Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-07-21
FROM CENTRAL AMERICA.
John ncSweeney. Formerly Of Stanford
Writes EntertaIngiy From That Section.

Writes EntertaIngiy From That Section.
Assessor Croft last week received
the following letter from an old resi-
dent of this section, who is now in
Honduras, Central America. Mr.Croft
has allowed it to be published and it
will no doubt be interesting to many:
VALE DE ANGELES, June 18th.
Mr.. Jas. NJ. Croft, Stanford, Mont.
My Dear Friend: Tis a long time
since / have written to you. l have
been away from this part of the Re-
public for six months and have had
a hard trip for the country Travelled
through was rough, in fact l found
but little of 1t smooth. The noun
tains are high and the valleys small.
There is plenty of game, but different
from what we have in the north.
Wild hogs, tigers and monkeys are
numerous, as well as small birds,
some of the latter having very hand
some plumage.
Have been prospecting for gold,
but as yet have not been successful,
but 1 am not discouraged and am
going back over part of the same
ground again. The heavy rains
barred me out for the time being but
it will not be for long. A prospec-
tors life il hard yet it is honorable;
il he does make a strike he robs no
one and gold he may find was never
furnished by mans hand. My health
is good the most of b time. Have
fever occasionally but nothing to
speak of. / try to live temperately;
the liquors of h country L let
severely alone. The natives indulge
freely, particularly at funerals-pre-
sumably to drown sorrow. Many
are buried without collins. Poor
people cannot afford such things,
but they car most always find
money for whiskey and tobacco. AS
IA general thing these people are not
uuarrelsome, but Of course there are
exceptions, and / was unfortunate
enough to meet with that exception.
The battle lasted n good while, but
the result was not serious. 1 could
have sent him over the great divide
had / seer fit, but only acted on the
defensive. He tried to take my
mare away from me and self preser-
walton is one Of the first laws. Twas
cut in several places but my wounds
were light. 1t was my first battle
for many years and this n l die
not solicit, you can bet.
There has been n small revolution
but it did not last long. was sc
far i'm the mountains that l saw bu,
little of 1t. In San Pedro Sula and
Puerto Cortez they stole quite II lot
Of money, something over 5000
pesos. 1t was all taken to Guate
mala, where the leaders now are
This government is not strong and
there are as many presidential aspir
ants as in the United States. Th'
Ins want to stay in and the Out,
want to get in. i have seen thu
president several times; he is quite {
nice looking gentleman. His palace
is not as fine as McKinley's, but 1T |.
SuDSl oCihS law VI eN'c
and bullet proof. Sometimes thes'
large bullets make their way through
however. In my room at the hote
/ counted seven holes that were mad
In the revolution of '93.
There is but one hotel in Teguci
galpa, the capital, and it Is the poor
est excuse imaginable. The building
Is all right but the bill of fare woul'
not please a sheepherder. That ma.
seem strange but it Is true. Thes
people do not know what good ly
ing is and they might have the yer,
best for they ave it at home
Corn and beans, beans and cor
continually and sometimes the mai
staple is hares. Last year corn wa
worth 81 per medic (about AZ lbs.
beans about the same price. Frui
is always plenty. Plantans are
fine dish when ripe, but these peopl
like them best green. Oranges ar
scarce but bananas are plenty
Maltasares mangoes and other sue
fruit is numerous. Pigs and chicken
are favored in all places, being a
lowed to go anywhere. The 'voluI
tual hog" can always be found.
am forced to kick them out of m
room several times during the day
You see, there are no windows in an
OF the houses, the only light we &c
is from the door. All this seem
strange to a pilgrim but it is true.
/ would not advise anyone tocom
here. / am here now and will try t
make the pest of it. =
Write soon and send me lewiston
papers. Remember me to all inquil
ing friends.
JOHN p. M~CSwEENEY.
In Justice Court.