The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-02-06
6. A. Long Writes from Mexico.


one sees many strange things from the
we'll appointed trains on the Mexican
Central to- burro pack train on the
Sierra Madre mountains. The peculiar
habits of dress and the primitive habita-
tions of the "Pelados'' or lower class,
the preparation of food, etc., are of
never firing interest to the s.Gringo", or
Americ an.
The Peon wears the famous high point
ed crowned Mexican hat which in
muddy weather is tied under his chin
with black string, pair of overalls
sometimes made fancy with tuck run
ming down the side and fitting tight
and kept up by sash tied tight around
the waist, then square of muslin is
folded three-cornered and tied around
the waist with point hanging down in
back. Sometimes he wears cheap cot
ton skirt, but the browning garment of
all is the serape, blanket which he
throws Enthusiastically around the shout.
ders in way peculiar to Mexico (Meh-
ha.ko). The Guarache or shoe consists
of piece of sole leather cut the size
and near the shape of the foot, and
then another smaller to 20 over the top
but not meeting the sole all around by
II or two inches. These are tied on
with strings of raw hide like sandal in
the time Christ walked the earth.
In sanitary matters the Peladoes have
the same cheerful simplicity accorded
the horses and cattle as in the states.
1t is nothing uncommon for good sized
children to wear for clothing nothing
but an occasional smile. The women
wear dresses made of cotton stuffs and
nothing on their heads. Complexion
quite dark. These people eat flotillas
made of common corn boiled in lime
water like hominy and rubbed to a
paste on metata or volcanic stone and
then palted out in thin cakes and cook
ed in oval ovens outside the door.
These with fryoles (beansI cooked with
chilli (pepper) constitutes the food of 90
per cent of the people, and the fortillas
are fine and are wholesome.
Water is quite an object. Drinking
water is kept in water bottles made of
guada lajara earthen (earthenEare).
Warm or hot water put Into these YES
sells will cool shortly after the wind is
allowed to strike 1T.
The women despite their surround
ings are quite clearly and put out wash
ings every day. They hollow out a slab
Of wood 20 inches wide, so inches long
and 81 inches thick which is their tub.
Often they go to the river and stand and
on knees or in sitting posture wash for
hours using soap discoloring the water
for some distance and then all the peo-
pie below drink it and are happy.
The intoxicant common is tacila or an
alcohol made from the juice of the
pulgue plant. The pelow gets mellow
and the policeman or detreu promptly
places him in the jusgado or cooler and
next morning the judge oriefe sentences
him to the chain gang which does
all kinds OF street work.
The Americans form the highest class
to whom all others look with admira.
ton and try to initiate. The Spanish
or aristocratic and Pelado or lower
class. All that are not very poor are
very rich. No middle class. Mining is
the principal industry and is carried
on extensively and with latest improv.
ed machinery mostly from Denver, Col.
Buildings are nearly all made of adobe
or sun-drled brick. 1t is made of mud
mixed with common straw. The size OF
the bricks are usually 5xSN12 and laid
with mud as mortar. There are very
few windows and they are barred like a
1jail to prevent entrance of thieves and
the exit of the charming Senioritas in
loves quest.
Roofs are flat and of dirt, the water
running in short troughs straight out
into the Guile or street. Roofs leak
i badly. We're outin the Sierra Madre
Mountains near Otto and run against
a gang of Indians from whom for the
peso we obtained bow and CULVER o.
arrows which they use in hunting. They
are curiosities.
When the wind blows it is with 9
vengeance and the dust and sand car
ries a disagreeable acquaintance.
All places Of business are open or
Sunday the same as any other day
Sunday, however, is a day OF recreation
At 10 O'Clock in the morning the pom
drous church bell rings by jerking the
clapper back and forth, the bell being
stationary; then all that can 60 in the
church kneel, their lips move IN prayer
and then they depart. One could Sc
the court house in the main audienc,
room of the churches. They date bacl
to 100 and make a fellow feel mouldy
crossed an old stone bridge last eve
nipr that woS moro than n oapturv olr