Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-02-10
Millions in Gold and Silver in the VI
oinity. Future Port OF Ameri-
can Australian Trade.
GuYMAs, Mexico, January, 1881.

cinity. Future Port OF Ameri-
can Australian Trade.
GuYMAs, Mexico, January, 1881.
Mr.. EpIToR:-This quaint old town in
Sonora, Mexico. is located on the east
shore of the Gulf of California and has
a harbor, land locked and sheltered from
the Sea with approaches through chan
nels 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-deluvlan haD-
its of this city of 5000 souls.
came down from Frisco on very
comfortable coastwise steamer which
touches here about once month, carry
ing a few passengers and light cargo OF
goods. We anchored one bright morn
mo in the harbor, and while we were
nreparing to go ashore took in the
wild and romantic surroundings of this
port. so soon to become great CONNER
ciaI entire BORT in the American Austria
liam trade.
Lazy Yaqui Indians were ply ing their
vocation on every hand catching fish of
many varities or taking shrimps, crabs,
Holsters and oysters that are found in
great abundance.
THE TOWN OF GUYAMAs
nestles at the end of its quiet and secure
harbor. surrounded on three sides by
high bluffy mountains. The opening in
to 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 mile from the town an is
land divides the inner from the outer
harbor, and it is on this island that the
South western terminus of the great
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Is located.
Here are the immense wharves and un-
limited dockage, where the heaviest men
of-war can anchor in safety. Beyond the
island. landward, the water is much
shallower, the average depth being but
about nine feet, while on the seaward
side there ID . 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 d.
RECT.
After some little delay at the custom
house, we walked over to the American
hotel" and am free to say that it is the
oldest looking building in the world en-
Toying that universal name; low, square
abode, surrounding court or placlta. It's
mud floors and small windows, and low
ceilings, are striking novelties. After a
lunch my friend and sauntered through
the town, which carries the Mexican
stamp upon its face. The buildings are
all of abode, built one story high, and
better as a class than those in New Mexi-
Co. In 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 playinga medley of Span
ish airs, and the plaza was filled with
ladies, young and old, in gay costu mes.
who promenaded without escorts, their
natural protectors standing outside the
circle and bowling here and there as they
recognized acquaintanceS. 1t was very
pretty sight to an American unused to
such scenes | found, upon becoming
better acquainted. that
THE INHABITANTS
are divided into three classes, the up
per Ten" being the Spanish merchants
whom found refined and educated and
with an elegant gentility about them,
too often lacking among our own aristoc-
racy.
The middle class are the native Next
can and the lower. the Yaqui Indians,
who have been largely employed in grad
ing the road between Herinosilla and
Guaymas. was astonished to find what
we term slavery (here called peonage) is
in full vogue. If a man becomes in debt
to another for $40 he is placed in abso'
lutte servitude until it is paid, and as
wages varv from 10 to 35 cents day. a
man who once gets behind $40 is hope.
lessly involved.
Perhaps the most noticeable character
istic of Guaymas is the evident aversion
and hostility to any thing which savors
of progression. In transporting cargoes
from the wharf to the custom house and
thence to the business ,house, no drays
or wagons are allowed to be used, be-
cause ii takes away the labor of the men
who ''pack" everything on their backs,
and in carrying water from the large
well which supplies the town the same
law is in vogue, and movement to bring
the water into the town by pipes was
instantly squelched by the authorities
made considerable inquiry about these
mountains surrounding the town, but
nothing seems to have been developed in
them as far as
MINING
is concerned Back further, however
from the coast there are many mines be-
ing worked which arc paying splendldly
and many more deserted ones where
shafts were put down from 300 to 5o(
feet by the Spaniards years ago, but
which now contains more or less water
In those early years these miners were
destitute Of pumps and proper appliances
necessary to free the shafts from watel
and many excellent mines were destroyed
4 by flooding. These abandoned mine
have all reverted to the government ant
can be bought for a nominal sum. se'
here rich field for some enterprisinl
companies, for with our modern hydraul
ic pumps these mines could be emptiet
at comparatively small expense.
When the A. T. & S. F. shall hav