The National tribune., 1901-10-03


| 49, the other % years. In Bolton, N. Y.
| it cured an old gentleman So years Of age
| Never before has a remedy been so highly
endorsed as this; among the eminent PEG
| pie who endorse 1t, is Doctor Quintero, OF
| the University of Venezuela, whose endorse
ment bears the official seal of the United
| States Consul No matter what yOur form
| of rheumatism is nor mind il doctors say
you are incurable, write me today sure and
| by return mail you will receive the tria
| box, also the most elaborate book ever gotteI
| up on the subject of rheumatism, absolutely
| free. 1t will tell you all about your case
| You get the trial box and this wonderful
! book at the same time, both free, SO let me
| hear from you at once and soon you Will be
| cured Address: JOHN A. SMITH, 257e
| Germania Bldg. Milwaukee. Wis, U. S. A.
| ing very prepossessing in the appearance
of the town to a stranger, it being
| excessively dusty in dry, windy weather,
and altogether too muddy during a wet
term, to render it a desirable locality to
dwell in. A good many of the habita-
tions-those Of the poorer class, who live
in the suburbs-are after the common
style of Mexican architecture, their thick
roofs Of matched straw affording a most
excellent harbor for insects, as well as
serving to render them an easy prey to
the devouring element, of which the whole
city seems to stand in great danger. Fires,
jacals, the gastronomic duties of the in
mates being principally performed in the
open air. Goats, pigs, and other domes-
tic specimens of animated nature" seem
to enjoy the full privilege of entering
these establishments and associating free
ly with the occupants.
The market is quite extensive and well
supplied with the ordinary provisions of
such an institution; contiguous to which
CT W
commodities, from u tin whistle to suit
of wearing apparel, can be purchased
provided you are fortunate enough to have
the requisite amount of hard currency in
your possession.
The only thing of real interest that
came under my observation was the par
ade through the streets of several regi-
ments of Mexican soldiers, who were ap-
parently leaving Tor some point in the
country. The three arms of the service
infantry, artillery and cayalry-were rep
resented; and their general odd appear
ance furnished q good study for a critic in
military science. The infantry wore
uniform of linen throughout; while that OF
the cavalry, or lancers-for they all carry
i8nces in addition to their carbines-was
sort of light blue cloth, trimmed with
green lace. Each cayalryman wore the
mark Of Sergeant on the arm, and some
of them were so intoxicated that they
could barely keep their seat in the saddle.
The artillery pieces were small, each be
ing drawn by a mule, the caisson being
slung over the back of another mule in
the rear Of the gun. All wore white have
locks on their caps and sandals on their
feet; and each regiment was accompanied
by several girls, who act, doubtless, in
the capacity of laundresses for the troops.
On the whole, these Mexican soldiers did
not look as if they would fight very des-
perately, or present a very fearful array.
There are no French troops in the garri-
son Of Matamoras, or in fact anywhere
along the Mexican border. A large num-
Der of the easily-deluded natives have
been inyeigled into the Imperial service,
placed under French officers, and made
TO uphold the Macmillan usurpatiOn- The
pecuniary reward which they receive for
their services is mere pittance, while
their rations are barely sufficient to keep
body and soul together. Indifferent as to
the final result, they seem to have no care
except for the pressing necessities of the
present hour. On such soldiers as these,
and few ex-rebels, known as contra
guerriilas," do the people of the Heroic
City" of Matamoras rely for the defense
of their lives, homes and property against
the aggressive movements Of the Liberal
troops.
SIEGE OF MATAMoRAs.
The regular siege of Matamoras BY the
Liberals commenced about Oct. 20, 1864.
During the season, Cortina, one of their
Generals, had his camp established on the
Texan side of the river, a few miles above
Brownsville, where he vas engaged in
recruiting his ranks. Although glorying
IN the title of General the body of troops
under his command was a very insgnif-
cant one, numerically considered and
body not greatly to be proud of morally
More or less of his men were daily seen
loafing about Brownsville, each ARMED to
the teeth with revolvers and bowie knives
and each presenting about as desperate
and care-for-nothing an appearance as any
class of diabolic humans" ever seen.
Treacherous and INSCRIPTIONS in the
extreme, they seemed to possess a very
large amount of what Artemus Ward de-
dominates pure, unauthorized cussed
ness" in their composition. So well
skilled were they in the art of plundering,
that no person having any considerable
amount of money in his possession would
be safe anywhere outside of the lines of
our army. The stage that runs between
Brownsville and Brazos was at one time
stopped on the route and robbed of CON
siderable treasure, no one of the pasSpn-
gers having taken the precaution TO be
well provided with weapons of defense.
In the country outrages were of fire.
usual TO discover the dead body of
coiored soldier, in Government blue, float
ing down the river; which, on being taken
10 the shore and examined presented
signs of violence. The supposition was
that, in consequence of our troops
having been recently paid off, they had
been closely watched by the Mexicans |
and when any one was found strss;lg !
beyond the lines of the camp he was set |
upon and murdered in cold blood, his |
money taken from his person, and his |
body thrown into the river.
OF Cortina himself the people of |
do not seem to entertain a |
very exalted opinion, many being free in |
pronouncing him as nothing more nor less |
than the leader of Il band of desperadoes.
The incidents connected with the plumber
ing expeditions of that General against
the town in question, previous to our re-
bellion. are too fresh in the memory of |
the inhabitants to enlist any sympathy in |
MS behalf, or arouse any of the feeling of |
respect or admiration which is born of
qualities and virtuous deeds. |
People owning ranches complain of hist
.hieyish propensities, and il one-half that |
IS said derogatory to his character were
trua IL ua,IId aartaintu oaa,, % h, /