Arizona silver belt., 1897-12-23
OBSERVATIONS IN MEXICO.
The Beautiful City os Monterey and
 the Rich San Jose Mines.
SAN JOSE MINES,
 STATE OF TAMAULPAs, Mexico,

u,s SAN JOSE MINES, l
 STATE OF TAMAUIlpAs. Mexico,
 December 12, 1897.
 Editors ARIZONA SILVER BELT,
 Globe, na-Gentiemen: Leavino
 Globe on the l6th of November ar rived in Monterey, Mexico, four days
 later. Monterey is prosperous. Three
 large smelting works are {, operation.
 One of them is said to be the largest of Its kind, in the world. having a ca- pacity for treating 1000 tons of orc per day. The works are owned by the Guggenhiems, of New York. Here and there modern red brick struct- ure is to be seen sandwiched in be- tween the one and two story adobe and stone Mexican houses, These Mexican buildings are ali smoothly plastered outside and in, and painted in various hues,. all very pleasing to the eye. The city is rapidly growing. Her population is now estimated at 75.00O. Miles of streets have recently been paved with hard red brick, which appears to stand the heavy trstflc remarkably well These smooth iy paved streets are & joy Go the hearts of tho wheelers. Monterey is up to date with the wheel. There are bicycles galore here
 The city is beautifully located on a plain right at the base of range Of nigh precipitous mountains which here form Q terrace to the great table lands that extend away to the south and west. A marked difference is ob- served in the climatic conditions be- tween here and Globe. On the Sun day evening following my departure from Globe sat in the Plaza de Ear agoza listening to the Military band, under dense green foliage, with here and there an orange tree on which the ripening oranges could be seen glistening under the electric lights, tine air warm and balmy as June evening in the North.
 The line is rigidly drawn between the classes here. Two asphalt walks circle the outer edge of the plaza; gayly dressed throngs of senoritas parade around the outer walk, while the poor, ragged peons are kept to the inner walk, in & distinct circle of their own. Should peon presume to enter the lines of the aristocratic cir cle he is promptly shown his place by a policeman or others.
 After . stay of few days in Mon- terey I proceeded to the San Jose mines, TAO miles southeast from Mon- terey. near the line of the Monterey & Gulf railway, in the state of Tamauli- pas. The San Jose gold and copper mines are owned by the Nicholas Chemical company, of New York. They control 5000 acres of miner al land here, all heavily wooded. Six mines are at present being worked within this area, The smelting works are now in successful operation. yield Ing between one and two tons Of bullion per day, value $500 per ton in gold and copper. The production of the mines is at present limited to the capacity of the plant, about 10 tons per day. These mines were worked by the Spaniards in the early days of Mexico. Numerous old slag heaps are seen through the valley now over grown with trees and shrubs. Re- gently three skeletons were found in cleaning out an old stopei no doubt buried there by fall of ground.
 Operations will be carried on on much more extensive scale next year, both in mining and smelting. Native labor is from 25 cents to 37a cents per day. Coke costs SIP per ton laid down at the shelter; freight on bullion to New York s11 per ton shipped from Tampico our nearest port on the Gulf of Mexico. Wood is abundant, a for est of o.k extending in all directions.
 San Jose is 2700 feet above sea level. | The east winds prevail, bringing in cloudy weather and rain from the gulf. Shrubs and creeping vines are strongly in evidence of a moist climate. The temperature rarely | rises above 90 in the shade, the daily | breeze from tie gulf cooling the at Wild turkey and deer are abundant in the m ountains, the woods and under brush affording good cover for game.
 Iexpect to visit New York for the and return here sometime in January. I cannot say when may visit Globe. It is expected that Black Warrior matters will soon he settled and operations resumed at an carly day am always pleased to see the SILVER BELT, which follows me here with all the news items about Globe and vicinity Yours very truly,
 JOHN ;. WHYTE
 Just recelved; car of fresh grocer ies, which 1 am selling to meet all com ,nt,t;n,, JAa F Pkr,roS