The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931 Page: 33
359 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Through Texas and Northern Mexico in 1846-1847 33
here 40 yds. wide, the water 15 or 20 feet deep, yet so strong is
the ebulition of the spring, that the water is thrown two or three
feet above the surface of the stream. I am told that by approach-
ing it in canoe, you may see down in the chasm from whence the
water issues. Large stones are thrown up, as you've seen grains
of sand in small springs, it is unaffected by the dryest season. I
am persuaded that the quantity of water which is carried off by
this stream in the course of a year is greater than that by the
South Licking, it is about 60 feet wide and 3 feet deep on an
average, with a curant of not less than ten or fifteen miles per
hour. Great numbers of the finest fish; and occasionly an alli-
gator may be seen sporting in its chrystal waters. The town of
St. Marks, (that is to be, for it is only born and christened, the
first of the four houses, it contains having been put up four weeks
since) stands on one of the loveliest spots in nature. Immediately
in rear of it, to the north, a range of romantic woody hills extends
away for many miles to the west, terminating at the north in an
abrupt cliff from which issues the spring. The spring branch
(St. Marks river) runs half round the place in a semi circle form-
ing the e [a]stern and southeren boundry. At the west, the prairie
rises in easy and regular swells for miles away. These swells are
mostly cover'd with clumps of live oak, or groves of post, or pecan.
The town site containing a mile square slopes from the center to
the east, south, and west, a number of trees standing singly, or in
groups cover this area, many of them hung with graceful festoons
of Spanish moss. The margin of the stream, and sides of the
hills are adorned with innumerable flowers and shrubs. In the
eddies of the stream, water cresses and palmettoes grow to a
gigantic size. Great quantities of game in the neighbourhood. It
was a few months since, a favourite resort and camping ground for
roving bands of Comanches. I have met with a lad of 17 who
was taken when three years old by them, on Red river and re-
main'd among them 9 years. Also, he was engaged in a battle
against Texans about three miles from this place, three or four
years since. His Father was one of the Texan party. The lad,
(his name I cannot remember) was wounded, the father was killed
some time after on the Rio Grand. Some time after the battle
above named, he felt for the first time, a wish to return to the
whites. This feeling he could not shake off, and seeking an oppor-
tunity, made his escape. After several weeks of danger and priva-
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931, periodical, 1931; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101091/m1/37/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.