The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-04-07
A CURIOUS OLD CITY.

To a Stranger first visiting this old,
new country, says a Santa Fe New
Mexico) correspondent, the sights are
novel and interesting. Our first view
of this city was obtained in the early
dawn of morning, just as few of the
more industrious citizens were creep
ing from their holes. We drove up to
one of the many curious blocks of
which this city is composed, and after
unloading our living freight, entered
through an arched doorway into
square courtyard, which we crossed,
finding quarters for our Indians in one
of the rooms which opened therefrom.
This city, az your readers are aware,
is upward of 300 years old, and con-
taiRs 5000 people. Situated, as it is,
$500 feet above the level of the sea,
it enjoys a most exhilarating climate.
The only signs of any improvement
whatever were observed in a very few
modern brick houses upon the out
skirts, and in a marble slab placed in
the center of the grand plaza or square
to commemorate the dead who fell in
the battles around Santa Fe in the war.
Save these few signs, everything de-
notes az and a Spanish origin. The
conversation, the customs, and the
looks Of the people are strange. All
of the buildings are adobe, and all
are built alike. The walls are very
thick, which, with the large open
fire-places, make the warmest houses
in winter and the coolest in summer.
About the only religion observed
here is the Roman Catholic. The
priests have q great influence with and
control over these people, who are very
devout in their observances. There is
small society under the auspices of
the Presbyterian church, of which a
Mr.. Smith, Of Pittsburgh, is the pas
tor. He is devoting himself with a
great deal Of assiduity to his duties,
and takes a great interest in his work.
The society, though small, is composed
of the leading government officials.
The gamblers form very numerous
class of the people, caring nothing for
the future and only living in the pres
ent. Gaming is conducted as openly
as any ordinary business. The night
of my arrival | attended dance, the
guests being composed almost entirely
of Mexicans, with very little sprink-
ling of Americans. 1T was conducted
something after the manner of some
of the Bowery balls.
The most interesting sight l have
seen has been the patient, plodding
burras. They are very small donkeys,
some of them no larger than good
sized dog, and perfectly gentle. These
beasts are about the only support Of
many of the Mexcans; they carry in
nearly all the wood that is consumed
in the city, it being tied on their backs
in piles three and four feet high. Hay
is carried in the same way and some
times, when the little animals have a
very large load, nothing can be seen
out a great bundle of hay moving
along. These animals, though exceed
ingly small, are very strong. | think
they will carry anything that can be
put on their backs. No bride is used,
but they are driven loose like drove
of cattle, whether loaded or not. They
are outlandish looking beasts, some OF
their heads being nearly as large as
their bodies. Their fodder consists OF
almost anything, so that it costs very
little to keep them.
1t is quite laughable to watch some
of the Mexicans who are in cuisines" "
Their stock in trade often consists on
ly of few pints of phones Ga nut
which grows in this country, and
which is very rich), and over these
they will sit on their launches all day,
with their serapes wound around their
heads, waiting for customers.
The only inviting, home-like look
ing places in Santa Fe are the govern
ment quarters, or houses for United
States officers and their families. These
present a very inviting appearance,
with their neatly fenced yards and
cultivated gardens.
%S-
The small number Of Caribs who set
tied on the island of Cuba the Span