The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-07-19
Observatinns of an EmpOrian in tn
New Mexican City of
Las Vegas.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, I
N mnln ?


July 8, 1888,
To the Editors of the news:
After visit of three days at Las
Vegas CThe Meatlows), with our friend
Lewis Luiz Esq found my way to
this ancient and famous city, of which
shall speak more particularly in the
future. Las Vegas, Situated IN a valley
and upon both sides of a. sd called. river
whose name can neither spell nor pro-
nouncc, is n characteristic New Next
can city, composed very largely of
adobe buildings and native Mexieans,
with enough of the results of Yankee
enterprise IN the way of good buildings
and public improvements to warrant
SO far as have been able 10 see, their
claim ni being tie city oil New Mexico.
The population Is stated ANY wheIe
from 5000 To 10000, OF whom
probably more than three Iourths are
natives. The town contains number
of very good buildings, of modern style
of architecture, and once ensconccd with
in the walls of the Plaza hotel you
almost forget that you are on the verge
of civilization. This hostelry is nearly,
or quite, double the size and capacity of
the Coolidge and is conducted in good
style by Mrs. DaYis, formerly of Ohio
and is located on the plaza, in what is
called the old town; that is to say, that
portion of the present city which was
built before the railroad came, for be it
understood that there is another old
town about one and half miles further
up The river, that in point of age far out
ranks it. Las Vegas has street cars,
watcrworks and gas, and a few elegant
residences; and whilst speaking of resi-
dences let me say that some of the finest
ones are constructed Ot adobe.
Others, perhaps, than myself, havU had
associated in their minds with the term
''adobe" the idea of a hut. or very un-
calmly and uncouth building. Many OF
them indeed are of that character, but
when tell you that have seen build
ing equal in every particular to DIR.
Moores residence, and much larger, and
constructed Of atlobes, you will readily
see that they furnish material for
building not to De lightly esteemed. and
that can be adapted to the wants Of the
high and low, rich and poor, especially
IN this climate.
fhis cuu'.iry abOunds in good build
ing ma,erial. Native pine lumber of
superior qualit. can be had fur but 1t
Us more Than Ii III the cost OF pine il.
uui CITY, and from specimens which
hay. seen would say. fully supplies the
WAITS tor lumber. Sune OF every grade
aud ut almost every color
is convenient aud cheap so
that, except in such articles as n,ust
necessarily be brought from the east and
in the matter OF labor, the expense of
building here does not exceed that with
us. DO not imagine that am endeaYor.
aug To foist upon you an emigration doc
ument because / refer you to these things.
A man who would voluntarily leave
Kansas to settle in any New Mexican
town l have seen, uHless il would be on
the score of health, would be q DIT sub.
ject Tor Osawaiomic. In fact, almost
every one have Intercepted as to how
they like il out here either express their
negative opinion in good round Eng
lish nr their positive OF favorable opin-
ION with SO many IFS, ands and quslIfi-
cations as ~ remove any id, that they
are enthusiastic over the country.
Same things may b. said in favor of
the country with proprity. II
is certainly delightful clinaIc
in The hot mouths at summer, whatever
IT may be in the winter and spring.
Usually sou fad excellent water, and
the atmosphere is wonderfully vilalizing
for such as are suffering from lung
and kindred difficulties. /
spent Sunday ia Las Vegas and attend |
ed the Presbyterian church mornine
ana evening. This is une Of the largest,
il MT the largest protestant d.:nomina.
,ien in ihe e.ty The day Was beautiful
tmi ihrre were not over thirty adult !
persons in the congregation conclude |
gie people hare are mt mnch on
,hnrciies Upon this day usually they
have their has, ball matches, military |
,,a.ralics, h..rsr racing. etc For myself |
| prefer the orderly quiet of an EnpoFia |
sabbath. |