National Republican., 1883-09-14
SOME BIG RANCHES.
Specimen Abodes Of Few Wealthy MexiCans
Near Guaymas.
A Brilliant Anniversary CcIebration-Dls-
tinguished Men and Fair scnorItas.
Specidl Letter.

rDcCtu LcWcT.
GUAYMAs, SONORA, MEXICO, Aug. 10,
1ss3-In my last wrote you about the Gus
toms of the people here. l will now give you
u description of some of the noted ranches in
this country Desiring TO visit somo of those
adjacent to the city, we hailed q carriage
and after providing ourselves with few bot
ties of claret and somo cigars, welcft tho hot
city, and were soon rolling out on smooth
winding road. On each side of this bcauti-
full road the "mesquete" bushes grow in all
their luxuriance. As we left the city in the
background roso the lofty mountains, be-
tween which we could now and then catch
glimpse of the ocean. After q ride of four
miles our attention was attracted toward
somo black clouds lowering around the noun
tain tops on our right and left, and in less
than five minutes thereafter tho rain was
descending from these clouds in torrents,
while we were riding along with clear and
cloudoss sky overhead. 1t was grand and
glorious sight only to be seen among the
mountains.
After ride of nine miles we were in
formed that We were approaching the ranch
of Sonora BustomeutO, whose husband Is q
very wealthy gentleman and one of the
largest importers in tho city of Guaymas.
Their family consists of two beautiful
daughters and one son, all of whom were
Upon this ranch has been expended about
$4,000 in improvements. 1t is very large,
inclosed by n high wall of adobe, within
which inGlosuro may be found groves of
oranges lines, figs, cocoanuts, and all kinds
of fruits and flowers. The noise Of the steam
engine located a short distance from tho
ranch can DO readily distinguished as it
pumps from an underground stream 10000
gallons of water daily, which is sweet and
cold and is used for irriuation
The family also enjoys some modern i'm
provements the telephone connecting their
ranch with their city residence at Guaymas
After spending pleasant time here we
bade our kind hostess adieu, and left this
beautiful spot for another ranch, owned by
noted lawyer, Senor Robinson, and one owned
by Senior Parodi We did not stop Mt Senor
Robinson's, but we ealighted at Senior Parodi's,
where we were warmly welcomed by the
Senior, his wife, and two lovely daughters,
who madc us feel perfectly at home. Here
we spent the remainder of the day. Greet
ings over, the Senor conducted us over the
place. After walk of ten minutes under q
lofty arbor covered with every species of
grapes known, the punches of fruit weighing
from one to fourteen and half pounds, and
the vines trimmed and kept in perfect condi-
tion, we emerged from this vernal colonnade
and entered large orange grove, tho trees
laden with luscious fruit, whilo just beyond
were groves of lines, figs, pomcgranates,
dates, bananas, and Mexican plums samples
of all of which We tested to our satisfaction.
This ranch contains some sixty acres, stu
ated at the base of the mountains, making it
cool and delightful place 10 live.
We also visited the wells in this place, of
which there are three, tho waters from them
being pumped into large reservoirs about
feet high and 90 feet in diameter. The water
is hoisted into tho reservoirs by mule power
attached to the windlass. At the reservoirs we
accepted an invitation to bathe, and plunged
into the cool water, coming out greatly re-
freshed, after which we wended our way to
the house by way of the rose garden, which
is surprisingly lovely. At the house we were
! invited to dinner, which We ate upon the
veranda, and can assure you we did justice
to the many good things heaped before us
| Dinner over, we indulged in u SMOKE after
which our cots wero brought out on the
veranda, and we greatly enjoyed sicsta
On waking we found that we had just timt
TO reach our hotel by dark, so receiving {
cordial invitation from our host and hostes.
to como again and visit their "Maguly'' plan
tation, from which is made liquor called
"moscal," which, when pure, Is excellent
we bade tho family goodby and sodo back to
the city in the twilight, thinking how Adam
must have felt when ho left tho Garden Of
Eden"
On reaching our hotel we retired in good
season for the purpose of rising early on the
succeeding day tho thirteenth of July, which
was to be celebrated by tho inhabitants, il
being an anniversary similar to our glorious
fourth. On tho morning of the thirteenth
| the city soon became thronged with visitors
who listened to speeches made by the mayor
of the city, the judge of the district, Senol
Donde, collector of the port, and many Others
but the crowning event occurred in the even
| ing. The plaza was illuminated with Chi
| lnntnrnS al hn1
| from each lamp post around and diagonally
| across it, o large fountain in the center throw.
ing its spray heavenward, the many colored
lights giving the water Kaleidoscope ap,
pearance, making it scene long to be re
mcmbered
At s p. m. the fair sex began to assemble
and at one could scarcely move, the throng
being SO great. As we pushed our way
through the crowd we observed many people
of note, among whom were Hon. A. Willard
| United States consul; the German consul A
Bulle, and his lovely wife, Gen. Topete, OF
the Mexican army, whose commanding figure
could be seen everywhere Especially with the
fair ones), Senior Bustamente and wife, one Of
| the sweetest ladies we over met and others
At 10 came grand display of fireworks
Amid blaze of beauty and light and the
sweet, weird strains of music from the 22d
battalion band the beautiful senoritas, witt
their gallant cavaliers, glidod in and out
among the throng, causing many hearts Il
beat more quickly as ono met the sweet
glanccs from their dark eyes.
At II tho grand ball opened opposite the
plaza, and was kept up all night until the sur
gilded the mountain tops, warning all of the
| approach of day AS we wended our way Il
the hotel, listening to that old familiar air
Bonnie Annie Laurie" we Sighed to think
of what had passed and that tho morn mus
SO soon return" Moro anon. q. A. G.
|
| Police Court Notes.
Luke O'0onnor was fined So for keeping