The Southern Democrat, 19 Apr 1900 Oneonta In Galveston. Thank you in advance for a little space in your valuable paper that I may tell its many friends something of my trip to the Lone Star State. I boarded the south bound train No. 3 at Birmingham, Ala., March 22nd, 4 P.M., arrived at new Orleans next morning at 7:50 in a drenching rain, crossed the Father of Waters in a steamboat and boarded the Southern Pacific , arrived at Houston at 10:55-and still it rained. Took a bed at the Capitol Hotel and tried to sleep, but in vain. The great city of Houston with its surging masses of humanity-what supports it? Does every one have a bank deposit? If so, how does he get it? I am sure they are not farmers of North Alabama. I confess its hard to solve by one with nervous headache, as was my condition, for the clerk has just told me my bill would be $3.00. Next morning I waited a while for a car but was told that it was a mile to the depot and the track was covered with water-for still it rained-and the cars could not reach me. As I was taller than the car wheels I thought I might ford it, and I did part of the way. Got to depot at 6:45 A.M. and took train at 7 for Galveston, arrived about 9:30 a run of 50 miles. Was met there by my brother J.M. Fendley and conducted to his palatial and comfortable home. Took a bath, some refreshments and a nap. About 3 P.M. went to the wharf took a boat and went out 4 miles into the bay where lay the battleships Texas and New York. We went on board the Texas and were shown through it from top to bottom. It is a marvelous sight with its massive machinery as bright and clean as clock work by which those massive guns can be used with such quickness and accuracy. We went up side of the New York and saw Admiral Fargular come out of his office bowing and raising his cap. The ladies on our ship sang and waived, and the band played Dixie. Both ships bore marks of the conflicts of the late American Spanish war. Galveston certainly is the prettiest, finest and wealthiest city in the South, but I will not enter into details describing the city just now, as it would take too much of your valuable space. Possibly later I will give your many readers something more. John S. Fendley. [Note: About five months after this report, Galveston was struck by a hurricane which destroyed the city and killed over 6,000 people]