The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-12
HOLT COUNTY BOY.
interesting Letters, Descriptive
OF His Travels in Old
Mexico.
Now En-Rouse to South America and
Africa.
(LErrER ILL

africa.
LErrER lli.)
CoATzAcoALCAs, MEXICO, Dec. I2, 1896
Being thus far, aud with two Ut three
days at my disposal, l will write you
another note. We left the CITY Of Mexico
on the 1Oth-day before yesterday, aud
Vera Cruz yesterday. Arrived here al
q o'clock this morning. l will admit 1t
now that was somewhat disappointed in
the City Of Mexico, as I'expected l it To
DO little more tropical. The weather
there WAS like early atumu and the
orange trees failed to materialize, even
the banana trees wre treated similar To
the evergreen trees at home, only b,ing
used for ornamental use. AS you know
the city is over 1000 feet high, and
consequently many things in the line Of
tropical vegetation do not thrive. Well,
We left the city Tureday morning at
z o'clock and started for Vera Crcz. In
the vicinity of the city the principal
product Is the maguey plant, from
which the majority Of the Mexican
beverages are made, pulque, iquila and
others, beside many useful articles from
the fibre, such rs rope, hats aud bas-
kets.
Millions of acres surrounding the city
are planted with the maguey. The
bills are about ten feet apart aud some
times barley Is sown between the plants.
The scenery was uf course very mo-
notoaous until We cleared the mountains
which surround the city. BY the way
did not mention that the city is en-
tirely surrounded by mountains ard
there is no drainage whatever. All the
water from the muuutains runs down
into the valley of Mexico. and except
what evaDorates remains there. The
soil is very vet and very productive. 10
get out Of that valley, 1t Is necessary 10
climb one Of the ranges. No change
occurred in the scenery until We crossed
this range and started down on the east
side when tue vegetation became truly
tropical The grade was very steep and
We had to pass through, NO less than
II tunnels. The track was hung along
the side Of the mountains AID a steep
canon ran along below, and as there was
a heavy fog it appeared that We were
travelling through the air above the
clouds, but after few hours We emery
ed from the fog and came IN view of
picturesque villages, banana farms and
orange groves. A great deal of tobacco,
sugar cane and coffee is also grown. The
natives did not appear 20 dirty as
formerly either. Before this they were
half-clothed and greasy looking. The
women appeared to wear but three
garments. A skirt, chemise and a
shawl. l saw one woman exploring a
young ones head, and immediately be
gan to eat her lunch. ] suppose she
hadn't washed her hands since she last
did the family washIng, and judging
from appearances it had been a long
time. But as appearances are deceiving
it may have been much longer than !
thought. But here the people are diff
ferent and appear to be clean and
honest. Vera Cruz is busy little port
aud is very pleasant place at this
season. We arrived thars at seven p
m. and were informed that the vessel
would leave there Tor this place at IL
meet morning. but when We bought our
tickets We were told II or I, and when
We went to get boatman to take us
of to tho boat he sad 2 O'CLOCK, but Wa
went out at a5,ut II AL foln1 five
barges to be unloaded before che started,
30 we agreed that We would get of about
4 o'clock, but We got started started at
and got IN here after about 13 hours
My first experience On the sea was
pleasant, and did not feel the least bit
sick. The room is still revolving with
Archie, but guess he will be all right
in few hours. He had been on the
sea before too. but he did not stand it
ne we'll as I. This place appears almost
a paradise, and almost feel tempted to
stay here. / think this is the best place
for Americans ever saw and | do not
think I will ever care to live permanent
ly ia the states again. And il l am
successful l will convince all of you
that this Is the proper place to live.
Not necessarily here in Coatzacoalcas,
but within 10 or Is degrees OF the
equator The way to come is by FL Paso
90 that one can see the charges gradu-
ally; of course, it is long ride. but to
travel for pleasure it Is necessary to
travel first-class and stop over frequent.
ly, but We travel third class and only
laid over when we changed. 1t was 4S
hours from Ell Paso to the city, on hard
seats, running lengthwise Of tie car and
with all kinds Of people, expecting to be
covered with gray backs, but evidently
We escaped. Our fare so far has been
from Clifton To this place 1858 U. s.
currency. Our hotel bills are Sl5O per
day in this money, which would be 75c
10 U. s. We will 90 10 Salina Cruz
Monday. and upiess wa can get some
steamer to take us tn soue p'rt up CT
down the coast where the mail steamers
stop every trip, vs will have to lay ever
in Salina Cruz uatil Jany. 2 The
hotel fare rs excellent. served European
style ia courses, coffee last with cigars
or cigaretts., Any kind OF 'iquor is
served with meals that one wants, but
at additional cost. Plenty Of servants
and good service.
Today is like a summer day, but this
morning the people said We were having
- ooIl .non All t,;nas 80 vooat IN fiop io