Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-20
MEXICAN BOUNDARY MONUMENT.
Especial Correspondence.l


inscription tells the reader that the
stone marks the boundary line be-
tween the two republics. II is well that
the border has been officially determln-
ed. Settlers along the line have often
quarreled with their neighbors on the
other side. Murder and crimes of all
kinds have resulted from these strain
ed relations. Our settlers represent
ed the advance guard of civilization,
and the fights have been a conflict be-
tween two races.
The treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo de-
fined the boundary line 1t was hoped,
once and for all. This was right after
the war with Mexico. which occurred
about so years ago. About six years
later what is known as the Gadsden
treaty changed somewhat part of the
previously agreed line. 1t related
principally to that section lying be.
tween the Rio Grande and the Colora-
do rivers. At the time Of the survey
piles of stone were used to mark parts
Of the line. These stones were remov.
ed by contending settlers, and soon
the record of the boundary line was
lost.
AS matters became worse 1t was
agreed by both the government Of the
United States and also by that Of
Mexico that another attempt should
be made to determine the boundary
line. Accordingly n Joint commission
was appointed in 1882. Owing to some
delays 1t did not convene until 1891,
and then the first meeting was held at
Paso del Norte. Lieutenant Colonel
]. w. Barlow, Lieutenant David Du B.
Gaullard and A. Il. Mosman repre-
sented us. Mexico sent Jacobo Blanco,
Felipe Vale and Jose Tamborrel. all
distinguished men in that country. The
two latter gentlemen subsequently re-
tired, and their places were taken by
others.
1t seemed advisable that the two
sections Of the commission should
make independent surveys. The party
of Mexicans started out in November,
1901, while the Americans were not
ready to proceed until February of the
following year. In Lieutenant Colo
mel Barlow's party were at least 10
men. They included assistants, cooks,
laborers and other employees of all
kinds. Their equipment formed an
imposing spectacle. Wagons, ambu-
lancrs. water tanks, horses and tents
and a multitude Of other objects help.
cd to make UP the outfit. An escort of
80 soldiers accompanied the party. Al
though the course of the trip led the
band through n territory filed with
hostile Indians, the services Of these
defenders were never required.
Only those familiar with the charac-
ter Of the country can appreciate the
perils of such a journey. AS no rain
falls for many months In the year, a
severe drought is often present.
Afte, distance OF 200 miles had
been covered a section Of the party re-
turned TO Ell Paso. They commenced
the work of lnying the monuments
which at Intervals mark the course OF
the line, and when their work was
completed this party rejoined the main
body on the Arizona line.
When June, 1894, had arrived. the
party of surveyors having in the mean
time split up and ench section having
worked separately, the whole task was
finished During all this time exactly
25S monuments were laid. They are
either of stone or iron.
Those who sail the sea tell of strange
images which appear to the vigilant
eyes of the sailors. Clouds form and
appear to them like islands In the
midst Of the ocean. They tell also of
wayward specks of sky or fog that
seem like approaching ships. 1t is so
on the desert. The members of the
surveying party had similar expert
ences. Just before the sun came out
beautiful cities would seem to rise
suddenly out of the plain. Steeples
and castles, horses and men, could be
clearly observed. But the sun reveal
ed only waste Of sand. At other
times the sight of lake Of water and
around 1t green grass and trees and
also animals and grotesque objects
rose before the view; but, like the trou-
bled thoughts of the early Hebrew.
these phantoxss of the air remained un-
til "the day broke and the shadows
few away" WILLIAM b. RUTGER.
EASY LIFE IN NICARAGUA.