West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-09-02


ing, mipting and ooining and the
many different processes the metal
goes through before 1t comes out
legal-tender, | had quite fanny
experience. Another young lady
aud myself tired of fcasting oar
eyes on so mitch Of tho beautiful
white metal and to think we could
not get 1t either we strolled out
into the courtyard OF the building
TO wait for our brothers, who were
both ardent Free Silver advocates.
and we could hardly get them away
from this place as they seemed to be
perfectly happy and contented that
they had at last gotten INTO a genuine
Free Silver mint, such as they had
longed to have by this time in our
country. y jolly member of our
party said TO Mo, ''just step in
there" i did so thinking 1t was
some curious place about the mint
that we had not inspected yet.
Well, TO my surprise, was in the
private Office Of tho Government
officials who have charge OF tie
mint and about six we'll dressed,
fine looking, business men were
bowing, smiling and Offering me a
chair. l could understand their
bows and smiles all right, but they
could not talk English, so they
called ia a Mexican who could talk
to me and NC had quite pleasant
/ little chat. They inspected my
badge, but did not seem to under.
stand il at first as it had a medal
lion with the battle ship Texas on
one side and the flag of Texas with
the single star on the other.
told them | was a Free Silver gIrl
from the United States and that
"gold was king" in the lanG OF the
free now, but we hoped to follow
tho example Of our sister republic
ere many years more. They were
very polite and gracious and all
graspea my hand in a very cordial
manner. When ! bid them GlhOs
and joined our party, some Of
whom were looking in at me nor.
rificd to see that | had invaded the
office where no one is allowed ex.
ccPt on very important or official
business.
The RInes Of Guanajuato were
opened in 1885 and have been in
operation ever since and have pro-
duced 5000, 900, 600 worth ofslger
The miners are very superstitious
about allowing women TO visit the
mines and claim they hoo doc the
mlnes but Friday is pay-d day and
many Of the miners prefer to drink
and have a good time on Saturday,
when the women tourist take this
advantage to visit the mines and
hoo doc them TO thelr hearts con-
tent.
Some of tho mines are OF COM
paratiyoiy easy access, being en-
tered by tunnel direct into the
mountain. Rails are laid down
and the ore is hauled ont in a mule
car. Others are entered by steps
cut down in the rocks.
Everything in Guanajuato that
is to heavy for men to carry is
carried on the little burros, and you
will sec droyes OF them loaded
down with building stone, mcr-
cbardiso or silver ore, some times
with no one with them, but gen.
orally Mexican behind riding a
mule driving the drove Of burro's.
! They do not use brides on them
as it 10 no use for a bnrro goes The
way he wants TO and the moro you
try TO persuade him TO 20 tho way
goa want him to, the more force Of
character aud will power he dis
plays. lio always walks on
the side OF the road or path
that most nearly approaches
the perpendicular as IL ls best to
bis taste. They are fcj on alfalfa
that is raised in the valley some
I where near and it is done up iu
| bunches and carried ON The burros.
I lt is right cate to see drove Of
burros loaded with ore, and % drovo
With alfalfa meet when The drivers
are not in sight. They all stop iu
q huddlo and those loaded with ore
eat alfalfa Of tho othcrs backs.
/ They are o very gentle, good na-