Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-03-08
NOTES OF MEXICAN REPUBLIC.
Ell paso, Feb 10.

This has been a busy day, arriving
in the border city ON time this morn
ing Ell Paso is growing place and
contains good many handsome
buildings. notably some OF the hotels
and the government building. 1t ia
tne jumping on point for all pnssen-
gers bound for Mexico. and unless In
a hurry generally day is spent here
visiting the various points of Inter
est and taking In Junrez across the
border. The forenoon was principally
devoted to this side of the Rio
Grandc. Before reaching the city the
/ santa Fe railroad runs alongside of
the Rio Grande for nearly 100 miles,
but there are only few acres under
cultivation. as methods of obtaining
water for irrigation are primitive and
entirely inadequate and thousands OF
acres of land that might he made to
blossom like the rose are a barren
waste. There is talk of reservoirs
and irrigating canals. but so far cap.
ital has been lacking and the farm.
ors are either unable or lack the en-
terprlse sufficient to push forward en-.
terprises of this character. The road
ring mostly over bottom lands which
arc subject to overflow once or twice
curing the season, which MAJ account
for lack of cultivation.
The city of El paso Is becoming
quite railroad center. some half doz-
en- lines having either terminals or
passing through, most of them having
shops employing large numbers of
men, possibly 1000 ali told. This
means quite population without
counting other agencies. Then the
American Smelling trust has n large
plant near the city limits. A street
car ride through the residence portion
included visit TO the White CITY"
another settlement of people suffering
from lung troubles and living In tent
residences. On the FL Paso side are
high hills with rugged sides. II ls on
the Mexico side that an Ideal spot IL
furnished for a city.
From the name one might suppose
one would encounter pass. hut there
is nothing that looks like pass. how
ever. Yet the place is properly
named for all that. A little study OF
the geography will show you that El
Paso is located on the backbone OF
the continent. The elevation is 3,712
feet above sea level, the lowest point
In the Rocky mountain range for near
ly 1000 miles In either direction. as
the elevation begins to increase going
south into Mexico as well as north
to Colorado. This town seems to be
the center OF n great star with shining
iron rays. each about l.20O miles long
Look at Jour map and you will find
III Paso to he about 200 miles from
the City of Mexico on the south and
very nearly the same distance from
Kansas City on the north, New Or
leans on the east and San Francisco
on the west--a sort of crossroads
town.
rs this the car for Mexlco?" we ask
Of passing street conveyance. mo.
there Is your car over there" Is the
response, and we are soon aboard the
bob-tall, with mule for propelling
power. And starting at this point
the mule becomes an important fac.
tor In locomotion. His praises have
never been properly recorded or mis-
virtues fairly described, while his
Vices have been hcraldcd over the
world by man and press. Even the
going to attend the funeral OF a mule
I'd stand In front OF him" But 1t Is
to the mule this country largely owes
its present degree OF prosperity Up
on entering the car we are given our
first shock. The conductor Us smok-
Ing and 30 are tne passengers. includ
ing woman OF two, and la the sup
posed frst-class section. But later
on We will become accustomed to this
I AS about every one smokes in Mexico
men and women. and to the cigar
ette may be accorded the extremely
high death rate among the Mexican
population. A traveller through the
, republic states he never saw but one
1 Mexican who didn't smoke, and hs
was considered freak worthy Of
! scma dime museum. Tine Mexlcani
smoke eyerywhere--ln the cars, in tho
. theaters. In the stores, In the schoo
( houses-everywhe except In til,
churches. There is one thing 10 thei
1 credit, noweyer--they do not smoke
!. dirty pipe or chew tobacco. We ar,
now on the bridge crossing the Ri
Grande and soon we will be out OF tn.
Z dominion of the Stars and Stripes.
Y We look forward to seeing roar
q Ing, savage river with turbulent wat
k ers. But we are doomed to disappoIni
ment. The river today is enjoying
sort OF rest-a siesta, 30 to speak
But 1t Is not always so, Along II