The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-04-02


old Alamo fort in which Davy Crockett
immortalized himself, also the Missions
built several centuries ago, the old
Cathedral which was built in the six
teenth or seventeeth century, the
United States Military Post, etc. San
Antonio seems to be very progressive
in business way; the stores are large
and the business houses make good
displays from their show windows.
While the saloons are unusually num-
erous very few drunken PEOPLE are
seen on the street, owing to the fact, |
am told. that beer is the chief bever-
age used. San Antonio is one OF the
worst gambling cities in the United
States. Several of us, with resident
who knew the ropes, spent some little
tine in going through the lower ror-
tion of the city, where gambling is car
ried Oh most extensively. These gamb.
ling dens carry on their games OF
chance with wide open doors, but pay
heavy tax to the government for the
privilege.
After spending a day at this point
we steamed away to Eagles Pass, a
station Just across the division line be,
tween the United States and the Re.
public of Mexico. Here we exchanged
United States money for that of the
coin of Mexico, receiving two (2) dol
lars for one CD less trihe for ex,
change. Our stop here was only long
enough to water the engine, but while
waiting were entertained by brass
band composed of Mexicans. From
here we made no further stop until we
reached Monclood, Mexico, town OF
10000 people. Although the town is
some distance from the depot, crowd
was waiting our arrival and seemed to
look upon us with as much wonder and
amazement as we did upon them.
Notwithstanding it was Sunday many
of the men had roosters under their
arms and were ready to wager their
all on his fighting ability. | learned
that this was one of their favorite pas.
times or amusement: after taking up a
collection, to be given to the owner OF
the winning chicken, we soon had a
cock fight, to finish, for they used
the gaff on the rooster, and seemed to
know all about the sport. Our jour
ney from here to Agnas Calientes was
devoid of any interest, for at least 500
miles of the way we passed through a
sandy plain or desert, with mountains
looming up in the distance equally as
barren rs the plain, not a sign ofa tree
or any sort of vegetation anywhere eN.
cept the Cactus. This you will find
in every known variety. But as barren
as this country seems to be, at every
stop we made, for water or fuel for the
engine, we would find many of the ma.
tives around the train with outstretch.
ed hands begging for a centavo Mex.
lean penny How they do to exist in
such country it is hard to imagine
The temperature, as we passed through
this section, was in the 9Q's and l am
told they haven't had rain for seven
years. Agnas Calientes has Il popula.
ton of about 10000 and is noted for
it's hot baths, the translation of the
name of the city meaning hot w.'ter.
This city WAS particularly attractive
to the ladies of our party, as the ma
tives had all sorts of the most beauti.
ful drawn work for sale. This drawn
or linen work is all made by hand and
the designs and patterns are very ex-
quisite, and sold at ridiculously. low
prices, very much cheaper than it can
be had for in the City of Mexico.
The buildings, both business and
residence, in this city, as in all the
others we visited, are of but one story
hi yh and built of sun-dried brick. No
pretention whatever is made as to al.
chitecture, except in the churches and
c.thedrals, which, although very. old
are of a much more modern style and
furnished magnificently on the inside
Several of us were fortunatessin meet
ing the Mayor, who speaks our Ian.
guage very tlnently. He very kindly
introduced us to the Governor, and
acted as interpreter during the inter
view, as the Governor does not speak
English at all. We also visited the
Jail in this city and found it full of in
mates, most of whom were confined on
petty charges. They dispose Of mur
derers by shooting them. Most of the
prisoners were kept busy in the manu-
facture of the large sombrero, or the
! making of shoes. Both of these arti
cles are made by hand, not piece O.
machinery being used The sombrer(
is the only style of heads gear used by
the MeNicans, except in the City o.
Mexico, and even there they are useG
very much This hat is made boil
from straw and the finest quality o
felt. Some ofthem are very expensive
/ selling for as much as $50 or $40 apiece
His hat and his blanket, which is a:
variegatcd in color as the rainbow, il
the most expensive part ofa Mexican:
wearing apparel. The rest Of hi:
clothes consist of but a jacket ant