North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-03-02
LA MEsILLA, New Mexico.
February llth, 1870.

LA MEs1LLA, NEW Mexico.
February llth, 1870.
Eds. Of North lowa Times Since my
last, I've changed my base, and am now
living in this beautiful valley. In Nov.
last, I came down here to attend term of
the District Court, at the request of my
friend. Mr.. V. B. Wardwill, Esq, of Fort
Craig. was accompanied by Hon. Kirby
.Beredict, formerly Chief Justice of this
Territory, Hon. Benjamin Stevens, then
one of our representatives, Hon. lori
Antonio Baca Pine, Hon. w. II. Henric
representative from the county Of Ber-
nalillo Hon, Celso. Cuellar Medina, rep
resentative Of Secorro county and Don
Sinor Luis NJ. Baca and his interesting
family, also Of Secerro county, and three
poems as an escort. We had hard and
tedious trip, although a pleasant one.
After leaving Peraje, we had to cross the
dreaded Iournada ded Muerto, that is the
tourney of DEATH" and well named it is.
1t is plain or valley about ninety miles
in length, with an average width of thirty
miles, and has been the arena Of Indian
depredations and murders Of white men
without number. All along you can see
the little pile Of stones with the cross
erected thereon, showing where some poor
unfortunate traveller has given up his life.
1t is more, or at least as much as mans
life is worth to cross it alone, and hence
our large party, all of when, excepting
Judge Benedict and myself, were exper-
fenced Indian fighters, and l ,rasnt afraid
bit. Well, We got through safely, al
though our horses suffered for water, as
there is none to be bad in that whole
ninety miles, excepting at the Alleman
ESQ called from some Germans being killed
there by Indians some years ago, Alleman
being the Spanish name for Germany,
where that hardy pioneer and Prince of
good fellow, Jack Martin, has established
Rancho, and succeeded in finding water
at the depth of $50 feet, Drawing, in SO
doing, all Indian risks. lie made bold
and perilous move, but he won, and the
legislature of this Territory, after his
success, passed law exempting him from
all taxation for 20 years, and Congress, l
understand, has made him grant Of land
to compensate him for his daring, energy,
perse ve1ance and success and he deserves
it all.
This is most delightful climate, and
fruits and vegetables of all kinds are in
season nearly the whole year round.
Grapes, figs, oranges, lemons, and all that
order of luxuries, together with the more
substantial articles, such as apples, peas,
potatoes, etc.. abound-why, I've had
lettuce every day for two months past,and
the incest, freshest, and tenderest, green
peas for the last two weeks, that ever a
mans mouth watered over.
Last week l went down to El Paso,
Texas sometimes called Franklin) and
about so miles south Of this. 1t is just
across the Rio Grande del Norte from Ell
Paso, in Old Mexico. l went over there
too. It's long, weary ride from here, as
there are very few houses or Ranches
only too, and you have to be on the look
out, for Indians are liable to jump you
any minute. was on splendid horse,
belonging to John E. Oliphant, (whs used
to live in Dubuque, and was clerk there
for Messrs. Barrett & Lynch, and know
if should be so unfortunate as to meet
any of the red devils. ana they didn't get
me the first clatter, could run away from
them, and consequently felt moderately
safe. Ell Paso. Texas, is a very pretty
place on the east bank of the Rio Grande,
and just at the foot Of the mountains-El
Paso, Mexico, just opposite, is also situa.
ted at the mountain base-is much the
larger of the two, and might almost be
dignifeG by the name of city, if spread
eagle could make city. 1t is about nine
miles long up and down tho river, but
awfully scattered, and has only popula-
ton Of about Five thousand.
All in all, it was pleasant and inter-
esting trip. / 60 down again to attend
Court at San Elezaris, county seat of Ell
Paso county, Texas, on the first Monday
of next month.
love this country-to be sure there's
a good deal of risk and danger, and yet
not so very much either if you are pru-
dent; but still there's kind of charm
and excitement ever in that, which suits
me. just below here, about eight miles,
are the ruins of cid Fort Fillmore, which
was destroyed by the Texans during the
war, and out of which 800 Texans, run
900 loyal men, suppose. The people here
often speak of the ridiculous flight. Two
miles below FL Paso, Texas, is Fort Bliss,
very pleasant three company Post, with
fine selection of officers.
I enclose you speech of Hon. w. L..
Ryerson, of this county, on the Indian
question. It's good and truthful, and l
wish every person in the country could
read it. Ryerson and myself don't jingle
in politics, but can honor merit even in
a political opponent. The matter Of his
removal as Post Trader, is only little
fight IN the Radical camp, and none O my
funeral, and guess there'll be more on
EN-. Please send my paper here. I'll