The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-10-21

melted into Don Juan SmidiO is about to
become a 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 the sister republics. Aside from his
great fortune, Don Juan Smidio Is mar.
who is worthy of being welcomed to citi-
zenship in any country. Few living men
possess a history SO replete with daring
adventures 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 Iturbide
ascend the throne at the time Of the first
republic that had cost so much blood.
Truly" says the venerable man, accord-l
ing to Corpus Christi (Tex.) letter to the
New York Press, II cannot remember
how many wars I have been engaged in.
I fought with Iturbide and against him,
and Santa Ana had occasion, and
probably good reason, for at one time
fattering me as being a patriot, and at
another charging me with treason, or
rather rebellion, for I helped him to reach
the highest position within the gift Of our
people, and later on, when he became
tyrant, I tried to kill him. I fought
against the French at Vera Cruz, and
some years afterward I rode into the city
of Mexico with Marshal Bazaine. I have
camped with Juarez and suffered exile
with DiaZ." -a@s..rs Isl. ar.
In his long career this remarkable old
man has found time to accumulate one of
tocf Mt NV
one man. in Mexico, and now it is said
that he is going to bring all this vast
wealth across the Rio GraIfde into Texas.
He already owns a large tract of fine
land In ZaData county, upon which he
expects to build palace Those who are
best informed say that no man knows
the Mexican people better than old Don
Juan, and he has frequently been heard
to exclaim: AFTER Diaz, the .deluge!
This is a key to his political senti-
ments, and it doubtless accounts for the
move that he is making In time of peace.
He is certainly the largest landowner in
Mexico, and 1t is more than probable
that he will soon be regarded as the
greatest holder of real estate in either
of the sister republics He owns more
than million acres in one tract in the
State of Nueva Leon, and there is little
less than one hundred square miles in
Guided 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 one hun
dred miles. That is! said to be the largest
continuous string Of pasture fence In tho
world, though it has close rival in the
King ranch in Texas. This is not only
the largest but it is the best improved
ranch in Max:Gs.
The ranch dwelling, which Is occupied
lust at this time by the old Don and his
family, is said to have cost more thar
100000 and it is one Of the most strik-
ing and beautiful pieces Of architecture
in the world. The plans of the building
= were furnished by Bolican, distin-
guished French exile, whose genius has
made the City of Mexico one OF the love
Hest cities in the world. The fr1eze or the
innumerable marble columns and the or
namentation of the great front doors
and the arches above them has won the
admiration of all tourists and visitors
It is evident that the old Don gave his
wife and daughters free access TO his
treasure vaults when this wonderful
palace was furnished. 1t Is said that
Sonora; Smidio made trip to Europe
Especially to inform herself as to the lat
est 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
attachments are limited, she has shown
that she possesses excellent taste and crit
zeal Judgment in all matters pertaining
TO the ornamentation Of costly nome.
stranger is amazed at the comforts
and luxuries that are placed WITHIN easy
reach of all guests who are fortunate
enough to be welcomed to the Los Flor,
itas ranch There are over 500 miles Of
telephone wire on the ranch, making con
nection with telegraph line that places
the ranch house in communication with
all parts of the world. An ice factory
that is seldom shut down supplies coio
drinks to the 500 cowboys that are en-
ployed in looking after the cattle and
horses.
Ice is furnished gratuitously to all the
inhabitants of the little village Of Guer-
zero not far away. There are fifteen sub
overseers dwelling on different parts OF
the ranch and they are connected by
Telephone. with the main Office This and
the celebrated Kennedy ranch In Texas
are the only two ranches In either OF
the sister republics 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 bottom OF
his heart that the Rio Grande ran on the
south side Of Los Floritas, or that he pos
sessed the power to move ms nne mouse
md his ranch over into the United States,
and if he lives a little longer he is sure
to a good many millions to the
wealth. of Texas and a strong Republican
vote, for he is not an admlrer OF the
theories of the Nebraskan orator.
For the last ten years Don y uaP has
spent large sums Of money in improving
MS stock. A few weeks age. he sent
s.IU mead OF whIte-raced two-year-o1t
steers across the Rio Grande to his Ia,
pata ranch. That was regarded by al
stockmen. as the finest herd that ever wa:
seen in this country. On another part O
his great ranch he has been breeding
black-polled Angus CATTLE and he nov
has a herd of about thirty thousand o.
these famous cattle, all of which he ex
poets to move north of the Rio Grand'
this summer and fall. About forty thou
sand calves and IL 900 head of colts AM
young mules have been branded ION tn,
s Los Floritas this spring. s
Besides his vast landed possessions ant
his countless herds of cattle, mules ant
horses, the old gentleman owns a gols
mine Chihuahua which has yielded hin
many millions. He considers this Chihua
hua bonanza the greatest and most valu
able piece of property in the world H
never tires Of talking to his son an,
daughter about this famous gold mine
md never a day masses that he does no