The Republican journal., 1881-07-21
Western Wanderings.
Correspondence of the Journal.

great herds Of cattle and sheep But were only
at the beginning of our journey through this re-
gion. Twelve hundred miles of it were still before
us, through New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern
California. Mile after mile and hour after hour
we rode through barren desolation never green
blade of grass, never stream of water or sign of
moisture to relieve the eye educated to look upon
the green hills and sparkling streams of New Eng
land Nothing could well be more depressing
One longs for more familiar scenes some glimpse
OF green and freshness. But i'll vain
Yet men live here and grow rich | wonder if
would live here if knew should grow rich |
think not life is too short There are but two
things to do here, viz, mining and stock raising
with perhaps some chances for trade Stock
raising has already assumed vast proportions min
ing is IN its infancy. Much of the Territory of
New Mexico was parceled out by grants under
Spanish and Mexican rule Some of these grants
are Of immense extent Through one of these we
pass, soon after we enter the Territory embracing
the tract about the Ration mountains pronounced
Ra toon) 1t is as large as some of our smaller
states, ana IS being enclosed, part Of it at least
by substantial wire fence by the proprietors.
who propose 10 begin stock raising, with herd of
forty thousand head of cattle
such enterprises cause farming operations in
the East, where the owner OF more than twenty
or thirty head Is 'rara avis, to dwindle into in.
significance There is probably not IA county in
Maine that combined could match this single en-
terprlse Yet hal Il good farm in Maine of a
hundred acres should hesitate to exchange it for
this whole tract. 50 far as home is concerned
Maine is infinitely preferable II one could learn
to enjoy Punishment and isolation. life in New
Mexico and Arizona might be endurable, hardly
SO otherwise
And one needs considerable Of the salumander
in his make up to thoroughly enjoy the tempera
turc at this season. With the thermometer at 100
deg to ll5 deg f. in the shade the impression
'at IL is h"f becomes very distinct, yet even here
the nights are peculiarly cool and bracng Strange
as 1t may appear the south wind Is tile cool wind
| and it always blows from the south at night This
has been the fact ever since We crossed the Mis-
souri,. One is less Frustrated by the intense heat
than IS naturally anticipated owing to the dryness
and purity of the air Sun strokes are unknown
MINING
OF industry Reports Of the discover, Of rich
mines in various quarters are rife and there are
many capitalists from the east here and coming
with Il view to mining investments have made
the acquaintance of Gen Mcdonnell Of Chicago
who Is on his way to Globe City. Arizouu with q
large lot of machinery, for the purpose of working
rleA NINE there III which he is Interested
At Tucson We fell in with some gentlemen inst
up from Tombstone. from whom we learn of tabu
lously rich discoveries in that region One of them
had been there for some time. and has the look Of
successful man The indications are that he has
struck it rich " fact that would be more attrac
tive than the rbe,lf name that has been given to
the country. 1t owes its name to the following
incident 'dead-broke" miner resolved to 20
prospecting in this torbiddlng region among It's
hostile iniians and accumulated dangers of yAr-
Gus kinds His friends attempted to dissuadc him
and warned him that he would only lind his tomb
stone II he went But lie persisted and discovered
an exceedingly valuable mine, without unusual
risk or danger Then he commemorated the so
heItude of his friends by christening the region
Tombstone We spent day at the old town Of
SANTA FE
claimed by some to be the oldest town i'll the
| nited States. 1t was certainly visited by the
Spanards under Conrado, about BOO years ago, at
which time it was an old Indian City or Pueblo
Traces of these ancient ruins still remain. Upon
its occupation by the Spaniards church was
built which is still standing and will very soon
reach its three huudredth anniversary Its adobe
walls are Still plumb, the heavy wooden beams
upon which the mud tiles rest are still sound and
it is in daily use chapel by the College OF the
Christian Brothers which adoins 1t. The School
of the Sisters OF Loretta upon the opposite side
of the street, both of which we visited. These
schools open to all alike whether rich or poor
Protestant Catholic, as is also the Hospital
which is in charge Of the Roman Catholic church
here We were introduced to the tatherly old
Bishop who resides here, and invited to a refresh
ing walk through his garden of twelve acres in ex-
tent, Astounding in the most luxuriant growth of
fruits of all sorts, with ample supply Of yegeta
bles showing what this soil is everywhere capable
OF under irrigation. There is rapid influx of
Eastern men into Santa Fe who are fast giving
modern appearance to sections of this quaint Old
town. Alongside the adobe houses frame build
lngs are going up, and the various methods lnd ap
planes of the East coming into use. Yet for
residence under this burning sun, should pre-
fer the old adobe style of architecture as assuring
the most perfect degree of GOODNESS and comfort A
large modern hotels approaching completion, and
viii be ready for the public before this is III print
The need ofsuch an addition to the accommodations
already prepared for travellers is very great if my
experience at the best hotel IN the city is any
guide. can best describe it by saying that paid
three dollars tor being made uncomfortable during
twenty four hours-at least far as my comfort
depended upon the hotel
Here are the headquarters Of Gen Hatch com
mandant of the department Of New Mexico
There are large Accommodations of army supplies
here but very few soldiers as they have all been
ordered to the Indian frontier On account OF
threatened hostility. Opposite the army head
quarters, and bounding one side Of the Plaza is
the old palace of the Spanish e,randees OF other
days now mostly occupied for government Offices
1t has anything but palatial look however beng
only large plain. one story adobe structure.
Here also are immense warehouses OF goods |
owned by wholesale merchants of bulk and |
value that would put to shame many OF the large |
houses Of New York or Boston. Some idea of tho |
extent Of their business may be derived from the |
fact that several OF them pay freight bills annually |
to the A. T. 4 S. +. road. amounting to over one |
hundred Thousand dollars each.
But we must go on our way. Our travelling |
friend from New ork, just have left the |
station, made the Imaginable blunder of mistaking |
a flock OF Ansora goats for deer; his wondering |
comments were highly conica- but not much |
more so than his earnest inqnines of party of |
hunters III Arizona if "they had killed any cl-
phants
FRIENDS FROM MAINE.
The journal particularly requested me to have
look out for our friends who have gone westward. |
In general way am discouraged from any at
tempt at mentioning them for they legion"
But one in particular deserves notice. Away