The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-23
CHANCES WEAK
IN old MEXICO
Men with Small Means Would
Better Not Go.
CAPITALIST HAS RETURNED
Joseph w. McNeaI Tells of
His Observations.

Guthrie. o. T., Aug. 22.-Residents of
oklahoma who have made trips to Old
Mexico in recent months to look up in
vestments have returned to the territory
fully convinced that there are no oppor-
tunities in that country for the man
with limited means. According to the
men who have Investigated the condi-
tons nows existing, it IS almost impos-
sible to secure a small tract of land as
land is only sold in large tracts. Were
il possible for the man with a small
amount of money TO unite with other
men. it might then be possible TO secure
land at a reasonable figure, afterwards
segregatins the tract, and giving title
70 the various individuals associated il.
the enterprise.
Already a number of Oklahomans have
made investments in Old Mexico and
the reports that some of these men have
given out has been an inducement for
the man looking for a better land than
Oxlahoma( if it is possible to find the
same to start for Mexico. There are
other persons having small amounts OF
money TO invest who are looking toward
Mexico as a place to invest the same, and
from present Indications it is not i'm
nrobable that a number of territory men
will visit Mexico this fall to look over
the situation.
IL would advise no man with limited
capital to go to Old Mexico with the
idea Of making investments there that
will result favorably to him, SAID
Joseph w McNeal, who recently re-
turned from Mexico, 10 the representa-
tive of the Eagle today. In the first
place the man who goes 10 Mexico must
remember that he is going into a land
of strangers. The people are foreign TO
him. and il takes time for the Ameri-
can to learn the Mexican language and
the customs of the people. If the man
with small capital desires to invest IN
land. he will find 1t well night impossi-
bic to secure a suitable tract or lana,
unless he goes in with other men ana
with the united capital purchase large
tract. The greater portion of the iand
is owned by wealthy class. 1t VIII De
found that the lower class does not own
property. The wealthy class will not
sell property unless it is in a large tract.
The reason for this is that in Mexico
when a man sells small tract of land,
when he owns thousands of acres that
he is in need of the money and no Mexl-
can desires this impression to go out
among his people.
"A short time ago q number or Greer
county people formed a colony and pur-
chased Mexican land. There is already
much dissatisfaction existing among the
coIonists and when l was in that coun-
try, they were talking Of dividing the
tract held in common. each person TAX
ing what he is entitled to according TO
the amount of money invested by him.
A clony is hardly successful in any coun-
try, much less in Mexico when every
thing is new to the person going there
from the United STAGES. 1 would ad-
wise any one going there for agricultural
purposes 70 steer clear of the lower
land. 1t is true that low land is pro
ductive. but it is dangerous TO certain
extent on account of fever. The high
lands are good and are extensively used
for agricultural purposes. The climate
is splendid and were 1 to invest in Next
can land, it would be on one of the
divides.
Mexico is rich in mineral 1t is of a
lower grade than we have in the mineral
regions OF the United States, but there
are many hundred mines paying a good
dividend to the stockholders. 1t is in
the mining business that the greater
portion of the American capital now in
that country is invested. New York
men are going there for mining pur-
poses. Their mines are paying. but you
see there is no opportunity in the min
ing bushes for the man with small means
who intends to locate permanently in that
country l would advise no man 10 so
there unless he has ample capital and
then he may encounter obstacles. Taken
as a whole. Oklahomans VIII hardly find
a better country than this territory, and
especially for the man who is an agri-
culturist and expects to make his money
in such work. 60 net mean 10 give the
impression that there are not good op-
portunities in Mexico. Tor such is not
the case. There are good Investments
IN that country. but they can hardly be
handled by a man or men who have
not means ample TO allow them 10 handle
large enterprises
Several colony plans are being talked
OF IN Oklahoma now. the object being to
secure tracts of land. and locate per-
sons upon the same. However, If there
is not clear understanding OF the coun-
try and what may be expected. there
IS bound TO be disappointment among
persons who leave Oklahoma.