The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-10-02
HI -LIsoN BACK FROM MEXICO.
Intelligent Conditions on Climate, Soil, So
c.a.i observations, Etc

c.a.i observations. Etc
Our esteemed townsman, D. G. Mill
hon, has returned from a five months
visit 10 his son Bert in the City of Mex
l''o- To an Eagle reporter he said that
ne had enjoyed the summer immensely
The altitude Of the City of Mexico is
7,349 feet, and hence the temperature is
equable and bracing. The temperature
during the summer ranged from So to
40 degrees, and good wooden garments
were decidedly comfortable at night.
There are $500 TO 5000 Americans in
the capital city and they fraternize like
kinsmen. The middle class of the peo-
pie of Mexico are most polite and defer
entail TO foreigners. For instance If
one Of them enters a street car where
there are number of passengers he
doffs his hat and shakes hands with all
in the car. On alighting from the car
he Fits his hat and makes his exit with
q most respectful bow. The poor poems
take off their hats TO stranges, espec-
tally TO foreigners. Yet they are the
slckest thieves on earth. The trades
men seem TO pattern after the Isaac
lsaacS cheap clothing man, and if they
receive the first price they ask for an
article they are miserable the remand
ar of the day because they did not ask
more. They expect to be "Jewed" down
at least half on their articles. Mr.. Mil
lison heard no complaints Of hard times,
and business seemed to be good, with
plenty Of money in circulation. Their
money is based upon silver. and gold is
worth two for one. United States cur
rency is exchanged at 521a to 30 Peon
Tabor brings % to so cents per day.
Skilled, or foreign labor, commands
i~
Of a large printing and engraving es-
Establishment and receives 81 30 per month
while the native operatives under him
receive $25 to $S5 per month. The Mex
leans are great copyists and imitators.
but they do not originate. nor progress
nor invent Americans are welcomed
by the leading people of Mexico, and
American ideas are gaining a footing in
the republic. The soil is volcanic de-
composition and is very fertile The
Valley of Mexico and the slopes of the
Atlantic and Pacific produce one good
crop per year from the rainfall. When
tropical fruits are grown in the winter
months irrigation is resorted to. as the
rainy season ceases in October and
there is no rain until May. Between
Nay and October il rains nearly every
day-in the afternoon between 4 and
about the same the year round. The
price of raw lands in the states Of Vera
Cruz, Morellis and Gerrerro, bordering
on the gulf coast ranges from 81 to S.
per acre. but 1t is difficult for an Amer
lean TO secure a body OF 100 or 200 acres.
The MeXicans are not disposed to sell
it in such lots. Many foreigners obtain
lands by leaning to Mexicans who gam
bic Dit is a wonderful country for gamb-
ling), and take mortgages. When the
debt falls due the law promptly fore
closes in favor Of the creditor. Vast
tracts of land. however, are easily OBJ
tanned from the government by COM
panies or syndicateS. Americans who
eecure lands aim to locate along navi-
gable streams or the gulf coast to
reach the market. Coffee. bananas, va
nilla beans and sugar are the leading
crops. Coffee needs shade for two or
three years. Heretofore the growers
have planted coffee amid bananas
to secure shade but lately they plant
amid corn. or clear away underbrush |
r. the forest and plant in large timber, |
the latter when the coffee |
plants are rugged enough TO endure the |
sun. The American colony, foryt-five |
miles from Tuxpan on the gulf coast. |
raise vanilla beans. coffee, rubber trees |
and sugar. Corn. which is planted with !
a sharp stick, in a slanting hole 70 avoid |
sun rays, grows rank with no eultiva- !
ton save the cutting OF weeds between |
The rows 1t brings good prices and is /
marketed on burro backs for distance |
cr fifty miles. There are numerous |
small traders who carry fruits. etc, for |
many miles, securing the articles in the |
country and selling at their small shops |
IN the city. Nearly all transfers in the 1
city are made upon the backs OF Mex
leans who are licensed by the govern
-nent and held to strict accountability. |
Should a stranger trust his baggage q
4 carrier not licensed he would be ap- |
10 lose his property if he did not &C
company the carrier. Some OF those 1T
lie dwarf-like Meyicans will carry go |
pounds for the distance Of a mile. Tn |
promptness with which the crimina
laws are enforced holds lawlessness IL |
check and protects travellers and tn
law abiding inhabitants. The coast
states are thoroughly telephoned,- witt
district centers and mounted patrolmen
20 that a criminal has small chance g.
ssSSpe. Train-wreckers. ceach-reooers