Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-02-18
Mexican Letter From Former
Lexingtonian.
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Jan. 81.

l1DiAOho oALElIE
While viewing some places o
interest in the state of chihuahua
Mexico, / thought that a lette
from the Gland of Sunshine
might be of interest to some of tn
readers of The GAZETTE.
For the American tourist, Mckee
is land of much interest. OF tn
two entry ports, Eagle Pass ant
Ell Paso, the latter seems to be tn
favorite one for the tourist.
Crossing the silvery" Ric
Grande (which, by the way, il
about dry at this season) from E
Paso, the first reminder you have
that you have left the land OF
freedom is the customs inspector
All baggage is examined thoroughly
The Mexican customs officials are
polite, courteous and obliging.
La Ciudad Juarez, with its TO-
900 people, is typically Mexican.
1t has a street railroad, electric
lights and other evidences OF
modern development, such as paved
streets, asphaltum sidewalks, etc.
The streets are very narrow and
crooked and, with the exception of
the principal ones, are unclean,
filth being in evidence everywhere.
The recorded history of this town
dates from l59S-twenty-two years
before the coming of the Mayfower
to our New England coast.
The old Guadalupe Cathedral,
which was built in 1549, one of the
Oldest churches on the American
continent, with its massive adobe
walls, and bells which were ham,
mered out of metal, is particularly
interesting to a visitor, and thou
sands of tourists visit it annually.
The inner walls are adorned with
paintings of different stages in the
life of Christ, and the ceiling is
hand carved. 1t is supported by
massive pillars of pine wood, which
are also beautifully carved with
various figures. The style of
architecture is that of Spanish of
5he sixteenth century. l was for
,unate enough to be able to attend
services in this sacred edifice, which
las been standing for centuries.
IN entering, an air of solemnity
the atmosphere. Here
We find Catholicism as it was
ago, and the services are
cry impressive and, l might say,
engthy, beginning at four in the
.fternoon and concluding near
Midnight. The senoras and senor-
tas with long, black shawls wrapped
loosely around their heads and
kneel before the statue
f the Madre de Dios Virgin |
lary) and remain in that posture
throughout the service, or until
hey leave the church. The senoras,
enerally few in number, invariably |
emain in the rear. A weird chant
, kept up for an hour or more
efore the padre (priest) enters
18th his assistants and altar boys.
he church contains no seats.
hey are not necessary, as all the
'orshippers kneel on the bare
DOR. Such devotion to religion is
OF found everywhere. They all
ave implicit faith in the padres,
nd look upon them as men with
wine power.
One of the first questions asked
visitor is, "Have you seen a bull
yht?" Bull-fghting, the national
,ort of Mexico, is novel and
teresting to visitor, but very
uel. To witness one fight gen.
ally suffices. They are held in a
rye amphitheatre in the Plaza de
Dros (Sqare Of the Bulls), public
lrk. This cruel sport is held
cry Sunday and on feast days
festival days..
The Public Square around the
nphitheatre is filled with men, 1
omen and children selling fruits,
It's and native wines, tequilla and
escal. Tequilla, connection of
e fat cactus plant, has very l
culiar effect on one who imbibes !
eely. If one drinks it regularly I
will destroy the mind, for that ]
ason many MeXicans are insane. b
| kinds of gaming tables are y
altered here and there through d
e Plaza de Toros, women and a
ildren playing the games as well o
the men. q
visited the Barracks on COM a
Inding hill, overlooking the city, 81
Iere many of the Mexican soldiers Of
, quartered. The uniform of
, privates fits very loosely and is n,
kempt and dirty. The officers V
, uniformed very nicely and b
5ays wear their swords, whether 81
or off duty. / was told that in
general discipline of the army pI
very good. p,
There is some very rich farming S,
d in this state. Vegetables and a:
its are grown and cotton is being FIR
te extensively grown in south b,
Chihuahua now. OF
wish The GAZETTE much pros W
ity in this New Year. OF
MAHLoN W. WILKINSON. ia