Alamo Express [San Antonio, TX], September 24, 1860
Young America—had a happy time of it on Wednesday evening last. Judging from the noise they made there were about one thousand boys on the main plaza and as they are not interested in Squatter Sovereignty and politics generally, they take it upon themselves to build bonfires, throw turpentine balls and keep up a noise. A more energetic set of youngsters cannot be scared up anywhere; they declared themselves decidedly pleased with the arrangement of having speaking on this side the river, as they had “burnt out” the Alamo.—Foraging parties were dispatched over the city and a bonfire soon made out of a collection of barrels, boxes &c. Turpentine balls went sailing thro’ the air and were particularly annoying to some melon vendors near the old Catholic church. One little fellow got his coat tail on fire and went a kiting with the whole tribe at his heels. Fuel getting scarce, some keen scented youngsters discovered that the vegetable vendors had their benches &c stowed away on the corner amongst the old buildings they were immediately brought forth amidst yells and shouts and consigned to the flames. There were an angry set folks at market next morning.