The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-09
SIX WEEKS IN
THE TROPICS
Col. Bean Returns Home After
an Exciting Trip.
IN SOUTHERN MEXICO
He Tells Strange Stories of
Habits of Natives.

Col. r. c. Bean was glad TO set his foot
f. Wichita again. last evening. and said
30 at the Santa Fe depot. For six weeks
h has been in southern Mexico investi-
eating agricultural conditions for Chi
Csgo firm interested in a business way
in that country. He laid his grip down
Oh the sidewalk and gave an Eagle re-
porter some interesting incidents Of his
trtpe. 1T being my first visit to tropical
Mexico ne said. Il saw much that
was both new and interesting. Ny first
impressions after entering the republic
from Il Paso. Texas, were not at all
favorable: in fact, after a few hours ride
] thought that portion Of the universe
had been made only for the purpose OF
holding the equilibrium until the balance
gould be gotten into shape. But before
1 had reached the City Of Mexico I
changed my views entirely, for Z passed
through some magnificent agricultural
lands that, even with the limited irriga-
ton means employed, were yielding SPLEEN
did returns on the labor expended.
From Mexico City ! visited the town OF
Cuernavasca, about 100 miles north. and
walked through the halls OF Cortes
Castle, built by the conquerors Of Mexico
nearly four hundred years ago. Many
handsome paintings adorn the walls. and
the material used in the construction and
finishing Of the Castle show a lavish
expenditure Of money and fine artistic
taste. But as 7 walked through these
ancient halls and many others in this
land Of the Aztecs, I could not but draw
p contrast between the labOrs of the
pioneers Of this and my own land-one
building castles and fine churches. while
the other hewed out homes in the for
ests. built school houses and yyorshipe6
SOD IN private house or beneath the
protecting branches Of some nearby tree.
On my trip TO Cuernavasca, and also TO
Vera Cruz, 1 passed through the district
n which the Maguay plant Is grown
It's from this plant the national drink.
Pulca, Is drawn, and 1 was simply amazed
a. the proportions of this industry. It
Il to this section what wheat is to the
people living IN the wheat belt Of Kansas
the mainstay of life. I saw nothing
else being raised by these people, and
was told by railroad official that be
tween forty and fifty cars Of It were daily
shipped to the city. I intended trying
this national drink but when 7 saw L
handled on the streets in pig-skins 1
could not muster the requisite amount Of
courage for the task
After landing at Vera Cruz, I took a
boat across the Gulf to Coatzacoalcos,
and arrived too late 10 catch the steamer
W the Uspanopa river. and had to en-
ploy two men 10 paddle me in n canoe
about 100 miles to some sugar and rubber
plantations I wished to visit. AIy canoe
was about thirty feet long and three
vide. and with a canopy stretched over
me 1 was moved about ala Cleopatra
when she sailed out on that famous visit
to Solomon. And now my troubles, thick
and fast, came upon me. My men knew
as much Of English as I did OF spanish
not a word IN common between US.
Many and many time did ] bless those
idiots Of Tower OF Babel fame in any
thing but biblical terms, who by their
stiff neclSed perVersity brought about
that jargon Of tongues that has been q
bane and trial TO all who forsake the ma
tive health. Ny first tilt with my men
occurred about half-past three, the first
day out. when they pulled up 10 a landing
near some deserted huts and pronounced
The word mananya- I knew what that
meant, and in plain. emphatic English
told them tomorrow had not come, and
gesticulating violently up stream, [ told
them TO so ahead, and they did, but not
UnwiIltngly- In about an hour another
hut was reached, and the same perform
Ence was enacted. with the same results.
I sang so ahead into their ears with
so much force and vehemence that they
actually learned what it meant, and
when 1 finally bid them adios at the end
of the voyage. about the last words 1
heard them utter were go ahead
The river was through dense, almost
fmpenetrable foresr-the trees and cane
even hiding the banks from sight-and 1
seemed TO be riding Up an African instead
OF a Mexican river When ] saw colony
OF monkeys frOliclIing ia the tops of some
tees. that African impression grew
stronger, and the climax was reached
that night when we camped az hte hut
OF a native--a big, burly. good-natured
and very dark MeXican-jusI the image
OF those cannibals OF whom j had read 50
much. or clothing he had a pair of
trousers and perhaps onc-fourth of
shirt but he smiled an the while. AMI
when ] looked IT that far. sleek form.
knew if his majesty had acquired an
Of his poBderosity in feeding on mission
aries. they We're not Of my slim buid. and
I felt safe.
The natives of the tropics wear but
few clothes. the women usually being
clad in low necks and short sleeves. .
while many OF the children have not
thought It necessary to alter their attire
since they were ushered into ibis ter
restrial sphere OF sin and sorrow.
At noon Thursday after being in the
canoe three and a half DAYS. I drew UP
81 front OF the home OF some of my cid
Kentucky friends, and received the kind