El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1897-05-01

ing, but seeing is knowing, and nov
am ready to believe anything told me
about the fertility of the soil, the Or
chards and the alfalfa fields. II the
people will turn out and grade up the
roads to keep the water from overflow
ing them, the Mesilla valley would be
as near paradise as is possible to find
in this country of ours.
LAS CRUCES CANNING FACTORY.
| Las Cruces boasts of the only cannin g
factory in the territory, and that institu-
tiOn viii do some canning this year,
barring all mi5hsps. Mr.. Theodore
Rouault, the proprietor, has 100 acres
planted in tomatoes, and other persons
have planted 100 acres more, the pro-
duct to be used by the factory. Fruits
of all kinds al also canned Mr.. ROu-
ault has succeeded in making a reputa-
ton for his canned goods, and hereto
fore has not been able to supply the
| demand. but tn IS year he hopes to be
able to fill all orders with the best
goods on the market. Besides the
canning business, Mr.. Rouault con-
ducts a large general merchandise
store in town where he does good
| business.
| LOHMAN'S EXTENSIVE BUSINESS.
The mos extensive business in Las
Cruces is that of Mr.. Martin Lehman.
He has a Wholesale and retail store
| which occupies p large rooms, and car
ries the largest assortment of goods in
the territory His retail department has
grown entirely too small for the bust
ness and he is now figuring on putting
up suitable building the coming sum-
mer. Mr. Lehman is also proprietor
OF fine Touring mill situated in the
south part of town. This mill is equip
ped with a complete roller system,
having capacity of 30 barrels per day
and is run by either steam or water
power as desired. The mill is run
constantly on Mesilla valley wheat and
makes the b-st flour in the wOrld,'' as
Mr.. Lehman states: the demand for the
output exceeds the capacity. North of
town is another mill of 30 barrels capa-
city, owned and operated by Messrs.
Lucero q Carbonier, which runs al
the time and finds ready market for
the output.
THE SHALAM COLONY.
Up the valley seven miles is located
one of the queerest institutions [ ever
heard of. 1t is known as the Shalam
colony, but the colony feature has long
since departed. This settlement was
esta blishe1 ABOUT II years ago by an
eccentric individual! from New York,
but the property is now owned by a
Mr.. Rowland, a retired wool merchant
from Boston, and consists off 900 acres |
of land. But before attempting a des- |
cription of the place it will be well to |
explain the purpose for which the |
scheme is carried on. Mr.. and Mrs |
Rowland are Vegetarians OF the strict |
est type, and it is their dream to es-
ia blish, or rather raise up, a race of |
non-com peyitive, non-combative men, |
who shall live in an ideal state of COM
eschew all animal foods, and | |
suppose bring about the millennium.
The colony was originally divided into |
two branches. Levitica was the colony
proper. Here some thirty comfortable
houses were. erected on five acre platS
and a large general store. For the
using the land the cOlonist paid tithes
which went to the support Of the Waits
home. TIE other branch is called
Shalam, and here are located the
WATTS home and the buildings for the
schools, religious purposes and
Orietor and his associates and boons.
Of cultivation, the irrIgating system
of "a reservoir and tanks sup
piled from wells, the pumping being
lone by seven windmillS. There is no
loubt that this is tne finest property in
he entire southwest. Mr.. Rowland is
L very wealthy man, and has spent
money lavisbly in erecting the build
ng=, the irri alton system and in other
Improvements, and it is estimated by
hose persons who know the property
that half million dollars
has been invested. AT one time Levitt
ca was filed with colonists, but they ;
gradually drlfted away, and now tina.
part of the place is abandoned, al
hough the buildings are kept in good
'epair. At present 16 children are at
he waits home, ranging in age from
little babies to II or II years. The
children are dressed in cotton slips,
siven two meals and bath each day,
md have school which they attend
These little ones are brought out from |
he eastern cities, and although Il
ears have passed since the esta bliSh- :
nent of the home. not one has Staid on
he place after reaching an age when J
le is able to take care CT himself. Both :
iris and boys are taken but they all 60 :
he same road. Many are the stories
# the eccentricities of Mr.. and Mrs. ,
Rowland told by the people of the val
q religious way, and the manage
nent of the property are entirely I'M
que Despite the many failures to !
'rocure the right. material from which =
0 make non-combative men and :
women, Mr.. Rowland continues his +.
YORK. and 60 doubt, in his way, thor p,
ugbly enjoys life.