Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-09
MEXICO'S RICHEST MAN,
OLD DON JOHN SMITH
Across the Line He Is Don Juan Smidio. and He
Says He's Worth $5OOO,OOO.OOO
and Few Odd Millions.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, June "a
Old Don John Smith, whose plain name
the courteous and musical Mexicans
have melted into Don Juan Smidio, is
about to become citizen of Texas.
The event is important and worthy OF
notice.
He says he possesses more real estate
and cattle than any other living man in
either of tie sister republics. Aside
E:om his great fortune, Don Juan
Smidio is man who is worthy of be-
ing welcomed to citizenship In any
country. Few living men possess a
history so replete with daring adven-
lures, heroic actions and rapid changes
of fortune. He has taken an active
part in nearly all of the revolutions and
wars that have distracted Mexico in
the last three-quarters of century. AS
boy he witnessed the fall of the vice.
regal power and the final triumph OF
Hidalgo's revolution, and he saw Itur-
bide ascend the throne at the time of
the first republic that had cost so much
blood. Truly" says the venerable
man, Il cannot remember how many
wars have been engaged in. fought
with Iturbide and against him, and
Santa Ana had occasion, and probably
good reason, for at one time fiattering
me as being patriot, and at another
charging me with treason, or rather
rebellion, for helped him to reach the
highest position within the gift Of our
people, and later on, when he became
a tyrant, tried to kill him. l fought
against the French at Vera Cruz, and
some years afterward | rode into the
City of Mexico with Marshal Bazaine.
] have camped with Juarez and suffer-
ed exile with Diaz."
In his long career this remarkable
old man has found time to accumulate
one of the greatest fortunes ever con-
trolled by one man in Mexico, and now
it is said that he is going to bring all
this vast wealth across the Rio Grande
into Texas. He already owns a large
tract of fine land in Zapata county,
upon which he expects to build a pal
ace. Those who are best informed say
that no one knows the people better
than old Don Juan. and he has fire.
quently been heard to eXclaim: AT
ter Diaz, the deluge!"
This the key to his political senti-
ments, and it doubtless accounts for the
move that he is making time of peace.
He is certainly the largest landowner
in Mexico, and it is more than prob
able that he will soon be regarded as
the greatest holder OF real estate in
either of the sister republics. He owns
more than a million acres in one tract
IN the state of Nueya Leon, and there
is little less than 100 square miles in
cluded under one continuous line of
wire fence in his famous Los Floritas
ranch on the Rio Grande. One straight
string Of this fence follows the south
shore of the Rio Grande for more than
100 miles. That is said to be the long
est continuous string of pasture fence
in the world, though it has a close
rival in the King ranch in Texas. This
is not only the largest, but it is the
best improved ranch in Mexico
The ranch dwelling, which is occu-
pied at this time by the old Don and
his family, is said to have cost more
than 100000, and it is one of the most
striking and beautiful pieces of archi-
lecture in, the world. The plans OF the
builSlfg were furnished by Bolican, a
uIstiAkuished French exile, whose
genius has made the, City of Mexico
one of the loveliest cities in the world
The frieze of the innumerable marble
columns and the ornamentation of the
great front doors and the arches above
them has won the admiration of all
tourists and visitors. 1t is evident that
the old Don gave his wife and daughter
free access to his treasure vaults when
this wonderful palace was furnished 1t
is said that Sonora Swidio made trip
to Europe especially to inform herself
as to the latest and most artistic styles
of furniture and household decorations.
Though she was born and raised on the
frontier of Texas, where all educational
and social attainments are limited, she
has shown that she possesses excellent
taste and critical judgment in all mat
tiers pertaining to the ornamentation
of costly home. A stranger is amaz-
ed at the comforts and luxuries that
are placed within the reach Of all guests