The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-26

ranches in either OF the sister repuD-
lies that have established electric
light plants. 1t might be said that
there is no such thing as darkness on
the Los Floritas ranch, for one could
pick up pin at midnight on the great
lawn or in the corrals miles away from
the big ranch house. 1t is certain
that the old Don wishes from the bot
tom Of his heart that the Rio Grande
ran on the south side Of Los Floritas,
or that he possessed the power to move
his fine house and his ranch over into
the United States, and if he lives a
little longer he is sure to add good
many millions to the wealth of Texas
and strong Republican vote, for he
is not an admirer Of the theories of
the Nebraska orator.
For the last ten years Don Juan has
spent large sums Of money in improv-
ing his stock. A few weeks ago he
sent 200 head Of white-faced 2-year-
old steers across the Rio Grande to
his Zapata ranch. That was regarded
by all stockmen as the finest herd that
ever was seen in this country. On
another part Of his great ranch he has
been breeding black Polled Angus
cattle, and he now has a herd Of about
10000 Of these famous cattle, all Of
which he expects to move north Of the
Rio Grande this summer and fall.
About 10000 calves and l1,O00 head
Of colts and young mules have been
branded on the Los Floritas this
spring.
Besides his vast landed possessions
and his countless herds of cattle,
mules and horses, the old gentleman
owns gold rhine in chihuahua which
has yielded him many millions. He
considers this chihuahua bonanza the
most valuable piece Of property in the
world. He never tires Of talking to
his son and daughter about this famous
gold mine, and never o day passes that
he does not warn his son never to part
with the ssInca's Bride" the name Of
the mine.
'sIf were younger, he often says,
"I would take enough gold out Of that
mine to buy the world With all
their great wealth, they are rather
strange people, Or at least, they would
be considered that way by the modern
title-hunting millionaire set Of our
country.
In one Of the periodical convulsions
IN Mexico which forced Don Smidio
into exile he married a Texas girl, and
it appears that even all the comforts
and luxuries chat attend illimitable
wealth have never been able entirely
to crush her love for the land of her
birth and the people whom she loved
so well long ago. Texans have always
received warm welcome at the home
of the Smidios in Mexico. They have
a son and daughter, both Of mar
riageable age, but they have never
made an effort to bring them in con-
tact with rich people. The young man
has recently become engaged to the
daughter .of a poor cattle owner in
Texas, and the whole family warmly
approves of the match, though they
are we'll aware Of the fact that the
young girl never in all her life wore
anything costlier than calico dress.
It is rumored that Sonora Inez, good
looking girl, is we'll pleased with the
attentions Of a young American
vaqueroGwho has recently been pro-
noted from the hurricane deck Of a
mustang to auseat in the Office Of Gle
grande hacienda eve have money
enough, says the old gentleman, "and
tits my desire for my children to make
matches based upon love and affec-
tioD.''
When asked by tax collector for
an estimate of his wealth, the old Don
replied: "God alone can answer that
question: .
Aftcrward, while talking with a
friend upon this subject, he said
'sWithout boasting, | believe myself
to be the richest man in the world,
and I think it is not difficult to de-
monstrate that fact. I have made a
close survey of my gold mine called
the Inca's Bride, and find little
more than 5000 feet Of the face of
the ledge in sight. have run shaft
into the mountain, following the ledge
for 1000 feet. The ore averaging
about 81 ,0O5 to the foot. Closing my
eyes to the hidden bonanzas and the
increase in the thickness Of the lode,
which measures ten feet all along the
line I have got no less than 5000, 600