Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-09-24

Ell PAso, TEXAS, |
Sept. l4th, 1881.

is an American town some
Seighteen months old, on the eastern
8bank of the Rio Grande, in Texas,
snear the line of New Mexico and
.gold Mexico-the river being the di-
Dviding line between Texas and Mex
siico. 1t is already live, hourishing
Htown of some two Thousand inhabi-
giants, mostly Americans, but you
scan see all .nationalities--native
sMexicans, Indians, Halfbreeds,
q Heathen- Chinese and Greasers.
4There are some very fine stores al
sready in existence, carrying stocks,
some of them, as high as one hun
Sdred and fifty thousand dollars in
svalue-dealers in general merchan-
2dise, forwarding and commission,
smerchants, sc.
The Atchison, Topeka ~ Santa
SFe Railroad Co., or the New Mexico
sextension of this road, has been fin,
gished to this place, and handsome'
sbridge already spans the Grand river
sThe Mexican Central Is being rapid
aly pushed forward towards the city
aof Mexico, while another company is
Fat work coming east, and before
gmany months the entire route will
1be opened, and the great mineral,
land mining wealth of this vast Sec
stion will find it's way to market.
1.-THE Southern Pacific road; which
sconnects San Antonio, Texas, with
sSan Francisco, also passes through
sthe town. Both companies have
Fine. large depots and intend build,
hing repair shops. The Texas Pacif-,
aic is also in contemplation, so you
ssee the place bids fair to be one of
ssome note. Part of the town is
kbuilt like all Mexican towns, of,
Fadobe brick. The Central Hotel, at
(which am stopping is part adobe.
8It is a building, $50 feet square with
Va plaza in the center. The only
Xwindows in the house open on the
3plaza. The walls are from 2 to 3
Meet thick, 16 feet high and the,
Asame in width, fiat roofs with few
Nweeds growing on them. They are
the hotel with one story,
Sframe building on the front, with a.
colonade, which will give
Nit quite a modern look. We were
gquite Hospitality entertained by al
of the Golfer family
aof Virginia. Mr.. Golfer has resided
|here for some time.
a He called early this morning and
1--WE drove across the Rio Grand to-
Athe old Mexican town of Elpaso dell
NNorte 1.-THE pass northwest) we wereI
Shown through the old Catholic!
Achurch, Gandalupe, built in theI
century, and quite curi-l
&osity in its way. There is no fioor]
9but the bear earth, which has beenI
Htrodden on 10y several generations]
H'till it is AS smooth as glass. 1t isl
3built of stone and mud brick.
n The attendant kindly showed u.s.
3through the church. We saw a!
Nmassive silver medal somewhat in)
Hshape of a cross, which he told u.s.
Mwas used centuries ago to place OnI
Nthe breasts of the dead; also, gownI
#brougiit from Spain early in the fif-l
Steenth century, by some monks. LII
3was silk, and some of the colorsJ
dwere still bright. 1t was on stat
Nue representing Joseph of Arima-E
Sthea.
4 We assembled the crumbling tow-I
Fer, and saw the bell which called theI
Hinbabitants of the fifteenth century,
Nto prayers. There is an ancient lei
$gend connected with the church, /
(which if your readers would like toi
III will hear relate at some fu-y
2ture time. We visited quite numb
Aber of houses, the American Consult
SSpanish officials and the residence of
Ia wealthy Mexican gentleman, Sig-I
%nior Junaca. This residence likeI
FALL others was an adobe, built like
1.-THE hotel, only in much more ele-I
&gant style. We drove under an ar-I
Rched gateway, into the plaza i
Hwas received by one of the servants!
Nwho ushered us into his reception|
Groom, fifty feet long, seventy wide|
$and about Is feet in height, furnish
Fed in magnificent style, hand-I
#somely frescoed, three thickness of
kmatting, on the ground floor and
Hover that beautiful Turkish mats.
&He received us in true CastilianI
Hstyle. He was tall and we'll proper
Stioned and speaks the Spanish LAM
#guage beautifully. OF course we
Ahad an interpreter, but it was a
Esource of much pleasure to us to see
his fine eyes and elegant gestures as
he made us welcome.
u Fine ripe fruits and delicious ma
I, tive wines were served. Our stay
was short but our visit to the an