Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1885-05-16
SIGHT SEEING ON THE Rl0CRANDE.
The River On . BOem. Fine Fruit
Prospects. The Old Mexican Town
Of Las Pal0mas.
Special Correspondence.
LAS PALoMAs, n. NJ.
N 1DOH


Special Correspondence.
LAS PALoMAs, n. NJ.
May II, 1885.
At this time the Rlogrande is ON
big rise, and it is feared that it will
extend its lines beyond its limits or,
further than it has been accustom-
ed to doing. 1t is rs muddy and
swift as ever WAS the Missouri riv-
er, and drift wood is passing down
in large quantities. 1t is not I'M
possible, however, for the rudely
constructed boat at this place to
cross over with one or two passen-
gers at a time. Two prospec.ors
came over this morning from the
range of mountains on the south
bank Of the river. For some time
past they have been exploring for
copper or any other kinds of metal
ic ores that might conveniently
present itself. But, they told me,
it was q fruitle search, and
the only thing they found was
fatigue and hardships. But a few
years ago this section OF country
attracted much attention for its cop
per prospects, and one claim was
sold for the handsome sum of
$4,000. Work was kept up on it
for some time, and many hundred
dollors were expended in its de-
vefopment and Search for wealth,
but the owner finally patented his
ground and gave it up, and it re-
mains idle to this day. Around
Las Palomas are some fine apple
and peach orchards as one would
wish to see, and will successful,
compete with the famous Messilla
valley for fruit. The trees are load
ed with peaches but the apple crop
: is not SO heavy. The report that has
went out that the peach crop Oh
this river was killed by late frosts,
is entirely a mistake, as no trees
can bear more heavier aud prom
ising crops'of this delicious fruit
than the orchards on the Rio
Grande. There are many fine
gardens Of fine looking vegetables.
too, and all growing nicely and
there will be enough of all kinds
Of vegetables grown and matured
to furnish the whole country till
next season. But this branch Of
once popular industry is going in
to disuse, further than for home
consumption. This is being caused
by the low prices of the commodity
in the various markets. A man
told me this morning that he took
wagon load of vegetables to mar.
Ut last summer and he could not
sell the whole load for enough
money to pay the lodging for him.
self aud team. Corn planting has
not commenced in good earnest
yet, but farmers are making hasty
preparations for the planting OF
this serial. All along the river can
be seen numbers of plows running,
and great many men at work.
This is mostly beir z done by Mexi-
can labor and they are still hold
ing to their ancient and sntiq uated
customs of farmlng.
Las Palomas is situated at the
mouth of Palomas river on the edge |
Of wide bottom. 1t is a typical
Mexican adobe town, the houses all
being built in that one style of
architecture which, it seems, they |
only know. A plaza of about ten
acres of land is enclosed on all |
sides by rows of these buildings,
leaving roam enough only for the
road to pass. Both business and
resident houses are built alike, one
considered equally convient in
which to stow lot of women and
children, as fancy goods and
groceries, There is no church in
the town, but the priest comes once
a year regularly to hold high mass
and collect tithes. There are not
more than six Americans in the
place, and Mexican Justice of
the peace dispenses Justices to the
best OF his ability and knowledge OF
the territorial statutes. The post