Wichita eagle., 1886-09-17
THE CARGAD0RES.

York " Grid.
THE CARGAD0RES.
AN INTERESTING CLASS OF PEOPLE
IN OUR SISTER REPUBLIC.
= Glass OF Mexican Laborers Not Noted
for Intelligence or Eeirement-TEc
wcr:s They Do-Cneaper Than Mules.
Rehcccas at the Well.
The cargadores are by far the bes. class Of
laborers in Mexico, and are by law and long
usuage regarded the best and 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 arc
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 magucy or
century plant Their dress is composed of
low, wide-brimmed straw hat, goatshin jacket
and pantaloons, a leather apron from the
neck down, ard 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 wide
belt which is passed around the load and just
above the forehead. In addition some wear
a belt from which is swung a large sheathed
knife, a long sewing needle, a rope and
INN af ~
READY FOR WORK.
With this gaIb and a 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 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 butchers cart and the dray,
as none of these are in use here. When there
is very extensive moving being done it makes
a strange scene. They are then trrldging
on in long line, each one bent under his
burden, composed of parlor, household and
kitchen furniture. The grocery delivery man
and the frutero (i'uit peddlers carry their
burdens on their heads in low; fat baskets,
which are sometimes a yard wide. This is
placed on Il circular pad which just 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 saying: "Toda esta' muy
barato'-all are very cheap.
In this city the prisoners are worked as car
gadores, ard 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 tho
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 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 to 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 a 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 &; long
geared wagon is necessary. And it is even
said they pride themselves on their native in
lost in gearing and ungearing.
CARRYING SUPPLIES.
All the butchers supplies are carried more
than mile into this city. We nave seen one
man carry five dressed sheep or two quarters
of beef this distance at one load, fer 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 a cheaper creature
or beast of burden than the mule Or donkey;
hence we seldom see them used in the work.
Others are carrying largo 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 scwed, 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. Tie scene
at the fountains in the early morning is sug
gestive OF ancient times to the student CT
history Women by the hundreds are filing
and bearing away on their shoulder ollas
tiars) of water These, too, are very similar
in form to that used by Rebecca ct the we'll
Men are there with their poles am: water
cans In short, the scene is composed OF men.
donkeys ard dogs, women, children. pet pigs,
lambs and goats. The air i; fiilcj With
music. fcr all creatures of a kind are ex-
changing theig morning greetings while wait
ing their turn. Thus all seem TO enjoy life
while reproducing the scenes Of Old IS we
have seen them pictured. And here - there
many dark eyed Rebecc;ls are Won ~ the
meetings ut the well.-Zacctecas Cor. Detroit
Free Press.
Roland Reeds Recol!ections of Forrest.