Wichita eagle., 1890-01-01
THIS MEslLLA VALLEY.


3emo OF the characteristics OF q Rich
Section of New Mexico.
Las Cruces is the principal town in
what is known as the Mesilla valley
The Mesilla valley is distinctive name
applied to that portion of the Rio Grande
valley in the extreme southern part of
New Mexico, extending from Fort Sell
den on the north to the Texas line not
far from the city of Ell Paso, Tex. Its
average width is about three miles and
its greatest width ten miles. The soil is
exceedingly rich and fertile, and is es-
pecially adapted for the cultivation of
fine fruit, although almost every variety
of fruit, vegetables and grain can be
produced with great success. One of
the principal and best paying crops Of
the valley is alfalfa hay, of which four,
and sometimes five, cuttings are made
in one season. There is always a good
market for alfalfa hay, which brings
from $40 to s14 per ton. Every acre of
the valley is so located that it can be IL
rigated from the river, which divides
the total acreage into two nearly equal
parts. The main line of the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe railroad passes
through the entire valley on the east
side of the river. The altitude is about
$500 feet lower than Santa Fe and 200
feet lower than Denver, and the average
of the climate is mild and as near per-
lection as can be found anywhere. The
only real winter experienced by the peo-
pie of the valley is in the month of JAN
uary, and even then the temperature
rarely falls below 20 dogs. above zero.
In the midsummer the temperature is
about the same as that of the Pacific
coast, but one does not experience any
thing like the discomforts that attend an
eastern summer.
The store buildings and most of the
residences are built of adobe (mud)
bricks, and usually around an open
square called a placiti. In these placitis,
or open air gardens, it is no uncommon
thing to pick roses at Christmas, while
about Feb. the trees commence to put
forth new growth of leaves. About
ten days ago the enterprising citizens of
Las Cruces and the Mesilla valley, as
sisted by the territorial board of immi-
grafton and the Atchison. Topeka and
Santa Fe railroad, fitted out car with
fine fruit and other products of the val
ley, and started east, taking in the prin-
cipal towns along the line of the Santa
Fe route. The scheme of sending out
this car is to intelligently show to the
people of the east the resources and ca
liabilities of this wonderful valley, and
to demonstrate the fact that cattle rails
ing and mining are not the only indus
tries of New Mexico. This fine exhibit
of fruit is kept fresh by supplies which
are shipped from here daily.
Two and one-half miles southwest of
this point is situated the historical Mex
lean town of Mesilla. 1t is the second
oldest town in the territory, Santa Fe
being the oldest, and it is claimed to be
the third oldest town in the United
States. Twenty years ago it was the
metropolis of southern New Mexico
Seven stages arrived and departed daily
from different points of the territory,
Arizona and Texas. Business was brisk,
prices high and money plenty. The in
habitants were mostly Mexican, and the
American element chiefly composed of
men who had come west for their health
the climate in the states being too hot
for them. In those days the man who
set his stakes in this country and staid
with it was man of unquestionable
courage. When the railroad was built
through the valley it left Mesilla several
miles to one side, and she now stands an
isolated wreck of her former greatness
Six miles northwest OF Las Cruces is
located the Shalam colony. This colony
is composed of the followers of DIR. A.
NJ. Rowland and j. B. Newbrough, who
claim to be something higher and wiser
than ordinary mortals. Their Bible is
called Oaspie, and they claim that it is
a direct revelation from God through
their prophet, DR.. Rowland. They are
at present constructing an immense tenn
pie according to instructions and plans
given in Oaspie. They are peaceful and
law abiding, attending strictly to their
own affairs and making no attempt to
secure converts. At stated intervals
Newbrough or Rowland make extended
trips throughout the east and come back
with some half dozen OF more young
babes. These babes will be brought up
in the faith, and in this way the follow
ers of Oaspie will be increased. DR..
Tanner was at one time an active MEM
Der of this peculiar sect.-Las Cruces
On. M Cor. st. Louis Globe Democrat.
A Rustic Bridge in Georgia
A rustic bridge just completed at