The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-11-06
PETROLEUM V. Massey, P. M,
(Which is Postmaster. }
Letter from a Young Man at tSAnta Fe,
tOa Friend az wheeling.


SANTA FE, NEW Mexico, Oct. "a, 81.
My Dear Sir:-Pursuant to your re-
request OF the 9th September, and agree
ably 10 my own inCllnatiODs 20 COmmu-
muuicate with you, il affords me pleas
ure to advise you OF my safe arrival in
Santa Fe, on the I'd of the present
month, in good health and none the
worse ofa trip across the Plains, which,
by-the-wHy, was quite pleasant. We
passed through the Indian country
without seeing a single hostile "Lo."
They were, however, quite troublesome
at points on the route, and we saw am
pie evidence of their great propensity
for plundering and numbering. They
seldom molest the U. s.. mails on this
route, AS the plumber is not supposed
to be sufficient to warrant the under
taking, in view of the risk they would
run. s.
We saw but few buffalo while en-
route, but plenty of other game, such as
antelope, wolves, chickens, &c. We
were considerably delayed on the
plains, as we had to stop at all the mill
tary posts, commencing with Fort
Harker, Kansas, to make inspections
of the Qusrtermaster Department, but
this made the trip the more agreeable
as we had authority to detain the stage
coaches for our convenience.
AS yet have met with but little in
New Mexico calculated to command
admiration, excepting the climate and
fine in many localities. especially in
Santa Fe and vicinity. The city il stu.
ated in the northern extremity of a
pleasant valley, and Is, at least two
thirds surrounded by mountains.
The town is built altogether of "ado-
bes" made from the soil, and the build
ings seldom aspire TO more than one
story in hight, and never to more than
two, excepting churches, which some
times do get little nearer heaven
The better class of dwellings are gener-
ally constructed in the form of a hollow
square, with an open area in the CEN
ter, bordered on either side with broad
verandas attached TO the rear walls OF
the house. These verandas, which,
when the situation will warrant it, are
built on all sides of the houses, COM
prise the only pleasant feature of their
exterior. The population of the town
numbers, am told, 900, and is prin-
cipally Mexican, which people, us a
class, in my estimation, compare, in
point of intelligence, industry, culture
and every other elevating trait, very
unfavorably with the oolored people of
Washington, ID. G. They adhere ten
aciously to their ancient customs, and
possess but little industry and no en-
Ierprise. There may, perhaps, be
few exceptions but where you find
these, you are quite sure TO ind ttnge
OF American or some other civilized
blood. II you wish TO set back two
hundred years, all you need do is to
come out here.
1 have often heard of the "charm-
ing" "heart-caLtivating Senoritas,"
with their "fashing," "killing" eyes,
etc., etc., but have yet to see one that
hath any charms for me. Some of
them are well looking, but the entire
absence of that culture and refinement
that so elevates and beauties our
American ladies, robs them Of all at
tractions-for me at least. With few
exceptions, they deem il no breach of ETH
quette, or want of feminine modesty, to
attend TO the demands of nature any
where. Or, il on a warm summer day
you chance TO be enjoying bath IN
some neighboring stream, you need feel
no surprise il one of these bronzed
water nymphs, appearing on the bank,
diVestS herself of those incum bTances
fashioned by art and employed by Gus
tom 10 screen the sex and plunge gaYIY
into the Hmpid waters by your side
They are usually expert swimmers, and
seldom lose good opportunity to in
dulge their love of this healthy art.
Some OF the higher and wsalthter fam
flies, however, keep their daughters Sc
cluded until they lind suitable hus-
band or purchaser for them, which they
do as soon AS practicable atter the
daughter has attained her 18th year.
But very few of the small number OF
Americans that are hare have lawful
wives with them, but the majority OF
them cohabit with women.
They have nBoilps" (balls, or dances,
considered more "high-toned than
faudango) here nearly every night dur
ing the week, Sundays not excepted,
4. U..Ww nINTFG
Senoritas dance and punish "Old Rye!"
They are "some" on the smoke, too,
and when they get tight" (which am
sorry TO say they sometimes do, though
they are said to be rather "LoOSe."O they
are the "devll," IL am permitted the
expression.
10 be brief cannot esteem Santa Fe
as very suitable place of abode for
'sshining light" in the Young Mems
Christian Association, for 1 do not
think the general standard OF morals
quite accords with my notions OF chris
Iian propriety. It certainly is II poor
place for the lover OF good society and
intellectual and refined amusements.
The only way in which 1 can content
myself is to keep constantly employ
ed. ~
Excuse me, my friend, for imposing
upon your patience in dragging out
these desultory scribblings to So great
length, for now, in my isolation from
all that the heart of an American loves,
1 lind so much pleasure in communica-
ting with friends who are still bsskinE
in the scenes my heart Graves, that
am prone 10 forget that may intrude
upon their Indulgence.
Accept for yourself my kindeat re-
CARDS and believe me,
Your friend, A. b. S.
THE feeling of depression in finan-