Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-10-15
THE CARGAOORES.
An Interesting Class of People I'm the
Sister RcpubIic-Thcir Habits,
InbOrs, and characteristics.

OF Inc DctToN TFcc IFeSS writes: ne
cargadorcs are by far the best class of
laborers in Mexico, and are by law and
long usuage regarded the best and
cheapest common carriers in all the
large cities and towns. Their wages
and wants are small. and their bone
and muscle are their only capital.
Education. modesty, and refinement are
almost unknown among them. and
morality often exists only in name.
Among many their hopes and aspira-
tions are no higher than the burdens
on their backs, while their degradation
is rs low as pulque and mescal can
make it. These are the national drinks,
and are made from the native maguey
or century-plant. Their dress is COM
posed of low, wide-brimmed straw
hat, goatskn jacket and pantaloons, a
leather apron from the neck down, and
par OF sandals in place of shoes. In
addition they carry thick pad on
their backs upon which the burdens
are placed. The whole is kept in place
by a wide belt which is passed around
the load and just above the forehead.
In addition some wear belt from
which is swung a large sheathed knife,
long sewing-needle, a rope and
bunch of strings. With this garb and
license from the government the car
gador is ready for work, and is con-
sdereG by his class as we'll TODD in
life. and indeed they have some reason
for thinking so, for we often see them
passing through the street under heavy
burdens, and that without a pad. and
entirely naked from the waist up.
Their work includes about all that is
done by our northern dairy, bakery,
and grocery delivery wagons; also that
of the moving car, the butcher cart,
and the dray. as none of these are in
use here. When there is very extern.
sive moving being done it makes a
strange scene. They are then trulg-
ing on in a long line, each one bent
under his burden, composed of parlor.
household, and kitchen furniture. The
grocery-delivery man and the frutcro
fruit peddlers) carry their burdens on
their heads in low, flat baskets. which
are sometimes yard wide. This is
placed on a circular pad which idst fits
the head of the carrier When selling
fruit one man carries the basket, while
second goes along and cries the kind,
quality. price, and concludes by say
ing: "Toda csta' muy barato"-all
are very cheap.
In this city the prisoners are worked
rs cargadores, and while writing this.
fifty have passed ny windows. and all
were loaded with wood At other
times we see them loaded with bags of
earth and rubbish from the street,
lime and sand for the builder, and
heavy stones used in paving the streets
and sidewalks. Many of them are
barefooted and clothed in rags, while
others have piece of blanket around
the loins, which forms their entire suit.
They arc driven to and fro By a mount
cd guard consisting Of about ncthird
of their own number. Thus to them
life is almost worse than death itself
When lumber or long timber is to be
moved the ends of two pieces are fas-
tened to the pack saddle on either side
Of mule or burro, while the other ends
drag on the ground; thus they are
trailcd along TO the required place.
This is the secret for transferring ev-
crythng for which n long -geared wag-
on is necessary. And it is even said
they pride themselves on their native
ingenuity, for by tbs method there is
no time lost in gearing and ungearing.
All the butchers supplies are carried
more than IN lie into this city. We
have seen one man carry five dressed
sheep or two quarters of beef this
distance at one load, for which he re-
ceivcd cents per load. And consider
ing his employer is not required 10 buy
hay or corn for him and that he pays
for his own breakfast, he thus becomes
n cheaper creature or beast of burden
than the mule or donkey; hence we sell
dom see them used in the work. Others
are carrying large hog-Nkin baskets fill
ed with hides. horn. and talow, while
others are pedding or delivering sheep,
goat, or hog skins full of lard. This
receptacle is made by taking the hide
from the animal in lis natural form;
then the feet are tied up and all cuts
securely scwcd, after which it is filled
from the neck and tied also; then when
n supply is wanted they have only to
unite a foot or tap the body in some
convent place AMI the quantity is
forthcoming. There are no wells or
watcr-works here. hence all water for
use is conveyed by water-carriers and
sold about the city. The scene at the
fountains in the early morning is sug-
gestive OF ancient times to the student
of history. Women by the hundreds
arp fllinp and hearing away on fboir