The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-06-16
NEW MEXICO LETTER
The Character of tie Country Around
ShaiS speare - Not Desirable
Farming Region, but Good
Mining District - Rail-
road Prospects, Etc.
Corresl ondenee Of nc MeraIa.

In your issue of May Dist, which has just
reached me, find communication from
my friend j. h. Davis, which feel disposed
TO give some attention, because of some err
rors he has made, and too, feel thu necessity
now more than at any time heretofore, OF
making known to the public through the
columns of journal, the true character of
this country, owing partially to my having
distributed sundry papers descriptive of this
territory before my departure from Dallas,
in which much was overstated, although |
called attention only to that which applied 10
this particular locality; ard partially to a
sense of duty feel in guarding people from
coming here because Of other exaggerated
statements.
did, however, as soon after my arrival as
circumstances would permit, make known,
through private correspondence, to all those
whom l thought seriously contemplated
coming here, the real character of the coun-
try, and gave them such other information
as thought they would care to know.
In the main | think Mr.. Davis correct,
and fully so presume about the locality of
which he mostly speaks, Judging from what
others have told me here who have been
there. 1t is, as far as have seen, the most
dreary and desolate country ever saw, ex-
cept that portion Of your own beautiful
State extending westward from about twenty
five miles this side of Fort Conoho on to
Camp Stockton, Fort Davis Fort Quit
man and San Elizsrio. II is a coun-
try of mountains, foothills and plains, almost
entirely treeless, with but very few streams,
little good soil apparently and grass still as
parched and brown as with youth mid-wiuter
although it is said to be nutritious and stock
keep in good condition upon it, Scattered
broadcast over much Of the country are
bushes green and live ones, OF vario IS kinds;
many varieties of the cactus, the soap and
Spanish dagger plants in great profuson,
and also the mescal or maguey plant, out OF
the roots of which the Indians are said to
make pslatable and nutritious bread, and
the Mexicans an intoxicating liquor. 1t
might be well TO say here too that all these
plants seem to have life in them, but frank
fy admit add but little to the beauty Of the
country; still, they are relief to the eye.
From Messila here some large and thrifty
cottonwoods, planted by hand are found at
three places stage stands on the road-yes,
and at one, Hot Springs, twenty-eight miles
east of Silver City; somt other trees ms well,
but of what kind | cannot say as it was night
and our stay short. In the BUrro mountains
considerable pine and cedar are found, and
here, scattered about enough cedar for fire
wood. Aside from these no trees are to be
seen along the route, and but one stream is
crossed, very small one, the Members.
And of the beautiful (?) Rio Grande valley
can say but few good words, at least of that
portion saw, from Fort Quitman to Mes
sil4. Below San Elzaro much of it | think
can be properly termed desert waste,
and the balance but little better. A
narrow belt Of low trees skirts the river bed,
for bed it was when we were there, of dry
sand, sunk little below the general surface,
and as dry as the road we travelled. Scat
tered here and there were cottonwoods, but
not a house, u garden, orchard, rancho or
farm in sight. l think | hardly need say
this-one would not expect tin such coun'
try. On the opposite or Mexican side looms
up, like great wall, rocky, mountain
barrier, which hugs the river close for many,
many miles, and may, for aught | know, us
night overlook us, clear to FL Paso, COM
pletey shutting out the view and frowningy
looking down, AS if to say, Thus TAR shalt
thou 9 but no farther" AT and about San
Elzario, Ysleta aud Franklin are fine gar
dens, vineyards, orchards OF healthy and Wig
orous-growing peach, pear and apple trees
and many beautiful shade and ornamental
trees. Some of the pear trees, l supposed
AZ. =. -. q. trnn Df,l-l in
we saw but little of, as it was night, but OF the
other two towns but little also is to be said to
their credit-the usual one-story, flat rooted
adobe buildings of Mexican towns, thrown
together in beautiful confusion-and Messla
but little better.
Now back to Shakespeare. Here as yet
have seen nothing approaching cyclone,
although pretty 90 ID breeze usually blows
for several hours each day from the south
west. and sometimes in the right, but
dust or gravel is seen flying in the air. Very
heavy rains, / am told, visited this
section last fall and continued for several
DAYS. But little rain falls, however,
AS general thing, except during the
months of June, July and August when ire
ouent showers can be looked for. Since my
arrival here (April lSth) we have had but
two showers, and day before yesterday very
heavy rain of an hours duration.
AS vet there has not been day here that
seemed near as warm as the day left Dali
las, mo Joke intended) The nights are
cooler and the winters said to be mt Ter.
The air is dry ahd pure; there is steady,
even temperature, and the climate, 1t would
seem, could not be otherwise than healthy,
and is so regarded.
Where The land is irrigated the best
favored and largest vegetables | have ever
seen are grown.
There is one other redeeming character
istic of this country that had nearly escaped
my mind and now that think of it, |
doubt the propriety of mentioning as it
might depopulate Dallas; but will, never
theless-we have no mosquitoes.
This, gentlemen, is the country to which
YOU are invited, and we stand with out
Stretched arms ready TO receive you; but
don't come all at once. ! can assure you
YOU will be warmly welcomed, come from
where YOU may, without regard to race,
color, or previous condition of servitude,
and l might say, or character--if you have
money. But come any way; we want some
body for the Indians to shoot at. forgot
to say that there are Indians in this country,
several ofthem. A fellow named Victorlo
has something to do with them. You VIII
feel perfectly at home here in short TIME
as we are kind of free and.go- easy-hall-
fall. nnfsNn