West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-07-15
MORE ABOUT OLD MEXICO.
A Historical Sketch Of Our Sister
Republic.
QuerstarO, the Great Opal CITY
and the Unfortunate Emperor Maxi.
milan.

Written 10y Miss May Morgan Of Tur Anous
stan
Queretaro IS one OF the oldest and
most interesting towns in the grand
Repnblc Of hericaad, dating back
to the time OF the Aztecs in l445.
1t has an elevation of 5,9O4 feet
above sea level and a population Of
90, 900. 1t is very beautiful and
interesting city, with magnificent
churches and public plazas, Of
which the Alameda is the principal.
The climate is delightful all the
year. When we we're there in Feb
rury the weather was Just like
summer, and it was hard to think
that perhaps it was showing at
home, 1t was such a perfect June
day there. to stroll through the
2l'zas and along the beautiful
shaded streets aud see the paasies.
vloIcts, popples, roses and many
other flowers in bloom, and birds
singing everywhere. Visitors from
the North get the first glimpse of
palm trees and tropical fruits at
this place-they grow in the plazas
and Hercules gardens just out Of
the city.
In the mountains around Que
retaro arc the greatest opal mines
IN North America. The opals are
carried down the mountain sides by
the bushel on The backs Of the little
burros, and are sold everywhere
around the town. You can buy all
you want without leaving the train,
as dozens of men, women and chill
dren have them there to sell to
tourists. The best and finest ones
are bought mp by jewelry mon from
all parts of the world, who 90 there
or send agents to buy them right at
the mines.
The place does not seem to be
unlucky in any respect, as it is one
OF the incest cities in Mexico, very
level for miles around and sur
rounded with well titled hacicndas.
and beautiful mountains in the dis.
tance. The Hercules mills and
opal mines give the natives plenty
Of employment and free sHUer, so
they seem contentcd and happy.
We did not see any bcggArs at this
place. and the only persons that
seemed to have any bad luck was
some of the Americana editors who
traded of several free silver dollars
for worthless opals, bat that was
only good luck for the Mexicnn.
Some Of the young Mexicans would
trade opals for the fancy buttons
that some Of the gentlemen IN our
party wore and seemed to think
they were getting great bargain. |
Qncretaro proved a very uulucky
place for the Emperor Macmillan
though, as this was the place whore
he was captured, tried and exc
cuted, together with his Generals. |
Miramon and Meiia, June 10, 1867. |
on the Cerro-de-la-C a-Campanas, Tor
Hill Of the Bells), just out in the
northern limits OF the city. A party
OF us drove out to visit the place
one beautiful morning Just after
breakfast. You get a fine view Of
the city and surrounding country
from this hill, which is Just two
miles out Of the town. The land is
owned nov by q gentleman from
the United States, who happened
to be there and was glad to sec US.
and told some Mexcans who we're
with bim 70 chip of some pieces OF
the red stone crosses that mark the
place and gave them to us. The
three stones stand right together,
facing The city. They are to be
taken away and 8 fine monument
erected in their place, which is Wis
tied By tourists from all parts Of
the country.
Duriag one Of Mexico's many.
civil wars, the Little Napoleon ofI
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