The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-09
MODERN BULL-FIGHTS
IN THE ITALY OF THE occloENr.

A Genuine Tauriau Tassls In Mexican Town-An
EutertaInIpg Description Of an Exciting Con.
test-An Old Mexican Toun and the As.
founding Virtues OF It's Government.
Special Correspondence Of the Intellgencer.
ALBUQUERQUE, January 2.-I have Just
returned from an interesting trip to Chi
huahua, iold Mexico, accompanied by my
friend Dan List, Of your city. Our route
was oyer the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
railroad to Ell Paso, and from thence over
the Mexican Central to chihuahua (pro-
nounced Chewawa.) This road will be
owned and controlled by the A., 7. & S.,
F., railroad for ninety-nine years, the con-
ditions being that at the expiration Of that
time it shall revert to the Mexican Govern
ment. lis prospects are very bright, for
when completed to the southern border Of
Mexico it will enter the great coffee fields
OF that section, and what now is shipped to
New York by water will have n direct
outlet over the A., T. 4 S. +. to all Eastern
cities, saving probably two thousand miles
in shipment and arriving some two weeks
sooner at its destination. There will be an
enormous traffic between the United States
and Mexico in other articles over this
road. So it has the most tlattering :pros.
poets OF any in the far Wost. At present it is
only completed to Chihuahua, which is
about two hundred and fifty miles south Of
Ell. Paso.
AN OLD MEXICAN CITY.
chihuahua is a thoroughly Mexican city
and contains population OF about twenty
thousand. was told by an old resident
that it once contained population Of two
hundred and fifty thousand. From the
numerous old ruins, aqueducts, old
churches, &C., one could scarcely doubt it.
The cause OF the depopulation no doubt
can be attributed to the many revolutions
that Mexico has been subject to for many
years past. Notwithstanding all this
Chihuahua can boast OF the best regulated
city government in America. 1t has u po.
lice system that New York, Chicago or
Philadelphia would do well 10 initiate.
/ Unless on actual business no one is allow.
ed on the street at night after l2 O'Clock.
Nor is any one allowed TO appear on the
streets in an intoxicated condition-even
il he is quietly disposed. II so, no matter
what his position or financial condi.
ton is he will be promptly arrested and
taken TO the cooler. Buta short time ago
very wealthy Mexican came to the city,
imbibed too freely, and was promptly ar.
rested. Some OF his wealthy and influ-
ential friends attempted to bail him out,
but the Mayor told them that his Court
met at nine o'clock the next morning, and
as this man was no better than any other
offender Of the law he should remain
there until tried. Every policeman, after
10 o'clock at night, is required to make
himself known on his beat every fifteen
minutes until six o'clock the next morning.
Promptly as the large illuminated clock in
the Cathedral strikes the quarter hours a
shrill whistle is heard which is carried
from one beat TO theother, until dying out
in the distance it reminds one OF the old
army sentinels in the days OF the war. We
were fortunate in securing accommoda-
tions ut the American hotel, which is
situated directly in front Of the Plaza. This
Plaza, or what we would call a park, Is
beautifully adorned with trees and shrub.
berry OF all descriptions, and in the center
OF II, magnificent bronze fountain is con-
tinually playing. From the fountain
the entire population seem to be
furnished with water. From early
morn to night can be seen men, women
and children with their earthen vessels on
their heads carrying water to their homes.
There is only one water pipe in the city,
and that carries water to the fountain. A
good water supply system could be adopted
at a comparatively small cost, but this
never will be done until some enterpris.
ing Americans get hold OF 1t. At the west
OF the Plaza stands the chihuahua church,
magnificent structure built OF stone, cost
ing Sl,0OO,OOO. Aside from few churches
ali OF the houses OF the city are adobes-.
but OF more substantial and ornamental
finish than you find in smaller Mexican
towns. Before leaving the subject OF Chihu-
hua must not fail to make mention OF
her military band, which is composed OF
fifty pieces. On Tuesday and Thursday.
nights they play from to 12 in the Plaza
and for real merit and sweet music ! do
not hesitate to say that We have no
band in the United States that can COM
pare with them. This may seem.
an exaggeration, but / have talked
with musical men OF the New Lake City,
who will bear me out in this assertion.
Thursday night isthe gala night in Chihua-'
hua. On this evening the coach starts out
for the Southern Cities. A. coach starting
out is OF little importance elsewhere, but
in this city an immense crowd awaits
patiently for the start. At s O'Clock FIRE
brand Is lighted, the horses eight in num-
Der are harnessed up, the driver takes his
seat and when all the passengers are ready,
with crack Of his whip and a swing OF
his fire brand he lashes his horses and
with one bound they arc of, running.at a
break neck speed over the cobble stones
through the entire city for 4 mile or so.
Our stay was but short in chihuahua. We
came back over the same route to Passe
Del Norte which is directly opposite Ell
Paso, Texas. Here we spent very inter-
esting day.
A MEXICAN BULL FIGHT.
The feast OF Guadalupe was being OBJ
served. Guadalupe Is the patron saint Of
the Republic Of Mexico and the teasts are
observed with much pomp and ceremony.
1t has been the custom to indulge in the
historical bull fights during the observance
Of the feast but Of late years it has been
abolished by law. Passe Del Norte, how.
ever, seemed to be no exception, for no
sooner had we entered the town than our
attention was attracted to large flaming bill
posters announcing that at 8 o'clock at the
arena the bull fights would commence, Mr..
List and were curious to see one, and con-
ssquently at the stated hour we were found
with probably Two thousand others com.
iortably seated in the arena awaiting the
combat. Promptly at 5 o'clock the large