Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1894-10-23

stefan lnasmuch rs they Illustrate The general
climate Of New Mexic0 and because they enable
him 10 point out the most desirable resorts for
the different seasons Of the year. For example,
Il would be exceedingly unwise TO send during
the winter months q patient from the Gulf
states 10 any place colder than silver City or
Las Cruces, and equally so 20 have him 20 dur
ing the summer months TO Las Cruces, Socorro
or Albuquerque.
The ideal winter resort OF New Mexico Is las
Cruces. which, with It's twin city. Ia Mesilla, Is
located IN the famed aud fertile Mesllla Valley
about twenty miles above the Texas line. II Is
located directly on the Rio Grande west Of the
Organ mountains. which, In the clear atmos-
phere, look like hills three or four miles away.
but which are really great mountain peaks
"a miles distant and 5000 feet In height. These
mountains are perforated by valuable lead and
silver mines. Las Cruces Is quiet little town 81
1000 people,, a 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, as Las
Cruces g quite accessible, being about two
hours ride from n Paso. Texas. With two or
three exceptions the accommodations are poor.
A plan FOR a cottage sanitarium p miles east Of
the town Is Still In embryo. In summer a few
lnvalids have found Il beneficial TO camp out on
the higher ground nj tho foot OF the Organ
mountains. After the arst Of April the heat at
Las Cruces becomes very dlsagreeable, the
temperature IN the mclouded sun running far
above 100 deg. Fair, It Is not a summer resort
On the other hand, We find the cities Of las
Vegas and Santa Representing most OF the re-
quirements Of the patient with weak lungs who
seek n summer residence. Being IN mountain
Gus districts the summer rainfall Is greater than
In the cities Of. the valley, and this, together
| with their higher altitude and latitude, causes
the temperature To be much lower than than
that Of other cities IN the Territory. These rains
would be very Objectionable 10 the Invalid were
it not that they are Of short duration. and that
the slope " the ground and porOsity of the soil
/ cause the water TO flow of and disappear at a
very rapid rate. leaving the atmosphere quito
dry and free, from Impurities. rs a consequence
there are very few days during tho rainy months
in which q patient may not find a few hours,
morning andlevening, TO venture out.
The m~eanitemperature of these two cities is
about that Of New York City, st. Louis and Salt
Lake city. while their summer temperature is
about that Of Detroit and Chicago. but expert
ence has shown that here ~ In other high, dry
attitudes the cold Is felt to DO less penetrating IN
winter and the heat far less oppressive IN sum.
mer.
Before passing on to Silver City. which We be-
iieye 20 be the best all-the- year round health
resort. Il may be well 10 say a word or two about
Albuquerque and socOrro. These, like other
New Mexican towns, have great advantages OF
climate. They arc both situated on the Flo
Grande. and the latter town is, commercially
speaking, but q small edition of the former.
Albuquerque Is perhaps the most important, as
Il Is undoubtedly the most progressive city Of
the Territory. Tho position held by these two
places, climatlcally, Is a sort Of mean between
those already mentioned mot AS warm In winter
as Las Cruces, nor as cool In summer rs Las
Vegas. Santa Fe and Silver City. Perhaps Il
would be well to describe them as pleasant re-
sorts for the spring ana fall.
We now come 70 Silver City. q mining town OF
5000 inhabitants, IN the southwestern portion
Of the Territory, with an elevation OF 1000 feet
Il ia located partly on the hillsides and partly Ia
an arroyo or open valley Immediately surround
ed By hills about 30 ifeet.higher than the town,
and more remotely by mountains on the north
some 1900 feet higher. The natural fall OF the
main street Is go feet 20 the mile. Its peculiar
location gives II a great advantage over other
New Mexican towns, more particularly Albu
NNfAAAHs DANoAt0 NNA - AAANNNt NiN1hlAtNN "a
surrounding hills cut OF the hard winds thatarI
so dlsagreeable at all seasons on account Of thI
dust they carry, but more particularly IN winter
when the element Of cold is q serious oOnsidera
tlon Dust and wind storms are much les.
common at Silver City than In the valley Of tn
Rio Grande. and only an invalid can testify 4
the disagreeableness Of such conditions. TIT
water Tor the supply OF the town IS intercepted
= by a sort Of underground dam about a mil
above, and Is supplied In iron pipes. LAX tina
which IS procured from wellsi along the Ri
Grande II f. hard, and has a slightly alkalinl
taste, and without being At an an ideal drinkin.
water, It serves It's purpose, and has never beel
- known 10 produce sickness. In a valley ab0u
six miles long, above the waterw0rks. there ar
/, but TWO or three residences, 30 the danger frol
! contamination from animal excFeta Is At
minimum.
! The following ngures given by Professor W
! G.. Warlug, who has analysed the water, sho'
! that It IA superior 70 that which supplies IN
! city Of Denver;