Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-05
THE CARGAD0RES.
AN INTERESTING CLASS OF PEOPLE
IN OUR SISTER REPUBLIC.

A Glass of Mexican Laborers Not Noted
for Intelligence or Hehnement-The
Work They Do-Cheaper Than Mules.
Rebeccas at the Well.
The cargadores are by far the best class Of
laborers in Mexico, and are by law and long
usuage regarded the best apl cheapest COM
mon 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 aspirations are no higher
than the burdens on their backs, while their
degradation is as 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 composed Of a
low, wide -brimmed straw hat, goatskin jacket
and pantaloons, leather apron from the
neck down, and a pair 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
a belt from which is swung large sheathed
bunch Of strings.
READY FOR WORK.
With this garb and license from the gov
ernment the cargador is ready for work, and
is considered by his class as well-to-do in life,
and indeed they have some reason for think
ing So, for we often see them passing through
the street under heavy burdens, and that
without 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 butchers cart and the ,lray,
as none of these are in use here. When there
is very extensive moving being done it makes
a strange scene. They are then trudging
on in a long line, each one bent under his
burden, composed of parlor, household and
kitchen furniture. The grocery delivery man
and the frutero (h-uit peddlers) carry their
burdens on their heads in low, fiat baskets,
which are sometimes a yard wide. This is
placed on a circular pad which just fits the
head of the carrier. When selling fruit one
man carries the basket, while a second goes
along and cries the kind, quality, price, and
concludes by saying: "Toda esta' muy
barato"-all are very cheap.
In this city the prisoners are worked as car
gadores, and while writing this fifty have
passed my 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 a piece of a
blanket around their loins, which forms their
entire suit They are driven TO and fro by a
mounted guard, consisting Of about one-third
of their own number. Thus ~ them life Is
almost worse than death itself. When lum-
Der or long timber is to be moved the ends of
two pieces are fastened to the pack saddle on
either side of mule or burro, while the other
ends drag on the ground; thus they are trailed
along to the required place. This is the secret
of transferring everything for which a long
geared wagon is necessary. And it is even
said they pride themselves on their native in
genuity, for by this method there is no time
lost in gearing and ungearing.
CARRYING SUPPLIES
All the butchers supplies are carried more
than a mile 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 received six cents per load. And consider
ing that his employer is not required to buy
hay or corn for him and that he pays for his
own breakfast, he becomes cheaper creature
or beast of burden than the mule or donkey;
hence we seldom see them used in the work
Oilers are carrying large hog-skin baskets
filed with hides, horns, and tallow, while
others are peddling or delivering sheep, goat
or hog skins full of lard. This receptacle is
made by taking the hide from the animal in
its natural form; then the feet are tied up
and all cuts securely sewei, after which it is
filled from the neck and tied also; then when
a supply is wanted they have only to unite a
foot or tap the body in some convenient place
and the quantity is forthcoming.
There are no wells or water works here
hence all water for use is conveyed by water
carriers and sold about the city. Tho scene
at the fountains in the early morning is sug
gestive of ancient times to the student of
history Women by the hundreds are filling
and bearing away on their shoulder ollas
Jars of water. These, too, are very similar
in form to that used by Rebecca at the well
Men are there with their poles and water
cans. In short, the scene is composed Of men,
donkeys and dogs, women, children, pet pigs,
lambs and goats. The air is filled with
music for all creatures of a kind are eI-
changing their morning greetings while wait
ing their turn. Thus all seem to enjoy life
while reproducing the scenes of old as We
have seen them pictured. And here as there
many dark eyed Rebeccas are won by the
meetings at the well-Zacatecas Cor. Detroit
Free Press.