Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-10-28
OUR SISTER REPUBLIC,
Mexican Life as Viewed by a Rock
Islander.
A Strange Town and lis Per ple-
scenes aud Incidental
MeXfcai BAIL

Especial correspondence of THE ARGUS.
In the lower and western parts of Texas
somewhat of an insight may be had into
Mexican life. Ell Paso, which means
1.-THE pass" is the name of prosperous
and typical Texas city lying extremely
west and along the border line. As the
name would indicate, it is the gateway
into the United States from Mexico.
Directly opposite and across the Rio
Gran1e del Norte lies little ANTIQUE Nix
lean town, which, during the late wears,
has been called Jaurtz. bat formerly it
was known as Paso del Norte, i. e., the
pass 10 the north. With the exception of
a few business blocks similar to those of
small American towns, Juarez il built up
chiefly of "adobes' Thes, are low. fat
houses made of mud bricks or cakes as
they are called, which are about as thick
as an ordinary red brick but twice as wide
and long. The climate. except during
few winter months, is very hot and the
adobes being little else than mud houses,
afford cool quarters for the natives. Most
of them, however, are mortared over or
white washed, and the sun besming down
on about thousand of these domiciles as
they nestle costly at the foot of large
mountain, presents to the eye strikingly
picturesque and pleasing view. A few
large buildings are plainly seen towering
above all the rest; not that they are 50
large, but because the Others are so small
The two principal are the barracks and
the cathedral, the latter of which is an
ancient tower and turretted edifice we'll
worth visit from any tourist, psrticu.
larry the student of art and history. 1t
is nearly 400 years old and was build by
the Spanish Jesuits. The general struc-
ture is not elaborate; on the contrary it is
one of beautiful appropriateness and
simplicity. The walls are of adobe,
plain and straight and neither they nor
the heavy timbers appear any the worse
for their many years of wear. In this old
church are to be seen many ancient relics
the gifts of Spanish sovereigns. When
beholdng the exquisite carving of the
wood work and the simple beauty of the
architecture in general, we can more easily
realize that high degree of art and civil
ization was possessed by this nation in
years gone by than when we simply read
of it in our history. One can also more
readily appreciate the following quota
ton from Draper by Lew Wallace in the
opening pages of The Fair God," viz
From Mexico A Civilization
that might have instructed Europe was
crushed out. 1t has been her Spain's
evil destiny to run two civilizations.
Oriental and Occidental, and to be ruined
thereby herself"
Fifty yearys ago this city had repu-
lstion Of over $4,000. but today it has not
quite Z 600. What has become of this
population no one can tell They have
folded their tents like the Arabs and
silently stolen away.
THE PEOPLE OF JAUREZ
In speaking about the inhabitants of
this town and in fact OF all Mexico in
may be we'll to remark at the outset that
there but two classes of society-the his
and low. There is no middle stage and
the line is rigidly drawn. Those of the
higher class, such as merchants, officials
and members of the professions. who sd
here somewhat to the American customs
of dress and manner of living. never
deign to look upon their lowly brethren
except with contempt or some other feel
ing akin to it. The average Mexican of
the lower class bears strong resemblance
to the American Indian; but this does
not surpr sc us when we remember that
the Mexcans are descended from ancient
Indian tribes. The copper colored citi.
zen is everywhere seen wearing his high,
cone shs ped, broad brimmed sombrero,
blue or white shirt, brown or blue if not
buckskin trousers. sash or belt and spurs
if he be a horseman. The male portion
of this lower class, as q rule, make liv
ing by hauling fire. wood. or rather sort
of root called mesquite" from the moun>
hr,r - hn honE 10 nf
burros and sell it TO their weather. fell
low citizens, and the Americans
across the border. o her than this they
do little else but peddle fruit steal, gsm>
BILE and snugge. This last mentioned.
though dangerous. is very pref able
business. For example the duty on horses
from Mexico to the United States is $15
head and 80 or so brought safely over
amounts 20 q considerable profit for the
smugglers. Generally speaking the Mex
leans are inclined to be lsZ3, and believe
in putting off until tomorrow what can
be done today. When something 20 be
done is mentioned they iuvarisbly say
'.mansns' which means 'let it so until
tomorrow
The women OF the humber class are
quiet, sorrowful looking creatures who
dress like Polish women, except that
their gowns are generally blue or color
| supposed 70 be white. Shswls are worn
but hats are never seen. Here and there
| a melancholy, dark-eyed 'senora" IN sy be
| seen holding forth at cake and fruit
stand or selling trlnkets, beads, bracelets
and other such artistic handiwork. Many
rare and valuable things Of art, iewelrY.
precious stones, wares and useful articles
may be purchased at surprisingly cheap
prices. For example, opsls that would
cost S25 and $50 in the north can be
bought for So and $40 in Mexico. 1t is
an easv matter for tourist to secure
| many dollars worth of small articles
about bis person and safely pass the GUS
tom officers who seldom trouble person
provided be is empty handed and his
rockets are not bulged out exceedingly.
The people of Jsurez and El Paso claim
to have the only international street car
Il