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


is about to become citizen Of Texas,
The event is important and worthy Of
notice.
lie 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 Smidco is man who is worthy
e being welcomed to citizenship in
any country. Few living men possess
4 history SO rcplctc with daring adyen-
Ircs, heroic actions, and rapid changes
IF fortune. lie 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 Hidaigo's 5 revolution. and he saw
lturbidc ascend the throne at the time
Of the first republic that had cost so
much blood. 'Truly,' says the ven
erable man. Il cannot remember how
many wars ! have been engaged in. |
tough with Iturbidc and against him,
and Santa Ana had occasion, and
probably geod reason, for at one time
fattering me as being patriot and
at another charging me with treason
or rather rebellion, for l helped him
TO reach the highest position within
the gift Of our people, and, later on.
when he became II tyrant tried to
kill him. fought against the French
at Vera Grux, and some years after
ward | rode into the City Of Mexico
with Marshal I5axainc. Ihavc camped
with .Juarex and suffered 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 of this vast wealth across the Rio
Grandc into Texas. He already owns
large tract Of inc land in Zapata
county, upon which he expects to
build palace. Those wbo arc best
Informed say that no man knows the
Mexican people letter than old Don
Juan, and he has freq uertly been
heard to cxclaim: after Iiaz, the
deluge!" This is key to his politi-
cal sentiments, and it doubtless ac-
counts for the move that he is making
i'll time of peace
He is certainly the largest land
owner in Mexico, and 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 Nucxa 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 Grandc.
One straight string of this fence fol-
lows the south shore of the Rio Grandc
for more than 100 miles. That is said
to be the longest continuous string of
pasture fence in the 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 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 Bofican, distinguished French
exile whose genius has made the City
Of Mexico, one Of the loveliest cities
in the world. The friexc of the innu-
merablc marble columns and the orna-
mcntation 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
mis- treasure vaults when this wonder
full palace was furnished.
1t is said that Sonora Smidio made
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.
\ stranger is amazed at the CON-
forts and Injuries that are placed
within easy reach of all the guest who
are fortunate enough to be welcomed
to the Los Floritas ranch. There are