The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-08-28
MODERN CROESGS
IS TO VISIT Us
General TerraZas of Mexico
COntemplates an Extended
Trip Through This Country
Special Dispatch to The Call.


AUSTIN, Tex. Aug. 27.-The
wealthiest man in Mexico and one of
the wealthiest on the American con-
tinent is General Luis Terrazas. Gov
ernor of the State of Chihuahua,
which borders on the western and
southwestern part of Texas. He has
just been granted four months leave
of absence and it is said he will make
an extended visit to the United States.
He will spend some time at st. Louis
visiting the Worlds Fair. The wealth
of General Terrazas is conservatively
estimated at $3.50. 100000 gold, but it
may be many millions in excess Of that
amount. Some of those who are in
close touch with his business and
financial affairs say that $20O,O0O,OO0
is near the correct amount of his for
tune. General Terrazas is rs years
old. but he is still full of mental and
physical vigor.
General Terrazas is probably the
largest individual land owner in the
world. He owns in fee simple ap-
proximateIy 100000 acres of land,
which is divided into fifteen haciendas
or ranches. Some of this land is in
a high state of agricultural develop
ment and tn remainder is we'll adapted
for stock raising.
No one. not even General Terrazas
himself. knows the number of cattle
he owns. but it is roughly estimated
that his herds approximate 100000
head, of which about 100000 head are
Iv-15
thousand head of horses and mules.
EMPLOYS ARMY OF MEN.
An army of more than ten thousand
men are kept constantly employed
upon these ranches and towns of sew
eral thousand population are situated
on the lands. The ranches are all we'll
fenced and one thousand boundary or
"fence-line" riders are kept constantly
employed.
The land and livestock holdings of
General Terrazas are q comparatively
small part of his wealth. He owns
more than five thousand residences in
the city of Chihuahua, from which he
derives an enormous annual rental in
the aggregate. He also owns business
blocks in Chihuahua and other cities
of Mexico. He owns a controlling in
terest in all Of the banks and other
financial institutions of the state of
Chihuahua and has many million dol
lars invested in manufacturing con-
Germs in that State.
He has heavy investments in rich
mines and in various other enterprises
scattered throughout Mexico.
The income from his various prop
critics Is so large that he finds it a diff
ficult matter to place his rapidly ac-
cumulating millions in safe invest
ments. 1t is said that he has turned
his attention recently to the City of
Mexico as offering a promising field
for investment of his surplus millions
in banking and other enterprises.
FRIENDLY TO DIAZ.
General Terrazas has served five
terms as Governor of the State of
Chihuahua. He was Governor of that
State before President Diaz came into
power. He belonged to what was
known as the anti-Diaz administration
party and for many years he was Bit
ter in his opposition to the President.
In later years he became a great adj
mirer of Diaz and he has been faith
full supporter of his administration.
1t has been said, however, by some Of
the enemies of Terrazas that he could
never be Governor of Chihuahua
again, as President Diaz would not