The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-01-13
A LETTER FROM LEO.
SKETCHES OF TRAVEL FROM THE
LONE STAR STATE.
FROM BEYOND THE RIO GRANDE
Items From the Free Silver State.-An
Account of a Royal Party.-A
Bull Fignt.-other Inter
esting Facts.

Gu0 gateway w AOAAOOs AZ 0SAAS "
initial point of the Mexican Central
Railroad. 1t contains about 10000 in
habitants, with a squalid suburban
population of Mexicans living IL
wretched adobe houses.
JuareZ, across the Rio Grande, IS q
Mexican town of 5000 or 1000, not
particularly noted Tor exemplary NOR
ais. A few hard cases may give a
large community an unsavory reputa-
ton, and this town is no exception.
Gambling is openly practiced in the
streets and market places, and desper-
ADDS make their escape from one side
of the river to the other beyond the
Jurisdiction of the country in which
their crimes are committed, only to be
extradited at great trouble and delay,
and it is to be regretted that the states
furnish their full share. Bull fighting
is still occasionally practiced; and the
old bull pen of several years ago has
recently been rebuilt. An exhibition
took place a week or two since, at
which the crowd was greater than
could be accommodated, liberal per-
centage Of which was from the Ameri-
can side. A picador, noted for skill,
was picked up on the bulls horns and
tossed in the air, the horse knocked
over and disemboweled. A few hoWls
went up from the crowd, several women
tainted presumably American-and
the game went on.
Bull fighting is called brutal sport,
but is it more brutal than American
prize fights and smuggling matches,
which are tolerated, or. at least winked
at by the public. Even Kenosha has a
+" champion light weight" in the re-
nowned deacon" Dodge!! The
Mexicans have been accustomed to
these fights from time immemorial,
introduced at. an early date from
Spain, and which are national
amusement.
In the summer of 1893 it was with
great reluctance that the railroad
companies granted any concessions in
fare to visit the Chicago Exposition,
and even then, not till late in the
season, when they became convinced
that the people would not attend with
out reduced rates. In the winter fol-
lowing great prize fight was adver-
tised to take place at jacksonville,
Florida, and the railroad companies at
the same time flooded the country with
advertisements for cheap excursions to
attend it! When such events take
place in our own. country, let US be
sparing in our criticisms of the
MeXicans.
chihuahua (Chi-wau-wau), capital
of the Mexican state of the same name,
is reached at midnight after ride OF
225 miles from Ell Paso. The interven-
ing country is anything but desirable to
any American farmer, being destitute
of both wood and water, with more or
less alkali soil.
The city contains a population OF
$4,000, including 400 to 500 Americans
engaged largely in mining operations.
1t is fair city of Mexican style, being
built of adobes, or sun dried brick
and, with few exceptions, the buildings
are of one story, in true oriental style,
still existing in Egypt. the Moorish
states and Palestine. They are built
around an open court, from which they
gain access 20 their dwellings. Instead
of lawn ornamented with flowers and
shrubbery, their fine fxings are TO be
found in the court or pateo, not to be
seen by the public. A few of the pub
lie buildings are quite elegant and two
or three stories high.
1t is said that the Jesuit missionaries
first located here about 1925. The
date may or may not be correct, but it
lis an old town as may be seen Oy old
ruins, among which is an old acque-
duct, 200 years old.
Mexico is a silver country -decidedly
in the surrounding mountains. The
ore is transported to the city by wagons
drawn by six to eight mules and among
the wagons may be seen the Balm
wagon, labeled " Vendido Por Kra-
kauer, Fork & Moye. =
Having travelled in Mexico. hereto
FORE, commenting on Mexican customs,
seems like rehearsing a thrice told
tale, ]" but, it's presumed there are new
readers to whom such mention may be
subject of interest.
Mexican money is greatly depressed
in value compare to the American
stand ard and one dollar of our cur
rency will buy S2.13 to 1918 Mexican.
Prices of many commodities are higher
here than in the states, but few, how
ever, except American imports, are
high enough to Offset the exchange
American butter is quoted at IS cents
per pound and cheese at so cents in