coll for the use and benefit of the Daughters of tlie ilepublic of Texas and is to be used by them for the purpose of making a park about the Alamo and for no other purpose whatever;" and Whereas, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Ix'ing unable to complete said purchase out of their own resources, sought to procure the purchase of said property by the State of Texas, and at the special instance and request of said Society, and of the said Clara Driscoll. the 29th. Legislature of the State of Texas, passed an act autliorizing the Governor of the State of Texas to purchase said property and pay the purchase price therefor, upon receipt of a fee simple title to the satisfaction of the Attorney General ; and Whereas, the Attorney General requires, l)efore he will approve the said title for the purchase by the State of Texas, that the conditions contained and expressed in said option agreement, of whicli an original copy is hereto at- tached, and in said deeds from the Hugo and Schmelt/er Company to Charles Hugo, and of Charles Hugo to Clara Driscoll. shall be by us released and can- celled, and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Miss Driscoll have requested the release by us of the said conditions: Now, therefore, Know All ilen by These Presents, that for and in considera- tion of the premises, and in consideration of the purchase by the State of Texas from Sliss Clara Driscoll of the property hereinafter further described, and for the sum of $1.00 cash to us in hand paid, by the said Clara Driscoll, we Charles Hugo and Gustav Sehmeltzer and George Heuermann and Lina —90— Heiiermann, in our capacity as independent executors of the estate of William Heuerniann deceased, do hereby release, relinquish, and assign to the said Clara DriscoU her heirs and assigns, all and singular that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situate in the county of Bexar, State of Texas, and within the corporate limits of the City of San Antonio, bounded on the North l)y Houston Street, on the East by the Alamo ditch, on the South by the Alamo and Alamo Plaza, and on the West by the Alamo Plaza, being the same property described in said option, a copy ^. ^A >^~>^^y^ f(S PART TWO. THE ALAMO IN 1846. The foIlowiJ3g extract is taken from the memoirs of George W. Hughes, 'Captain corps topographical engineers, and chief of topographical staff, wiih division of tlie United States army under the command of Brigadier ■General John E. Wool in his march from San Antonio, Texas, to Saltillo, Mexico, in the war hetween the United States in 1846. In descrihing the buildings and environments of the iVlamo, in Senate document No. 32, First Session of the Thirty-first Congress, pages 10 and 11, he says: "The buildings belonging to the government in the town might be conveni- ently converted into hospitals and barracks for a considerable force. The Alamo, on the left bank of the river, if placed in a suitable state of repair, would ac- commodate a regiment, and miglit at the same time be rendered a strong de- fensive work, well supplied with water. As a frontier post, it may be regarded as one of some importance. About one mile east of the Alamo is a strong tower, twenty-one feet square at base, thirty feet high, sixteen feet square at top, three stories high, with a look-out on top. It is built of stone, the walls three feet thick, with three loop-holes •on each side. It is not arched. The entrance is from the east. Within a short distance of it stands another building, eighteen feet square at base, twelve feet high and with a groined arch: the walls are three feet thick — the entrance from the west: it was obviously a magazine. The two buildings are defended on the southeast angle by a bastion with two long curtains enclosing the buildings on two sides. The advance works are of earth, and consist of a deep ditch and parapet. Between these works and the building was a well, now partially closed with rubbish. Most of the land in the vicinity of San Antonio was formerly, and much of it still is, irrigated from the river and the San Pedro. It may, however, well be questioned whether this operation is not injurious rather than bene- ficial to the lands: for the soil being calcareous, and the water being nearly saturated with the same substance too much carbonate of lime must, in the course of years, be deposited in the fields. The remedy for tlii.; excess may be found in deep ploughing, following in the rotation of crops. The country bears evidence of having been at one period in a high state of cultivation and fer- fertility, supporting a large and concentrated population, who in time of danger sought refuge in the town and in the missions of the Alamo, Conception, San Juan Espada, and San Jose monastic fortresses, whose stately and melancholy ruins attest their fromer magnificence and grandeur. It is stated, on the authority of the surveyor of Bexar county that within the limits of our map nearly two thousand acres of land are now in corn, yield- ing on an average about thirty bushels to the acre — sixty thousand bushels ; but this is probably an over estimate. Corn usually sells at 50 cents per bushel; it is now bring $1.25, or rather more. For a great distance around San Antonio the grazing is excellent, and herds of cattle abundant. In ordinary times a good, well-broken ox is worth $25; for beef about $9; or a cow and cilf, about $1.3: at present the prices are much higher. The cattle are of the old Spanish breed — th,e oxen large, with immense horns; rapid walkers, and strong. They are fed exclusively on herbage and fodder: they keep easily, and make good beef. The cows arc bad milkers, but might be easily improved by a cross on the Durham or Devon. The county of Bexar contains about four thousand inhabitants, iiududing Cas- troville. Its territorial limits extend to the Rio Grande. I- TV J? Zff Jo AO SO ■ I ■! /Vsnoffhe /^(////SOfm£/iL4/iO See Senate Document No. 32, Thirty-firU Congress. This shows accurately the ground plans of the Alamo, including the chapel, main buildings and the walls inclosmg the inner and "outer" or yards. —115— According to tlic authority before mentioned, there are this year nearly eight hundi'ed acres of corn growino- on the Lenna creek averaging about thirty-tive busluls per acre — twenty-eiglit tliousand busliels. While the lands are rich in this region, the demand heretofore for agricultural productions has been so limited that there has been but little inducement to grow more grain than would suffice for the wants of the permanent population. The San Antonio river has its source in a large spring, five miles north of the town, and, as far as our map extends, flows nearly due south. It becomes almost at once, in gushing from the rocks, a noble river, clear, full, and rapid in its course. For the first ten miles it rarely exceeds one hundred feet in widtli, and from three to six feet in depth. The principal fords below the infantry camp are at the town of San Antonio and at a short distance below tlu' mission of Conce])tion. The former is good and practicable for artillery: the latter is not so good, the water being not less than four feet deep with a very rapid current. There are, however, many points where fords might be made accessible by cutting down tlie banks. The river in its upper waters varies but little in its level, and is not greatly affected by the heaviest rains. At San Antonio there is a trestle-bridge over tlie river, near the Alamo, recently repaired, or rather rebuilt, by tlie quartermaster's department, for military purposes." -116- WHERE TRAVIS, CROCKETT AND BOWIE FELL. I'he following statement by Francis Antonio Euiz, who was the alcalde of San Antonio at the time of the siege and fall of the Alamo, is the best account extant as to where in the fort Travis, Crockett and Bowie fell. •STATEMENT OF ANTONIO RUIZ, ALCALDE OF SAN ANTONIO. "On the 6th of March (1836) at 3 a. m., C4eneral Santa Anna at the head of 4000 men advanced against the Alamo. The infantry, artillery and cavalry had formed about 1000 varas from the walls of the said fortress. The Mexican army charged and were twice repulsed by the deadly Are of Travis' artillery which resembled a constant thunder. At the third chai'ge the Toluca battalion com- menced to scale the walls and suffered severely. Out of 830 men only 130 were left alive." "When the Mexican army entered the walls, I with the political chief (Gefe politic) Don Ramon Musquiz and other members of the corporation, accompa- nied by the curate, Don Refugio de la Garza, who by Santa Anna's orders, had assembled during the night at a temporary fortification on Protero Street, with the object of attending the wounded, etc. As soon as the storming commenced we crossed the bridge on Commerce street, with this object in view and about 100 yards from the same a party of Mexican dragoons fired upon us and com- pelled us to fall back on the river and the place we occupied before. Half an hour had elapsed when Santa Anna sent one of his aide de camps with an order for us to come before him. He directed me to call on some of the neighbors to come with carts to carry the (Mexican) dead to the cemetery and to ac- company him as he was desirous to have Col. Travis, Bowie and Crockett shown to him." "On the north battery of the fortress convent, lay the lifeless body of Col. Travis on the giui carriage shot only through the forehead. Towards the Avest, and in a small fort opposite the city, we found the body of Col. Crockett. Col. Bowie was found dead in his bed in one of the rooms on the south side." "Santa Anna, after all the Mexican bodies had been taken out, ordered wood to be brought to burn the bodies of the Texans. He sent a company of dragoons with me to bring wood and dry branches from the neighboring forests. About three o'clock in the afternoon of March 6, we laid the wood and dry branches npon which a pile of dead bodies were placed, more wood was piled on them and another pile of bodies was brought and in this manner they were all arranged in layers. Kindling wood was distributed through the pile and about 5 o'clock in the evening it was lighted." "The dead INIexicans of Santa Anna were taken to the grave yard, but not having sufficient room for them, I ordered some to be thrown in the river, which was done on the same day." "The gallantry of the few Texans, who defended the Alamo was really won- dered at by the Mexican army. Even the generals were astonished at their vigorous resistance and how dearly victory was bought." "The generals, who under Santa Anna participated in the storming of the Alamo were Juan Amador, Castrillinn, Remirez, Sesma and Andrade." "The men (Texans) burnt were one hundred and eighty-two. I was an eye witness for as Alcalde of San Antonio, I, was with some of the neighbors, col- lecting the dead bodies and placing them on the funerav pvre." (Signed) FRANCIS ANTONIO RUIZ. -118- THE TEXANS CAPTURE THE ALAMO IN 1835. Col. F. W. Johnson, commanding the Texas, made the following report of the capture of the Alamo, and General Cos, in December, 1835, when "Old" Ben Milam captured the town and lost his life : COL. FRANK JOHNSON'S OFFICIAL REPORT ON THE STORMING OF BEXAR IN DECEMBER, 1835. "Sir: I have the honor to acquaint you, that on the morning of the 5th inst., the volunteers for storming the city of Bexar, possessed hy the troops of General Cos, entered the suburbs in two divisions, under the command of Colonel Ben. R. Milam. Tlie first division inider his immediate command, aided by Colonels Grant and Austin, and Adjutant Brister. "The first division, consisting of the companies of Captains York, Patton, Lewellyn, Crane, English, and Landrum, with two pieces and fifteen artillery- men, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Franks, took possession of the house of Don Antonio de La Garza. The second division, composed of the companies of Captains Cooke, Swisher, Edwards, Alley, Duncan, Peacock, Breeze and Placido Benevides, took possession of the house of Veramendi. The last division was exposed for a short time to a very heavy fire of grape and musketry from the whole of the enemy's line of fortifications, until the guns of the first division opened their fire, when the enemy's attention was directed to both divisions. At seven o'clock, a heavy cannonading from the town was seconded by a well directed fire from the Alamo, which for a time prevented the possibility of covering our lines, or eff'ecting a safe communication between the two divisions. In consequence of the twelve pounder having been dismounted, and the want of proper cover for the other gun. little execution was done by our artillery, during the day. We were, therefore, reduced to a close and svoll directed fire from our rifles, which notwithstanding the advantageous position of the enemy, obliged them to slacken their fire, and several times to abandon their artillery, within the range of our shot. Our loss during this day was one private killed, one colonel and one first lieutenant severely wounded; one colonel slightly, three privates dangerously, six severely and three slightly wounded. During the whole of the night, the two divisions were occupied in strengthening their posi- tions, opening trenches, and efl'ecting a safe communication, although exposed to a heavy cross fire from the enemy, which slackened towards morning. I may remark that the want of proper tools rendered this undertaking doubly arduous. At daylight of the Gth. the enemy were observed to have occupied the tops of houses in our front, where, luider the cover of breastworks, they opened through loop-holes, a very brisk fire of small arms on our whole line, followed by a steady cannonading from the town in front and the Alamo on the left flank, with few interruptions during the day. A detachment of Captain Crane's com- pany, under Lieutenant W. McDonald, followed by others, gallantly possessed themselves, under a severe fire, of the house to the right and in advance of the first division, which considerably extended our line ; while the rest of the army was occupied in returning the enemy's fire ' and strengthening our trenches, which enabled our artillery to do some execution and complete a safe communica- tion from right to left. "Our loss this day amounted to three privates severely wounded and two slightly. During the night the fire from the enemy was inconsiderable, and our people were occupied in making and filling sand bags, and otherwise strength- ening our lines. At daylight on the 7th, it was discovered that the enemy had, during the night previous, opened a trench on the Alamo side of the river, and on the left fiank. as well as strengthening their battery oi^ the cross street leading to the Alamo. From the first they opened a brisk fire of small arms, from the last a heavy cannonade, as well as small arms, which was kept up until 11 o'clock, Avhen they were silenced by our superior fire. About 12 o'clock, Henry W. Karnes, of Captain York's company, exposed to a heavy fire from —119— the enemy, f>allantly advanced to a liouse in front of the first division, and with a crowbar forced an entrance, into whicli the wliole of the company immediately followed him and made a secure lodgment. In the evening, the enemy renewed a heavy fire from all the positions which could bear upon us; and at half-past three o'clock, as our gallant commander, Colonel Milam, was passing into the yard of my position, he received a rifle sliot in the head, which caused his instant death, an irreparable loss at so critical a moment. Our casualties other- wise during this day were only two men slightly wounded. "At a meeting of the oflicers at 7 o'clock, I was invested with the chief com- mand, with Major Robert C. Morris (late captain of the New Orleans Grays) as second. At 10 p. m. Captains Lewellyn. English, Crane and Landrum with- their respective companies, forced their way into and took possession of the liouse of Don Jose Antonio Navarro, an advanced and important position, close to the square. The fire of the enemy was interrupted and slack during the whole night, and the weather exceedingly cold and wet. "The morning of the 8th continued cold and wet, with but little firing on either side. At 9 o'clock the same companies who took possession of Don Jose Antonio Navarro's house, aided by a detachment of the Grays, advanced and occupied the Zambrano Row, leading to the square, without any accident. The brave conduct on this occasion of William Graham, of Cook's company of Grays, merits mention. "A heavy fire of artillery and small arms was opened on this position by the enemy, who disputed every inch of ground, and who, after sufi"ering a severe loss in officers and men, were forced to retire from room to room, until at last they evacuated the whole house. "During this time our men were reinforced by a detachment from York's companj', under command of Lieutenant Gill. "The cannonading from the camp was exceedingly heavy from all quarters during the day, but did no essential damage. "Our loss consisted of one captain seriously wounded, and two privates severely. At 7 o'clock p. m., the party in Zambrano's Row were reinforced by Captains Swisher, Alley, Edwards and Duncan and their respective companies. "This evening we had undoubted information' of the arrival of a strong reinforcement to the enemy, under Colonel Ugartechea. At half-past ten o'clock p. m. Captains Cook and Patton, with a- company of Brazoria volunteers, forced their way into the jjriest's house in the sqviare, although exposed to the fire of a battery of three guns and a large body of musketeers. "Before this, however, the division was reinforced from the reserve by Cap- tains Cheshire, Lewis and Sutherland, with their companies. "Immediately after we got possession of the priest's house the enemy opened a furious cannonade from all their batteries, accompanied by incessant volleys of small arms against every house in our possession, and every part of our lines, which continued unceasingly initil half past six o'clock a. m. of the 9th, when they sent a flag of truce, with an intimation that they desired to capitulate. Commissioners were immediately named by both parties, and herewith I send you a copy of the terms agreed upon. "Our loss in this night's attack consisted of one man only (Belden of the Grays) dangerously wounded while in the act of spiking a cannon. "To attempt to give you a faint idea of the intrepid conduct of the gallant citizens who formed the division under my command during the whole period of the attack would be a task of no common nature, and far above the power of my pen. All behaved with the bravery peculiar to fi-eemen. and with a decision becoming the sacred cause of liberty. "To signalize every individual act of gallantry, where no individual was foruid wanting to himself or to his country, would be a useless and endless effort. Every man has merited my warmest approbation, and deserves his country's gratitude. "The memory of Colonel Ben R. ^lilam. the leader of this daring and success- ful attack, deserves to I)e cherished by every patriotic liosom in Texas. "I feel indebted to the able nssiitance of Colonel Grant (severely wounded the first day), Colonel W. T. Austin, [Majors S. IMorris and Moore, Adjutant Brister, Lieutenant Colonel Franks of the artillery, and every captain (names already given) who entered with either division, from the morning of the 5th until the day of capitulation. —120— "Drs. Levy and Pollard also deserve my warmest praise for their unremitted attention and assiduity. '■Dr. John Cameron's conduct during the siege and treaty of capitulation merits particular mention. The guides, Messrs. Erastus Smith,' Kendrick Arnold and John W. Smith, performed important services, and I can not conclude with- out expressing my thanks to the reserve under your command for such assist- ance as could be afforded me during our most critical movements. "The period put to our present war by the fall of San Antonio de Bexar will, I trust, be attended with all the happy results to Texas which her warmest friends could desire. "I have the honor to subscribe myself, "Your most obedient servant, "F. W. JOHNSON, "Commanding." -121- LIST OF THE HEROES OF THE ALAMO. Attaehod is a li.