Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1894-12-26
Our Western Correspondent.

EDS. INDEX: Las Vegas has a pop
ulation of nearly six thousand. About
the year 1885 grant of land lying be-
tween the Gienas and Pecos was made
to certain Mexicans for agricultural
purposes. These two small creeks flow
south and soon unite in deep rocky
channel. On tie west side of the Gle
mas, and one mile above its confluence
the first settlement was made. As the
Indians were very troublesome, cor
raj was constructed for the safety of
the flockS and herds, as well as the set
tiers. Outside of this, and about hun
dred feet distant, the adobe or dwell.
ing was erected without reference to
lines or direction. The old corral has
never been built upon and is now
known as the Plaza. A picket fence
surrounds it, grass and trees adorn it
and electric lights enables one to keep
off the grass. Store rooms now occupy
the place of the first dwellings, some of
which are One-story adobes with walls
three feet thick, while others are Two
and three story brick buildings Of mod.
ern architecture. Alleys, they may lie
called, for they are too narrow TO have
the dignity of streets, lead ont Ill yari-
Gus directions from the circular street
surrounding the Plaza. Tradition says
| that during the transition period from
early settlement TO the dawn OF civiliZ-
alton, when ropes were used in all ac-
tive industries, there was many morn
ing when only two or three dead bodies
were to be found hanging 10y the neck
within the Plaza. The present state of
refinement forbids such pastimes III
public places, and you must look under
the bridge crossing the GienaS for miss
ing miscreants. But we are speaking
| of Old Town, as the Americans are
pleased to call it. On the east side OF
the Gienas modern city is regularly
laid out, and its inhabitants boast OF
living in the Christian era and speak
ing United States. Old Town has the
courthouse, but no city government
other than the board of county commits
sioners. 1t has a poStoliice, bank and
many good stores. East Las Vegas
has postoffice also, and bank, town
hall, public schools, railroad and de-
pot and a number of churches.
Many sights, new and interesting are
presented to the stranger. The noun
tain ranges, shaded with a more or less
dense growth of pine, rise all about
you. The roadways wind through The
valleys and over the mountains in any
and every direction. The air is invig
Grating. and now you are meeting {
tain of burrows laden with stove Woo
on their way down the mountain to tht
drawing light wagon with few arm
loads of wood piled IN promiscou
heap on which is seated man and hi
family. Then another, perhaps fou
yoke Of oxen drawing cordwood o
lumber. There is no haste: it is Tx
same trudge day by day, and year b,
year. But we need not go in the coun
try to be entertained. Right here in til
| II
able beggar Not modern tramp, bu
real Jerusalem beggar. A dark ding
turban about his head and face almOS
c0nceals his long uncOmbed hair an
beard His bent form is clad in rag
ged gown of the pattern la Elisha til
prophet. In his left hand he hold
an old gunny sack in such fashiC
that biscuit or bit of bread tossed L
that direction would find its way int
the sack. In his right hand be holds
stout cane, which, together with dill
ty bandana he IS using as kind Of
wand. lie stands before house NUT
terng in Mexican in an unaudibe to n
and tapping his cane on the GROUND
then beating his breast with his han
and turning his face skyward, he sue
denly lowers his chin as he hears some
one coming with some small trib
q ute. Superstition enables him thu
q to get living. No one dares to refuS
o him for fear his mutterings woul
D bring curses upon them. Any sma
gift is acknowledged with a few MOI
groanings Vulnerable and he moves OF
There are many street scenes not con
4 mon in modern cities that engage tt
e eye. but we must not worry Vol
Il Many of these people have good home
/ and a fair education, and are prospe
Gus and happy. The public offices,
this San Miguil county, are held /
Mexicans. Their ability for creatir
l. indebtedness compares favorably VII
y the talented American. They believe
d statehood and in the event of obtai
= inn it, could outyote the Anglo Saxon
II ARFP