Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-05-28

Special Correspondence OF the Appeal
YUDE, DURANGO, MEXICO, April 22.-
When / wrote you my last letter, some five
weeks ago, / believed then that it would be
a long time before anything that might be
terestipg to YOU would take place in this
remote part OF the world. But something
has taken place here sooner than / expected
that may, TO some extent, interest or amuse
you, and / am now going to try and give
you a description of the occurrence. Why
can't / write like some men? l wish l could;
then / would be able 10 place before you
things that witnessed and feelings that /
felt on on the 10th of April, 1882. Now for
my tale. Have you ever felt the shock OF
genuine earthquake, when old Mother
Earth shakes harder and faster than ever
did citizen of Arkansas with one of The agues
peculiar to the bottom lands OF that grand
State? / know you have had now and then
in the good city of Memphis, some slight
chilIs in the way of earthquakes, but for a
real, genuine one you should have been with
me Monday, 10th day of April. On the 9Th
of this month Sunday left this little town
with six pack animals and two saddle horses,
with ten miners, four poems and two boss
miners, and every class of mining tools
known to this sectioD black and giant
power and fuse for blasting, blacksmith chop
and my camp bed, and grub sufficient for
week for one of the mines belonging to the
Washington and Mexican Mining Company,
that l have the honor TO represent in this
country, called the "Mina del Caballo," or
horse mine. This mine is about nine miles
from that town, and way, high up IN the
mountains at the base OF
THE CELEBRATED BUFA,
one of the highest peaks OF the Coma Madre
within the limits of the State of Durango.
From the best calculations l could make
with such instruments as / have at command /
make my camp 6S00 feet above the level of
and the Bufa stands 1000 feet almost per-
pendicular three sides at least, directly by
The mouth OF the mine above my camp. To
the east had a magnificent view, but to the
north west and south the view il obsiructed
BY mountains piled on mountains. BY 8
am Monday ! had my camp in order and
all hands hard at work, and then commenced
to walk around by way oil prospecting some
quartz veins near by, not yet touched. After
talking around about an hour / concluded
to try and get to the top eff the Bufs, and
started without delay to undertake the top.
I knew il would be hard work before |
started, but as my curiosity had been aroused
l did not hesitate. 1t was hard work, a.
sure you, and at one time i came near Civ
ing up the trip, when my pride came to nv
rescue, and whispered 20 me: why go back
10 De lduRicu al lOu ReLtIdlly gone
ahead when you have started" / listened
to the whisper, and again started for the
summit, and at last reached it, almost out
of breath; but / had succeeded, and was
perfectly satisfied for time. Seated on a
boulder, with my glass in my hand, 1 was soon
lost to everything ssve the contemplation Of
the magnificent views before me in every di-
rection. Here / could zee in every direction
for miles-yes, 1 think for 100 miles-prom-
inent peaks and other noted landmarks, and
for moment wished that / could have with
me some of my friends from home to enjoy
the scenery before me. This wish only lasted
Tor moment, however, for suddenly i began
| to feel like one does when he commences to
get sick at sea. i arose to my feet instantly
| and was
APPALLED,, FRIGHTENED, DE8foRALIZED,
in short badly frightened, scared to death,
for under my feet the great Bnfa wss rock
ing like cradle, and the surrounding peaks
were taking of their hats, and all were bow.
| ing apparently to the Bufa or myself A;
that moment it did not make much difference
to me to which or whom the politeness wai
offered. Ny hat fell of-forced from the
head by my hair what little / have being
| turned into wires, not bristlesi
! Bristles-no name for such an occasion