-t of the men wlio wore massacred in the Alamo: Name and Rank. Where From. W. Barrett Travis, Lieutenant Colonel, commanding Tennessee. James Bowie, Lieutenant Colonel, commanding. J. Washington, Colonel Tennessee. J. B. Bonham, Captain ; South Carolina. Forsyth, Captain New York. ■ Harrison, Captain Tennessee. W. Blazely, Captain Louisiana. W. C. M." Baker, Captain Mississippi. W. R. Carey, Captain Texas. S. B. Evans, Captain Mississippi. S. C. Blair, Captain Texas. Gilmore, Captain Tennessee. John Jones, Lieutenant. Almaron Dickinson, Lieutenant Louisiana. I. G. Baugh, Adjutant Chas. Despalier, Aide to Travis • Robert Evans, Master of Ordnance Ireland. Elial Melton, Lieuten.ant Quartermaster ■ '■ ■ Anderson, Assistant Quartermaster Burnell, Assistant Quartermaster Williamson, Sergeant Major D. Michi?on, Surgeon ■ Amos Pollard, Surgeon ■ Tliompson, Surgeon Greene B. Jemison, Ensign. David Crockett, Private . Tennessee. E. Nelson, Private South Carolina. Nelson, Private Texas. W. H. Smith, Private Texas. Lewis Johnson, Private Texas. E. T. Mitchell, Private Georgia. F. Desangue, Private Pennsylvania. Thurston, Private Kentucky. Moore, Private Christopher Parker, Private Mississippi. C. Hiiskell, Private — Rose, Private Texas. John Blair, Private Kiddeson, Private. Wells, Private Tennessee. Wm. Cumming, Private Pennsylvania. Valentine, Private Cochran, Private R. W. Bnllantine, Private S. Halloway, Private Isaac White, Private •. Dav, Private Robert INfuselmah. Private New Orleans. Robert Cropsman. Private Richard Starr. Private England. I. G. Garrett. Private New Orleans. Robert B. ^loore. Private Richard Dimkin, Private England. ■\Vra. Linn, Private Alassachusetts. —123— Name and Eank. Where From. — Hutchinson, Private '. )Vm. Johnson, Private Pennsylvania. E. Nelson, Private Geo. Tumlinson, Private — Wm. Deardoff, Private Daniel Bourne, Private England. — — Ingram, Private England. W. T. Lewis, Private Wales. Charles Zanco, Private Denmark. Jas. L. Ewing, Private Eobert Cunningham, Private . S. Burns, Private ■ Ireland. George Neggin, Private South Carolina. • Robinson, Private Scotland. Harris, Private Kentucky. John Flanders, Private . Isaac Ryan, Private Opelousas, La. David Wilson, Private Texas. John M. Hays, Private Tennessee. ' Stuart, Private ... W. K. Simpson, Private . W. D. Sutherland, Private Texas. D. W. Howell, Private -. .New Orleans. Buttle, Private New Orleans. Chas. Smith, Private. McGregor, Private Scotland. — Eusk, Private. Hawkins, Private Ireland. Samuel Holloway, Private Brown, Private T. Jackson, Private Ireland. Micaj Autrey, Private . . Gregorio Esparza, Private San Antonio. John, Clerk to Desangue. George C. Kimbrell, Lieutenant . . Gonzales. James Geoi'ge, Sergeant Gonzales. Dolphin Ward, Private Gonzales. Thos. Jackson, Private Gonzales. Geo. W. Cottle, Private Gonzales. Andrew Kent, Private Gonzales. Thos. E. Miller, Private Gonzales. Isaac Baker, Private Gonzales. Wm. King, Private . . .• Gonzales. Jessie McKoy, Private Gonzales. Claiborne Wright, Private Gonzales. W. Fishback, Private Gonzales. Isaac Milsap, Private Gonzales. Albert Martin, Private Gonzales. Galba Fuqua, Private Gonzales. John Davis, Private Gonzale.«. E. A. M. Thomas, Private Gonzales. Wni. Fuhbaigh, Private Gonzales. John G. King, Private / Gonzales. Jacob Durst, Private Gonzales. M. L. Sewell, Private Gonzales. Eobert White, Private Gonzales. A. Devault. Private Gonzales. John Harris, Private Gonzales. David Kent, Private Gonzales. W. E. Summers, Private ' ... Gonzales. -123— A DESCRIPTION OF MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO (ALAMO, 1762). The following is a desoription. of tlie Alamo in 1763. It was founded and was then known as tlu> Mission San Antonio de Valero. This description is from "Doeuniontos para la TTistoria de la Provincia de Texas"' (:\IS), folios 163-16: : Tn tliis jn'ovince are some beautiful springs. So great is the volume of water wliich they send forth, that within a short distance a river o' a considerable size is formed. This stream, called the San Antonio^ runs from nortli to south. West of it, and one league below the springs, stand the town of San Fernando and the presidio of San Antonio. Across the river on its eastern bank and about two gunsliots from the presidio is the mission of San Antonio de Valero. This mission was founded on the first of May, 1718, by order of the most excel- lent Marquis of Valero. It was tlie first college of the Holy Cross, in its zeal for the salvation of the natives, planted in the "province of Texas. The records show that since its fovmdation seventeen hundred and ninety-two persons have been baptized. At present there are seventy-six families here, which, counting Avidows and widowers, orphans and other children, comprise two hundred and seventy-five persons. The settlement contains a convent fifty yards square, with arcades above and below. In the convent are the living rooms of the religious, the porter's lodge, the dining room, the kitchen and the offices. All these rooms are adorned with sacred ornaments and furnished with such articles as are needed by the religious for their own use and for supplying the Indians. In the second court is a room large enough for four looms. Upon these looms are made coarse clotlis, embroidered cotton shawls, blankets and other common fabrics of wool and cotton needed to supply and properly clothe the Indians. Adjoining this room are two others, in which they keep the stock of wool, cotton, combs, skeins, spindles, cards and other things used by the Indians in making their clothing. The church of this mission was finished, even to the towers and sacristy, but, on account of the stupidity of the builder, it tumbled down. Another, however, of pleasing architecture, is being constructed of hewn stones. For the present a rf;om whieli was built for a granary serves as a church. In it are an altar with wooden table and steps, a niche containing a sculptured image of St. An- thony, an image of Christ crucified, and another of St. Jolm. All of these are dressed in robes, undei'garments and silken vestments. A big room is used as the sacristy. In it are kept the large boxes that con- tain the ornaments. Among these are three covered chalices, two large cups, four communion vessels, a silken case for the cross, a vessel and sprinkler for holy water, two candlesticks, an incense boat and spoon, a censei and three holy oil vials. All of these are of silver. The mission has a well-built stone chapel eleven yards long. Among its orna- ments is a stone cross two yards high and capped with silver In the cross are hidden four reliquaries, each containing its own relic. The altar is -tilorned with carved and painted images. There are seven rows of houses for the dwellings of the Indians. They are made of stone and supplied with doors and windows. They are furnished with high beds, chests, metates, pots, flat earthen pans, kettles, cauldrons and l>oilers. With their arched porticoes the hou^•es form a broad and beautiful plaza through which runs a canal skirted by willows and fruit trees, and used by tlie Indians. To insure a supply of water in case of blockade by the enemy, a curbed well has been made. For the defense of the settlement the plaza is surrounded by a wall. Over the gate is a large tower with its embrasures, three cannons, some firearms and apjjroijriato supplies. For cultivating tlie fields of corn, chile and beans that are tilled to feed the —124— Indians, and of cotton to clothe them, there are fifty pairs of cart oxen, thirty of which are driven in yoke. There are also traces, plows, plowshares, fifty axes, forty pickaxes, twenty-two crowbars and twenty-five sickles. For haul- ing stone, wood and other things there are twelve carts. For carpentering they have the ordinary tools, such as adzes, chisels, planes, picks, hammers, saws and plummets. For use in repairing their implements they have an anvil, tongs, a screw, mallets, hammers, files and other things connected with a forge. In the large room where the grain is kept there are at present about eighteen hundred bushels of corn and some beans. These supplies are to feed tlie Indians. The mission owns a ranch, upon which is a stone house about twenty-five yards long. It has an arched portico and is divided into three rooms. These are occupied by the families that care for the stock, which consists of one hundred and fifteen gentle horses, one thousand one hundred and fifteen head of cattle, two thousand three hundred sheep and goats, two hundred mares, fifteen jennies and eighteen saddle mules. The mission and the ranch have the necessary corrals. For the irrigation of the fields there is a fine main aqueduct. —125— THE MISSIONS AND SAN ANTONIO RIVER. (The following document was sent to me in January of this year by Hon. Francisco I. Madero, President of Mexico. — 0. B. C.) GENERAL AND PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF THE NATION MEXICO. Data from the General and Public Archives of the Nation Relative to the ^Mission San Antonio de A^alero. In an expediente contained in the testimony of August 3, 1731. relative to the writs executed in regard to the grant and possession of the -troam of water in San Antonio which was asked for by the island families, and the opposition made by the reverend father president of the missions of Santa Cruz of Quere- taro, before Captain Don Juan Antonio Perez de Almazan. Juan Leal Goras, in tlie name of sixteen families who went to settle the province of Texas ai d presidio of San Antonio by order of Viceroy Marques de Casafuerto, presented a writing before Don Juan Antonio Perez de Almazan, captain of the presidio of San Antonio de Bejar, say that according to warrant, there we>-e orders that they be given possession of the arable lands, of the two streams of water nami-d, respectively, the Creek and the River of San Antonio, and in virtue thereof he prays that they be given possession and attestation. The said v/riting being admitted, order was given to notify the very Reverend Father Brcther Gabriel de Vergara, of the regular observance of San Francisco, apostolic preacher, vice president of the missions and president of the new reductions of the River of San Antonio in the said province; because it was he to whom appr'rtained the right of said missions, especially to the stream of water of San Antonio, as also because the said captain was aware that there were founded and situated on the banks of the aforesaid river (San Antonio) four missions of the Holy College of La Cruz of Queretaro, and one named San Jose of the College Guad-ilupe of Zacatecas, all within a distance of four leagues, more or less, tlie fir^t beginning with that of San Antonio de Valero, which has in operation i^^s main irrigation ditch and its arable land; next in order comes that of La Puvisinia Concepcion of Acuna, which has under construction its main irrigation ditch and laterals; next, that of San Jose, which has in operation its main irrigation ditch and its arable land; in addition to these three (going down the aforesaid river) that of San Francisco de la Espada and that of San Juan Capistrano, which are the last, and in which work is being done on the laterals and main irrigation ditch leading from the aforesaid river of San Antonio; wherefore ho should be noti- fied that he might represent the right of the said missions wLicli appertaired to him. The writing (he cites) which was presented in the name of the Ncophytea and Catechumen Indians, of newly founded missions, La Purisima Concepcion of Acuna, San Juan Capistrano, San Francisco de la Espada, as also of the Indians of the four missions, stated that inasmuch as the most exceJIent viceioy, the Marques de Casafuerte, had for reasons which were examined nnd approved as just in the superior government of the missions which had been founded, at the expense of the royal treasury, among the Texas, to be re-establish.ed on the river San Marcos, which site, after investigations of the Governor of the prov- ince of Don Melchor de Medinilla y Azcona and of others, religious, having been found morally impossible, a new petition was presented, including his advice and that of the reverend father who then was guardian of the College of La Santa Cruz of Queretaro, tliat his excellency should order the issuance of a dispatch to the end that the said missions should be situated and re-established on the banks of the said river San Antonio, a site appropriate according to the laws and royal ccdulas looking to the foundations that by advice of the assessor, this petition was approved, and orders were given for tlie issuaiice of a dispatch for the foundation of the three missions on the river San Antonir., on October 2, 1730, in virtue of which the said re-establishment was successfully effected, —126— the pueblos being formed for the church's sake and the king's service, wherefore the said president in fulfillment of his obligation and in order that the newly established missions, as well as that of San Antonio de Valero, may have due strength and perpetual stability, and in virtue of the provision of the royal law (New Recopilacion, Volume 2, Book 6, Title 3, concerning the reductions, law 8, folio 199) that the sites upon which are to be founded pueblos and reductions shall have water supply, lands and woodland, and common of one leagues extent in every direction, where the Indians may have their live stock, which is the law of Philip II, of December 10, 15G3, confirmed by Philip III, on October 10, 1618, with relation to which Philip V issued the royal cedula of September 15, 1713, in which he orders that the said law be observed as soon as the pueblos are formed, in conformity to the said royal cedula last cited prays in behalf of the justices and pueblos of the said reductions that order be issued to give them possession of what is conceded to them by tliese royal ordinances, in order that in future they may conserve their rights and property. That in so much as concerns the mission of San Antonio de Valero, notwithstanding its being anterior to the new missions above noted in its foundation, it is today without a judicial instrument of possession of what which by law belongs to it as to a new reduction Ijecause the said instrument has been lost; wherefore in behalf of the said pueblo and active conversion of San Antonio de Valero, he prays for orders to do the same in the case of that mission as in the case of the other three, measuring their lands for them, giving them the water which by law is their right, and the possession and instrument pertaining thereto; as also in fulfillment of other requirements that no stock farms or cattle ranches be sit- uated within a distance of three leagues from the boundaries of the said mis- sions, and those of sheep and goats within the distance of one and one-half leagues, that provisions to this effect may be inserted in the instrument of pos- session. Also that as the two missions of San Antonio and Conci.pcion de Acuna are side by side, within a short distance of each other, he pi-ays tliat since on account of the said contiguity they can not be assigned in all direc- tions that is required by the law, they be assigited and given the same in the direction or directions which lie open; which shall also be done for others simi- larly situated, etc., a writing was executed on June 2, 1731, by the said Captain Don Juan Antonio, ordering that they be protected, as in the name of his majesty he protects and confirms them in the real and personal possessions which they hold in the missions named in the above cited writing in virtue of the possessions which by order of the Marques de Casafuerte were given them on March of the said year, of which they should not be dispossPsstd; provided, that said possession and protection refer to the quantity of Innd and water which his majesty has specified in his royal cedulas, it being dif.tinctly under- stood that the said missions are new conversions in reference to the privilege to which for this reason they are entitled. In continuation, the said captain executed a writ on July 27, 1731, that testimony should be taken and remitted to the viceroy in regard to the fact that the five missions were founded and three of them having taken the water which they are soliciting, and that the question is pending whether there shall be in the said river more tlian the five main irrigation ditches for the five missions, wherefore the di-^tribution of the waters of the river San Antonio to the island families who had solicited there- for, should be suspended until it should be determined what was expedient. The testimony being received, it was ordered by decree of October 22, 1731, following an opinion of the 21st of the same October, that report be made re- garding the division between the Indians and Spaniards and for tlie assignments as well to these as to the missions. The report of December 10, 1731, advises that in order that the m.issions have no lack of water or lands, not the Canary families and citizens those which are necessary, it be ordered that benefit, the Indian jnieblos not lacking whit is necessary nor the Spaniards going without. Opinion of December 15 of the said year: That the assignment be made pro- portionately, and in case the waters of the two streams should not be sufficient for continuous use by the missions, families and first settlers, the law must be observed in assigning them by turns. Decree of the IGth of the same: That the appropriate dispatch be sent to the Governor of Texas, keeping in view the assignment which hi^ has made, the map which he remitted^ and precedents, etc. —127— In continuation of tlie sajd expediente, the copy of writs and documents in regard to the subcolonization of tlio villa of San Fernando with fifteen families of the Canary Islands, assignments of building sites, commons, arable lands, foundation of municipal estates, etc., by the captain of tlie Presidio of San An- tonio de Bejar, Don Juan Antonio Perez de Alamazan, following a despatch of the Marqvies de Casafuerte, of November 28, 1730. The despatch above mentioned orders the Governor to survej^ as soon as the families arrive, the tract which is on the west side of the Presidio, on which is a slight elevation which has a table- land capable of receiving a settlement, with i)ure air, and waters issuing from two springs in a low ridge, situated at a short distance to the northwest, of wliich are formed the River San Antonio on the east side, and on the west the little river