The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-01-04
INSTANTANEOUS. =

LAoA SsesG6SKexiee. EsTnN ,Tars]
Ell PAso. Mexico, Oct 80, 1859.
Dear Coloxsl,--My last letter to the
71mss was dated at Albuquerque, in New
Mexico. and few days ago babe adieu to
the poorest and meanest country it has yet
been my fortune to visit. Adieu to black
eyed SenmitAs (the only redeeming feature
in the country and assassination! aAdieu1
to the landof romance and Greasers! mighty
little romance in Grcaser, though.
Isexpected that the country running south
from Albuquerque would improve in frrtil-
ity and appearance, but was greatly deceived
the same unvarying scenery, the same
mountains and valleys Judging from APP
pearances) which saw between Fort Union
and ALBUQUERQUE, presented themselves to
my vision between the latter place and here.
The much dreaded "IIornally" was pass
ed in safety-but before speaking of that,
I mus( dkRain Inst the Normally IS aat,l
l.yl pliin, about ono hundred miles in
length, with not drop of water or even a
shrub or weed to cheer the traveller whose
misfostune II is to cross it. To add to the
horrors of this desert, it is infested by bands
OF Indians, or Mexicans disguised as such,
who, if suitable opportunity presented it.
seHswUuld pounce upon the traveller, and
relieve him Of his life and yaluables. .,er
Above the "Hornally'' or the ''March Of
DEATH there are several small villages, the
names Of which have forgotten. In pass
ing one Of them, I saw 4 CHASTITY sight,
when; sSs long as my life is spared, never
shall think Of without shuddering; it was
the head Of an Indian, lately killed, stuck
upon pole in front of a house, the owner
Of which took that method Of displaying his
prowess The Inhabitants of the whole
country live in constant fear Of. the Indians,
who are continually making attacks upon
them, and in nine cases out of ten escape
TO the mountains with their booty without
being overtaken or punished. A, killer of
an Indian becomes, at once, a. great man,
whose opinions carry weightwith then.--
lIe is locked up to by the rising generation,
AS one in whose footsteps they hope one day
to follow. His very presence inspires dread
and respect. y 4 4 VA ~
South Of the Hornally, lies d portion pl
the celebrated Mesilla Valley, sometimes
called the "Gadsden, Purchase, and amore
dreary and inhospitable tract Of land never
saw. have been assured by men who
have been all over the valley, that the whole
resembles that portion which I crossed
Uncle Sam was surely swindled, when he
paid his millions for that Mines of gold
and silver are said to exist, but where they
are, or who has found them, is known only
to the man in the moon!
The southern line of the Normally is
about seventy miles from the Texas line.--
On the opposite side of the river (Rio
Grande) is situated the town of franklin,
in Texas, beyond which there is but one
small settlelnsuk until you reach San An
tonic, distance u Isven hundred miles,
Franklin has, | judge population of abou1
2O0-at least thressauA1ters Of whom q,
gaiablers. There Hnot 5of6eient stranger.
passing throw 4 jSs tl hss.ams u fs.upon, 50 |
kesDy-n ~ io Is :,
y Pas 81 0la Ns5aoc, where am !
IL - - ~.