El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-26
El PaSOqin.1849

The town of Ell Pas is wholly sit
uated in Mexico-there being, except
ing the villages on the island. but three
houses on the American side.
Beginning at a point on the Rio
Grande ten miles above the town, and
following down the Santa Fe road on
the left bank of the river, the contin-
uous chains of high mountains on the
left approach close to h river. and.
rising on the opposite side, stretch of
to the south. Through the spurs Of
these mountains the Rio Grande forces
it's way; and this is "El Paso" 1.-THE
pass) of the river.
A few miles below this point, and
near the town, the river has a fall of
this elevation is conveyed in large
"ZeQuias," or bitches, for the purpose
of irrigation.
Below the pass, and beyond the
mountains, approaching by h SAINT
Fe road, the country opens into a
broad plain. in which the valley of Ell
Paso lies. The valley on the American
side is narrow. if the island be exclu-
ded-the greater portion being on the
opposite side.
The plaza and main buildings of Ell
Paso are in the upper end; but the
dwellings extend down the valley,
forming a continuous village for about
twelve miles. The houses are univer-
sally built of '~'adobes," and, with few
exceptions, are but little better han
mud novels.
A garrison of two hundred men is
stationed in the town: and the Senti-
nels placed on the banks of the river
are. to a certain extent, h guardians
of the ford and the
Fear From the Indians.
The people for years have lived under
constant fear of the Indians, and not
without cause, for the ApacheS a
committed repeated depredations in
open daylight in the sight of the town.
From his cause, and the miserable sys-
tenn of 'peonage" that prevails. the
products of agriculture are barely suf-
ficient to support the inhabitants; and
grain to supply h wants of emigrants
and for other purposes, has to be
brought from Chihuahua.
The grape is extensively cultivated
on the irrigable lands. and in size and
flavor is perhaps ~unequaled. The wine
it yields, however. owing perhaps to
the mode of manufacture or making. is
rather Indifferent. Some Of the old
wine is said to possess a fine flavor.
Peaches. pears. and apricots are good.
The apples are small. and very inferior
in quality. Vegetation obtains an
enormous growth. Cacti were found
that measured six and a half feet in
circumference.
Excellent stone for building is found
in the hillsl close by. Saw mills are
now being erected in the Sacramento
mountains. 80 miles distant. where
timber is said to be found in great
abundance.
In the plains near these mountains
are extensive salt lakes, from which
the state of Chihuahua draws its sup
plies. The testimony is concurrent in
relation to the richness of the silver
mines in the neighborhood; but the In
dams have always prevented their be-
ing worked to any advantage.
The country around Ell Paso, except
ing the bottom lands of the Rio Grande
is sandy. and covered with a dwarf
growth of bushes. The large plains to-
ward the east would afford a place for
grazing cattle. were they ecu from
the Indians; and were water discovered
in abundance, it might become a pas
toral country.
The island is low and fiat; the soil
is rich and productive; and a system of
irrigation is extended as far down as
the settlements. Its population is es-
timated at two thousand.
A Prophecy.
The valley of the Rio Grande, in
proper hands. is capable of supporting
q large population; and, below the is
land, the larger portion is on the
American side.
Ell Paso, from its geographical DO