The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1892-09-14

settlements In each, after the discovery
OF america, were made in the same wear
and by the same parties.
Alter the reception the excursionists
were shown through the historic old
mansion by the Governor and his charm
ing wife. 1t is an adobe building with
walls several feet in thickness. It was
quilt in 1898 and continuously occupied
by the Spanish, Mexican and American
governors for almost three hundred
years. Its walls are covered with the
choicest collections of Spanish and Mex
lean pictures and objects of historical
interest to be seen in the West. AS
stated above, it was in this house that
the famous novel, "Ben Hur,N was writ
ten by Gen. Lew Wallace.
A Grand Concert,
After going through the Governor
Palace, the GeOrgians were rendered
grand complimentary concert in the pub
lie plaza 1--WE call them parks in Georg al
by the 10th U. S. Infantry Band, one of
the finest musical organizations in Amer
lea. Handsome souvenir programmes
were distributed among the Georgians
by the leader of the band. 'Home.
Sweet Home" by the band brought tears
to the eyes of number of the party, bnt
the tears dried away when the soul-stir-
ring notes of "Dixie'' were sounded.
This caused the Georgia boys to raise a
deafening yell, which was demoralizer.
sumner to Sante Fe, but they soon re-
covered and helped us to enjoy our good
feelings, with other good things thrown
in as extras.
Pleasant PIaxas.
II
their plazas, or parks, which are lively
spots and pleasant places of resort It
is in these places where old friends meet
and talk of by-gone days. 1t is here,
too, where spoony young couples meet
to "bill and coo" and where dudes and
dudines congregate to show their fine
clothes, make "mashes'' and exhibit
their utter lack of brains. The Sante Fe
plaza was crowded with the dark-eyed
Mexican senoritas and the handsome
blue-eyed blondes of our own race, and
between the black eyes and the blue the
soft, sweet music, the trim military fig
ures of Uncle Sans troops, the swarthy
Mexican burro drivers, and above all,
perhaps, the legends and romances of
this strange old city, it is not surprising
that fellow should get little bewil-
dered.
In the plaza is monument erected to
the memory of the Federal soldiers.
While sitting in the plaza talking to
an old-timer he pointed out all the peo-
pie of prominence or note. Here I saw
Eight Different NatiOnalities
of people, viz: English, Mexican, Jew,
Turk, IndiaD, Japanese, Chinese and
African. The population of the town is
mixed, with the Mexicans largely pre-
dominating. There are only about 1000
Americans in the city, which has pop
ulatiOn of 5000.
While the "old-timer'' was busy Cos
sipping he was asked: "Are the
Mexican Women virtuOus
as a rule?'' "Nine out of ten" are
not" was the reply. Whether
he was slandering these dark
eyed daughters of the Gland of sun
shine" do not Tnow. One thing is
certain, an American, even poor man,
can often marry rich Mexican woman,
the reason being that Mexicans, as rule,
treat their wives in a most brutal man
| ner.
An Old Church.
We next visited the church of San Mi
guel, said to the oldest in the United
States 1t has a copper bell made in
1850 This church was built early in the
18th century, but partially destroyed in
the revolution of 1880, reoccupied in
| 1893 and completely restored in ITO.
The pictures and furnishings foI this
very ancient church were brought from
Spa in, and some of them bear dates indi-
eating that they are four or five centu-
ries old.
The Streets.
There is not the slightest regularity or
order about the streets. They run in all
sorts of zigzag directions and are usually
narrow. 1t is said that the town was
laid off this way on purpose as a means
of defense against hostile Indians, who,
being ON horseback, dreaded being
caught in ambush by following the de-
vious winding ways, and therefore would
not venture far lin the city. In many
places adobe walls run the entire length
of the street, being usually s or 10 feet
high and solid save for the doors and
windows.
AS a Health Resort.
| Sante Fe is noted as one of the finest
health resorts in the world. It's high at
titude, pure air and water and lovely and
equable climate entitle it to this distinc
ton. The temperature in July and Au-
gust ra rely ever goes above 70, and in
December it never falls below 40. The
average heat for June, July and August
is about so degrees. The climate is sim
ply splendid, and is said to be the finest
in the United States for consumptlves.
l met gentleman from Tennessee who
had brought his wife here on account of
that disease. She was in the last stages
when she reached Sante Fe, and she is
now apparently sound and well.
The Mexican BurrO.
a0d novo1 einht xxyae N