The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-02-05

OAhLAND, MO., OA y
[For The Republican,
Our Own Correspondent invades an
Ancient Mexican city.
GUYMAs, MEXICO, January, 1881.
Mr.. EDITOR This quaint old
town in Sonora. Mexico, is located on
the east shore of the Gulf Of Califor-
mia and has harber, land locked
and sheltered from the Sea with ap.
breaches through channels between
the Islands of Pajoras, San Vicente,
Pitayas and Cochori. The odd and
distinctive features of this strange
old town, are so peculiar that | have
been tempted to give your readers
some idea of its location, its future
possibilities, and something of the
ante.deluvian habits of this city OF
5000 souls.
came down from Frisco on a
very comfortabls coastwlse steamer
which ialleh6s bers ahasit 61zS +
month, carrying a few passengers
and light cargo of goods. We an
chored. one bright morning in the
harbor, and while we were preparing
to go ashore l took in the wild and
romatic surroundings of this port so
soon to become a great commercial
Qntrepot IN the American Austria
liam trade.
Lazy Yaqui Indians were playing
their vocation on every hand catch.
ing fish of many varieties or taking
shrimps. crabs, Holsters and oysters
that are found in great abundance.
The town of Guaymas nestIes at
the end of its quiet and secure har.
Dor, surrounded on three sides by
high bluffy mountains. The opening
into the ocean between two high.
rugged cliffs, is about five miles from
the city, and within this strait the
bay Widens so as to furnish what has
been well termed the most secure
harbor on the Pacific. About half a
mile from the town an island divides
the inner from the outer harbor, and
it is on this island that the South.
western terminus of the great Atch-
ison, Topeka and lSanta Fe Railroad
is located. Here are the immense
wharves and unlimited deckage,
where the heaviest men. of.war canaan
chor in insafety. Be yondthe island,
landward, the water is much shallow
er, the average depth being but about
there is depth averaging thirty feet.
The railroad reaches its terminus by
long bridge from the Eastern shore,
and will be able to transport freight
to the steamer direct. After some
little delay at the custom. house, we
walked over to the "American no.
tel" and am free to say that it is the
oddest locking building in the world
enjoying that universal name a low.
square, adobe building, surrounding
court or placita. Its mud foers and
small windows. and low ceilings, are
striking novelties. After a lunch
my friend and l sauntered through
the town, which carries the Mexican
stamp upon its face. The buildings
are all of adobe, built one story high,
and better as a class than those in
New Mexico. Ia fact, some of them
were highly ornamental. AS we
neared the public square, or plaza,
we found a gay scene awaiting Us.
The native band from the garrison
were playing a medley of Spanish
a rs, and the plaza was filled with la
dies, young and cid, in gay costumes.
VINO promenaded without escorts,
their natural protectors standing out
side the circle and bowing here and
there as they recognized acduaint-
ances. 1t was very pretty sight to
an American unused to such scenes.
l found, upon becoming better ac-
uuainted, that the Inhabitants, are
divided into three classes. the Sup.
per Ten" being the Spanish mer-
chants whom L found refined and
educated and with ain elegant gem
tility about them, too often lacking
among our own aristecracy.
The middle class are the native
Mexican and the lower, the Yaqui
Indians, who have been largely EN-.
ployed in grading the road between
Hermosilla and Guaymas. l was
astonished to find what we term
slavery (called peonage) is in full
vogue. If man becomes in debt to
another for $40 he is placed in abso.
lutte servItude until it is paid, and as
wages vary from 10 to 35 cents day,
a man who once gets behind $40
Is hopeiessly involved
PERHAPS the most noticeable char