Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-03-19
VARIED SCENES
Of HISTORIC OLD
~ MEXICAN REPUBLIC

1880 Sunday morn at Siloa expecting
to reach Guadalajara Sunday morning
at II O'Clock. Reaching the depot We
were informed the train was an hou
late. Al the expiration of this time
that the regular train was nearly
seven hours late and that special
had been made at Leon and would
arrive in 30 minutes. The 80 minutes
proved nearly two hours. Thus It
was nearly day light when we pulled
out of Silica. Enroute to Traputo. Is
miles freight train held the boards
for nearly an hour. Then ON reach,
ing lroputa another delay was oc-
casioned by the train for this citt
being held for passengers on the regu-
lar train six and a half hours late
thus making ii after 10 before start.
ing on the regular run. Suca eN-
perience takes away considerable
pleasure of a trip but passengers en-
route to Durango over Cumbres have
had similY experience and this coun-
try Is no exception TO the rule. The
delay Afforded us three hours at Ira
puta, the famous strawberry station
ON the Mexico Central Iraputa has
population OF 10000 but being 10
Gated about mile from the depot
little can be seen of the place. but
the step afforded an opportunity for
investigation, but there was nothing
of interest to attract attention-mort
than we had encountered at other
places. In looking about we observe
the old Egyptian style of irrigation
which probably accounts largely for
the strawberries which every day o.
the year are to be had at Iraputa
station and even at this season of The
year quite cheap. We paid so cents
Mexican for very good sized basket
holding about two boxes like thns
purchased at Durango. We had been
warned that those on the bottom
might not be mp to grade int a hasty
examination convinced rs all was
right until the middle was reached
when the berry deterioated very
much. Others Jared better, probably
being put up by different and hon.
est packers. Tine baskets ranged in
price from dos reales, % ceuts to
one peso, a dollar, which must b,
borne in mind in Mexican money. We
have heard the expression. Deacon
ing fruit bnt never fully understood
1t until reaching this poin, The
word applied means putting the best
ON top" and the Mexican Is not the
only apt scholar in this line. AT some
seasons of the year Strawberries are
very cheap. At last the conductor
calls "Vaminoose" which means al
aboard. The country on leaving Ira
puta is highly cultivated and presents
an attractive appearance wherever
reached with water, but get out oi
the vale of water and it is barren
waste. There is little to interest the
tourist between Iraputa aud Guada,.
Jara unless side trip is aiken 10
Lake Chapela, the largest fresh water
lake in the Republic, but W, decide.
to cut it out In order to spsud more
time later on the gulf coast ia tie Vi.
clmty of Vera Cruz and rampicn
The lake affords a pleasant resort for
the people OF this city, also many go
there from the capital. The l3kc is
about IS miles long and varies an
width from IS to 20 miles aud is said
to afford fair net fishing and some
good duck shooting during December
and January. On our way to the CITY
of Mexico we anticipate stopping be.
tween trains, three hours. AZ Oc0,
Ian, which will afford an hour or so
on the beach which is reached by
street car.
Guadalaiara! The name is famil
lean history, being the second city H.
size. Arriving about five in the even
ing we have time TO clean up partake
of a very good dinner at the Hotel
Frances which is conducted by two
Frenchmen much better than We
anticipated. We stopped over night
upon the suggestion of an American
lady, Miss Carter. who was return
ing from trip to Havana. and then
concluded TO remain during the week
hen we repaired to the main plaza
with the. large. handsome cathedral on
one side, the governors palace on
another and large stores on the re
naming sides. The plazo occupies
a full block and is beautiful in every
respect, with large bushes and other
plants. The roses are in full bloom
and constitute every variety and color
and glisten in rays Of the arc lights.
The Second regiment band is play
ing Marching through Georgia" ami
we Immediately catch the refrain and
are forcibly reminded OF the land
OF the Red, White and Blue The
plazo is crowded. And It is no motley
gathering. Wealth and handsome wo-
men are displayed on every hand. On
the paved streets are nobby tura-
outs as handsome as can be seen n
any city in the world, with now and
then an automobile to relieve the mo
notony.
Marching around the plazo are prob.
ably. two to three thousand people.
mostly OF the younger generation,
from is to 80. all keeping step to the
inspiring music. The regular seats
upa ,.nt,f,f.J ,,.Ig1.