The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1883-03-15
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GuAYxAs, MEXICO, March 5, lss;


GUAYMAs, MEXICO, March 5, 1883
ED.JouRNAL:-From ocean TO ocean,
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific.
have finally plished IT, Little did
I think when stood on the piers a,
Castle Garden, in New York, q few
years ago. I would so soon reach by
rail the Pacific coast at Guaymas in
old Mexico. l reached this place over
the Sonora II. r., which makes con-
nection with the Southern Pacific al
Benson, Arizona. This place is three
hundred and fifty miles from Benson.
situated on the Bay Of Guaymas, which
il connected by narrow chanuel be-
tween the mountains, with the Gull
cfCalifornia.
The scenery around this place is
grand-the town as well as the bay j.
surrounded by high mountains, and
they look grand and majestic as they
rear up out Of the bay, hundreds 81
feet high. Around on the water are
large ships, schoonersa and isof most
all descriptions, which add TO the
sight The ships rdn between here
and San Francisco, also down south
along the west coast of Mexico. From
San Francisco they bring merchan-
disc, along the coasts they bring uu
the tropical fruits of Mexico. The
weather here is quite warm; the tier'
mometer stands about s5' ia the shade
every day.
Vegetables of almost every de-crip'
ton are in the market, also all kinds
of tropical fruits, such as oranges
bananas, lemons, etc. Oysters are
plenty: you can get them for twenty
five cents per hundred.
Guaymas il no exception to all Mex
lean towns. The city Is composed ol
adobe, mostly one story houses. The
city is not rs pretty nor as large as
chihuahua. but the scenery is finer
and grander. The advent of the rail.
road 10 this point was Il great wonder
to them. When the first train cam.
In, the people were very much fright
ened and ran from that part of the
city. hiding In their houses and in
holes. They claimed il was the devil,
or evil one. They wear hut little
clothing; | saw many children per
fectiy naked, and during the hot
weather men and women have moth
ing on but loose sack over then, from
their shoulders or waist 10 their
knees.
They have along the streets AMI bay
a long row of seats for persons 10 rest.
| found them very comfortable To rest
and get cool, also 10 enjoy the sights.
One point 10 show the advantage of
our financial system; in the United
States, our money Is at II per cent
premium.
The hotels are very poor; here l. a
good sized city of about 1,1Dn inhahit-
ants, and not comfortable hotel.
They do not have beds-nnihins int
cots. From two 10 six sleep in one
room. The table is poorly supplied.
the tsefsteak is an infringement Of
Goodyear's patent on ruhber-only |
think the preference is in favor OF the
rubber. 1 did not stop at Herino>ilIo
rs came down; intend IL on my re-
turn Monday, and will finish this let
ter from there. | have reached the
western coast, now must 20 north ar
south, and think when the railroad
reaches Mexico City | must take that
in.
HERMosILLo, March 81 reached
here last night. aud do believe there
were 1000 people-men, women AMI
the depot 10 see the train
come in. Hundreds of fair senoritas
greeted our eyes. and some with very
beautiful large, black eyes, long black
hair and fair complexion.
This city has about l5,00o inhabit-
capital of the State of Son
ora-is beautifully laid ont between
the mountains. On one side runs the
Hermosillo river. This I'lace l. noted
for all kinds of tropical fruits, the
oranges are the finest and richest ilay-
ored i'm the world. The orange groves
surround the city, and the streets are
lined with orange, sweet lemon trees
and other native fruits. The build
ings here are much better than az
Guayinas aud the city is "A prettier.
cleaner place.
The Plaza is quite large. iillel with
and frnit trees the flowers
are in full bloom and the trees are
loaded down with fruit. In the cen
ter of the Plaza il very large re,er-
voir, in the center of which is foun
tain On the side OF the Plaza il the
and | can assure you that
il is q great treat To go in these inn
mense buildings. Their churches are :
built with great cost. and upon grand I
and magnificent scale. Tie archi;ec-
fure is queer its dumes. spires. Z
columns, etc.
The fields look green. Wheat j. !
headed out. TIE trees look pretty (
green. Most all kinds of vegetables /
are in market. Iou can bay LOO at 1
the very finest oranges for one dollar. /
The State of Sonora is noted for her |
cattle ranges, and also the richest |
mines To be fouud-hnth gold aud si.- /.
yer. The country along in some places \
IS barren and not very attractive; il is |
quite a curiosity To see their bamboo !
houses they live in, ami some have |
,nly brushes. They carry their water |
the streets of Guaymas in raw |
hide sacks, across burro's backs. |
The more see of these people and the |
further | penetrate into their country |
md see their queer ways and customs
he more l wish to learn.
The Mexican schools are interesting. |
Every scholar in the room or building |
studies his lessons out loud and each |
lass before the teacher recites in con-
.ert. One of these schools sounds like |
,edlam and all the schools L visiie.l /
N the States of Chihuahua and Sonora |
ire the same in that respect.
In the city of Guaymas there is not a
,ank. also none in Hermosillo, all !
heir bills of exchange, financial and 1
mercantile business is carried on |
through the mercantile houses with
ioreign countries as well as their own. |
Respectfully,
A. &. SLOAN.
NEW LAWS.