New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-06-15
An American Paradise.

An American taraQlSo.
Cor. Boston Journal.]
San Rafael, New Mexico, is a town of
about s, 100000 inhabitants, 500 people
and 4, 999,5O0 dogs. As the dogs are
in the majority and of more importance
than tho people l will speak of them
first. They are of no..particular breed.
and various theories arc advanced as to
their origin. Some argue that they are
q cross between coyote and the fifth
wheel of coach, but upon close inves-
tigation it will be seen that this cannot
be. While I admit that they resemble
tho coyote in size, color and general
makeup, and the fifth wheel of a coach
in utter uselessness, tho fact still re-
mains that the compass, volume and un-
earthliness of their voice so far trans.
cends that of tho coyote as to preclude
the possibility Of their ever having orig
mated in this manner. The only point
advanced by the supporters of this the
DRY which will bear close scrutiny is
this: They say that the fifth wheel is
always round, and the dogs are always
round, too. This is good so far as it
goes, but the resemblance stops right
here, for the fifth wheel is usually tired,
but the dogs never are. But while it is
an easy matter to kick over all theories
in regard to the origin of this wonder
full animal, I find it not so easy to es-
tablish one myself that will stand the
test on all sides. His ability to make
night hideous had suggested to me the
idea that perhaps his ancestors were
operate singers or members of a volun-
teer fire department.. But even this
will not stand very rigid scrutiny, for
prima donnas sometimes have bouquets
thrown at them, but the articles hurled
at Mexican dogs look more like cold
lead, rocks, tin cans, etc., to a casual
observer.
The volunteer fireman is not on duty
every night, but the dogs are. After
mature deliberation I have therefore
decided to treat the subject of the an
cestry of the Mexican dog as conun-
drum, and give it up, and proceed to
speak of some of his peculiarities, etc.,
which are less shrouded in mystery.
One very marked popularity is his
ability to sleep all day, and his inability
to even close his eyes (or mouth either)
at night. No Mexican dog was ever
known to be awake for more than elev-
en- seconds in the day time, and then
only to dispose of some over active flea,
But ''soon as the evening shades pre-.
vair' they turn out as unanimously and
willingly as the inhabitants of a New
England village to free oyster supper.
There is no tedious delay in the open.
ing of the concert. No dog has q cold
or is in anyway incapacitated from tax
ing his part, but each and every dog
seems to think it is his or her benefit
night, and wishes to produce favor.
able impression. There are no omis
sions. Everything on the programme
is faithfully carried out-and good
deal besides. We made slight change
in the programme last night by getting
up and shooting four of the leading
performers, but there was no diminu
ton in the chorus, as each remaining
dog bore on little harder. Thu
morning the spectacle was presented tt
us of four Mexicans dragging off the
bodies of the defunct members of thu
troupe, followed by the sorrowine
1899, 1876 relatives and friends of thu
deceased. A very wealthy Mexican ha:
from five to ten dogs. A Mexican O.
the middle class has from ten to twenty
while poor Mexican has from twenty
to thirty. Most of the Mexicans ar
very poor. I am satisfied that should :
tax of twenty-five cents be imposed OF
each dog in New Mexico the revenue
resulting therefrom would in one yea
wipe out the National debt, and leave !,
large surplus in the Treasury.