New-York tribune., 1879-08-30

were changed. They were extremely nest. Be
sides wooden chairs, we found arm-chairs woven
from willows, sometimes very handsomely MADE
At Belen We were looking at an adobe, whioa "s we
supposed was Indian. A Spanish woman opened
the door and with the utmost courtesy invited US
in. We had only moment to stay, as the coach
was driving up but ny CURIOSITY 70 n see and neativ
furnished and seemed TO be sort of reception room
The manner of both men and women was dignihed
aud boSpitable
Before we reached Fort Craig there was a change.
The old Indian towns only extended 200 miles be-
low santa Fe. The valley was still rich. but little
cultivated. The road is the old broad highway
which i'll ancient times connected the CITES OF
Mexico and Santa Fe. The Rio GraDde, which mas
been flowing IN q southerly direction little to the
west makes great bend to the west peow Glow fIrs the
valley makes il unsuitable at that point Tor rOad,
ana 1T leaves the valley and proceeds foT ninety
mles across plain between two ranges OF noun
tains called tornado del Muerto. Ihis desert OF
valley of death had drawn frightiul picture OIL
/ knew that at one time the road was Tor ninety
miles without water. On one occasion spanish
army lost in IL one or two thousand men, VINO
pershed from thirst. 1t is no desert lhat pam,
or sIoping prairie although IL has rayInes, and no
river, iS-wiIh few patches of sand-coyered WITH
a rich soil. Dry as it was-and they tell us here
that this has been the drlest season tor twenty
years-theTe was a far vegetation upon H. hich
tufts of grass were all IT, III spots almost thica
euounb to make hay In the centre Of this plain an
American woman keeps hotel. she ana her nus,
band bored an aTtesian well seven years ago anu anu
secured abundance OF eAceUtnJ water hl lou
feet They have large tank and supply their owl
stock and all teams and trans that pass one ne
charges % cents for the water each head OF
stock uses. The widOw-for her husband is dead
has large herds of stock III the neghborng noun
tans where there are springs and part OF her erds
Craze on the pans. Trees spriDglng mp around
her place and her house is handsomely furnished.
There are two other water stations on the roau
eighteen and twenty miles respectively Iroh .ne
edge of the desert. There is nothing TO hinder
arfesian wells being bored all over that PLAIN.
At Mesilla the coaches from Texas meet those
from, Santa Fe, and joint line runs westward 70 70
Tucson aud Silver City, which little north OF
west Near Mesilla is the Stephenson Mine, in
which several prominent citizens arc interested, s
Owing to litigation it is not now worked. Inc
ragged peaks of the mountain in which it was found
rise twelve miles east Ofthe town. Twas delighted TO
find several large vineyards and orchards at Mesia
Last year. as was informed. a citizen made some
$l5, 900 from his vineyard. This man makes very
large quantity of wile and brandy which ue sells
at good prices IN New-Mexico and Arizona. Here
met an old friend. He is paralyzed IN his right
side and cannot talk very well, but he grasped my
hand and looked at me with a strange earnestnesS
in his eyes as he questioned me about old times.