The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-14
GREAT WESTERN COUNTRY
 DESCRIBED BY MIR. WATSON
Former MOntgOmerian Talks Interestingly of Gus toms and Climate of Mexico and Other
 Places He Has Visited.

After travelling through the Western
 States and into the Republic of Mexico covering a period of several months
 MT. A. s. Watson. a former Montgom.
 erian. has returned to the city. and will remain here for several days.
 When MT. Watson left here last fall
 he was in bad health, and physicians
 suggested . trip into the Rocky Noun
 tains. His description of that climate
 and the peculiarities of it's properties
 Is interesting.
 Tn the mountainous district" said
 MT. Watson. perhaps 90 per cent. of the inhabitants suffer from some form of consumption. The physicians out there make little distinction between the forms of consumption. Stomach af- fections. as well as nose and throat.
 are included in the category. though of course the greater number have tuber- culosis of the lungs. Right here 1t may be said there are less deaths from consumption among the afflicted, who act in time. than there are in any other
 sickness. The air is thin, light and dry. Fresh meats left in the open air will not spoil. Vegetables dry after 8 few hours. There is nearly always a differ ence of 15 to 90 degreees between sun
 and shade. and frequently after sum
 down a difference of twenty degrees.
 However. one may sleep in tho open air
 two-thirds of the time, and not suffer
 from it. The secret is to live out of doors and let the climate do the rest
 Recoveries. or rather stays of the dis ease from cases that were given up, are remarkable. Instances are known where patients have arrived on stretch CTS or hammocks swung in sleeping cars. and in two weeks they have been able to walk about. In two months they seem apparently well. By exercis- ing prudence, and careful living, If c consumptive takes the disease in hand before the very last stage. there is no reason why he should not live the al- lotted time. But after becoming i'm pregnated with that climate he may not be able to live elsewhere.
 A Boon to Consumptives.
 "I might assert that 75 per cent. of the inhabitants. barring native Indians and Mexicans. from Las Vegas, N. M, to El Paso. Texas, are afflicted with consumption, but no inconvenience are suffered. The air dries up the pimples on the lungs, the cough ceases, there are no approximations, and after the system becomes stronger and different parts of the body working well, the pa- tient has every appearance of a healthy athlete. Still. there are cases where after gaining this improvement, per- sons have returned to damp climates or malarial districts only to ascertain that they cannot live there. The won- derful climate of New Mexico, Arizona, a part of Colorado, and Texas, and as far West as California Is responsible for the greater per cent. of the present population. Business is alert, though living is expensive. I know of a case where the expressage en articles of food was greater than the cost, and also where a car of water cost $35. Property Is cheap, except that where water is afforded. Sheep raising is the main industry.
 The old-time reputation of the West is dying out Gambling is rampant on tho first floor of several towns, but there is very little. trouble. In some towns there Is a law requiring a dispo- sition of all firearms immediately after arriving in the place. as the carrying or concealment of them is a misdemeanor, subject to fine of $50 to $500. The WesternersN are a good natured set of people. taking a man as he presents himself, and not caring whether he Is scion of ducal family or a train robber or a vacation. The main idea is is treat man fairly"
 MT. Watson visited Santa Fe. Here Is one of the oldest Spanish churches in America still in fair preservation, and being used as a place of worship. At Las Vegas the mountainous climate makes it a great summer resort, and the Hot Springs near there, with their medicated mud baths add greatly to the attraction. At Albuquerque, one of the largest cities in that section, there is the United States observatory, two 1r Han schools, third to the oldest church in America, and some miles from there IS where Thomas Edison is exp srimenting with the dry placer sys- tenn for mining gold. Mir. Watson says in the event this discovery is made and completed, as Mir Edison anticipates. gold mining will be completely revolu- tionized. as there are innumerable places where gold is positive, but no attempts are made to secure 1t be- cause of a scarcity of water.
 Albuquerque has an altitude of about 5000 feet. is cool, but at times terribly hot. but the heat has no humi- diating effects. such as in this climate. The body prespires, but Is not weak ened. but is instead purified and cleansed. Here Is practically a natur- al sanitarium, and within the next 20 years, Mir. Watson predicts. Albuduer- que will be a town of 50,0eO people. as within the past three years the poplilA4 tion has increased wonderfully. and only recently was the place advertised to any extent.
 Some Western Resorts
 "The people suffering from lung trouble generally start during the sum mer in Colorado. or at Las Vegas and go lower in altitude to Albuquerque. then to Fl Paso. where there is only 3 900 feet and those who suffer from a or organic heart may find 1t necessary to leave the attitudes alto- gether." continued MT. Watson.
 These who go into Arizona. to Phoe- nix or Tucson. both well regulated towns. Flagstaff. another resort. is 1000 feet and very popular with peO- pie who like good scenery The main objection to Arizona is alkali It is contained in the water, and stomach trouble will not improve under the con- ditions offered. The dust Is so strong and heavy that shoes are eaten just as they would be after being placed in lime and water. great number of lungers' go to California for the win ter. trusting in the diversified climates near Los Angeles. San Bernardino. San Diego and other resorts. One may snow ball in the forenoon and go in swim ming in the ocean during the after