The herald., 1896-02-02
THE MINERS STORY


Mexico had heard all kinds OF sto-
ries about the country and the people
and the hatred IL which the Gringo,
or American, is held by them, not ex-
Guiding even the Indian. l had never
been in Old Mexico, though many
times on the borders, so 1 was natur-
ally inclined to regard my trip as rather
dangerous one. [ was only going DO
cause an old chum of mine, since dead,
had told me of some very rich pros
poets he had struck on the borders of
Sonora some time ago.
found it quite true ell that was told
me about the dislike and distrust of
Mexicans for Americans, and myself
saw that the latter got the worst OF
the game at all points when it was
matter of choice between an American
and one of any other nation. l have
been in nearly all of the South and
Central American republics and know
how we are feared and hated there; how
they laugh at our Monroe doctrine and
look at our unfolding it only as sort
of bait to catch their favor; but 1
thought it was different in Mexico, she
being so close to US and standin, in
more intimate relationship. So as l
am Pennsylvania Dutchman l easily
passed as German and had very good
treatment from everybody.
We have but little idea of the ron-
derful riches of our neighbor in almost
everything, ner, how in the richer Sec
tions of the country. such as Guadal-
aj4ra, anything like developing them is
difficult, owing to the opposition of
1.-The natives, who strongly object to
| railroads, as they deprive such large
number of the living they get by trans
porting goods from one point to an
| other. Today the bulk of the mer-
| chandise, both Of native manufacture
as we'll as i'm ported, is moved from
| point to point in small packages on
the backs of men as we'll as mules.
think that one reason our merchants
do not do more business in Mexico is
that they put up the goods in bis
boxes or cases weighing 200 to BOZ
pounds. These are too large to be Car,
ried entire, and so they are opened and
repacked at much loss and expense
If we would only send goods in suit.
able size packages, as the Europeans
do. we would soon have the country
practically to ourselves so far as the
woollen and cotton manufactures are
concerned, to say nothing of boots and
shoes, made Mexican style, light hard.
ware and agricultural implements.
Another thing that keeps Mexico back
is their jealousy of each other. When
any enterprise is started it always
fails fol this sole reason; the for.
eigner comes in, takes hold and il
is uniformly successful. The Govern,
ment has very strict laws for the pro.
lection of railroad. For interfering
with train, or a crew, the punishment
is penal servitude for long term oil
years, For placing an obstruction OF
a track, or holding up train, the pun
iehment is the same as if the train were
wrecked with loss of life. 1t is death
on the spot if the perpetrators are
caught in the act; if they are not largG
rewards are offered, troops are en-
ployed in hunting them down, and, as
consequence, they never escape, how
ever they may be favored locally.
Well, after months of hard, careful
work, failed to find my friends pros
poets, fell sick, ran out of money and
80 made for home.
On the way I saw fight I shall
never forget. 1t was between one mai
and large body of soldiers. They
under the command of an officer Of
rank, were endeavoring to enforce the
collection of taxes. The Indian, il
seems, refused to pay, and dared any
one to attach his property. He was q
splendid looking fellow, fully six feet
four inches tall, with huge, brawny
arms and legs, while his step was as
light as that of deer. He was armed
with Winchester, an AK, and shor
sword or machete. He stood on thu
top of a steep ACTIVITY, and in reply tt
the officer firmly refused to surrender
or to pay his taxes. On this the Officer
gave some command to the soldiers
when he was at once shot dead by tn
Indian, who then turned his attention
to the soldiers, and began pumping
lead into them with rapidity the lil1
of which it is impossible to describe
The men fell like ninepins, eighteen o
them we're killed and numbe
wounded, when an officer next in com
mand promised that if he would ceas
firing and surrender he should not b
harmed. This he finally did.
ASH passed through Chihuahua
saw him in the state prison at wor
with ball and chain attachment. II
is imprisoned for life.