called the Creek, the two uniting to the south before joining the River ^ledina at a distance of eiglit or nine leagues from their liead ; and in the space intervening between the one river and the other is erected the Presidio, to the east the mission of San Antonio, and to the west that of San Jose. He is likewise ordered to proceed, after surveying the tableland, to measure the land, mark out streets, etc., while the church is in process of formation — a despatcli which was obeyed on March 9, 1731. The said Governor suspended the measurement, or computation, of the lands, and in order to facilitate the sowings, he assigned lots or patches to the families, work being done up to the month of July on all the plan of the settlement and building sites, as also of the commons, in which is noted toward the northwest the River San Antonio, which serves as the division line between this settlement and of San Fernando and the missions, and especially the mission of San Antonio, which is separated from the Presidio only by the river. Next is the measurement of the commons for the said settlement, distinguishing between the lands intended for pastures and for municipal estates, following the assignment of lands and water to the families and the respective possession, the above mentioned proceedings closing on July 18, 1731. There follows another body of testimony upon the assignment of the said waters in 1732, which was opposed by the president of the missions, in which proceedings the judge executed a writ that account be given with these documents, to the end that he might determine whether from the River San Antonio, the creek being separated, water should be given and assigned to the new settlers of the villa of San Fernando, since if the waters of the creek and river are united the distri- bution cannot be made, because the arable lands of the villa are above, and the mission of San Antonio de Valero on the opposite side of the river. And by des- patch of May 12, 1733, following a decree and opinion bearing thereupon, orders were given the Governor prescribing the form in which the assignment of the said waters should be mode. Finally, the report of the Conde de Revillagigedo of December 27, 1793, with regard to the missions of the province of Texas, refers, in the report bearino- there- upon, to the first mission of San Antonio Valero erected in 1716, with the aid fif Indians of the Sanes, Payaes and Vanos nations, by religious of the colleges of Santa Cruz of Qneretaro and .Guadalu])e of Zacatecas, who established six missions. That of Concepcion, San Juan Capistrano and San Francisco de la Espada were transferred to the sites which they occupy, adjacent to the capital villa of the province, and the other tliree were extinguished in the year 1774, as was determined by Article 22 of the instructions inserted in the Royal Regulation for Presidios which was ordered promulgated under date of September 10, 1772. Afterwards the eight missions of the province of Texas, San Antonio Valero, la Coneei)cion, San Jose de Aguayo, San Jiuin Capistrano. San Francisco de la Espada, Espiritu Santo, El Rosario and El Refugio, at the end of 104 years after the discovery and occupation of that province, almost depopulated, the five mis- sions established upon the slopes of the River of San Antonio de Bejar having been opulent. They still conserve their buildings and the ancient riches of their temples, but the value of their fields has sunk rapidly to the lowest point on account of the assaults of the Indians, the number of the missions being reduced to four through the secularization of that of San Antonio Valero. The consolidation of all the establishments of Texas, in their caj)ital villa of San Fernando having been proposed by the Caballero de Croix in the year 1781, Don Domingo Cabello, former Governor of Texas, volunteered to effect the indicated consolidation, proposing that the Presidio of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, and —128— the two missions, San Juan Capistrano and San Francisco de Espada be destroyed, that the mission of San Antonio de Valero be the center of the new capital, and that the mission of San Jose remain in its site; which was not carried into effect, 'etc. In a special narrative of each one of the jurisdictions of the province of Texas, or New Philippines, and the nations of Indians who inhabit them, of September 23, 13, 1778, there is a statement regarding the first jurisdiction, which is that of the Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar, under whose protection was founded without boundary or limits the villa of San Fernando in the year 1730, the Marques de Casafuerte being viceroy. That the said villa, as also the missions of San Antonio Valero, La Purisima Concepcion, San Jose de Aguayo, San Juan Capistrano and San Francisco de Espada are situated near and on the banks of the River San Antonio, which is full-flooded and its waters very wholesome and easily drawn into the lands upon which are established the villas and missions. —129- THE CENTER OF OPERATIONS. The Hand))ook of American Iiidiinis, issued by the Bureau of Ameri- can Ethnology, gives the following interesting aeeoimt of the establish- ment of the Alamo and of its use as Ihe center of operations of the monks between the I?io Grande aiid East Texas : HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO ("ALAMO"). A mission, commonly known as the Alamo ( Ah'-lah-mo) . transplanted in 1718 from the Rio Grande to the site of the present city of San Antonio, Texas. It, together with the adjacent presidio and villa, was founded as an intermediate center of operations between" the Rio Grande and the East Texas missions, which had been re-established in 1716. The missionary part of the enterprise was planned and directed by Fray Antonio de San Buenaventura de Olivares. In 1700 lie had founded San Francisco Solano mission, near the Rio Grande, in Valle de la Circumcision (Portillo, Apuntes para la Historia Antigua de Coahuila y Texas, 209-270, 1888). It was subsequently moved to San Ildefonso. thence to San Joseph, on the Rio Grande a short distance from Presidio del Rio Grande (Valero Bautismos, folio 1). The principal tribe baptized at these places was the Xarame, although the Siaguan, Payuguan, Papanae and perhaps others were represented. By 1716, 364 baptisms had been performed (Valero Bautismos). In this year, when the government was planning a settlement between the Rio Grande" and East Texas, Olivares proposed transplanting this mission, with its Indians, to the river then called San Antonio de Padua, maintaining that his Xarames, since they were well versed in agriculture, would assist in teaching and subduing new neophytes (Olivares to the viceroy, Mem. de Nueva Espana, 169-170, M. S.). This plan was carried out in 1718, possession of the new site being formally given on May 1. The transfer was no doubt facilitated by the close affinity of * the tribes at the new site with those at the old. The mission was founded near the east frontier of the Coahuiltecan group. ■ The tribes or bands near bj' were extremely numerous and in general correspondingly small. One of the chief ones was the Payaya. This was not the first time they had heard the gospel, for in 1691 Massanet had entered their village on San Antonio river (which they had called Yana- guana), set up a cross, erected an altar in a chapel of boughs, said mass in the presence of the natives, explained its meaning, and distributed rosaries, besides giving the Payaya chief a horse. This tribe. Massanet said, was large, and their rancherias deserved the name of pueblo (Diario, ^lem. de Nueva Espana, XXVII, 95-96. M. S.). Within about a year the mission, now called San Antonio Valero, was removed across the river, evidently to the site it still occupies (Espinosa, Chronica Apos- tolica, 450, 1746). From the records it seems that only one baptism was per- formed in 1718. In 1719 there were tuenty-four, mainly of Xarames and Payayas, but representing also the Cluetau, Junced (Juncal?) Pamaya, Siaguan, Sijame, Sumi and Terocodame tribes. The first decade resulted in about 250 baptisms, representing some forty so-called tribes. By February, 1740, there had been 837 baptisms. Shortly before this an epidemic had gone through all the San Antonio missions, and left at Valero only 184 neophytes; but immediately afterward (1739-40) seventy-seven Tacamanes (Tacames?) were brought in (Mem. de Nueva Espana. XXVIII, 203-204, M. S.). A report made December 17. 1744. the first stone of a new church was laid, but in 1762 it was being rebuilt, a work that ^eems never to have been completed (Diego Martim Garcia, 1745, op. cit., and Ynforme de Missions, 1762, jNlem. de Nueva Espana. XXVIII, 164, M. S.). Ac- cording to a report made in 1762, the books showed 1972 baptisms (evidentlv an exaggeration), 247 burials, and 454 marriages. There were then 275 persons, of the Xarme, Payaya, Sana, Lipan (captives mainly), Coco, Tojo (Tou) and —130— Karankawa tribes. Of this number thirty-two were gentiles of the last named tribe, whose reduction was then being attempted notwithstanding the opposition of the Zacatecan missions (see Nuestra Senora del Rosario). The same report, besides describing the monastery workshops, church chapel and ranch, says of the Indian quarters: "There are seven rows of houses for dwellings of the Indians ; they are made of stone and supplied with doors and windows; they are furnislioj with iiioh beds, chests, metates, pots, flat earthen pans, kettles, cauldiMus and boilers. With their arched porticoes the houses form a broad and beautiful plaza, through which runs a canal skirted by willows and fruit trees, and used by Hie Indians. To insure a supply of water in case of blockade by the enemy a curbed well has been made. For the defense of the settlement, the plaza is surrounded by a wall. Over the gate is a large tower, within its embrasures thre(i cannons, some firearms and appropriate supplies." (Trans, by E. Z. Rather, in Bolton and Barker, With the :Makers of Texas, 64-65, 1904.) For a deocription of the massive walls, see Bancroft, No. Mex. States 11, 207-08, 1889. After 1765 the activity of this mission suddenly declined, even more rapidly than that of the neighboring missions. This decline was contemporaneous, on the one hand, with the lessening of political activity in Texas after the acquisi- tion of Louisiana by the Spaniards, and, on the other hand, >vith a growing hostility of the northern tribes. It seems also trvie that the docile tribes, on which the mission had largely depended, were becoming exhausted. Moreover, the growing villa of San Fernando encroached upon the mission lands and injurious quarrels resulted. From 1764 to 1783 only 102 baptisms were re- corded for Valero, while a number of these were of Spaniards. In 1775 Inspector Oconor reported fewer than fifteen families there (quoted by Portillb, op. cit., 297-98). In 1793 there were still forty-three Payaya, Sana and others, evidently survivors of families brought there long before. (Revilla Gigedo, Carta, De- cember 27, 1793, MS.) In 1793 this mission was secularized, and the lands were drvided among the neophytes and some of the citizens (not Indians) who abandoned Adaes in 1773. The walled inclosure and tlie buildings were later occupied by the company del Alamo de Parras. whence tJie name Alamo (Revillo Gigedo, op. cit.; Portillo, op. cit, 353-54), and in 1836 they became the scene of one of the most heroic events in all history — the famed resistance and annihilation of Travis and his men, ]\Iarch 6, 1836. The chapel is now the pro]:)erty of the State of I'exas. The baptismal records show the surprising number of about oik hundred ap- parently distinct tribes or sub-tribes represented at this mission during its whole career after the removal to San Antonio. These are Apache, Aion, Caguas, Camai, Cantuna (Cantanual), Gems (Querns), Chaguantapam. Chapamaco, Chu- apas, Cimataguo, Cluetan, Coco, Cocomeioje (Coco), Colorado, Comanche, Cup- dan, Exet, Gailan. Guerjuatida. Huacacasa Hyerbipiamo, Jancoe (Tonkawa?), Juamaca (Juampa?), Junced, Karankawa, Lipan, Maeoeoma (Cocoma), Manos Colorados, Manos Prietas, Maquems, IMatucar, Mayeye, Menequen, Merhuan, Mescales. Mesquites, Mulato, Muruam, Natao, Neepacha (Apache?), Nigco, Ocana, Pachaquen (cf. Pacuaches) . Pachaug. Paguanan, Pamaya, Papanac (Panac), Paquaclie, Pasqual, Pastaloca, Pataguo, Patau, Patauium, Palou. Patzau Paus- aqui, Ptiusay, Payaya, Payuguan (Payuhuan), Peana, Piniquu, Pita Pasaupsau, Quesal, Quimso (Qiienis), SecGiOco, Sencase, Siaban, Siaguan Siagnasan Siansi, Sijame, Sinieu, Sineizo (Senisos. Cenizos), Sulujame, Sumi, Tacames (Taca- means), Tenu, Terocudame, Tetzino, Texa (Hainai?), Ticmamar, Tshim, Tonkawa, Tonsaumacagua, Tucana, 'I'nu, Ujuiap (Aujuiap), Urticha, Xnrame, Xaraname (Araname), Yacdossa, Yman, Yojuan, Yorica, Yuta (Yute), Zorquan. Note. — Brown, Hist, of Texas, vol. 1, p. 417-421. -131— TRUSTWORTHY INFORMATION. The following" letter from Hon. W. 0. Murray, now and for a long time a member of the State Senate, and before his membership in the Senate, a member of the House of Representatives, is of importance, because it shows how the negotiations for the sale of the part of the Alamo owned b}^ Mr. Schmeltzer and his associates began : Austin, Texas, February 19, 1913. Governor 0. B. Colquitt, Aust-in, Texas. Dear Governor: Knowing that yon have devoted a great dpa! of time gather- ing data, both modern and ancient, with reference to the history of the Alamo and its purchase by the State of Texas, it .iccurs to me that I might be able to give you a little inside information with reference to the sale of Ihe property from Hugo & Schmeltzer to the State. In the early spring of 1899 or 1900 — I am not positive as to tho date — I was in the office of Hugo & Schmeltzer, engaged in a business transaction between the firm and myself. It was about 1 o'clock p. m. I was in Mr. Schmeltzer's private room when one of the office men opened the door and told Mr. Schmeltzer that Mr had been in the office in the morning and had requested him to tell Mr. Schmeltzer "that he would give him $85,000 for that property." The old man arose from his seat and motioned his hand to the young man, saying, "Tell him it is not on the market, not on the market, and that I do not care to see him." He turned to me and asked me if I could spare the time f,u talk with him a while. I replied that I could. He began to talk to me about the early his- tory of Texas, but we were interrupted every few minutes by soincone opening the door and addressing him with reference to some business matter. He finally remarked, "We can not talk here ; come with me to some quiet place where we can talk." We went across the plaza and into a back room of Kalteyer's drug store, or that vicinity, I think. The old man rehearsed his early life, telling me of his boyhood days and of how iie earned his first dollar, giving biographical sketches of many of the old Texans and of the early history of the State. He also fought again the battles of the Confederacy and seemed to be an un- reconstructed rebel. I suppose we began this conversation about. 2 o'clock p. m., and about sundown he asked me what could he do with the Alamo property ; if there was not some way by which the State of Texas could be induced to take it and guarantee the proper care and preservation of the Alamo y I concluded from all he had said that he contemplated, or rather was anxious to make the State a present of the property. I told him that I could only speak "extempo," as it was a matter I had not given much th-iiight to, but that in my judgment, people as a rule did not think much of anything unless they paid for it; that the Alamo was a shrine at which all Texans would be glad to bow; that it ought not to be preserved to posterity by charitv oi (lie donation of a private individual, hence my advice would, be to arouse public sentiment first, educating the people to the point that they would be willing to purchase and preserve the Alamo. He replied: "I am very old; I can not live but a short time, and what I do I must do quickly; if I leave the matter open until such time as the people may become interested in same, I Avill have massed to my reward beyond, and besides," he remarked, "I have never been in the public eye of the people of Texas and do not believe they would pay any attention to my suggestions." I told him he would not be expected to do the work necessarv to call the matter to the attention of the people of Texas; that he could find someone else who would gladly do it. He asked me who. I told him of Mrs. Loosean of Houston, who is known to be a very patriotic woman and a sister of my most —132— intimate and personal friend, and that I was sure she would be willing to under- take the work in Houston, and that I felt constrained to think that Miss Adina De Zavalla would be glad to take up the work in San Antonio. We discussed this plan at length, he arguing that an efl'ort of tliat kind was too uncertain; that he was too old to expect to live to see a consummation of this plan. I then told him not 'to wait; that it was not necessary to wait; that if the ladies would undertake the work that he could give ^hcrin a contract of sale which would provide for consummating the sale even tliOiurh he should die in the meanwhile. After mature reflection this seemed to please him, and he told me he was going to act upon my advice. He then asked me what he ought to ask for the property. I told him that he ought to place as near the real value upon same as possible. I asked him what he thought it was worth hy comparison to other property adjacent. After thinking a while he said he thought about $75,000. He said : "You heard the offer I had this evening of $85,000, and I am almost certain that I could sell the property in twenty-four hours for $100,000." I then suggested that he place his price at $100,000 and head the subscription, to the purchase with $25,000. This seemed to please the old man very much, and he thanked me kindly for so patiently listening to him and for the advice I offered, and remarked: "I think this is all right; I think 1 shall do it right away." It was but a short time after this conversation when I saw in tiie newspapers that he had contracted with Miss De Zavalla to sell her the ])ro])erty. Very truly yours, W. O. MURRAY. —133— A CONFERENCE IS CALLED. Some people have made an especial effort to create the impression that they have not heen given a hearing- and fair chance to make good their stewardship. But the following account of a meeting called by the Gov- ernor, of those interested in the Alamo, at the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio on December ?8, 1911, is given to show the contrary of such contention. The statement is a fairly good and accurate account of the meeting: BY TOM FINTY, JR. Three-quarters of a century ago the great tragedy of tlie Alamo was enacted. To commemorate the deathless valor of the men wlio gave up their lives in that fortress, fighting for the liberty and independence of Texas, the State purchased the Alamo chapel, and later, some seven years ago, purchased a tract adjoining the chapel, upon which stood and yet stands what has been known as the Hugo & Schmeltzer building. At the time of the purchase, plans were on foot to build a modern hotel upon the site. The