Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-07-18
Correspondence Of shepapdoah Herald
PAso DEL NoRTE, MEXICO,

lASO OEL NOhIE, NJ EAlCO,
JULY I'd, 1SS;
Ifa short letter from an old Wood
stock boy will be read by you with an,
interest, here ii is.
| Persons who have never visited
country Of Spanish speaking people
can form NO idea OF how far they ar,
behind the younger ihhabitants OF The
glorious old United States, in all th'
arts, sciences and mechanics and II
fact in all their customs and habits.
There can be nothing raised here
without irrigation and this is done il
the same manner that it was TWO hum
dred years ago, blowing is done with q
forked stick, which is drawn by yoke o.
oxen, the yoke being straight piece of
wood about the size OF u railroad tie,
and is lashed with raw hide TO horns Of
the animal. Animals Of all kinds are
very poor il flesh AID are treated very
inLumanly, either from habit, innate
viciousness or ignorance in breaking
lhem TO work. An American ca moi
/ well pass along tie streets without feel
ing instinctiyely desire 10 treat them
IN the same manner that they ar c
treatids The Dlu,cs that serve them so
faithfully.
The principal crops here are alfalfa
of which three crops a year are pro-
duced. Barley, wheat, oats, corn and
in fact all grains that we can rai,e in
the states. Every kird of fruit ant
egetables may be raised in the grea.
ties! abundance. This place is Thirteen
huudred aud Fifty miles south west Of
St. Louis on the Rio Grand RIVER, and
lit were settled by the English speak
ing people it would be very desirable
country. Ga my first trip into Mexico
l visited gentleman who has been
living here but short time, yet he had
growing in bis garden and yard, apple,
peach, pear, ounce, fig, orange and
lemon trees, omegrauites, grapes,
raspberres, blackberrles, strawberries
gooseberries, corn, peas, cabbage,
beets, tomatoes, melons, asparagus
&c. all loaded down with fruits and
vegetables and Of which any of the
American gardens might be proud.
The houses Of all kinds are Dol y
that is mud walls and fiat mud roofs,
and some of them are entirely under
ground having no ventilation but the
chimney and the gang way. Here is a
church two hundred and fifty years old,
and to the comfort loving American it
Is not very attractive as it has no seats,
the worshipers either standing or kneel-
ing during services. The altar is very
finely furnished with gold and silver
ornaments, one CHANDELIER made Of
solid gold and weighing more than one
hundred pounds.
To person accustomed to the rich
and fertile "Valley" this barren
PLAIN is not very pleasant sight, all
though there are many cattle raised
here. feeding and thriving on the mus
kete grass. which to passer by looks
as though it was entirely burned up by
the intense heat Of the sun. The days
are very warm, but the lights, oh, how
delightfully."- pleasant, the air beng
pure and cool, have meyer yet spent
fifteen minutes here without a good
breeze stirring, which is all that makes
this country inhabilable. The Mex-
leans are shrewd, sharp race Of eo-
pie, quick in trade when they can get
an advantage of you, but very cautious
an intensely treacherous, you cannot
put the first bit OF confidence in any
thing they say. would like TO see
you sample the fine cigars here which
can be bought for one dollar and fifty
cents per hundred, genuine Havana,
and cigarettes for twenty cents per
hundred all pure havana tobacco. l
may possibly let you hear from me
again from Chhuahau shortly.
NJ. o. DE TY.