The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1905-08-18
ALetter from Mexico

From Mexico City to Cuernavaca.
After many fruitless attempts to
make a trip to Cuernavaca, which is
called the Monte Carlo OF Mexico. l
was one Of a party to take seats In
Mexican Central train at seven thirty
a. m. on July Goth. We departed on
time.
The scenery enroute has been much
commented upon and written Of and 1t
was with great pleasure we watched
the different features unfolding to our
view. For several moments we rode
within the city limits, then to the
out. skirts and then through short
country roads shaded on each side by
beautiful pepper trees, to the little
suburban villages. the picturesque
aess of which had so admired in my
visits there.
From then on the scenery began to
change. 1t was very rugged at first
although the mountains were almost
concealed by the clouds. But before
IN hour they lifted and the sun shone
)ut. We next passed through beauti-
'ul haciendas and fruit farms. / was
for the first time reminded Of Kansas
orchards. The fruit brought to the
5rain was not tropical as at most
stations but consisted of peache 4.
berries. apples and pearones, mix
lure of pear and ounce. Beyond
This for miles the ground was simply
covered with lava and other stones Of
volcanic eruption broken only here
and there by little valleys covered
With wild flowers just as we cultivate
It home as the ivy-geranium, saliva.
spider lilies, nasturtuins, etc.
We were climbing now over the
most jagged mountains, not similar
TO those In the tropics but rough and
colored as those of Colorado. Just
beyond the mountains and down t.
the left lay the beautiful valley OF
Mexico which is considered by man,
to be the most beautiful 10 the world.
AS We travelled the scenery increas
ed every moment In majesty and
grandeur. We were now thousands OF
feet above sea.level ana still climbing
The track passes over an elevation OF
more than eight-thousand feet at the
highest point and In less than twenty
ave minutes drops down to q little
over four thousand, AS the track
curves and winds around one can look
ahead and see the engine upon which
the lives Of so many depend, as II
creeps cautionly through the
narrow passes, which have, after grea'
labor and expense, been hewn from
the solid rock.
At this great elevation were forests
Of beautiful pine trees, some low and
bushy but others tall and very slender
swaying In the breeze. On the small
level areas We passed occasionly low
adobe hut around which were a few
acres of rich, moist soil where al
attempt was made at the cultivation
of corn, but which was not very hard,
looking, Oyer all the mountains Is
why long grass which grows In tufts,
the gathering and preparing of which
forms great industry for the Indians
who inhabit the mountains. IN,
roots of the plant are very tough ano
fibrcus. The fibers are removed, drieo
and made into brushes which art
largely used in Mexico and many ex-
ported also.
The route next passes through !
great uncultivated tableland, thou
sands of feet above the level Of tn,
sea. where the only vegetation is tht
grass which 1 have just described ant
the low shurbs on the sides OF th'
distant mountains. Again we travel
ed rie hit among the mountains as well
IS OV6T Uucm' uC OhAJ S'rHS
habitation we're the little huts SIM
lar to those of the hot country excep
that they are enclosed on all sides ant
thatched with the hay from tn
mountain grass, The huts wer,
similar In form to Esquimanx hut'
and have only one little round open
Ing at the front. The inhabitants
are herders and many fine cattle ar,
ON the hills.
Very heavy rains fall daily In thi'
locality and all the men are wrapped
in heavy blankets. After travelling
hus for miles above the clouds, W.
struck heavy fog which concealed
the view except on one side where W.
could look straight down, Thousand
Of feet into a most beautiful greer
valley where the sun was shining
beautifully upon the cities which ial
| huddled and crouching at the basis o
the mighty cliffs above them.
From the little village La Clint
1.-THE top) the descent into th'
| o1,,otru hooina Man,