Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-04-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
ChOctaw Writes Of Mexico.
MONTEREY, MEXICO, !
March 1911, 1897.

Editor Greenbrier Independent
AS you know, Monterey is the
capital of the State Of Nuevo Leon.
1T is typical Mexican city. Not
many of the buildings are more than
one story. Most all are of stone or
concrete, succeed nearly or quite
white, fiat-roofed and exceedingly
massive.
This hotel in which l am writing,
the lturbide, is two stories, occupies
most of block and is built about
several open courts, large enough for
bananas, flowers and tropical fruits
to grow. Facing the open squares
or courts are wide galleries orna-
mented with urns of flowers and
shrubs. The rooms are very large,
and some Of them are supplied with
costly furniture that corresponds
with the building, which seems to
have been designated to offer immu-
nifty from earthquake, cyclone and
armed enemy.
The rate IL two and a-half per day,
which is very moderate, as we get
two of their dollars for one dollar
and two cents American money.
The streets of the city, strange to
say, are straight, but of course quite
narrow. The plazas, with their
fountains, statues. evergreen trees,
shrubbery of rare and beautiful va
riety. fragrant flowers and birds of
rich plumage and sweet voice, are
the resort of a!l the lovers of that
which is joy forever.
The capitol, the cathedrals, the
Bishops Palace, the smelters, mar
ket square and many places in the
city are visited by the curious and
lovers of art. but to me, all the build.
ings and works of man, no matter
how ancient or imposing or assO-
ciated with historic "Reminiscences of
glory or shame, seem insignificant
when brought into contact with the
stupendous works Of nature.
Leaving San Antonio on the Inter
national and Great Northern Rail
way one travels l54 miles to Laredo
on the Rio Grande, through what
might be appropriately termed the
DEVILS thornfield. The mesquite,
all the variety of the Mexican thorny
chapperal. prickly pear, Spanish
dagger, the ouisache and other trees
and plants that scratch and tear
whatever touches them are to be seen
on both sides the road as far as the
eye can reach. Only the Nueces and
one or two smaller streams is crossed,
a dwelling is rarely seen except at
the stations, which, for the most
part, are inhabited by MeXicans,
who live in miserable, squalid
matched huts. For nearly a hun
dred miles, on the Mexican side, the
same may be said of the country.
The poor greasers on the way haul
wood with oxen or pack it on burros
and stack it for the railroad which
fires its engines with wood.
We were just entering the moun-
famous district when the sun went
down and the stars Immediately ap-
peared, for there is little or no twi-
light in the far south.
Arriving at Monterey before mid
night we were carried to the hotel in
street cars drawn by two mules, one
in front of the 0ther-the conductor
using whistle instead Of bells.
In the morning we went forth.
and 10! we were surrounded by lofty
rocky mountains. We had Travelled
nearly a thousand miles through
prairies, plains and brush-here the
contrast was glorious.
We beheld the famous old city,
and part of its history, with which
schooIboys are familiar, rushed upon
our minds. We looked the -four
ways. and the mountains in all their
majectic magnitude lowered above
, us. The first impulse was to return
to our chamber and falling upon our
knees exclaim, Holy, holy, Oh
Lord God Almighty all thy works
do praise thee
In the early forenoon party OF
twenty-five or more was ready tc
take a rough open car on the ore
hauling train for the San Sablo sil
YER mines, twenty miles away, foI
there are many silver mines worked
: in the mountains round about. a
' handsome young Mexican went aloni
d as guide and interpreter. The frs
Q thing that attracted attention wa