The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-09-30
TEXAS SMuGGLERS.
Extensivc business ia Contrnband Goods
Carried ON Along the Rio Grnnde.

Along the river, in towns like Laredo,
Eagle Pass and Preside del Norte, SNUG
CLING is attended with very little risk
Most of the American merchants in the
towns named have Mexican partners and
the firm supports two establishments, one
on each side of the river The two stores
will be constantly interchanging goods and
the advantageous use of little money will
cause the Mexican customs officers TO be-
come blind to what goes on. Hides, for
instance, can be admitted into Mexico free
of duty. Several large bales will be pre-
pared in the store on the American side and
shipped across the river to the branch es-
adjustment. The Mexican customs officers
pass the bales as hides, but when they are
unpacked it will be found that each bale
has large quantity of calico and shawls in
the centre. A great deal of smuggling is
done now from the small towns along the
line of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
The goods to be struggled are usually
carried into the Chisos Mountains in wag-
ons to secluded camp, where the contra
bandista captain or commander of the
smugglers has his headquarters. They are
Gnloaded here and made into convenient
bales for transportation. small and very
wiry and sure-footed mule is used by the
smugglers for packing purposes. Each
mule carries pack, weighing from one
hundred and twenty-five to one hundred
and fifty pounds. From ten to fifty mules
constitute train. When the packs are
made up conveniently dark night is Sc
lected, the corr o al of the outfit brings up
the pack animals and saddle horses from
the grazing ground, and by the fitful glare
OF the campfire the work of packing the
mules is begun. BY midnight all is ready
the mules are driven into line and the cap
tain rides to the head of the column and
gives the order to march. They travel in
single file, and no sound is heard save the
CHATTER OF the animals hoofs rs they pich
their way along the narrow trail BY day.
light the next morning the captain has
piloted his band to within half u days travel
of this point where he proposes to cross
the river. Now he proceeds with great
caution, lights no fires and does not allow
his men or animals TO stray from camp.
which is usually ON mesa top high enough
to give the smuggsrs good view of the
surrounding country. As soon as darkness
sets in the outfit is again in motion and by
midnight has reached the river A scout ia
sent ahead to see If any of the rurales or
Mexican river guards are lurking about,
and if he reports the coast clear the mules
and horses are urged down n steep aud mar
row pass to the bank of the river, and in
perfect silence they begin to ford the
stream. When the opposite bank is reached
they climb to the mesa top and hurry away
through the broken country toward the in.
tarior.
BY daylight again another camp is reach
ed and they halt. Thus the journey is con-
tinued and one night they reach their place
of destination, unload their mules in the
store corral of the patrons agent, the ami
mails are turned loose to Craze and the
smugglers give themselves up to few days
enjoyment. II fiesta or fair is in prog
ress, SO much the better They dance the
fandango with the youngest and prettiest
senoritas, drink plenty of agliadiente and
smoke quantities of cigars. In the mean
time the agent has disposed of the struggled
calicoes and shawls, deducted his commits
sion and packed the balance due the patron
in several stout canvas sacks. In q weeks
time the contrabandista captain gives the
order to return and the band starts back to
the Rio Grande, travelling now openly and
by day. When the camp in the Chsos is
reached the captain loads the gold he has
brought back into wagon and accompa-
him his commission and arranges for an.
other trip.