Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-09-11

Inc NuIEHuiNk uNuNfA arc NAiNAuio 70 the puY-
sican inasmuch As they Illus trate the general
climate Of Sew Mexico ana because they enable
him n point out the most desirable resorts for
the efficient seasons Of the year. For example,
it would be exceedingly unwise to send during
he winter months a patient nom the Gulf
states 10 any place colder than Silver City or
Las Cruces, and equally 80 70 have him 90 dur
ing the summer months to Las Cruces, sooorro
or Albuquorque.
The ideal winter resort OF New Mexicois las
Cruces, which, with It's twin city, IA Mesllla. Is
located IN the famed and fertile Mesllla valley
about twenty miles above the Texas line, It Is
located directly on the Rio Grande west OF tho
Organ mountains, which. 10 the clear atmos-
pherc, look like hills three or four miles away
but which are really great mountain peaks
u miles distant and 5000 feet Ia height. These
mountains are perforated by valuable lead aud
silver mines. Las Cruces Is quiet little town Of
1000 people, q large proportion Of whom are
Mexican. A good hotel built upon the mesa or
high land on The edge Of this town would be
deserving Of a large winter patronage, az Las
Cruces Is quite accessible. being about two
hours ride from II Pas0, Texas. VIII two or
three exceptions the accommodation are poor.
A plan for q cottage sanitarium q miles east Of
the town Is sull In embryo. In summer a few
invalids have found it beneficial 20 canip out on
the higher ground at the foot Of the Organ
mountains. After the FIRST Of April the heat at
Las Cruces becomes very disagreeable, the
Temperature IN the unclouded sun running far
above 100 de- Fair II Is not a summer resort.
on the other hand, we md the cities OF Las
Vegas and Santa Fe presenting most OF the re-
quirements Of the patient with weak lungs who
seek a summer residence. Being 10 mountain
Gus districts the summer rainfall is greater than
In the cities Of. the valley and this, together
with their higher altitude aud latitude, causes
the temperature 10 be much lower than than
that OF other cities IN tie Territory. These rains
would ne very Objectionable to the Invalid were
It not that they are OF short duration. and that
the slope Of the ground and poroslty Of The soil
cause the water TO nOw OF and disappear 1t a
very rapid rate, leaving the atmosphere qSite
dry and free from impurities. AS a consequence
there are very few days during the rainy months
IN which a patient may not find a few hours
morning and evening, to venture out.
The Jmeanftemperature OF these two cities Is
about that OF New York City, st. Louis and Sail
Lake City. while their SUMMED temperature Il
about that OF Detroit AID Chicago. but. expert
ence has shown that here as In other high, dry
attitudes the cold is felt to be less penetrating in
winter and the heat far less oppressive In sum
mer.
Before passing on to Silver City. which We be-
1eye 10 be the best allthe-yesrr round health
resort, It may DO well TO say a word or two about
Albuquerque aud SOcOrro. These. ike other
New Mexican towns, have great advantages Of
climate. They are both situated on the Rio
Grande, and the latter town Is, commercially
speaking. but q small edition OF the former.
Albuquerque Is perhaps the most important, as
II Is undoubtedly the most progressive city OF
the Territory. The position held by these two
places, climatically, Is a sort Of mean between
those already mentioued-not ~ warm IN winter
a. Las Cruces, nor as cool In summer as Las
Vegas. santa 70 and Silver City. Perhaps It
would be we'll to describe them as pleasant re.
sorts for the spring and fan.
We now come 70 silver City. a mining town Of
5000 inhabitants, In the northwestern portion
Of the Territory, with an elevation OF 1900 feet
Il Is located partly on the hillsldes and partly in
an arroyo or open valley Immediately surround
ed by hills about 40 feet higher than the town,
and more remotely by mountains on the north
some 1000 feet higher. The natural fall of the
main street Is go feet TO the mile. Its peculiar
location gives o. great advantage over other
New Mexican towns, more particularly Albu
querqne. socOrro and Las Cruces, inasmuch as
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30 dlsagfeeable az all seasons on account OF the
dust they carry, but more particularly in winter,
when the element Of cold Is a serious considera.
ton. Dust and wind storms are much les,
common az Silver city than In the valley Of the
Rio Orande. and only an invalid can testify q
the dlsagreeableness Of sch conditions. The
water Tor lie supply o. the town Is Intercepted
By a sort Of underground dam about a mile
above, and b supplied Ia iron pipes. Like that
which Is procured from wells along the Rio
Grande q Is "hard," and has a slightly alkaline
taste, and without being atail AN ideal drinking
water, Il serves is purpose, and has never been
known 10 produce sickness. In a valley about
ok miles long, shove the w%aterworks. there are
bot TWO or three residences, TO the danger from
contamination from animal exoreta Is az q
minimlum
The following figures given BY Professor W.
g. WaTing, who has analy1ed tho water. show
that q Is superior 10 that which supplies thl
city Of Dcngeri