Daugliters of the Republic of Texas, holding the ground at least to be a part of the original Alamo tract, and therefore sacred, endeavored to raise money to acquire it. They raised $20,000. Miss Clara Dris- coll advanced the remaining $05,000 at a critical time. Then tlie Daughters went before the Legislature, with the result already stated. In authorizing the pur- chase, the Legislature made the Daughters of tlie Republic custodians of the property, subject to the approval of the Governor. That provision of the act has proven to be a grievous error. Out of it has grown a dispute within the ranks of the Daughters concerning wliat shall be done with the property, a dispute wliich can only be regarded as tragic by those who love Texas and who know of the personal worth of the disputants, all descendants of the men who gave Texas independence. It is a pitj-, a tragedy, that the women who worked so nobly in unison to preserve the property should now be divided by a schism of long standing and intensity. The settlement of the future of the property is scarcely more important than is the restoration of harmony within that worthy organization, the Daughters of the Republic. Governor Assumes Control. The men folk of Texas have long felt that the breach would not be healed and the organization resorted to a condition to achieve its high purposes until the property was taken out of their hands and administered l3y State officials or by a commission appointed by the State government. That is practically what Governor Colquitt did at the conference which assem- bled in San Antonio last Thursday, upon his bidding. He gave it out flatly that he would be no party to the dispute between the Daughters; that he regarded both the chapel and the Hugo & Schmeltzer building as parts of the Alamo: that he desired information sJiowing what was the condition of these buildings before the battle; announced his purpose to restore the buildings to sucli condition, and declared with emphasis that he meant to assume the entire responsibility. Sort of Peace Conference. The dispute between the Daughters of the Republic, therefore, becomes futile, and the Governor's meeting may be regarded as in the nature of a peace confer- ence. It was managed with an adroitness which somewhat reminds one of the smoothness of Solomon in deciding the dispute between two women for the pos- session of a child, the maternity of which was asserted by both. Only, of courge, Governor Colquitt couldn't offer to divide the Alamo and give half to" each of the factions. What he did make plain was that tlie Alamo was the cammon heritage of Texas, not peculiarly the property of the Daughters of the Republic, and that — 13i— he as the representative of all of the people of Texas desired information from the Daughters and all other persons competent to give it, and then purposed acting, not for either faction nor for both, but for the State of Texas. Moreover, step by step, he brushed away such immaterial issues as to whether or not the property had been devoted to commercial purposes, and got his audience down to the one material issue, which is : How much of the existing buildings was there at the time of the battle? The Governor intends to tear away all the frame part, which it is generally agreed is modern. He will be guided in determining what shall be done with the walls and as to restoration by what shall be disclosed by the uncovering of the masonry and by excavation ; by historic data, and by such reports as may be obtained from the archives of the Eepublic of Texas and the Federal Government at Washington. The opinion of this writer is that tlie frame part of the Hugo & Schmeltzer building ought not to be torn away until the Governor is prepared to act and act quickly in the work of restoration, to whatever extent that may be determined upon. The unprotected walls would suffer some from the weather, and there is some danger that they might be intentionally demolished. There was talk in San Antonio at one time of taking a mob and destroying the "shacks" on that ground. Daughters' Dispute Outlined. About a year ago. the writer published two articles explaining the dispute and collateral matters. It seems in order to brief a part of that report here. One faction of the Daughters of the Republic, led by Miss Adina De Zavala, has contended that the walls of the Hugo & Schmeltzer building are original parts of the building in which the defenders of the Alamo made their last stand, being then referred to as the barracks or fortress, and originally the convent or monas- tery of the Alamo mission. They assert that these walls should be preserved and the building restored. The other faction, led by Miss Clara Driscoll, now Mrs. Hal Sevier, contends that the Hugo & Schmeltzer building is not historically, sacred; that of its wall only eight feet was a part of the Alamo, and that was simply a wall inclosing the grounds of the monastery, whereas the monastery itself was further back. They would tear all of this building down, take away all the commercial part, as they term it, and leave only the jagged remains of the eight-foot wall. They would make the grounds into a park and erect upon it a monument to the heroes. They agree that the grounds are historically sacred, but they contend that the Alamo chapel is the real Alamo. The De Zavala faction answers that historical data all identifies the so-called Hugo & Schmeltzer building as the fortress or monastery in which the heroes made their last stand; and in response to the contention that only jagged remains shall be left, they cite historic data to prove that the church itself was a ruin at the time of the battle, and ask if the restored portions of the church shall be torn away and its jagged remains left. The Driscoll faction contends that the Hugo & Schmeltzer building was erected by the quartermaster's department of the United States army after annexation of Texas, and some suggest that Mr. Grenet, who subsequently owned the prop- erty, may have built a portion of the walls. Governor Colquitt mea.ns to have the records ransacked to see if any such con- struction was done by the United States government. Amusement Palace Project. A project has been on foot in San Antonio for some time to erect an amuse- ment palace on the lot immediately back of the Alamo tract. This lot fronts eighty-nine feet on Houston street and is 168 feet deep. If the so-called Hugo & Schmeltzer building shall be demolished and a park created, the aforesaid lot will have a frontage of 1G8 feet on said park and Alamo Plaza, and this is held out as a considerable advantage in the amusement company's prospectus. If the building shall be restored, that advantage M'ill not accrue. ) The writer still believes that the Hugo & Schmeltzer walls are a part of the original Alamo. The Daughters of the Republic, when they came to Austin with a united purpose, first convinced him of that fact. Their bill which the Legis- lature passed stands as mute evidence upon that point. It provides that the —135— property shall be "maintained in good order and repair," and shall be "remod- eled and maintained." There isn't a word in it about demolition nor parking. Benefit of Doubt. Historical data verifies and strengthens that conclusion. Any doubt should be resolved in favor of the status quo. It would be better that a stone laid there by men in commerce (is commerce necessarily a crime?) shonid be suffered to remain than that the mistake should be made of removing a stone that was there when the heroes died. The error in favor of the status quo would not be fatal ; the error against it would be beyond repair. It is well to remember, too, that Travis and his men did some restoring and building before the battle. The Alamo at that time was by no means entirely of Franciscan construction. Moreover and lastly, the writer believes that in no event should the build- ings be torn away before the Legislature has had a chance to enact a law protecting the site from undesirable occupancy of abutting premises. The writer does not object to people drinking beer if they feel so disposed, but does insist that the State ought not maintain a park as the front yard of an institution where beer is sold or in which dancing and other amusements ore conducted. Further than this the writer will not obtrude personal views. The remainder of this article will be devoted to a somewhat detailed report of the Governor's peace conference. Participants in Conference. Present at the conference were Mrs. W. P. Anderson of Amarillo and Mrs. Hal Sevier of New York City, nee Miss Clara Driscoll of Texas, and the follow- ing residents of San Antonio : Gustav Schramm, INIrs. E. W. King, Cliarles T. Boelhowse, Miss Eleanor Wilson, Mrs. F. R. Dunlap, Mrs. E. 0. Spencer, Mrs. L. J. Northrup, Mrs. M. J. Keeran, Miss Marguerite Coleman. iNIrs. T. A. Cole- man, Mr. and Mrs. Pompeo Coppini, Miss Anne Brown, IMrs. D. J. Allen, F. F. Collins, Mrs. Nellie Jameson, Mrs. W. L. Bringhurst, Miss Miriam Winsor, Mrs. T. M. Winsor, A. B. Briscoe, Mrs. C. Briscoe West, Miss Adina De Zavala, Mrs. W. H. Beck. IMrs. F. W. Applewhite, Mrs. H. M. Newton, ]\Irs. Bettie Carnar, Mrs. Nat Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Channing, H. P. Drought, H. L. Page, Charles Merritt Barnes, Mrs. J. J. Stevens^ Mrs. Frank Paschal, JNIr. and Mrs. E. P. Jersig, Hal King, Mrs. Susan Roach, Mrs. 0. M. Farnswortli, Miss Mary Elliott Howard and Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Eager, custodian of the Alamo chapel for the Daughters of the Republic. Governor Colquitt opened the proceedings by saying that the Legislature had appropriated $5000 to be expended under the direction of the Governor and the Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds for the purpose of remodeling and restoring the Alamo, and he had called the meeting f(u- the purpose of receiving evidence tending to show the condition of the Alamo at the time the battle was fought or after the battle, and he invited submission of tlie same. H. P. Drought read a communication from Mrs. Rebecca Fisher, president of the Daughters of the Republic, and the other officers and executive committee of that association, asking the Governor to sanction their plan for tearing down the Hugo & Schmeltzer building and for parking of the grounds. Hal King informed the Governor that Miss Adina De Zavala was present to submit historical data and asked that she be heard. Miss De Zavala said she would be glad to let the gentleman (jSlr. Drought) present everything he had to say and then follow with a presentation of the ''historical side." Against Park Project. "It might be well for me to state," said Governor Colquitt, "that I am not a party to any controversy between the descendants of those Avho established the independence of Texas, but am here for the purpose of learning facts. I have already declared myself upon this question. I do not believe there is any mon- ument that can be erected on this spot of ground that can take (.he place of the biiildings that constituted the fortifications of Travis and his mon, and as long as I am Governor of the State I will not give my consent, to use it as a park or for a monument to the valor of these men. "I want information this afternoon upon which I can act, foi* I am going to assume all the responsibility for my action. If I can find out how this build- —136— ing looked when Travis lost his life, I Avill sptiul every dollar ivt my disposal to make it look like it looked then. I want information. T'len J am going to assume the responsibility, and no power can budge me from my determination. (Applause.) I am not going to let this meeting be taken up wirh joint debates. I speak vei-y plainly about it. I am going to tear down that fire tiap in so far as additions have been made since the battle. I want to build a substantial stone wall along Houston street, and I want to clean out that ditch and make it look as it did at the time of the battle, and I want to put all of the com- mercial vandals out of the Alamo. (Applause.) I tried to do that on the first of September. If this State can not maintain the Alamo as a, monument it shall not be used for commercial profit while I am Governor. "I am not going to take part in the controversy between the l^aughters of the Republic. The statute gives custody of the Alamo to the Daughters of the Republic, subject to the approval of the Governor, and as long as I am Governor, I am not going to let the proper supervision of that building pass out of my hands. I am not a Daughter of the Republic, but I am a Tcxari, and . I am going to protect that monument. I had relatives who helped establish the Re- public of Texas, and I have an interest in the Alamo. Also, while I am Governor I am going to see if we can take charge of the ground where Fannin and his men lost their lives at Goliad. (Applause.) Governor Urges Unity. "This is a proposition upon which we should be vmited. The Alamo as a park might be very pretty, but it would not be a monument." (i\Ir. Drought — We want to put up a monument in it.) "We can cultivate flowers elS'^where, but the flowers here would not be a monument. Therefore, we want to preserve the Alamo as a monument. "I say this to save time; the only question I will listen to is as how we can spend this money to restore the Alamo to the condition in which it was when Travis and his men fell. We can not retain it in the form in which it was after the battle. That would be impracticable. You can not maintain the house as a ruin, but you can restore it and maintain it, and when people come here from all parts of the world you can point out the place where Ssmta Anna made his assault, the place where Travis fell, etc. "I won't consent to tear down the Hugo & Schmeltzer building. (Applause.) It is a part of the Alamo. Not all of the Alamo is there now; but as long as I can exercise the authority now vested in me^ I will not consent to the tearing down of the walls that were there as a part of the Alamo." (Applause.) Republic Natives Applaud. F. F. Collins said: "As an old Texan, I think the Governor has expressed the desire and wish of the organization known as the Natives of the Republic of Texas. That is the desire and wish of every member, with one or two possible exceptions, of the association of which I am president. I don't think there is a single man in that association but who is in favor of doing just about what the Governor has been talking about. I don't want to express my individual feelings because the Governor has cut that out, but I am willing to givt $500 toward restoring the Alamo property as it stood (applause), and I believe J can make up sufficient money to restore it as it was before the battle of tlie Alamo. Five thousand dollars is not enoiigh. There is no question but it can he shown his- torically how the Alamo looked, and there is patriotism in San Antonio to help the State restore the property." Mrs. Sevier's Position. Mrs. Hal Sevier had just entered, and had not heard the Governor's remarks. She asked: "Is this a proposition to restore the old mission, or v/hat shall be done with this mercantile structure, the Hugo & Schmeltzer building, concerning which no one can feel any sentiment?" Governor Colquitt repeated the substance of his remarks, S'lying he had com- mitted himself against tearing down any part of the Hugo & Schmeltzer building that represents walls of the Alamo, and that he believed it was a part of the Alamo proper. —137— "I don't think any of us wlio are ])atriots slioukl lio niisuncl;'r>loiul." said Mrs. Sevier. "1 have never sanctioned touciiing one of the oriyinai stones; but I don't think the Alamo should be disgraced by this whisky house, wiiich obscures the most remarkable relic of the world." • "I agree entirely with that sentiment.'" C4overnor Colquitt replied. "The fact that these walls have been used for commercial purposes is not the fault of the present Executive; the fact that they were used for a whiskv house is not his fault. But the fact that they were used for such purposes is not a good reason why the walls used by Travis and his men in the defense of Texas should be de- molished. The walls which were then standing, we want to pr< serve." Mrs. Sevier — So do we. Governor. Governor Colquitt repeated tliat it was liis purpose to restore tlie building to the condition it was in at the time of the battle. Mrs. Sevier — You don't mean to restore it as it was built by tlic Franciscan fathers before the battle? The Governor — I am not going back of 18:^(3. I want to rerioro it as it was before Travis defended it, and will do so if it takes $50,000, and 1 can get the money. If you have information as to how it looked then, I would like to have it. If notj this meeting will be adjourned. Kinsman of Jemison. Charles Merritt Barnes said that his kinsman. Green B. Jriuis'jM, who was killed in the battle of the Alamo, planned the defense of the Alanio, and that there was present a lady who had a letter written by Jemison shortly before the battle, describing the Alamo. He further said he was glad to hear tiie lady who started the movement for the preservation of the Alamo (Mrs. Sovier) say she was in unison with the idea of preserving it. He further delivered a message from his aunt, Seramus Jemison of Marshall, a cousin of Green B. Jemison, say- ing she hoped the Governor would restore both the chapel and tiie convent as monuments to the heroes who fell there. He further said that one of the Mav- erick family was willing, if the buildings should be restored, to donate one of the original Alamo cannon, which is in his possession, to be placed upon liie building. ]Mr. Barnes presented to Governor Colquitt a copy of his recently published book, "Combats and ( onquests of Immortal Heroes," which contains an a.