The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 75, July 1971 - April, 1972 Page: 270

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Southwestern Historical Quarterly

the national debt, land grants, the growth of Houston and Sam Houston's
preference for that city, but also his compromise on Washington-on-the-
Brazos.
Perhaps to economize, the publishers and the authors have not used foot-
notes, but historians will recognize the wealth of sources consulted. Con-
nor and Dorman H. Winfrey appear less willing to forgo references and
do give credit for many of the quoted portions. As might be expected, the
material about Austin is voluminous, but it is interesting and pertinent.
The chapter by James M. Day deals primarily with the building of the
present capitol. While there is no gap for the years 1881-1888, the chapter
heading tends to give this impression.
All of the chapters are enjoyable to read, and the numerous quotations
add flavor. Many readers will agree, however, that the book would be im-
proved by an index and a bibliography.
University of Texas, Austin ROBERT C. COTNER
Old Mountain City. By Bonnie Carpenter. (San Antonio: Naylor Com-
pany, 1970. Pp. x+150. Illustrations, bibliography. $7.95.)
This book, an informative contribution to the local history of Central
Texas, is the story of an early Hays County community that extended from
Kyle Bluff on the Blanco River northeast to Manchaca Springs. The au-
thor begins with the pioneer settlers who first established Mountain City be-
tween Austin and San Marcos. In the second chapter, she describes the
community's first schools, churches, and social life. The third chapter de-
scribes this little Hays County community during the War Between the
States, and includes a number of interesting letters depicting the hardships
of Confederate military life. The freeing of the Negro slaves and the trials
of Reconstruction are told in the last chapter. The end of Mountain City
began in 188o when the International and Great Northern Railroad missed
the community. The people of Mountain City became the first settlers in
the new towns of Buda and Kyle.
The author shows considerable skill in connecting the local community
story with state and Confederate history. She presents the particulars about
the social life in an interesting manner. The three revival campsites near
running water, the brush arbors, women in long dresses, the circuit riders
who gave profound sermons and fervent prayers, delectable noon meals
cooked by Negro cooks, and other details are vividly depicted. She also in-
cludes some of the details about the loyalty of these people to the Con-
federacy as shown by the large number of enlisted personnel from Hays
County. Even the footnotes include substantial facts, particularly for those
interested in genealogy.
Although the author presents much valuable information to help piece
together the story of the central part of Texas, the book is rather brief.
However, this reviewer recommends it to anyone interested in local Texas
history.

2,70'

Midwestern University

JOHN N. CRAVENS

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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 75, July 1971 - April, 1972, periodical, 1972; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101201/m1/282/ocr/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.

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