The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-25
ABOVE THE CLOUDS.
Monterey Scenery, Climate, Smelling Works
City Dots

|
To the Editor of The Statesman.
Your correspondent is frequently asked
What is the meaning of Monterrey Most
Americans have an idea that it means
King of Mountains. But it does not.
The name was given to the place in this
way:
Soon after the conquest of Mexico by
Cortez the Spanish government sent out
explorers to examine the country. They
were accompanied by missionaries of the
church of Rome for the purpose of es-
tablishing missions among the Indians.
Wherever they found tribe who were
permanently located they established
mission among them. When they came to
the Ojo de Aqua (springs), which rise in
the heart of the city, they pitched their
camp and erected tents under the pecan
trees that grew on the banks.
Among the officers was one who was an
inveterate gambler, and who after pay day
would start monte game for the purpose
of winning the money from the men. All
would play with the exception of one man,
who would look on. He soon caught on
to the officers mode of playing and saw
how he was beating the men out of their
money.
He would do it in this way: He al
ways dealt and after he would win some
of their money he would deal them a
good hand as an inducement for them to
bet. This they would do, He then
would raise them small amount, they
would raise back and by the time that
they had all their money up he woull see
their raise and go large amount better.
They not having the money could not call
him, so he would rake in the pot.
Before the next pay day came round
the man that would not play went to the
men and told them that If they would let
him have their money on pay day that he
would play with the officer and win back
all they lost. They did so. Soon after
the officer opened his monte bank and in
vited the men to play. They declined,
but the other man was persuaded to play
with him. He dealt as usual, and after
winning small amount from the private
he dealt him good hand, so as to get
him to bet ON IT, He did so. The officer
could raise him back and 60 him little
better until he thought the private had all
his money up, when he raised him large
amount The private saw that and raised
him back several hundred dollars. The
officer could not call him, so he raled in
the pot. This go elated the men that they
called him Monte Rey," as king of monte.
| Hanoa tha Whanavar N paadaro
of THE STATESMAN come to Monterey
your correspondent will take great pleas
ure in show ng them the place and tie
tree that was played under.
Few of the readers of THE STATESMAN
have ever seen the scenery that surrounds
Monterey. This scenery is the grandest
on the American continent. In order to
| get a good view of 1t tourists should get
aboard of Major Jules A. Randle's street
cars at the Mexican National depot and
20 to Topo Chico springs, from which
they will get the best view. In front Of
them stands the main chain of the Sierra
Madre, whose surrated tops rise above the
clouds and pierce the vaulted sky, while
TO the right Is the Sierra la Metre, and on
the left is the Sierra la Seilla or Saddle
mountain, whose top rises over 1000 feet
above sea level. Then there Is the Bishops
mountain and palace. the French forts,
the gardens and valleys, from whose
bosoms grow oranges, lemons, bananas,
tropical fruits and sugar cane, while the
church stceples and smoke stacks of the,
factories rise above the city and planes as
far as the eye can reach. The whole
scene is a picture of surprising beauty
and is beyond the power Of pen to portray.
There has been so much said about the
climate of Monterey and Topo Chico.
since the Mexican National railroad
reached here that we will only stop to say
that 1t canuot be surpassed north Of the
Sierra Madre. While it has been cold
and wet in Texas and throughout the
North the past few weeks the weather
here has been warm, dry and invigorat-
ing. With the exception Of two days it
has been more like September weather.
There have been more invalids who came
here for their health restored by the eli
mate without the use of medicine than
have been cured by the medical fraternity
in Texas. There is not day but your
correspondent meets persons who came
here suffering from lung troubles but who
have been restored to health since thew
| came.
There are three large smelling works
going up here at present. The Nueyo.
Leon Smelling aud Refining Company
have erected one of the largest in the re-
public. This is located north of the Mon
terey and Mexican Gulf railroad and will
be ready to fire up in a few weeks. The
second one Is going up on the bank OF
the Rio San Juan, and the third one will
be erected between the Mexican National
and the Monterey and Mexican Gulf rail.
ways.
There are good many improvements
going on in the city at present. MANY
new buildings are going up, while old
ones are heing remodeled and improved.
All around the two railroad. depots there
are large number OF new buildings go
ing up.
During the past six weeks there haya
been bull fights given Sunday evenings
| They have been well patronized by the
American colony. The Military band
give open air concerts Thursday and Sun
gtu s..I.A III