-i ount of the battle of the Alamo, historic data as to the fortress and an argument in favor of restoring the buildings. ]\Ir. Barnes devoted much of his time during thirty years to gathering the data and writing the book. Miss De Zavala Submits Data. Miss De Zavala was then heard. She submitted a number of Histories of Texas. They all tell the same tale, she said. All the plats, maps ai'.d descriptive matters show that the walls now standing, and known as the H^.igo & Schmeltzer building, the convent or the monastery, are the original walb' of the fortress.. She read from Yoakum's History of Texas, published in 185G, wherein it is stated that this building was a two-story stone building; that the Texans retreated into that building; that the chapel was a ruin at the time of the battle. It was impossible, she observed, that the battle could have been foutfht in the chapel. She further read from Yoakum his statement that before him was a letter from Green B. Jemison with a plat and description of the Alamo just before the battle. Miss De Zavala said that she had this letter and plat, heretofore unpublished, with her, and she jjroceeded to read the former, ihe letter was directed to Gen- eral Houston: refers to the plat; describes the condition of the buildings. Among other things it says: "Tlie church of San Antonio is in the Alamo iind adjoins the fortress." Miss De Zavala directed attention to the fact that tlie fortress as shown by Jemison corresponds with the so-called Hugo & Scl!me!t?er building. She also directed attention to Jemison's recommendation that tii-^ adobe quarters for the men be torn down and that houses of stone be erected, it being said that "there is plenty of stone in the old ruins of the church San Anfonio." The Governor — He desciibes the church as a ruin. If that were true, why was it necessary for Santa Anna's men to knock a hole in the walls to get into it? Miss De Zavala said they did not. There were guns on the chanel, however. Some of the historians say the Mexicans came over the west wall ; others say over —138— the south wall. It made little difference, she said. The undisputed historic fact is that the Texans retreated into the long building and made their last stand. She referred to the story of INIrs. Dickinson and others, and said she thought she had proved that the existing building was there in 1836. However, she had a map of the United States government and much other data. Governor Colquitt asked her to send this to him at Austin. "Will Preserve Both." "I think," said Gustav Schramm, "the question is wliat constitutes the Alamo." The Governor — Xo; don't waste ony time on that. The chapel and the Hugo & Schmeltzer building are both the Alamo. Mr. Schramm — That is correct. I think the question is which shall we preserve. The Governor — We are going to preserve both. Mr. Schramm — If that is the case I don't think it is necessary for me to say anything. The Governor — It is of no use to ask me to tear down either one ; I would use the militia, and the rangers, too, if necessary, to prevent it. Neither the chapel nor the Hugo & Schmeltzer building shall be destroyed. My reading of Texas history teaches me that they are both sacred. Mr. Schramm declared that history showed the so-called Hugo & Schmeltzer building was standing at the time of the battle of the Alamo; it was not built by the United States army, but was in existence when Texas was annexed, and there were living witnesses who had seen the patches made by the United States army. "Believe in One Alamo." Mrs.' Sarah Elizabeth Eager, custodian of the Alamo chapel for the Daughters of the Republic, said that her father came to San Antonio in 1839. She had been brought up to believe there was but one Alamo, "and that the one I am in today." She said the outer wall of the Hugo & Schmeltzer building was originally only eight feet high, and was put up as a fence, to protect the monastery. TJie Governor — Do you think that wall ought to be torn down? Mrs. Eager — I liave no sentiment in the matter. I think the ground all around is sacred. If the Governor wants to leave that wall there I do not object. I have no love for the old eyesore. If a widow owned it, they would have compelled her to move it long ago. The monastery, she declared, was on the other side of this wall. Several priests whom she had interrogated, she said, had told her she was right; that a monas- tery was never put in front of a church. Governor Colquitt said he thought none of these arguments had any bearing whatever. If citizens let the building get into private use, it did not militate against restoration. "If it is a part of the Alamo we want to preserve it," he repeated. Mrs. Eager — If that is true, we owe a debt of gratitude to Miss Clara Driscoll. The Governor — I think so too. Governor Congratulated. At this juncture an elderly lady, Mrs. E. W. King, came forward and, grasping the Governor's hand, excitedly said : "Governor, I want ■ to congratulate you. That is certainly a part of the Alamo. I wish I could talk about it, but I am too nervous." (Applause.) Governor Colquitt welcomed her to a seat beside him. Referring to the clause in the marriage ceremony, "Speak now, oi- forever after hold your peace." he declared that he wanted the necessary information to be presented at this time and not later, adding that when he had made up his mind he was about as stubborn as was Travis. He repeated what he had formerly said about tearing down the frame structures, and added that when that was done, architectural evidence as to the original walls might be disclosed. "If anybody objects to this plan, I would like to hear the reasons. (Applause.) As there is no objection, it is understood that that part is unanimously agreed to. (Applause.) I take it that the wall that is there now is of the kind that was all around the Alamo. I have an idea, too, that the ditch is a part of the Alamo and we are going to move that fence on the opposite side of the ditch, unless —ISO- somebody stops US. (General applause.) We are going to claim all to tlie other side of the ditch as a part of the Alamo." To Restore Monastery. Mrs. Sevier — Is there anytliing in contemplation about restoring the roof of tlie chapel? The Governor — Yes. tlie roofs of tlie monastery and tlie chapel both just as they were. Mrs. Eager — You will have to build up a monastery, then, back there. The Governor — It doesn't cut any figure whether Travis and his men were in the monastery or not; it was- a part of the Alamo and we are going to rebuild it. Mrs. King here took a part in the debate, saying the things which she had theretofore wanted to say. "Why rebuild it?" she exclaimed. "Why rebuild it, when it is there now just as it has stood for many years? It has been there while I can remember. I am 77 years old today. My parents came to San Antonio when I was 9 years old. Manv a time I have scaled the walls. This building was a two-storv building then."" The Governor — Has anybody got any better evidence than that? Mrs. Susan Roach said that she could not testify so far back, but her mother had lived within five blocks of the Alamo as early as 1827 and she never spoke of the walls as being two-story. She said that people differed in their recollection of buildings, just as they differ in their recollection of fights. Governor Colquitt asked if it would be conceded that if the walls were built up by the United States government there would be some evidence of that fact in the archives of the Republic at Austin or of the government at Washington. He asked if anybody objected to that kind of evidence. None was heard, and the Governor declared it to be conceded that such evidence would be good. What's the Difference? Mrs. Roach — My mother never believed it was used as a convent. The Governor — What difference does that make? Mrs. 0. M. Farnsworth — It was only a wall. The Governor — What is the objection to it as a wall without a roof? Mrs. Sevier — There is no objection to its standing as a wall, but why build a. Franciscan monastery where there was none? The Governor — If .anybody has evidence that it was an eight-foot wall and not a building, let us have proof of it. It is asserted on the one hand that the outer wall of the Hugo & Schmeltzer building was two stories and was part of the monastery. On the other hand, it is contended that it was an eight-foot wall to protect the monastery which was in the rear. Now, is there any objection to having that eight-foot wall stand as a part of the Alamo? Mrs. Roach — We want it to stand as it was after the battle; they left it jagged and torn." The Governor — Y^ou want the scars of the cannon balls to remain? How will you maintain ruins in that condition? Mrs. Farnsworth — In Europe they maintain them by training ivy and vines over them. The Governor — Suppose we adopt that plan; who will tell us where the holes were ? Mrs. Farnsworth — We can't do that, but architects can tell the old masonry from the new. Mr. Collins — The building should be restored as it was before the battle — not afterward. Best Kind of Monument. The Governor — It has occurred to me that if we could ascertain the condition of the building as it was before Santa Anna assaulted it. restore it to that con- dition and then mark the ppot where Travis fell, etc., it would be best. But I api)reliend it would be very difficult to put it in the condition it was after the battle and maintain it. Mrs. Eager renewed the suggestion that the building be torn down and a monu- ment erected in the park. —140— ■'There is a monument in Austin to the heroes of the Alamo, but we liave none here," she said. The Governor — Texas could build a monument 7000 feet high, and it wouldn't commemorate their deeds like these buildings. (Applause.) Mrs. Eager — But not a building that was a whisky house. The Governor — Its use does not detract from the sacred character of the monu- ment. We don't want to designate it as Hugo Schmeltzer's whisky house or grocery any more. "Don't Call It Whisky House. Mrs. King — Don't refer to it as the Hugo & Schmeltzer whisky shop any more. It hurts me! It hurts me! We can't help it. The Governor — Now, I think we all understand each other, and I have gained about as much information as I had when I came. If there is anybodj' who knows more about the Alamo than I do, come up here and let us have the information. Now I want you to go with me to the Alamo. I am going to jjolnt oiit what I intend to tear down. You might talk to me a thousand years and you couldn't change my opinion about tearing those parts down. Upon motion of Mr. Collins a resolution was passed thanking Governor Col- quitt for the fair manner in which he had conducted the inve-tiga(ion. Thereupon the meeting was adjourned, and the party went wHh Governor Col- quitt to the Alamo. The inspection was confined to the tract bought from Hugo & Schmeltzer some six years ago. At the front of this, facing Alama Plaza, is what is known as the Hugo & Schmeltzer store or warehouse. The front and the two ends of this are of heavy masonry, about four feet thick, two stories, or about eighteen feet in height. Above this masonry the walls are continued in wood for some three feet. The back wall of the storehouse is of wood, as is the roof and the floors. All of this woodwork the Governor intends to tear away. One faction contends "that these stone walls are, except for some repairs, as they were originally ; that they were a part of the monastery, two stories in height, and that evidences of the rear wall of the monastery may be found by excavation. The other faction contends that these walls were but eight feet in height, and constituted but a fence around the monastery, which they claim was further back. They declare that when the woodwork is torn away a-rd the plaster re- moved from the walls it will be disclosed that the masonry above the eight-foot .line was of a later period. Architects, they say, can determine Lhe difference, as they have done in the ruins of Babylon and Nineveh. The first mentioned faction deny that the judgment of the architects would be unerring or that it would constitute evidence to overcome the hi-5':orical data, and they point to the fact that the masonry above the eight-foot line is so mas- sive as to preclude the idea that it is recent and build for commercial purposes. Back of the Hugo & Schmeltzer building there is another loic wall, to which have been tied a bunch of frame sheds of modern construction, which have been used as a livery stable, blacksmith shop, etc. This wall is of stone, some four- teen feet in height. One of the men in the party declared that it was evidently of modern con- struction, as the arch in the central doorway is of brick. "Evidently the old arch was torn away, and they built a now one of brick at a later period," said Governor Colquitt. The stone above the other doorway is supported by wooden b^ams, seemingly of live oak. One lady remarked that this wall evidently was recent, as "they had no stone quarries when the mission was built." She did not explain upon what authority she made this statement. All of these frame sheds are also to come down. It is Governor Colquitt's idea to award the contract for this wrecking to a San Antonio man who offered to do the work for the salvage and to pay the State $200 as a bonus. The Bishop of San Antonio has promised Governor Colquitt that he will have an examination made for all of the records of the church pertaining to the Alamo, and will furnish him a translation of the same. PART THREE. THRILLING STORY OF THE SIEGE AND FALL OF THE ALAMO. "The Fall of the Alamo" was the title of an liistoric article by Cap- tain R. M. Potter of the United States Army, published in the "Maga- zine of American History" in 1878. The article is reproduced below in full : "THE FALL OF THE ALAMO." The fall of the Alamo, and the massacre of its garrison, which in 18.36 opened the campaign of Santa Ana in Texas, caused a profound sensation throughout the United States, and is still remembered with deep feeling by all who take an interest in the history of that section, yet the details of the final assault have never been fully and correctly narrated, and will exaggerations have taken their place in popular legend. The reason will be obvious when it is remembered that not a single combatant of the last struggle from within the fort survived to tell the tale, while the official reports of the enemy were neither circumstantial nor reliable. When horror is intensified by mystery, the sure product is romance. A trustworthy account of the assault could be compiled only by comparing and combining the verbal narratives of such of the assailants as could be relied on for veracity, and adding to this such lights as might be gathered from military documents of that period, from credible local information, and from any source more to be trusted than rumor. As I was a resident at Matamoros when the event occurred, and for several months after the invading army retreated thither, and afterwards resided near the scene of action, I had opportunities for obtaining the kind of information referred to better perhaps than have been possessed by any person now living outside of Mexico. I was often urged to publish what I had gathered on the subject, as thereby an interesting passage of history might be preserved. I consequently gave to the San Antonio Herald in 18G0 an imperfect outline of what is contained in this article, and the communication was soon after printed in pamphlet form. Subsequently to its appearance, however, I obtained manj^ additional and interesting details, mostly from Colonel Juan N. Seguin of San Antonio, who had been an officer of the garrison up to within six days of the assault. His death, of which I have since heard, no doubt took away the last of those who were soldiers of the Alamo when it was first invested. I now ofi'er these sheets as a revision and enlargement of my article of 1860. Before beginning the narrative, however, I must describe the Alamo and its surroundings as they existed in the spring of 18.36. San Antonio, then a town of about 7,000 inhabitants, had a Mexican population, a minority of which was well affected to the cause of Texas, while the rest were inclined to make the easiest terms they could with whichever side might be for the time being domi- nant. The San Antonio River, which, properly speaking, is a large rivulet, divided the town from the Alamo, the former on the west side and the latter on the east. The Alamo village, a small suburb of San Antonio, was soiith of tlie fort, or Mission, as it was originally called, which bore the same name. The latter was an old fabric, built during the first settlement of the vicinity by the Spaniards, and having been originally designed as a place of safety for the colonists and their property in case of Indian hostility, with room sufficient for that purpose, it had neither the strength, compactness nor dominant jjoints which ought to belong to a regular fortification. The front of the Alamo Chapel bears date of 1757, but the other works must have been built earlier. As the whole area contained between two and three acres, a thousand men would liave barely sufficed to man its defenses ; and before a regular siege train they would soon have crumpled. Yoakum, in his history of Texas, is not only astray in his N W — E H\n k K *1 — itt^ i P/ckef- Fgnce :■;♦.*;. 77/2f ALAMO Sy Qpt R.M. Potter; USJ. This" is the ground floor plan of the Alamo buildings as drawn by Captain Potter. At the time of the Massacre of the Alamo Captain Potter was stationed at Matamoras, Mexico. He visited the Alamo in 1841. The foundation of the walls around the "small area" were traced last year and located; so were the inside walls of the long building and we were busy restoring these when the suit of injunction was filed. —US- details of the assault, but niistakon about the nieasuiomciit of the place. Had tlie works covered no more ground tlian lu' represents, the result of the assault might have been diflferent. From i-ecollection of tlie locality, as I viewed it in 1841. I could in 1860 trace the extent of the outer walls, which had been demolished about thirteen years before the latter period. The dimensions here given are taken from actual measurement then made, and the accompanying diagram gives correct outlines, though witliout aiming at close exactitude of scale. The figure A in the diagram repiesents the cliapel of tlie fort. 75 feet long, 02 wide and 22i high, with walls of solid masonry, four feet thick. It was originally of but one story, and if it then had any windows below, they were probably walled up when the place was prepared for defense. B locates a platform in the east end of the chapel ; C designates its door, and D marks a wall, 50 feet long and about 12 high, con- necting the chapel with the long barrack, E E. The latter was a stone house of two stories, 186 feet long, 18 wide and IS high. F ^ is a low, one-story stone barrack, 114 feet long and 17 wide, having in the center a porte cochere, 8, which passed through it under the roof. The walls of these two houses were about tliirty inches thick and they had flat terrace roofs of beams and plank, covered with a thick coat of cement. G H I K were flat-roofed stone-walled rooms built against the inside of the west barrier. L L L L L denote barrier walls, inclosing' an area of 154 yards long and 54 wide, with the long barrack on the east and the low barrack on the south of it. These walls were 2'i feet thick, and from 9 to 12 high, except the strip which fronted the chapel, that, being only four feet in height. This low piece of wall was covered by an oblique intrenchment, marked R, and yet to be described, which ran from the southwest angle of the chapel to the east end of the low barrack. 