The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-01-16
LETTER FROM NEW MEXICO.
Written by Mrs. J. G. Harshaw, an M. e.
Preachers Wife.
CLAYTON, N. M, Dec. %, 1900.

tBANTON, ~. M, DeC. 20, lSVU.
EDITOR THE STAR:-Since coming to
Clayton have often thought OF writing
a letter to The STAR, as 1t is impossi-
bic for us TO write to our many friends
iu Pennsylvania, and II you wish to let
the people know of New Mexico through
your paper will bc glad to have you
do so.
Clayton Is u town OF about seven or
eight hundred inhabitants. We have a
fine brick court house, Jail $50 II any
one don't behave they are taken care
of), a brick school house, with good
schools, two hotels, several dry goods
and grocery stores, bakeries and barber
shops, harness shop, drug stores. sa-
looms, electric lights, water works. etc
The houses are most all cottages, a
house with six or eight rooms Is con-
sidered a large house, and IL is when
one cleans IL after a sand storm. When
we have hard sand storm you cannot
see across tho street and your house in
side will receive share of sand. At
first thought IT terrible, but am get
ting used to it and expect to get our
share. We don't have these storms
often. Houses are scarce and rent high.
We can see one mountain forgetting
the name) fifty miles away: distance is
deceiving. The occupation is stock and
sheep raising. There are wealthy men
here, came here poor men, took claim
Of 100 acres. got cattle as they could
and to-day they are rich, and did not
have hard work The nearest mountain
is ten miles away: the land is all prai-
rie. Cannot raise vegetables or fruit
here on account of no rain and expen.
sive to irrigatc. Groceries are about
the same price as in Pennsylvania. APP
pies and potatoes sell by the lb. We
pay IL to &c. per lb. for potatoes and
from 3 to &C. for apples. Nothing sells
by the busbel, all by pound. The peo-
pie are very intelligent, mean the
Americans. There are good many
Mexicans; they are of a very dark COM
plexion.
we uaNC tWp uoCtUS. nc dibituuc
is over 5000 feet There is no finer
climate for lung trouble. A number Of
people are here now 70 uble;
they claim they have been greatly bene-
fted since coming here. We have peo-
pie here from most all parts Of U. S.
All who have come from the east tell
me they never want to go back east to
live. will not go back on old Pa, al
though like it here very much. The
people here don't work like In Pa, l
must say, and they acknowledge It, they
are lazy and fear 1t is contagious. We
have had beautiful weather until last
evening, whom we got little snow.
There IL one church here, the "Chris.
tian," but are not able to support a
minister. We are the first minister's
family TO live here. We are building a
new M. E. church. There is a great
work to be done in Clayton; it is like all
towns, great deal ofsin In it. The peo-
pie are very kind to us, remembered us
very kindly on Xmas. II you come to
Clayton while we are here let US know
of your coming and we shall be at the
depot to welcome you. This is grea,
place to eat and sleep. Mr.. Harshaw
has gained and is enjoying the work
II YOU wish TO know more Of Clayton
don't hesitate to write and ask any
question. Your friend.
MYRTA THOMPSON HARsHAw..