The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-05-23
A VISIT TO
jUAREz MEXICO.
PALACES BUILT OF
ABODE AND FLAT ROOFS

The Old Church, Built in 1549, Point
Of Interest Together with the Old
Jail, Built a Few Years Later.
While at Ell Paso the writer took oc-
casion to visit the old city of Juarez
[War-ez] just across the Mexican line,
made famous by the ''old church and
Jail" and the many bull fights.
Taking the international car line
running between the two cities we
we're soon crossing the Rio Grande
gulch that divides the two countries.
On the Mexican side our car was stop
ped and couple of nice appearing
custom officers came forward and asked
us if we had anything dutiable and
likewise with!all the passengers. Any
one earring bundle or grip was sub
ject to close inspection, your bundle
being unwrapped and searched. If
nothing was found you were allowed to
proceed. The writer knew to a dot
just when he crossed the line, couldn't
help it you know, feeling of strange
ness overcomes one when he steps from
his native land into foreign country,
where a strange language is spoken
and where if person looks at you or
makes "googo" at you are sure he is
going to arrest you.
Juarez we are told looks similar to
all Mexican cities. In most instances
the streets are narrow, hot and dust in
many places ankle deep, the buildings
the same as they were centuries ago,
built of mud, called abode, fiat roofs.
the doors ard windows being wide open
and the dust of the street allowed Its
own way through the room. OF course
the moreI pretentious buildings were
built better, but along the same style.
The city of Jaurez is noted for some
things beyond her sister cities. The
old church was an interesting building,
fat roof, the outer walls being covered
with what appeared to US as ordinary
plaster, some of which had only re-
Gently been replaced. At the time of
our visit to the editice the people were
in attendance at mass, and the chance
Of going all through the building was
prevented. What we did see of the
building was interesting. There we're
no seats or pews everyone squatting
down on the floor. or standing, suiting
his or her own convience. The hour of
our visit was about4 o'clock in the after
noon. time when one would suppose
all would be engaged in their different
avocations, but to our surprise the
main room was filled with people all
deeply interested in what the priest
was saying, the language being foreign
to US we are unable to give an extract
Of the Reverend gentleman's remarks.
The rafters of the building were all
hand carved, the altar and railing the
same, as was also the ceiling, in fact
the interior of the building seemed to
be inlaid with different woods. 1t is
said that the corner timbers for this
edihce were hauled four hundred miles.
On the walls hung many old paintings
by different masters. There have been
a number of alterations and additions
to the church but the main building re-
mains as built in 1549. A new prison
has been built and all convicts were
, moved into it on the 5th of this month.
The old prison now answers as head
quarters for the police and other city
officials. Sunday in Juarez is a gala
day, all the citizens turn out in their
best, the bull fight is pulled off, land
perhaps an exciting cock fight. The
evening we were there fight between
lion and some other animal was adj
vertised to take place. The up. to-date
bull fighter is fine specimen of man
hood, walks with an elastic step and
his hair is closely cropped, with the
)exception of a knot on the top of his
head. This is left to tie bright colored
ribbons to when entering the ring
Among the better class of Mexicans
are many really genuine artisans, as is
shown by the handiwork. For instance
take sofa pillow, the work is al
drawn and is very beautiful. Work il
leather and carvings in wood is alst
J popular among the people. In Mexico
the most popular means of transporta
| ton among the lower class is tn,
"burro." These little animals ar,
+ patient. tireless and are made to d,
the work of two or three horses in GU
country In one instance we noticed
family coming into town, the HUSBAND
and wife occupied the back seat an,
two boys the front, they were drivin,
two burros with rope lines and eacl
boy had club and at every step ad
ministered blow. The burros SCENE,
to say" when you get tired stop, w
don't mind it. Saturday in Juarez i
sbeggars day" and the city ia overrul