Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-31

quent the streets, so as to avoid his satanic
majesty. On one occasion, when the horn
on the auto was sounded. peon fell
on his knees and began to pray, thinking
San Gabriel had reached Durango.
The plaza at Durango, like those in other
Mexican cities. Is sought by all the inhab-
itants, especially on Thursdays and Sundays.
when the municipal band delights them
with sweet music. The band is stationed in
the center Of the plaza, and around the
square sit or drive ladies and gentlemen
of quality. When the concert begins the
blanket men,, as the poems with their
ZerapeS and sombreroS are called, march
around the band stand all In one direc-
ton. On the pavement outside Of the plaza
another interesting scene Is going on. for
here arfstocratic senortas are coQuettishly
walking in one direction, while the seniors
of distinction, the merchants and others
In American costumes are parading in the
opposite direction. each admiring the other;
it is not considered proper for the gentle
men to join the ladies in their promenade.
Caste Is strictly observed these occa-
sions. IT, for instance. a blanket man.
should attempt to parade with the grande
senors on the pavement he would be re-
moved by the police, who are armed and
drilled like soldiers.
Maintain Good Order.
I have never seen more perfect order any,
where than here. The police seem most
vigilant and are said to make arrests on
the slightest provocation. The prisoner Is
tried and if found guilty is fined. If I'M
able to pay the fine he is promptly put to
sweeping or working on the streets. The
good sanitary condition of the city sug
gests that there may be method in the ar
rests.
The markets in Durango favorably i'm
pressed me, and are as interesting to visit
on Sunday Oomngo) any in the re-
public The market men and women do not
eonfine themselves to selling meats, vege-
tables, native fruit and flowers, but inter-
mingled with these are native baskets Of
graceful form, pottery of different kinds,
sombreros: rebozas. head shawls for the
senoritas, zerapes, blankets for the senors,
dress goods of both domestic and foreign
make, shoes. and crude tools and heavy
loads of wood on the backs OF the patient
burros, so suggestive of the poems them
selves.
AS in other parts Of Mexico, here 1t Is
considered necessary to take a siesta in
the middle of the day In this connection,
I heard an interesting story about a petit
ton that was drawn up by the good people
of this city and presented to the railroa Id
officials when the line was finished from
Torreon. 1t recitey that they appreciated
very highly what an advantage it was to
have a railroad, what blessings it would
bestow. how very interesting it was to
see the 'locomotora" draw the "carro del
expreso" into the station. and so on, but
that it was a matter of profound regret
that the train should arrive at the time of
day when they were taking their siesta. AS
it would be such real pleasure to see 1t
come into town. they humbIy prayed that
the schedule of the train be changed to
another hour. I think their prayer was
granted. for there were many interested
spectators when we arrived
A Mountain Of Iron.
Commercially, the Iron mountain. Cerro
del Mercado, is the most interesting object
in Durango, or in fact in the world. 1t is
just outside of the city and contains 60 per
cent of metallic iron The ore bed is about
a mile and a half in length and third Of
a mile in width, and from 800 to 500 feet
in height. Recent measurements indicate
that there are above the plain level $780,
COO GOO tons of iron. This mountain is own
ed by the Mexican National Iron and Steel