31 marks the place of a palisade gate at the west end of the intrenchment. The small letters {n) locate the doors of the several rooms which opened upon the large area. Most of those doors had within a semi-circular parapet for the use of marksmen, composed of a double curtain of hides, upheld by stakes and filled in with rammed earth. Some of the rooms were also loopholed. O mark barrier walls, from 5 to 6 feet high and 2f thick, which enclosed a smaller area north of the chapel and east of the long barrack. P designates a cattle yard east of the barrack and south of the small area; it was inclosed by a picket fence. Q shows the locality of a battered breach in the north wall. The above described fort, if it merited that name was, when the siege com- menced, in the condition for defense in which it had been left by the Mexican General Cos, when he capitulated in the fall of 1835. The chapel, except the west end and north projection, had been unroofed, the east end being occupied by a platform of earth B, 12 feet high, with a slope for ascension to the west. On its level were mounted three pieces of cannon. One (1), a 12-pounder, pointed east through an embrazure roughly notched in the wall; another (2) was aimed north through a similar notch, and another (3) fired over the wall to the south. High scaffolds of wood enabled marksmen to use the top of the roofless wall as a parapet. The intrenchment [R) consisted of a ditch and breastwork, the latter of earth packed between two rows of palisades, the outer row being higher than the earthwork. Behind it and near the gate was a battery of four ouns (4 5 6 7), all 4-pounders, pointing south. The porte cochere through the low barrack was covered on the outside by a lunette of stockades and eartli, mounted with two guns (89). In the southwest angle of the large area was an 18-pounder (10), in the center of the west wall a twelve-pound carronade (11), and in the northwest corner of the same area an 8-pounder (12) and east of this, withfn the north wall, two more guns of the same calibre (13 14). All the guns of this area were mounted on high platforms of stockades and earth, and fired over the walls. Several barriers were covered on the outside with a ditch, except where such guard Avas afforded by the irrigating canal which flowed on the east and west sides of the fort, and served to fill the fosse with water. Thus the works were mounted with fourteen guns, which agrees with Yoakum's account of their number, though Santa Ana in his report exaggerates it to twenty-one. The number, however, has little bearing on the merits of the final defense, with which cannon had very little to do. These guns were in the hands of men unskilled in their use, and owing to the construction of the works most of them had little width of range. Of the buildings above described, the chapel —144— and the two barracks are probably still standing. They were repaired and newly roofed during the Mexican war for tlie use of the U. S. Quartermaster's depart- ment. In the winter of 1835-6 Colonel Neill of Texas was in command of San Antonio, with two companies of volunteers, among whom was a remnant of New Orleans Greys, who had taken an efficient part in the siege and capture of the town about a year before. At this time the Provisional Government of Texas, which, though in revolt, had not yet declared a final separation from Mexico, had broken into a conflicting duality. The Governor and Council repudiated each other, and each claimed the obedience which was generally not given, to either. Invasion was impending, and there seemed to be little more than anarchy to meet it. Dur- ino- this state of affairs Lieutenant-Colonel Wm. B. Travis, who had commanded the scovitino- service of the late campaign, and had since been commissioned with tlie aforesaid rank as an officer of regular cavalry, was assigned by the Governor CO relieve Colonel Neill of the command of his post. The volunteers, who cared little for either of the two governments, wished to choose their own leader, and were willing to accept Travis only as second in command. They were, therefore, •clamorous that Neill should issue an order for the election of a Colonel. To get over the matter without interfering with Travis' right, he prepared an order for the election of a Lieutenant-Colonel, and was about to depart, when his men, finding out what he had done, mobbed him, and threatened his life unless he shovild comply with their wishes. He felt constrained to yield, and on tlie amended order James Bowie was unanimously elected a full C^olonel. He had been for several years a resident of Texas, and had taken a prominent part in the late campaign against Cos. His election occurred early in February, 1836, about two weeks before the enemy came in sight; and Travis, who had just arrived or came soon after, found Bowie in command of the garrison, and claiming by virtue of the aforesaid election the right to command him and the re-enforcement he brought. They both had their headquarters at the Alamo, where their men were quartered, and there must have been a tacit understanding on both sides that conflict of authority should as far as possible be avoided. This, however, could not have continued many days but for the common bond of approaching peril. Travis brought with him a company of regular recruits, enlisted for the half regiment of cavalry which the Pro\isional Government had intended to raise. J. N. Seguin, a native of San Antonio, wlio liad been commissioned as the senior Captain of Travis' corps, joined him at the Alamo, and brought into the garrison the skeleton of his company, consisting of nine Mexican recruits, natives, some of the town aforesaid and others of the interior of Mexico. Tlie aforesaid com- pany and squad of enlisted men and the two companies of vidunteers under Bowie formed the garrison of the Alamo, which then numbered from an hundred and fifty-six to an hundred and sixty. Of these the volunteers comprised considerably more than half, and over 'two-thirds of the whole were men who had but recently arrived in the country. Seguin and his nine recruits were all that represented the Mexican population of Texas. Of that nine seven fell in the assault, the Captain and two of his men having been sent out on duty before that crisis. David ( roekett, of Tennessee, who had a few years before rejiresented a squatter constituency in Congress, where his oratory was distinguislied for hard sense and rough grammar, had joined the garrison a few weeks before, as had also J. B. Bonham, Esq., of South Carolina, who had lately come to volunteer in the cause of Texas, and was considered one of the most chivalrous and estimable of its supporters. I pair them, a rough gem and a polished jewel, because their names are among the best known of those who fell; but I am not aware tliat either of them had any command. The main army of operation against Texas moved fr&m Laredo upon San An- tonio in four successive detachments. This was rendered necessary by the scar- city of pasture and water on certain portions of the route. The lower division, commanded by Brigadier-General Urrea, moved from Matamorns on Goliad by a route near the coast, and a short time after the fall of the Alamo achieved the capture and massacre of Fannin's command. The advance from Laredo, consisting of the Dragoon Regiment of Delores and three battalions of infantry, commanded by Santa Ana in person, arrived at San Antonio on the afternoon of February 22d. No regular scouting service seems to have been kept up from the post of Bowie and Travis, owing probably to — 145— division and weakness of authority, for though the enemy was expected, liis im- mediate approach was not known to many of the inhabitants till the advance of liis dragoons was seen descending the slope west of the San Pedro. A guard was kept in town with a sentinel on the top of the church, yet the surprise of the pojjulation was so nearly complete that one or more American residents engaged in trade fled to the Alamo, leaving their stores open. The garrison, however, received more timely notice, and the guard retired in good order to the fort. The confusion at the Alariio, which for the time being was great, did not impede a prompt show of resistance. In the evening, soon after the enemy entered the town, a shot from the 18-pounder of the fort was answered by a shell from the invaders, and this was followed by a parley, of which different accounts have been given. According to Santa Ana's official report, after the shell was thrown, a white flag was sent out by the garrison with an offer to evacuate the fort if allowed to retire unmolested and in arms, to wliich reply was made that no ^erms would be admitted short of an unconditional surrender. Seguin, however, gave me a more reliable version of the affair. He related that after the firing a parley was sounded and a white flag raised by the invaders. Travis was not inclined to respond to it, but Bowie, without consulting him, and much to his displeasure, sent a flag of truce to demand what the enemy wanted. Their General, with his usual duplicity, denied having' sounded a parley or raised a flag, and informed the messenger that the garrison could be recognized only as rebels, and be allowed no other terms than a surrender at discretion. When in- formed of this, Travis harangued his men and administered to them an oath that they would resist to the last. The officers obtained a supply of corn, and added to their stork of beef after the enemy entered the town. On the same day a well, wliich a fatigue party had been digging within the walls, struck a. fine vein of water. This was fortu- nate, for the irrigating canal, which flowed past the foot of the wall, was shortly after cut off by the enemy. The investment had not yet commenced, nor was the firing, I think, renewed that evening, and tlie few citizens who had taken refuge in the fort succeeded in leaving it during the night if not earlier. On the night of the 22d of February the enemy planted two batteries on the west side of the river, one bearing west and the other southwest from the Alamo, with a range which no houses then obstructed. They were the next day silenced by the fire of the 18-pounder of the fort, but were restored to activity on the following night. On the 24tli another body of Mexican troops, a regiment of cavalry and three battalions of infantry arrived; then the fort was invested and a regular siege commenced, which, counting from that day till the morning of the 6th of March, occupied eleven days. By the 27th seven- more besieging batteries were planted, most of them on the east side of the river, and bearing on the northwest, southwest and south of the fort; but there were none on the east. As that was the only direction in wliich the garrison would be likely to attempt retreat, Santa Ana wished to leave a temptation to such flitting, while he prepared to intercept it by forming his cavalry camp on what is now called Powder House Hill, east of the Alamo. During the first few days occasional sallies were made by the garrison to obstruct the enemy's movements and burn houses wdiich might cover them. The operations of the siege, which, omitting the final assault, are probably given cor- rectly in Yoakum's History of Texas, consisted of an active but rather ineffective cannonade and bombardment, with an occasional skirmishing by day and fre- quent harassing alarms at night, designed to wear out the garrison with want of sleep. No assault was attempted, though it has been so asserted, till the final storming took place. The enemy had no siege train, but only light field pieces and howitzers, yet a breach was opened in th.e northern barrier, Q. near tlie north- east angle, and the chapel was the only building that withstood the cannonade firmly, as the balls often went clear through the walls of the others. Yet when I saw them unrepaired five years later, they seemed less battered than might have been expected. The stern resistance which had sprung up in the demoralized band within, and the comparative unity and order which must have come with it. were ushered in by a scene which promised no such outcome. The first sight of the enemy created as much confusion with as little panic at the Alamo as might be expected among men who had known as little of discipline as they did of fear. I\Ir. Lewis, of —146— San Antonio, informed me that lie took refuge for a few hours in the fort when the invaders appeared, and the disorder of the post beggared description. Bowie, with a detachment was engaged in breaking open deserted houses in the neighborhood and gathering corn, while another squad was driving cattle into the inclosure east of the long barrack. Some of the volunteers, who had sold their rifles to obtain the means of dissipation, were clamoring for guns of any kind; and the rest, though in arms, appeared to be mostly without orders or a capacity for obedience. No "army in Flanders" ever swore harder. He saw but one officer who seemed to be at his proper post and perfectly collected. This was an Irish Captain, named Ward, who though generally an inveterate drunk- ard, was now sober, and stood quietly by the guns of the south battery ready to use them. Yet amid the disorder of that hour no one seemed to think of flight; the first damaging shock, caused by the sight of the enemy, must have been cured* by the first shell that he threw; and the threat conveyed by Santa Ana's message seems to have inspired a greater amount of discipline than those men nad before been thought capable of possessing. The sobered toper who stood coolly by his guns was the first pustule which foretold a speedy inoculation of the whole mass with that qualification. The conflict of authority between Bowie and Travis, owing probably to the caution in which neither was deficient, had luckily produced no serious collision; and it was perhaps as fortunate that, at about the second day of the siege, the rivalry was cut short by a prostrating illness of the former, when Bowie was stricken by an attack of pneumonia, which would probably have proved fatal had not its blow been anticipated by the sword. This left Travis in undisputed com- mand. The investment was not too rigid to admit of the successful exit of couriers by night, and one or two had been- sent out, since the enemy appeared, with letters to Colonel Fannin, at Goliad, asking for aid. On the 29th of February it was resolved to send an officer, who in addition to bearing dispatches, might make his own influence and information available to accomplish the object of his mis- sion. Captain Seguin was recomaiiended by most of the officers, for as he was of Spanish race and language, and well acquainted with the surrounding country, it was thought he would be more likely than any one of his rank to succeed in pass- ing the enemy's lines. Travis wished to retain him in the garrison, but at a council of war. held on the night of the 29th, he yielded to the wishes of the majority. That night Seguin and his orderly, Antonio Cruz Oroche, prepared for the sally. Another of his Mexican recruits, named Alexandre de la Garza, had already been sent as a courier to the Provisional Government. Having no horse or equipments for himself, the Captain requested and obtained those of Bowie, who was already so ill that he hardly recognized the borrower. To him and the rest Seguin bade what proved to be a last adieu, and sallying from the postern on the northern side, took the high road to the east. As might be expected the rank and file had begun to look with jealousy on any departure from within, though of but one or two; and when Seguin produced the order which was to pass him and his orderly out, the sentinel at the postern began a rude comment; but a few words from the Captain, intimating that his errand was one which might bring safety, at once soothed the rough soldier, who bade him God speed. The road Avhich the two horsemen took passed near the cavalry camp of the enemy, and wliere it crossed their lines was stationed a guard of dragoons, who were then resting, dismounted. Seguin and his man rode leisureh^ up towards them, responding in Spanish to the hail of their sentinel, that they were coun- trymen. They were doubtless taken for Mexican rancheros of that neighborhood, and seemed to be riding up to report, but when near enough for a bold start they dashed past the guard at full speed. The hurried fire of the troopers was inef- fective, and before they were in the saddle the fugitives, who were both well mounted, were far ahead. The latter then took to the bush and made good their escape. The next day Seguin met an officer from Fannin's post, who informed him that his mission would be wholly unavailing, and advised him to join the camp then forming at Gonzales, which he did. On the following night, the first of March, a company of thirty-two men from Gonzales made its way through the enemy's lines, and entered the Alamo never again to leave it. This must have raised the force to 188 men or tliereabout, as none of the original number of 156 had fallen. —147— On tl.e night of the 3d of March. Travis sent out another conrier with a letter of that date to the government, wliich reached its destination. In that last dis- patch he says, "With an hundred and forty-five men I have held this place ten days against a force variously estimated from 1,500 to (5,000, and I shall con- tinue to hold it till I get relief from my countrymen or I will perish in the at- tempt. We have had a shower of bombs and cannon balls continually falling among us the wliole time, yet none of us have fallen. We have been miraculously preserved." As this was but two days and three niglits before the final assault, it is quite possible that not a single defender was stricken down till the fort was stormed. At the first glance it may seem almost farcical that there should be no more result from so long a fire, which was never sluggish ; but if so, this was a stage on which farce was soon to end in tragedy, and those two elements seem strangely mingled througli the whole contest. But the fact above referred to was not really farcical, however singular, and it serves merely to illustrate the mysterious doctrine of chance. It must have tended to uphold the deter- mination of men in a situation where the favor of luck is so apt to be accepted as the shielding of Providence. Travis, when he said, ''we have been miraculously preserved," no doubt expressed a sincere feeling, in which his companions shared; for such fancies are apt to take a strong contagious hold of men who stand day after day unharmed within a step of death; it is a time when the fierce, profane and dissolute often begin for the first time to look upward. It is worthy of note, that although the readiness of couriers to go out indicates a consciousness that the chance of life was at least as good without as within, we know of not a single case of night flitting. Brute bravery or reckless despair would hardly have produced this without some exceptions. The incident of tlie sentinel at the postern probably showed what were prevailing traits — scorn of desertion with readiness for hope. In many a rough bosom that hope had probably a new and half -comprehended faith under it. Though the hope w'as disappointed, I trust that the faith was not all in vain. In stating the force of the garrison during the previous ten days Travis did not include the little reinforcement which had come in only two days before; yet, as he mentions but 145, while the garrison is known to have numbered 156 when the enemy appeared, he must have rated eleven as inefi'ective or absent. A part of tliem may have been counted out as departed couriers, and the rest had perhaps sunk under the fatigue of duty. Had there been any wounded he would probably have referred to them. On the 4th of March Santa Ana called a council of war, and fixed on the morning of the 6th for the final assault. The besieging force now around the Alamo, comprising all the Mexican troops Avhich had yet arrived, consisted oi the two dragoon regiments of Dolores and Tampico, which formed a brigade, commanded by General Andrade, two companies or batteries of artillery under Colonel Ampudia, and six battalions of infantry, namely, Los Zapadores (en- gineer troops), Jimenes, Guerrero, Matamoros, Toluca and Tres Villas. These six battalions of foot were to form the storming forces. The order for the at- tack, which I have read, but have no copy of, was full and precise in its details, and was signed by General