The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-03-21
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Las Vegas, Hot Springs, N. M.

Las Vegas, Hot Springs, N. M.
March ii, 1902.
More than a thousand miles from
home in a southwesterly direction we
naturally thought that we were going
into a territory of warmth and per-
petual sunshine, where the chirrup of
birds would furnish soothing spring
time JOY to the heart. We say this is
what we thought we were going to
encounter, when we left Minnesota.
But it was all dream-one of those
fanciful imaginations of the mind
that, given free reign, leads one on to
anticipatiors of beautiful things sweet
to contemplate but tco often realized
only contemplation. Imagine, there
fore, the depressing disappointment
that comes over one leaving the beau
tiful Minnesota weather that prevailed
on the 18th of March with the Their
mometer 40 degrees above zero, seek
ing warmer cline where beautiful
flowers are in bloom-in your mind
running up against the thermometer
that registers from 81 to 45 degrees
above instead of Is, overhanging
clouds that hide the sun from view, a
northwest wind blowing that would
put to blush our genuine Minnesota
winter weather and with snow falling
at intervals almost every day. This
is precisely what we have "come up
against in New Mexico. We are
told, however, that the weather since
we landed here is the worst of the
winter, and we hope it is So for as a
matter of fact Minnesota has not fur
nished three weeks of more uncom-
Portable weather during the winter
than we have experienced since arriv-
ing at this point.
But withal, Las Vegas Hot Springs
is beautiful spot-at least it must
be in the summer The hotel Monte
yuma is grandly situated on a high
elevation overhanging one of the
prettiest valleys imaginable and sur
rounded by mountains of irregular
heights and formations that are truly
picturesque and fascinating. Is is
great resort for people troubled with
tuberculosis and the cures wrought
| through the pure mountain air are
said to be wonderful. The altitude
is nearly 1000 feet which, to a north
erner unused to the light air is not
productive to steadiness on ones feet.
A run up stairs BELTS you for a reclin-
ing position to regain your breath. A
brisk walk forcibly reminds one that
his breath is wanting. In other words
the altitude is so high that the least
exertion reduces one to painting,
gasping condition. But the air is
great appetizer, and good table is
keenly appreciated by the visitor.
The hot waters here are certainly fine
and beneficial, and we do not believe
that there is more restful or health
giving resort in the country than right
here in the hot days of July and
August At this season of the year
we are frank to admit that it is too
cool for that outdoor pleasure that a
Minnesotan usually seeks if he leaves
his own state in February or March.
En- route to Hot Springs we spent a
day in Kansas City and through the
courtesy of Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph
Bookwater were given a delightful
ride about the residence portion of the
city. 1t has many pleasant drives and
a great number of beautiful homes.
1t is bustling city, but dirty from
smoke and cinders in the business