The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-26
A RICH MAN.
SAYS Heis the Richest Man in all the Wide
World.
World.
Chicago, Tribune.

Old Don John Smith, whose plain
name the courteous and musical Mexi-
cans 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 the sister republics.
Aside from his great fortune, Don
Juan Smideo is man who IS worthy
of being welcomed TO citizenship in
any country. Few living men possess
history so replete with daring adven-
ures, 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 a century.
AS a boy he witnessed the fall of the
vice regal power and the final triumph
of Hidaigo's s revolution. and he saw
Iturbide ascend the throne at the time
of the first republic that had cost so
much blood. "Truls = says che ven
cradle man, 81 cannot remember how
many wars I have been engaged in. l
Tough with Iturbide and against him,
and Santa Ana had occasion, and
probably geod reason, for at one time
aattering 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
kilIhim. thought against the French
at Vera Cruz, and some years after
ward ] rode into the City Of Mexico
With Marshal Bazaine. Ihave camped
with Juarez and suffered exile with
SDiaz.''
In his long career this remarkable
old mani has found :ime to accumulate
one Of the greatest fortunes ever con-
trolled by one man in Mexico, and
now it is said chat hesis going to bring
all; l;of this vast wealth across the Rio
Grande into Texas. He already owns
"a large tract cf fue land in Zapata
county, upon which he expects to
build palace. Those who are best
informed say that no man knows the
Mexican people better than cid Don
Juan, and he has frequently been
heard to exclaim: CATER Diaz, the
delugel This is key to his politi-
cal sentiments, and it doubtless ac-
counts for the move that he is making
in time Of peace.
he is certainly the largest land-
owner in Mexico, ana it 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 Nueza Leon, and
there is little less than 100 square
miles included under one continuous
line Of wire fences in his famous Los
Floritas ranch, on the Rio Grands.
One straight string Of this fence fol-
lows the south shore Of the Rio Grande
for more than 100 miles. That is said
to be the longest continuous string Of
pasture fence in the world, though it
bas 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 just 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 architecture in the world. The
plans Of the building were furnished
by Bofcan, a. distinguished French
exile whose genius has made the City
Of Mexico, one Of the loveliest cities
in the world. The frieze cf the innu-
merable marble columns and the orna-'
mentation 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 wonder
full palace was furnished.
It is said that Sonora Smidio made
q trip to Europe especially to inform
herself as to the latest and most artis-
tic styles Of furniture and household
decorations. Though she was born
and raised on the frontier of Texas,
where all educational and social attain
ments are limited, she has shown that
she possesses excellent taste and crit
ical judgment in matters pertaining
to the ornamentation Of of a costly
home.
A stranger is amazed at the COM