Amador, as Chief of Staff. The infantry were directed at a certain hour between midnight and dawn to form at convenient distances from the fort in four columns of attack and a reserve. These dispositions were not made by battalions, for the light companies of all were incorporated with the Zapadores to form the reserve, and other transpositions were made. A certain number of scaling ladders, axes and fascines were to be borne by particular columns. A commanding officer, with a second to replace him in case of accident, was named, and a point of attack designated for each column. The cavalry were to be stationed at suitable points around the fort to cut off" fugitives. From what I have learned from men engaged in the assault, it seems tliat these dispositions were modified before it was carried out so as to combine the five bodies of in- fantry, including the reserve, into only three columns of attack, thus leaving no actual reserve but the cavalry. The immediate direction of tlie assault seems to have been intrusted to General Castrillon, a Spaniard by birth, and a brilliant soldier. Santa Ana took his station, with a part of his staff and all the bands of music, at a battery, about 500 yards south of the Alamo and near the old bridge, from which post a signal was to be given by a bugle note for the columns to move simultaneously at double-quick time against the fort. One, consisting of —148— Los Zapadores, Toluca and the light companies, and commanded by Castrillon, was to rush through the breach on the north; another, consisting of the battalion of Jimenes and other troops, and commanded by General Cos, was to storm the chapel; and a third, whose leader I do not recollect, was to scale the west bar- rier. Cos, who had evacuated San Antonio a year before under capitulation, was assigned to the most difiicult point of attack, probably to give him an opportunity to retrieve his standing. By the timing of the signal it was calculated that the columns would reacli the foot of the wall just as it should become sufficiently light for good operation. When the hour came the south guns of the Alamo were answering the batteries which fronted them, but the music was silent until the blast of a bugle was followed by the rusliing tramp of soldiers. The guns of the fort opened upon the moving inasses, and Santa Ana's bands struck up the assassin note of clegueUo, or no quarter. But a few and not very effective discharges of cannon from the works could be made before the enemy were under them, and it was probably not till then that the worn and wearied garrison was fully mustered. Castrillon's column arrived first at the foot of the wall, but was not the first to enter. The guns of the north, where Travis commanded in person, probably raked the breach, and this or the fire of the riflemen brought the column to a disordered halt, and Colonel Duque, who commanded the battalion of Toluca, fell dangerously wounded; but while this was occurring the column from the west crossed the barrier on that side by escalade at a point north of the center, and as this checked resistance at the north Castrillon shortly after passed the breach. It was probably while the enemy was thus pouring into the large area that Travis fell at his post, for his body, with a single shot in the forehead, was found beside the gun at the northwest angle. — The outer walls and batteries, all except one gun, of which I will speak, were now abandoned by the defenders. In the mean- time Cos had again proved unlucky. His column was repulsed from the chapel and his troops fell back in disorder behind the old stone stable and huts that stood south of the southwest angle. There they were soon rallied and led into the large area by General Amador. I am not certain as to his point of entrance, but he probably followed the escalade of the column from the west. This all passed within a few minutes after the bugle sounded. The garrison when driven from the tliinly manned outer defenses, whose early loss was in- evitable, took refuge in the buildings before described, but mainly in the long barrack, and it was not till then, when they became more concentrated and covered within, that the main struggle began. They were more concentrated as to space, not as to unity of command, for there was no communicating between buildings, nor in all cases between rooms. There was little need of command, however, to men who had no choice left but to fall where they stood before the weight of numbers. There ivas now no retreating from point to point, and each group of defenders had to fight and die in the den where it was brought to bay. From the doors, windows and loopholes of tlie several rooms around the area the crack of the rifle and the hiss of the bullet came fierce and fast; as fast as the enemy fell and recoiled in his first efforts to charge. The gun beside which Travis fell was now turned against the buildings, as were also some others, and shot after shot was sent crashing through the doors and barricades of the several rooms. Each ball was followed by a storm of musketry and a charge, and thus room after room was carried at the point of the bayonet, when all within them died fighting to the last. The struggle was made 'up of a number of separate and (!es]3erate combats, often hand to liand, between squads of the garrison and bodies of the enemy. The bloodiest spot about tlie fort was the long barrack and the ground in front of it, where the enemy fell in heaps. Before the action reached this stage, the turning of Travis' gun by the assail- aiits was briefly imitated by a group of the defenders. "A small piece on a high platform," as it was described to me by General Bradburn, was wheeled by those who manned it against the large area after the enemy entered it. Some of the Mexican officers thought it did more execution than any gun which fired outward; but after two eflfective discharges it was silenced, when the last of its cannoneers fell under a shower of bullets. I cannot locate this gun with certainty, but it was probably the twelve-pound carronade which fired over the center of the west wall from a high commanding position. The smallness assigned to it perhaps referred (;nly to its length. According to Mr. Ruiz, then the Alcalde of San Antonio, who, —149— after the action, was required to point out tlie slain leaders to Santa Ana, the body of Crockett was found in the west battery just referred to, and we may infer that he either commanded that point or was stationed there as a sharp- shooter. The common fate overtook Bowie in his bed in one of tlie rooms of the low barrack, wlien he probably had but a few days of life left in him, yet lie had enough remaining, it is said, to shoot down with his pistols more than one of his assailants ere he was butchered on his couch. If he had sufficient strength and consciousness left to do it, we may safely assume that it was done. The chapel, which was the last point taken, was carried by a coupe dr main after the fire of the other buildings was silenced. Once the enemy in possession of the large area, the guns of the south could be turned to fire into tlie door of the church, only from fifty to an hundred yards off, and that was probably the route of attack. The inmates of this last stronghold, like the rest, fought to the last, and continued to fire down from the upper works after the enemy oc- cupied the floor. A Mexican officer told of seeing one of his soldiers shot in the crown of the head during this melee. Towards the close of the struggle Lieu- tenant Dickenson, witli his child in his arms, or, as some accounts say, tied to his back, leaped from the east embrazure of the chapel, and both were shot in the act. Of those he left behind him, the bayonet soon gleaned what the bullet had left, and in the upper part of that edifice the last defender must have fallen. The morning breeze which received his parting breath probably still fanned his flag above that fabric, for I doubt not he fell ere it was pulled down by the victors. The Alamo had fallen; but the impression it left on the invader was the fore- runner of San Jacinto. It is a fact not often remembered, that Travis and his band fell ixnder the Mexican Federal flag of 1824, instead of the Lone Star of Texas, although Independence, unknown to them, had been declared by the new convention four days before at Washington, on the Brazos. They died for a Republic of whose existence they never knew. The action, according to Santa Ana's report, lasted thirty minutes. It was certainly short, and possibly no longer time passed between the moment the enemy entered the breach and tliat when resistance died out. The assault was a task which had to be carried out quickly or fail. Some of the incidents which have to be related separately oc- curred simviltaneously, and all occupied very little time. The account of the assault which Yoakum and others have adopted as autlientic is evidently one which popular tradition has based on conjecture. By a rather natural inference, it assumes that the inclosing walls, as in the case of regular forts, wei-e the principal works, and that in storming these the main conflict took place. The truth was, these extensive barriers formed in reality nothing more tlian the out- Avorks, speedily lost, while the buildings within constituted the citadel and the scene of sternest resistance. Yoakum's assertion that Santa Ana during the height of the conflict, was under the works, urging on the escalade in person, is exceedingly fabulous. Castrillon, not Santa Ana, was the soul of the assault. The latter remained at his south battery, viewing the operations from the corner of a house which covered him, till he supposed the place was nearly mastered, when he moved up towards the Alamo, escorted by his aids and bands of music, but turned back on being greeted by a few shots from the upper part of the chapel. He, however, entered the area towards the close of the scene, and directed some of the last details of tlie butchery. It cannot be denied that Santa Ana in the course of his career showed occasional fits of dashing courage, but he did not select this field for an exhibition of that quality. About the time the area was entered a few men, cut off" from inward retreat, leaped from tlie barriers and attempted flight, but were all sabred or speared by the cavalry except one, who succeeded in hiding himself under a small bridge of the irrigating ditch. There he was discovered and reported a few hours after by some laundresses engaged in washing near the spot. He was executed. Half an hour or more after the action was over a few men were found concealed in one of the rooms under some mat- tresses. General Houston, in his letter of the 11th, says as many as seven, but I have generally heard them spoken of as only four or five. The officer to whom the discovery was first reported entreated Santa Ana to spare their lives: but he was sternly rebuked, and the men ordered to be shot, which was done. Owing to the hurried manner in wliich the mandate was obeyed, and the confusion prevail- ing at the moment, a ^Mexican soldier was accidentally killed witli tlieni. A nerrro belonging to Travis, the wife of Lieutenant Dickenson, who at the time was —150— enciente, and a few Mexican women with their children, were the only inmates of the fort whose lives were spared. The massacre involved no women and but one child. Lieutenant Dickenson commanded the gun at the east embrazure of the chapel. His family was probably in one of the small vaulted rooms of the north projection, which will account for his being able to take his child to the rear of the building when it was being stormed. An irrigating canal ran below the embrasure, and his aim may have been to break the shock of his leap by landing in the mud of that waterless ditch, and then try to escape, or he may have thought that so striking an act would plead for his life; but the shower of bullets which greeted him told how vain was the hope. The authenticity of this highly dramatic incident has been questioned, but it was asserted from the first, and was related to me by an eye-witness engaged in the assault.* It was asserted on the authority of one of the women, that while the church was being stormed. Major Evans, the Master of Ordnance, rushed with a torch or burning match towards the magazine of the fort to fire it, when he was shot down before his object was accomplished. It may seem unlikely that any of the Avomen would. be in a position to witness such an incident, but they may have been put into the magazine as a place most sheltered from the enemy's shots. The powder was probably stored in the little vaulted room on the north of the chapel, which I have just referred to.f There were two officers of the name just mentioned in the garrison of the Alamo, Major Robert Evans, Master of Ordnance, an Irishman, and Captain J. B. Evans of Texas, a nephew of General Jacob Brown, who formerly commanded the United States Army. I must now endeavor to approximate as nearly as can be done by inference, for I have no direct data, to the number of troops engaged in the assault and the amount of their loss; matters which have been the subject of absurd perversion on both sides. The old popular tale of Texas that the Alamo was stormed by ten thousand men, of whom a thousand or more were killed, shows how rapidly legend may grow up even in this age, and the belief which has been given to it is worthy of an era when miracles were considered frequent. The entire force with which' Santa Ana invaded Texas in 1836, and which after his defeat he rated at 6,000 men, probably amounted to 7,500 or 8,500, as it consisted of seventeen corps, viz. : three regiments of horse and fourteen battalions of foot. It is proper here to observe that the Mexicans apply the term regiment only to cavalry corps; a Colonel's command of infantry being always called a battalion. The nominal complement of a regiment or battalion is 1,500, but I never heard of one that was full, and seldom saw one during my long residence in Mexico that contained as much as a third of that number. I doubt if it is considered convenient ever to swell one to over 500 men, for the host of officers who have sufficient infiuence to obtain commands can be supplied only by keeping up the number of corps at the expense of their fullness. I saw all the corps composing the said army when it retreated from Texas to Matamoras after the campaign of 1836, and from the *I had for several years in Texas as a servant, one of the Mexican soldiers cap- tured at San Jacinto, Sergeant Becero, of the Battalion of Matamoros. He was in the assault, and witnessed Dickenson's leap. He also saw the body of Bowie on his bed, where he had been killed, and witnessed the execution of the few men who were found in concealment after the action was over. He did not know the names of Bowie or Dickenson, and related, the circumstances, not in reply to inquiries, but in a natural way as recollections in narrating his experience. Many absurd stories about the admissions made by Mexicans touching the force of the assailants and the amount of their loss at the Alamo are based on syco- phantic statements, drawn by leading questions from prisoners of the lower class tin 1841 the husband of one of the Mexican women who were with the garrison during the siege and assaults pointed out to me the vaulted room referred to, and observed: "During the fight and massacre five or six women stood in that room all in a huddle." He was an intelligent man, but so given to embellishing whatever he related that I did not then rely much on his information; but I have since called it to mind in connection with what is above said. This man did not refer to Evans' attempt, nor did he say that the cell referred to was used for storing powder, but, according to my recollection, it was the most fitting place for a magazine which I saw about the Alamo. —151— size of those which had not been in action, as well as from the remaining bulk of those which had suffered, after allowing for probable loss, I am convinced that their average strength when Uwy entered Texas was short of 500 men each, and that the smaller of the two amounts I have assigned to the aggregate is most likely to be true. This estimate applies especially to the six battalions of infantry which formed the assaulting force of the Alamo. They may possibly have numbered 3,000 men, but from the best information and inference I have been able to gather, I believe that tlieir aggregate did not exceed and may have fallen short of 2,500. Santa Ana's invariable practice was to exaggerate his force before an action, by wav of tlirent, and to underrate it after, wliether to excuse defeat or magnify victory- and in accordance with this trickery, in his report of the taking the Alamo, "he sets down his storming force at 1,400, his loss of 00 killed and, 300 wounded, and the number of the garrison all told and all killed at GOO. Wliere the slauohter was wrouglft by good fire arms in good hands at close quarters there would hardly be such disparity between the number of killed and wounded. The prob- ability is that he struck off an even thousand from the round numbers of the assaulters and a hundred or two from the number of his killed; while he made out as big a butchery of rebels as Mexican credulity would swallow. If we correct his falsification on this assumption, he had in the assault 2,400, and lost in killed and wounded 460 or 560. Anselmo Borgara, a Mexican, who first reported the fall of the Alamo to General Houston, at Gonzales, having left San Antonio the evening after it occurred, stated that the assaulting force amounted to 2,300 men, of whom 521 were killed and as many wounded. He had probably found means of ascertaining with approximate correctness the number of infantry at San Antonio; but his report of the loss has evidently acquired its bulk by the process of doubling. Neither Mexican troops nor any others are apt to takeforts with a loss of more than two-fifths of their number. He had probably heard of 521 as the total of killed and wounded, and then converted the whole into the former and supposed an equal amount of the latter. The odd numbers attached to the hundreds, and the limits which probability would assign to a lar^e loss favor the belief that he had heard the result of an actual count of the whole deficit. This analysis of falsehood may not be a very sure way of finding out truth, but it is not without value when it has some corroboration. The Mexican officers captured at San Jacinto, including Santa Ana's secretary, as I was fold by Colonel Seguin, were generally of the opinion that the loss at the Alamo in killed and wounded was about 500. Some rated it lower and others higher; and one, but only one, went as high as 700. The opinions of such enlisted men as I have conversed with were about the same as those of the officers, ranging from four to six hundred. Nothing is more apt to make an exaggerated impression on the casual view than a field of slaughter, and I think that the higher of the above estimates may be errors of that kind. General Bradburn, who was at the scene of action soon after it occurred, believed that the eventual loss to the service {killed and disabled for life) would be 300. This I consider equivalent to 500 killed and wounded; and it is my opinion that the Mexican loss at the Alamo ditTered little from that number. Now if- 500 men were bullet stricken by 180 in half an hour or little more, it was a rapidity of bloodshed which needs no exaggeration, but it may require strong proofs to save it from the imputation of fiction, for defenders *of better forts than the Alamo seldom slay many times more than their own number, unless they possess extraordinary means or opportunities for destruction. The slaughter was not in this case the carnage of unresisted pursuit, like that of San Jacinto, nor the sweeping havoc of cannon under favorable circumstances, like that of Sandusky. The main element of defense was the individual valor and skill of men who had few advantages of fortification, ordnance, discipline or command. All tlieir deficiencies, which were glaring, serve only to enhance the merit of individuality, in which no veterans could have excelled them. It re- quired no ordinary bravery, even in greatly superior mmibers, to overcome a resistance so determined. The Mexican troops displayed more of it in this assault than they have done on almost any other occasion : but it must be re- membered that better troops than those of Santa Ana always fail under loss as heavy as romance often assigns to the assailants of the Alamo. If we owe to departed heroes the duty of preserving their deeds from oblivion, —152— we ought to feel as strongly that of defending their memory against the calumi- noiis effect of false eulogy, which in time might cause their real achievements to be doubted.