The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-02-23
WHOLE NO. 1923,

through which we passed more elevated
and gradually rising as we travelled in
land !; there was also perceptible
change in the atmosphere as we emerg-
ed from the low, sandy. level coastlands
Of Texas, and rose towards the more
elevated inland country; we we're re-
freshed by the sea breeze from the Gulf
which has peculiarly invigorating and
refreshing effect under the almost burn.
ing rays of the sun.
AS we travelled along. occasionally
stopping for water at farm Tor ranch |
as it is called there. wo found the citi-
zens were mostly Mexieans, and living
in post-houses, which are nothing but a
miserable hovel built Of twigs and cov-
cred with clay, and rooted with long
grass they generally contain but one
room with SO many openings to the
outer air that all attempts at private life
are vain.
Notwithstanding the miserable aspect
Of their dwellings, we found many of
them were the owners of many thous-
ands of head of cattle, and immense
tracts of land. They lead life of lazy
incidence. knowing but few wants above
the bare necessities of life their only
care consists in looking after their stock,
occasionally riding out among them and
keeping them partially tanned by the use
of a moderate quantity of salt. The
monotony of their life is sometimes a
little changed by the appearance of
purchaser or stock buyer, and bargain
is made for part of their stock /: then
the Mexican is busy riding his horse
with his Lasso separatinsthe purchased
ones from the balance of their herd. and
driving them to the place of delivery.
Goliad is the market place where gen
orally all stock is delivered when sold,
and payment made for them, the price
Of cattle ranging from six to eight dol
lars per head horses range from twenty
FIVE to sixty dollars each. sheep from two
to three dollars each.
The Mexicans in Texas are all anxious
to dispose of their property and go over
into Mexico, they plead in excuse the
constant emigration of citizens from the
United States. and the many difficulties
between them, of which rather an un-
pleasant one occurred that same even
ing.
It being near noon We stopped at a
ranch and purchased some corn (it be-
ing then ripe) for our horses, and water
melons for ourselves, which were GER
tainly the finest and largest l have ever
seen. Driving along until we reached
a shady tree, we embarrassed our hor-
ses and proceeded to eat our watermel-
on dinner. After remaining about two
hours We harnessed up our horses and
proceeded on our journeying, travelling
slow, as it was then the hottest part OF
the day. AS it grew towards night we
urged on our horses, knowing the dis.
tance to our supposed stopping place it
gradually grew dark and soon the Moon
rose. casting its silver light over the face
of the earth, making the night look more
pleasant. Being in a strange country,
We travelled until we concluded we had
missed the house and passed on seeing
a small groyeo of trees near, l signihed
to my French friend my intention OF
camping, at which drew out of the
; road, unhitched and turned the horses
into the heavy, thick grass to Craze for
the night. ...
My French companions knowled sc OF
the English language was quite limited,
and of camping at night, moe limited
still {; he looked on with silent bewil-
derment while l spread out the blankets
and laid down to sleep and he, making
an advantage of necessity, soon follow
ed. We had laid perhaps an hour OF
more, the Frenchman asleep, myself
wide awake, partly from the cravings
? of hunger. having eaten nothing since
morning but the watermelon, and with.
all a little anxious, as the horses would
occasionally lift up their heads with an
uneasy shuttle. Thinking something
might be wrong, listened intently and
became conscious Of hearing low
moaning noise, as of some ons in dis
: tress gradually the noise became more
: distinct, apparently Of some person il
: trouble, but 50 unintelligible that l coulc
: not distinguish the voices, or in exactly
9 what direction the sounds proceeded
/; from. Becoming satisfied that some
r thing was wrong, and not knowing bu
Q we might be the victims of some snare
: set for US, walked up the Frenchma'
and prepared for what might happen.
t The moaning noise still continued
: with occasionally, in louder voice) |
Z curse intermingled. The Frenchmal
t listened q a moment and grew excited
s reached for his revolvars, as he called it
a and sat up in moody silence, awaitin;
g the result Of this mysterious disturbance
l. We remained in this manner nearly ha
d an hour, when the sounds grew gradu
n ally less and finally disappeared entirely
8 After quiet was more restored, we lai
d down and again courted sleep, but sleel
q would not visit US until near morning
le When We awoke, the Sun was al hou
ID high and shining down as brightly a
1t ever upon US; we commenced lookin
around for the cause Of this midnigl
-e disturbance, when to our horror, j
., plain sight, in low ravine little NOR
h than quarter of mile from US, hun
d the bodies of two Mexicans suspende
Y to a tree
IS We haruessed our horses as quick 9
:. possible and drove on. Two miles frol
8 our camping spot We came to the hot
el we were looking for and stopped
ID breakfast. While our break fast was pr
n pairing we related our evenings adye'
n, ture to our host and from the appare'
J unconcern he manifested, ! became sa
he is6ed he knew more than he cared
* relate. but by inquiry We lesrnd this
~ be no uncommon affair along the bo