The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-09-23
OLD AfkAICO.
nj Paso 10 Chihuahua-rho Far disc oiths
Cattlemen-Tho Great riests.sto

CmHUAuUA, MEX, Syp'o nber 10, 1882
At 10 o'clock on the morning Of the 18th
inst, we found ourselves safely aboard the
special train OF the Mexican Central rail-
road at Paso del Norte, Mexico ca route 10
the city of chihuahua, TO witness the grand
fiesta being held in that city.
"A few miles from Paso del Nortc, tho
road leaving the Rio Grande bore OF be-
tween two mountain ranges ana entered
the most beautiful valley in the state. On
either side of these vast mountains, raising
their rugged heads on high, seemingly nod
awelcomo TO the iron horse, whose shrill
snort awases their echoes and rouses them
f,nm their ages OF slumber. As We press
onward the valley widens until we reach
La Couna-,he paradise OF live stock-ths
IDEAL nj the stockmans heaven, Here, va
rying in width from one-hnli 10 one mile
in fifteen miles, Lake La Gouna spreads
lis waters upon the bosom OF the valley
VAST herds and iocks may be seen brows-
ing upon the luXuriant grass, the property
of John Mullen, Governor Ferrazos and
other wealthy Mcxicans. or the governor
~" ssd that one OF his nrst
af,icial acts was to donate 10 himself the
moior norton of this beautiful valley, COM
rrisinr gDmc $4,000 acres. We cannot
youch. however, for the assertion but give
IL as we heard IL.
There is but little change, ii any, in the
topography of the country between this
point and the city of Chihuahua-the same
broad acres of waving grass, with now and
then field OF corn upon the banks Of some
narrow stream the same bold mountain
ranges, grown somewhat higher aud more
rupged since we started and the innumer.
able herds of cattle who toss their heads
aud soamper away Us our locomotive sounds
its warning note.
at 7.30 D. M. we might have been seen
vainly struggling to free ourselves and bag.
gage from the clutches OF a dozen or moro
Mexican hackmen, each OF whom, with q
yollcy of choice Mexican oaths seemed de.
termned TO bear us away to--the Lord only
knew where we didn't After exhausting
our stock OF Greek, Latin French ana
English. we surrendered unCondition.
ally to the most villainous looking
pirate We ever beneld, who, much TO
our astonlshment instead of bearing M OF
to execution deposited us at tho Casa del
Ohio.
After relieving ourselves from the dust
and cinders gathered on route, we donnod
white neck-tie and plunged into the streets,
crowded with, not only their own 1000 in
habiiants. but also with those from every
neighbolmg hamlet and village; one seeth.
ing mass OF chattering, laughing humanity,
all bound to the same dostluation---the
main plaza of the city. Arriving at that
point scene of beauty burst upon our
vision that nyalled tho tar-iamed wonders
ofFairy land.
The grand old cathedral, whose turrets
extend some 80 feet on high, was q blaze
of light; the plaza. most beautifully laid on
into walks and drives, between which beds
of choice shrubs and flowers emitted their
fragrance upon the air; rows of eyergreens,
from whose boughs thousands OF colored
lanterns swung; the elegant Fountain
in the center the innumerablo Jets
, OF gas that flashed like diamonds
through the trees the bands discoursing
sweet music, the soldiers in their brilliant
uniforms, the thousands OF people in their
yarsgated costumes, caused us to pause
and wonder II it were a reality or ii it were
A view into the tabled lands of the
genn. For getting M y lirst-clas
exhibition tho Mexican is the boss
Atm y. IN, those who were 80 fortunate
as TO secure invitations so the grand ball
began their preparations (and he II known
that none but the elite of the state and "
the visitors were invited and by ~ o'clock
nidnaht the opera house was filled with
as lair, elegant aud refined people as could
be gathered in any tlty or state Of our own
republic The house WaS beautifully dee.
Grated with evergreen wrcaths, wi lie up0n
the center OF the stage were blended the
trt.colorcd banners of Mexico, with the
stars and stripes OF our own native land.
On either side of tho stage were suspended
two immense Gtars Of light, emblcmatiC of
the Lone Star state The gentlemen we're
clothed in our own regulation dress suit
black pants, vest and pin tail coat and
white gloves, while the ladies in costumes
OF SILK, satin and diamonds, which were
riValcd IN their brightness only by the
dark, flashing eyes OF the iair Seuoritas
Asto their dancing We can only say that to
have seen them here, with grace inimita-
Die, gliding through the may llgures
Of the dance, aud then to
have viewed our own fair
daughters hopping around like frogs at a
frolic, clean DAFT ON the Racket, would
DO II comparison too odiuus TO mention
The ball listed until the stars were losing
their htightuoss,' and then we sought oar
couch TO catch few moments of slumhpr
before the dnwning of nnnthcr day.
70 those contemplating n visit into this
country we would rive u word ofwarniug
BUY nothing at first, look AT everything and
pass on. The Impression prevails that mona
bat the veal NEST OF Americans can afford
to travel, and when one eutersA shop price
on every article he examines or iancies all
vance some three hundred per cent. Take
your time and you will save money.
There arr some immense business houses
here that run their sales way up ~ the
millions their purchases being principally
in Europe, though some goods are handled
from New York aud san Francisco. ON
hardware the import duty is 50 per cent.
Everything, oven boots and shoes, is rated
perpound. A druggist from Fort Worth
sold bill to n firm here to-day, One article
was yaluedat soc, pound in Fort Worth,
the duty ON II was four dollars per pound.
Were IL not for these heavy custom dues
trade could he opened up TO Texas aggre-
eating millions ot dollars ptr anuun II
is to he hoped that congress may inddCo
the Mexican government to mako rcduc
ton of tho tariff, AS IL now stands il
amounts almost to prohibition,
To describe the city, with its gardens,
plasas, drives and grand old ca,hcdrns, /,
too great an undertaking at one sitting To
obtain a correct idea OF tho cathedrais alone
would require weeks OF observation. Suf
flee II to say that nowhere IN America arc
found their equal in either grandeur of
beauty, lfyoW are fond vt the ancicnt--o,
rare and priceless decorations, satuary
and carvings, of studying the character 81
apeoplc seemingly centuries behind the bal
ance of the world in some things, vet SUR
rounded with gems that would grace tn,
halls and courts OF any nation ON earth
como down into the central cities of Mex
4 ....lll .f..l Al a