* Santa Ana, when he marched on Texas, counted on finding a fortified position at or near San Antonio, but supposed it would be at the Mission of Concepcion, an old church, two miles below the town. That strong building, with the aid of obedience and labor, might have been converted into a tenable fort, not too large to be manned by the garrison of the Alamo. An assault made tliere by even a larger force than that which captured the other fort might have met with a bloody repulse, which would have led to the rescue of the garrison and changed the character of the campaign, which in that event would probably have been terminated west of the Guadalupe. But such a transfer of garrison and armament was impossible in the state of discipline and command which the foregoing narrative shows to have existed. , A military lesson, though not a new one, may be derived from the fall of the Alamo. Among the essential qualities of a soldier we must consider not only the discipline and subordination that blends him with the mass in which the word of command moves him, but also the individual self-reliance and efficiency which may restore the battle even after the mass is broken. From the lack of the former quality the men of the Alamo were lost; by their possession of the lat- ter they became in the last struggle as formidable as veterans, and died glo- riously; and in a better position they would have been saved by it. Though the latter quality depends more on nature than the former, it admits of development, and the perfection of training neglects neither. Neither Travis nor Bowie had much of the experience or instruction of the soldier, and they were the reverse of each other in certain antecedents and outward traits. The latter in his youth had been noted for daring in bloody personal feuds, and his name has attached to it a characteristic memento in the designa- tion of a homicidal knife, v/hose pattern he originated. Travis, though ambi- tious and not backward in revolutionary movements, had been in civil life habitually cautious in avoiding broils and personal collisions, so much so tliat the rougher class of his contemporaries took for signs of timidity what I be- lieve merely indicated a cool temper and guarded deportment. That he was deficient in courage is contradicted, not only by the closing scenes of his life and his heroic death, but by the testimony of one who had the best opportunity of *A brief account of the fall of the Alamo, related in legendary style by Fran- cisco Ruiz, who lived at San Antonio when the event occurred, was published in the Texas Almanac of 1860. The narrator shows total ignorance of the details of the assault, which he blends with a cannonade between batteries that went before it, and, if the printer has not blundered for him, imagines that the storm- ing of the fort began at 3 p. m. on the 6th. This is so contrary to the recollec- tion of old residents, that it began at dawn, and was soon over, that I think "p. m." must have been printed in place of a. m. He asserts that after a long attack and repeated repulses, it ended with the scaling of the outer wall, which formed the final success. He has no knowledge of the speedy loss of the out- ward barriers, or of the main conilict inside. He rates the besieging -forces at 4000, which would be correct if the eight corps, including two of cavalry, num- bered 500 each. He sets down Santa Ana's loss at 1600, and in a way to imply that this was the number of killed. Now, estimating the force at 4000, and leav- ing out 1000 cavalry for outside service, the storming masses would consist of 3000 infantry. If 1600 were killed, the wounded would cover the remainder, and the total of assailants as well as of defenders must have gone down. If he means that the loss was 1600 killed and wounded, it was heavy enough to render suc- cess impossible, and to cripple the army too much for the prompt and active campaigning on which it immediately entered. The battalion of Toluca lie says numbered 800, of whom only 130 men were left alive. If 670 were killed, the small remainder must have been disabled. The whole corps went to the grave- yard and hospital, yet eight weeks after a part of it was killed and taken at San Jacinto, and a"^ small remnant retreated to Matamoros. So absurd a nar- rative would not be worth referring to had it not been quoted in a San Antonio newspaper in 1860 as a testimony of an eye-witness conflicting witli my former publication. —153— judging. Colonel Seguin, wlio was frecjiiently with him under llix', not only on the works, but in the early sallies of the siege, was convinced that Travis pos- sessed a high degree of constitutional bravery. The garrison of the Alamo, in personal character, was made up of diverse ele- ments, whose relative proportions cannot now be ascertained. The rulTian, fili- buster type, men whose death alone redeemed their life, of course comprised no small part of it, but with them stood also those who, like the band from Gon- zales, were fighting for near homes, whore their kindred dwelt; and among the new comers was perhaps an equal number of honorable men, who, like Bonham and Crockett, liad an honest faith and generous zeal in the cause they espoused. There were probably few among tlie lowest of that garrison who lacked the re- deeming trait of bravery, and among men of that character common danger is sure to bring out the better qualities in all who sliare it. When no enemy was in sight the bad element showed its numerical strength, but when ])eril came over all, the good asserted its power, and the evil in a measure assimilated to it. It requires no stretch of charity then to believe that many a rough wight whose highest aspirations had heretofore been for plunder felt a thrill akin to that of the patriot when he died for a land which he could not yet claim as his own. Of the details contained in my former brief publication and in this article, I obtained many from General Bradburn, who arrived at San Antonio I think two days after the action, and gathered many of its particulars from officers who were in it, one oi whom went over the ground with him.* A few incidents I had through a friend from General Amador. Others I received from three intelligent sergeants, one of whom, Sergeant Becero, I have already mentioned. They were men of fair education, and I think truthful witnesses. From men of their class I could generally get more candid statements as to loss and relative strength than from commissioned officers. I also gathered some minor particulars from local tradition of a reliable kind, preserved among the residents of San Antonio. When some of the details earliest learned were acquired I had not seen the lo- cality, and hence I afterwards had to locate some of the occurrences by inference, which I have done as carefully as possible. After my publication of 1860, as already mentioned, I obtained some additional information from Colonel Se^uinf and Mr. Lewis of San Antonio. The former had had better facilities than any one else in the service of Texas for obtaining and comparing the statements of Mexican officers captured at San Jacinto. These new lights enabled me to cor- rect some errors and many omissions in regard to the fort, its armament and garrison, as well as the siege and assault. The stranger will naturally inquire where lie the heroes of the Alamo, and Texas can reply only by a silent blush. A few hours after the action the bodies of the slaughtered garrison were gathered by the victors, laid in three heaps, mingled with fuel, and burned, though their own dead were interred. On the 25th of February, 1837, the bones and ashes of the defenders were, by order of General Houston, collected as well as could then be done, for burial iDy Colonel *General Bradburn was a Virginian, who had been in the service of Mexico since the time of Mina's expedition, in which he held the rank of Lieutenant- Colonel and took a distinguished part. In 183G, when he was on the i-etired list of the Mexican army, he was ordered, much against his wishes, to join Santa Ana in his campaign against Texas. He reported to Santa Ana soon after the fall of the Alamo, and at his own request was assigned to an luiimportant post (Copano landing) where he would not be likely to come into contact with the forces of Texas. Bradburn had a few years befoie commanded in Texas, and had come unpleasantly into contact with a revolutionary element which did not then culminate in revolution. tColonel Seguin served gallantly as a captain under General Houston at San Jacinto, and subsequently commanded a i-egiment. His zealous adherence to the cause of Texas throughout the campaign of 1836, and for some years after, is undoubted; and his subsequent defection from that cause may be palliated by the popular harshness, endangering life, to which he became subject, and which in a manner drove him to a step of which he evidently repented. I have no reason to doubt the candor and correctness of anything which he related in mat- ters whereon I have cited his authority. He had no motive to misrepresent any- thing which was not personal to himself, nor did he seem to color unduly what was. A man may be a correct narrator in spite of political errors. —154— Seguin, then in command at San Antonio. The bones were placed in a large coffin, which, together with the gathered ashes, was interred with military honors. The jjlace of burial was a peach orchard then outside of the Alamo village, and a few hundred yards from the fort. When I was last there in 1861, it was' still a large inclosed open lot, though surrounded by the suburb which had there grown up, but the rude landmarks which had once pointed out the place of sepulture had long since disappeared. Diligent search might then have found it, but it is now densely built over, and its identity is irrecoverably lost. This is too sad for comment. A small, but finely executed monument, made from the stones of the Alamo in 1841 by an artist named Nangle, was subsequently purchased by the State of Texas, and now stands in the vestibule of the Capitol at Austin; but neither at the Alamo itself, nor at the forgotten grave of its defenders, does any legend or device, like the stone of Thermopylae, remind the passer-by of those who died in obedience to the call of their adopted country. R. M. POTTER. -156- DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS ASK STATE TO TAKE CHARGE. The following is copied from the proceedings of the Daughters of the Eepuhlic at their annual . session held in San Antonio iVpril 30 to 22. 1909, at their Friday afternoon session, beginning on page 23 : Friday Afternoon, 2:30 O'clock. Meeting called to order by Mrs. Fisher. Minutes of morning meeting read and approved. Mrs. Urwitz presented the following resolutions, which were seconded by Mrs. Stone: Whereas, The Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Texas enacted an act to provide for the purchase and conveyance to the State of Texas of the land in the city of San Antonio known as the Hugo & Schmeltzer Company property, which was a part of the Alamo Mission; and for the care and preser- vation of said property and of the Alamo church property, now owned by the State, and appropriating the sum of sixty-five thousand ($65,000) dollars to carry out the lirovisions of this act; and Whereas, Section 3 of said act provides that "upon the receipt of the title to said land, the Governor shall deliver the property thus acquired, together with the Alamo church property already owned by the State, to the custody and care of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, to be maintained by them in good order and repair, without charge to the State, as a sacred memorial to the heroes who immolated themselves upon that hallowed ground; and by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to be maintained or remodeled upon plans adopted by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and approved by the Governor of Texas ; provided that no changes or alterations shall be made in the Alamo church proper, as it now stands, except such as are absolutely neces- sary for its preservation. All of said property being subject to future legis- lation hy the Legislature of the State of Texas"; and Whereas, During the interim, when the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, an incorporated body politic, is not in session, its Executive Committee has control and charge of all of its affairs; and Whereas, ihe Daughters of the Republic of Texas will not convene in annual session until April, 1909 ; and Whereas, In the judgment of the Executive Committee of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, conditions have arisen which make it expedient to take the following action; and Whereas, In the maintenance of the trust reposed in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, by the State of Texas, through having placed in their hands the custody of the Alamo property, in the defense of which they have been forced into the courts, and have had to resort to contentious measures altogether distasteful, and unbecoming to the dignity of this great organization; and Whereas, While deeply appreciating the high honor conferred by the State upon the Daughters of the Republic of Texas by the conveyance of this trust, and which they have endeavored to defend to the best of their ability, yet in the interest of the harmony and dignity of this organization it is asked that the State of Texas will resume the custody of the Alamo property; therefore, be it Resolved by the Executive Committee of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, That the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Texas l^e, and is hereby, requested to so amend said act of the Twenty-ninth Legislature providing for the purchase, care and preservation of the Alamo property, so as to relieve the Daughters of the Republic of Texas from the custody and care of the entire Alamo property now owned by the State of Texas, and that a commission be created of not less than five persons, to be male citizens of the State of Texas, —157— to be appointed by the Governor of the State of Texas, who are to serve without compensation, and to assume the custody and care of said property, with such powers as to the Lcgishiture may seem proper and wise. Kesolved, That as the Daughters of the Kepublic of Texas have been put to considerable expense in defending this trust aforesaid, the Executive Committee asks that the Legislature will reimburse the organization for such expenditure, b,y allowing so much of the amount of the income that has accrued from the Alamo property, during the custodianship of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, that this outlay may be met. It is also asked that allowance be made for the sum of fourteen hundred and fifty ($1450) dollars, still due Mrs. Clara DriseoU Sevier, for taxes paid on the said property by herself, and for which tlie State made no provision at the time of the purchase. Resolved further. That a certified copy of these resolutions be transmitted by tlie Secretary, under the seal of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, to tlie Governor of the State of Texas, to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House; and that the said President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House are hereby respectfully requested to have said resolutions read to the Senate and the House in open session, respectively, and recorded in the Journal of each. Rebecca J. Fisher, President, Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Maggie G. Milby, General Secretary, Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Mrs. Stone, seconded by Mrs. Milby, moved the adoption of the resolution. Discussion followed, but final action was deferred for the arrival of Mrs. Dibrell, who was expected at a later hour, and other business, on motion, was taken up. Mrs. Fisher strongly urged that the public school buildings of Texas shall be named for the heroes of tlie Texas Revolution. Mrs. Stone moved "that, in view of the fact that the government of the Republic of Texas provided for the free education of the children of Texas, the Executive Committee, D. R. T., recommends that the names of places and heroes connected with the Texas Revo- lution be first considered in the naming of the public schools of this State, and of the several new buildings connected with the State University." Motion carried. Mrs. McKeever moved that this resolution be addressed to the school boards through the State School Journal, and a copy be sent to Mr. R. B. Cousins, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Motion adopted. ilrs. Dibrell's arrival having been delayed, it was decided, on motion, to adjourn until the next morning. Saturday Morning, January 9. The Executive Committee met in the D. R. T. room at 10 o'clock, Mrs. Fisher in the chair. Members present, :\Iesdames Milby, Urwitz, McKeever, Dibrell, Stone and Miss Burleson. Meeting opened by repeating the Lord's Prayer, after which tlie minutes of the previous day's meetings were read and adopted. ]\lrs. Dibrell moved that all bills incurred with the approval of the Executive Committee shall be paid from tlie State Treasury. Motion adopted. Mrs. Urwitz moved "that the resolutions relating to the custody of the Alamo property be now taken up and considered." Carried. After some slight amend- ment, which the committee accepted, Mrs. Dibrell, seconded by Mrs. Milby, moved tlie adoption of the resolutions as amended. Carried by a vote of six of the members. Mrs. Dibrell moved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and that it be given to tlie press. Adopted. Mrs. Stone moved "that five hundred copies be ordered printed, and on the meeting of the Legislature, the same he placed on the desk of each member of the Senate and House." Carried. ^ ^ LRBAp'13 s ^