The sun., 1901-08-04
A new CRCyCS IN MEXICO.
PEDRO ALVARADO's INCOME PUT
AT S2OOyOOO 4 MONTH.


He Was Peen Laborcr . Year Ago ne
fore He Struck . Mine Wonderfully
Rich $500 900 - Pocket Nssney.
AUSTIN. Tex, Aug. People in western
Mexico are talking about Pedro Avnrado.
Less than one year ago he was peon. He
lived at Parral. mining town In the State
Of Chihuahua. in dilapidated shack and
there was nothing about him to distinguish
him from hundreds Of other Mexican labor
ers In the mines. He wore sandals on his
feet, and on his head the big. cone-shaped
Hombrero which Is the delight OF the peon.
To-day he Is living in luxury. He has
a monthly income Of more than S200,0
He IL more talked about in his home city
and In every mining camp In that part Of
Mexico than any other man in that country.
President Diaz not excepted.
Alvarado got his quick rise to fortune
through discovering q mine Of wonderful
richness. He Is not her Stratton, except
that his wealth came probably moro sud-
denly and in larger amounts than that Of
the Colorado millionaire. It h not his
sudden rise to affiuence that Is causing
the comment about him 40 much a. his
remarkable manner Of spending his money.
He seems to have no idea Of ito value
and his chief anxiety Is to get rid Of his
income as rapidly a. possible. Thomas
Welch. an American mining man who has
just arrived here from Parral. related q
number Of instances Of Alvarsdo's reckless
expenditure to The SUN correspondent.
He said.
Il spent several weeks at Psrral and
saw Alvarado almost daily. The interest
OF every man, woman and child In that
city seems TO be centred In the man.
Since last November his net profits from
his mine. which il named the Palmillo,
have aggregated si,sOo,Ooo and prior 10
$500 900 Of ore. ne will not put this money
In bank. but keeps u at his home. where
II In constantly guarded by large force
OF armed men.
-He has from 100000 to $4,000 on his
person whenever he goes out on the street
or elsewhere, and an armed guard Of eight
men always accompanies him, The mem
bers Of this guard are dressed In fantastic
Mexican costume and Alvarado IL always
attired in the height Of fashion. He pays
a Mexican tailor high salary to keep him
clothed properly
-Alvarado spends his money with lavish
hand. A few days ago travelling jewelry
and diamond pcdler struck Parral with his
wares He was going along the street when
he attracted the attention OF Alvarado,
who, with his armed guard, happened to
be passing. He showed his goods to Al
varado and the latter asked how much he
would take for his whole outfit. The ped
Ter replied that he would sell ont for SIS, ,00O.
Without any ouibbling over the exorbtant
price asked, Alvarado drew out the money
la ~ In nha n
watches, ornaments and fake diamonds.
The man seemed az pleased as boy with
a new top over the trade he had made.
A short time before this Alvarado pur-
chased three pianos of the most costly
make. The instruments will 60 10 orns-
ment the palace which he is building for his
permanent home This building will he
the finest private residence in Mexico.
No expense Is being spared In its construc-
tion. 1t is estimated that II will cost not
less than $500. 900 and for that distant part
Of Mexico. where adobe buildings are the
rule, it will he something wonderful
-Alvarado ia taking the deepest interest
in the progress OF his palace; he says
that he will furnish II with the best things
that money can buy when IL IL completed.
He has purchased scores Of useless articles
and simply buys things for the pleasure
that they can give him for the moment.
with all his reckless expenditure OF his
wealth he is displaying philanthrophio
spirit. He has not forgotten the poems
with whom only short time ago he was
closely associated. He has undertaken
the construction Of q large charity hospital
for the poor Of Parral. This hospital will
be equipped with all modern appliances
for such institutions and he proposes to
bear all the expenses OF maintaining II.
In addition to this institution he , also con-
structing large church which he has
named Guadalupe Cathedral. This church
will cost several hundred thousand dollars:
There is no prospect OF the wealth OF
Alvarado being soon exhausted. The Pal
milo mine Ia destined to become one OF tho
largest ore producers ever struck in Mexico.
The output will soon reach 1900 tons daily
and the monthly income OF Alvarado will
be increased TO not less than $500. 900. He
has been offered fabulous sums for the mine.
but all offers are promptly declined. His
sole ambition is to develop the mine and to
spend his income as rapidly as possible
He has helped many Of his old-time peon
friends in financial way and the lower
clase Of Mexicans at Parral adore him.