The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-05-21
TEXAS.
An Interesting Letter from
Jas. Ill. &. White.
The Pleasures and Difficulties of
Travel an Texas.


promised you little sketch Of on
travels from Brownsville, and as
covers so much territory. l will b
obliged to make it brief in man
places.
We left Brownsville on Sunday
March nth. We got ready two day
before, but both days il rained yer,
hard, and We waited for a pleasan
start; not caring how hard it rained j
we were once on the road. We travel
ed that day about thirty-three miles
the most Of the way through mud an,
slush. We passed through many Mex
lean Ranches, among which was tn,
celebrated Mexican murderer and horse
thief's rancho, "Cortina's. found
several new crosses erected since my
last trip over the same, where Mexicani
had been killed. Wherever a Mexican
is killed his friends erect n cross, and
each good Mexican catholic, who passes
gets down on his knees by the cross
aud prays to the Virgin Mary TO for.
give him OF his sins; then he is ready
for another murder; and should he
commit one, the next cross is place
where perfect abolition is given: he
then puts a little stick by the cross. as
soon as through praying. | have seeu
some OF the crosses covered up where
these murderers and thieves have APP
piled for, and as they believe, received
full forgiveness for their sins. At Santa
Maria, Saint Mary, we camped for the
night. There is one store and com
pany OF soldiers continually stationed
there.
The next day we went twenty-five
miles; the road was very heavy and
could not travel far; camped at a
rancho called Soldado (Soldier). Here
we met with another party, five in num-
ber, who were going 10 Rio Grand
City, all acquaintances and friends OF
ours, so We all went and kept together
after that.
The next day We went about twenty
three miles, passing through Hidalgo,
quite a town. staying long enough to
attend TO business and shake hands
with acquaintance. Here another
company OF soldiers arc stationed. We
hen went about seven miles from this
place 20 fine camping grounds, near
our route, Laguna do Tortuga OF Tur-
he Lake, When we got within half a
mile of the place 1t commenced blow
ing and raining, aud as We were in n
lense chapperal we could do nothing
but sit and take il. IL was the equi-
noxial storm, and a hard one, lasting,
in violence and force. for over on hour;
then there was no use IN camping, aud
We put out for a friends house eight
niles further on, and through rain and
mud and a very cold north wind. We
reached his jacket (house) about 3
o'clock. going without dinner. IL was
enough 10 make us all sick, but not
1ue of the boys took the least cold,
though every one was wet 20 the skin.
We slept in our wagons that night,
after having good supper, there be-
ing no accommodations in the house
for us, as there was but one room and
zen in the family.
The next day we travelled only eleven
miles, II was so muddy, and went into
camp at place called "Robbers
Boost" In olden times, it Is said,
that il was certain death TO attempt n
passage along that road. 10 is a bluff,
tbout one hundred and fifty feet high,
learly perpendicular, extending about
nalf a mile along the road, while Ne
low is a low wet fiat necessitatiug the
.ravel close 10 the base of this bluff
At this place / showed Mack, my com
nanion, and others, where, two years
ago last June, n Mexican was hung on
A tree for horse stealing, within twenty
wo feet Of the road. IL was n terrible
sight. Now cross adorns the tree
.nd limb on which he was hung.
The next day we expected 20 get into
Rio Grande City, being only twelve
niles ont. We travelled TO within two
miles Of the place and found the
"Aroyia" (creek) so high that crossing
vas impossible. Here we found the
Daymaster encamped, who was on his
rip 20 pay OF the soldiers at Ringgold
barracks. but could not cross. We
passed a pleasant afternoon and night
mere, as the weather was delightful,
and the next morning the Aroyia had
fallen SO that we all crossed IN about
.VO aud a half feet of water; went TO
The barracks where We had nice visit
With many warm friends l have there,
who are connected with the army, aud
merchants.
II took three days OF hard work 10
get through business. We left Rio
drande City Monday the 25th, and
sent as far as Roma, fifteen miles.
This is quite n town, aud n very old
place. IL is nearly opposite Muir,
Mexico, and an outlet for nearly all
he silver that comes from lower Mexi.
-: being direct route from Monterey
aud other large mining districts: the
Earrings Of the country units IL foI
anything else, except town for export
md import. We stayed with friend.
It Roma, and the next day started ont
Ju a new road across the country. w
travelled all day through Chaparral and
Cactus, or Prickley Pear bushes, and
,amped at night twenty-five miles from
loWherc.
The next day we expected 10 strike
rancho. but early IN the morning Macl
vas hurt 10y his horse, aud that day We
made only six miles, going into CAM
/ ghen he was hurt. / did not sleeI
hat night, / had TO care for him, an,
watch our horses, for we were IN
most dangerous country. Our horse
we're hitched within twenty feet Of us
aud il would take pretty sharI
| yreaser 90 have found our camp; thougl
/ presume they could have dcne so
bad they attempted, Tor they are adept
Il anything like stealing or killing
The next morning Mack was wei
enough 30 travel, aud we started on
aud travelled very slow about twent
miles that day, and passed one ranch
where We got some "Carne SAGA" (driel
hceD. and il went first rate raw; a
Mack couldn't eat u I had IL ali 90 my
sell, sharing Il with our dog.
The next day we arrived at On
rancho we started for, Rancho Renda
DO; very large one, three stores an
plenty Of Mexican Jackels. Here "
met gentleman, buying stock, fror
ST. Louis, aud as we were the frs
Americans he had seen i'm 10 days
insisted on our passing tho night AZ hi
Cow camp" we accepted his inviti
tion. as we were equally glad 10 I'm
some one who spoke "our mOtht
tongue, we having been three or fou
men, and they Mexicans. I hay
learned to speak considerable Spanish
TINS being able TO get along. Mac
cannot speak q word Spanish and rev,
can learn. We passed pleasant ever
ing with this gentleman, and started oJ
early the next morning for Conception
sixty.five miles distant. Before goin
A.