Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-10-30
MATTERS IN OLD MEXICO.
THE STATE AND CITY OF CHI.
HUAHUA.
Some Of the Celebrated Mines
Peonism and Other Peculiari-
ties-Voluntary Slavery.
Especial Correspondence REcoRD-UMoN.l

When we first entered Mexico-three
wears and a half ago-nearly everybody
came into the country either by water to
Vera Cruz, or from Laredo to Monterey, by
the Mexican National road, and thence by
diligence into the interior. But since the
completion of the Mexican Central Railway
the great stream of American travel has
poured by this highway from Ell Paso to
the Capital, thus escaping both the perils Of
the Gulf and the disconlforts of long jour
neys by stage. For this reason, and because
of the mines, which have long been con-
trolled by capitalists from the United
States, chihuahua is probably better known
to Americans than any other of the Mexi-
can States, though scenically and histori-
cally it is one of the least interesting.
Proceeding southwark from Ell Paso to
the city of Chihuahua, distance of 225
miles, there is little to be seen but desc
late stretch of sandy plain, outlined by
gloomy foothills. Though apparently so
barren and unoccupied, this region is ad-
mirably adapted 10 grazing wherever the
natural facilities for irrigation have been
reports of American miners in other years
and the late unprecedented "boOm" are the
best proofs. Several of the most famous
mining districts are near the line of the
railroad, at distances varying from ten TO
one hundred miles, The first station of
Importance, going southwark, is Samalay-
nea, "A miles from FL Paso. One hundred
kiometers west of it is the celebrated pre-
sidio, or military post, called Janas, and 80
miles north lie that mighty collection of
ruins known as
LAS CAsAs GRANDEs
(The great houses) near the modern village
OF the same name. 1t is worth making the
wide detour to visit these interesting relics
of the past-though only mule transit is OBJ
tainable They lie in the midst of fertile
valley, and are, called by all the people
thereabouts " the houses OF Montezuma."
Their erect and fallen walls, some of them
standing now thirty-five feet in hight, face
the cardinal points and much resemble the
Pueblo edifices of Arizona and New Mex
leo. The original buildings are supposed
to have had three stories, fiat roofs and
outside stairs of ladders. But, beyond a
few fragments of pottery and broken
arrow-heads, there is nothing now to tell of
the forgotten people who at some distant
period dwelt in Las Casas Grandes. A
singular circumstance, showing that these
early northwestern tribes must have had
commercial dealings with those of the
south, is that among the bushels of spears
and arrow heads which may be picked up,
many of them are ObSididn-yolcanic glass
melted in the far-away volcanoes of Popo-
catapetl and Orizaba.
The railroad skirts the city of chihuahua
about a mile to the east, and tramway
J, 4 fN la ay-trp
edge of the town. The tramway cars which
are of American make, are labelled las al
ways in Mexico) first, second and third
class, although there is little choice be-
tween them except in the company on
board. In fact, the third-class cars are
preferable for sight-seers, being open on all
sides, with rows of benches running length
wise and rooted to screen passengers from
the sun, and the locomotive power of each
car consists of two fractions mules, which
are kept on constant jump while the
driver plies his mercileSs whip.
The old city lies near the Conchas river,
on a broad plain at the base of the Sierra
Madre. 1t was settled first III 1852, by some
Spanish adventures, who came for the pur-
pose OF working the rich mines in the Vi
cinity. As early as 1928 its population was
ten thousand, and now it is estimated at
between twenty and thirty thousand. Be
ing at an elevation of 5000 feet, it is COM
paratiyely safe from those epidemic feyeIs
which annually devastate Guaymas and
other places west and north of it. Its
streets, crossing one another at right an
giles, are well paved-for Mexico-and re-
markably cleanly. 1t has two tolerable
hotels, some fine baths in the upper Ala
media, handsome Tribunal of Justice. p"
State House. Mint and other public build
French clubhouse, two banks, etc. Near
the main plaza stands
THAT FAMOUS CATHEDRAL,
With two towers and enormous dome.
which is said to have cost over eight hun
dred thousand dollars, although all the
work on it was rendered gratUitously by
willing hands. 1t is of cut stone, in color
resembling Milwaukee brick, and was built
by levying tax Of an reat (l2l cents on
every mark (eight dollarsl Of silver taken
from the mines of Santa Eulalia fifteen
miles distant Another place which the
traveller must not fail to see is the Jesuit
College, in the rear of which those revolu-
tionary leaders, the Cure Hidalgo and his
friend and comrade Alliende, were shot by
orderof the Spanish Government. Then
there is the old Convent de San Francisco,
the immense Gltoadjga, or granary. and the
great aqueduct-over 600 yards long-all
worth a visit.
This largest OF the Mexican States covers
an area of DIG, $50 square kilometers, and
has a population of about 100000.
The Sierra Madres, which traverse it,
throw off various spurs and ranges, each
endowed with some unpronounceable name
and containing more or less mineral wealth.
Mining and agriculture are the main indus
tries, gold, silver, copper, tin, iron, lead,
wheat, corn, beans, grapes, cotton. wool,
cattle, sheen, horses and mules being reck-
oned among its products. The average an
nGal yield of Chihuahua's mines is ST.
100000. The most famous districts are
called Guadalupe Y Calos, Zapuri, Batopi-
las, Urique, GUazapares, Jesus Maria, Po-
trero Morelos, Chinapa, pinos Altos, Con
ception .Cuisihuiriachie, Muyuriachie, Nav
narcotic, San Francisco del Orc, and
Hidalgo del Parrel. These are all silver
mines, that of Gales also producing gold
and copper, Urique lead, and San Francisco
considerable gold. They are mostly worked
by Americans. who, by the employment of
modern machinery. realize large returns on
the capital invested \ fair example is the
famous Batopilas mine. owned by Governor
A. Il. Shepherd, formerly of the District OF
Columbia, who, besides bis own large in
terests here, represents powerful New
OK syndicate
Coal beds are found in the Sierra Rica
del Carmen. There are several cotton
manufactures in the State, and although
healthy regetation appears scarce the an
pual wheat crop is estimated at 4S.767 eco
: kifegrammes; corn not less than 107, 947, :
600 l1ilogs., and other products in proper
ZION. chihuahua supports law college,
a seminary and / - primary schools. The
total valuation of real estate is something
over seven millions, and Government land
sells al 10 cents per acre. The temperature
hereabouts ranges from leo to 80 Fahr.
May and June are the warmest months
The nights are always cool, and the rainy
season from the middle of June to the end
OF October. 1t happened that my first Sun
dsy in Mexico was spent in chihuahua,
which in all Spanish-AmeFica is the great
gala DAY Of The week, and being then new
to the sights and customs of this gueerest
country under the sun, | was particularly
interested in
Tue PEoE POPULATION,
Which swarmed the streets in all the glory
of :" full dress" The gala costume of the
ordinary peon is not much TO boast OF, con-
sissinc, for men. OF clean pair of white
breeches and blouse waist, or shirt with
flaps worn outside; while the women APP
pear to smart up /" only by adding another