The state herald., 1907-10-11

MEXICO Clty.-Pedr0 AlvaradO, about
whom fiction and fancy have woven
tales OF fabulous wealth and countless
treasures, is a Mexican peon. Willing
ly has he submitted to the flattery and
adulation which his fellow townsmen
have lavished upon him on account of
his ownership of bonanza silver
mine, albeit in the profits of that
mine he has had but a meagre share.
All the extravagant tales OF Pedro
ANarado's wealth, Of his ability to
pay the Mexican national debt. and
OF his efforts to commission several
regiments Of Mexicans to subdue the
Yaquis, are pure myths.
He believes himself to-day the
weaithiest man OF the universe, and
no one has ever dared to dispossess
him of the delusion he cherishes. that
his mine is the greatest thing OF its
kind in the world. But notwithstanding
he is reputed to be worth $3.50, ,000, 900,
he has had the greatest trouble with
In the last three months to raise $780,
900. The fact that he only has been
able to accomplish this at a sacrifice
of practically all he possessed has still
failed to bring him to proper esti-
mate of his fortune.
Lack Of Management
As one approaches Parral on the
branch Of the Mexican Central rail.
road from Jiminez. tales Of Alvarados
greatness are heard on all sides, II the
average Mexican poems are doing the
talking. II. on the other hand. one
strikes the expatriated American who
has been living in the vicinity for n
year or two, he will confidentally tell
one. "on the side" that the Mexicans
are simply reporting what they have
Aeard. II one fraternizes with the
poems for any length of time one will
find that their ideas of Alvarado's
wealth are derived largely from the
rich ore which their relatives employ
ed at the mine abstract surreptitious.
ly from time to time.
fLe system under which Alvaraoo's
property has been operated has render
ed smuggling Of this character quite
easy. and the belief is general among
the Intelligent class at Parral that II
Alvarado had ever received one.tenth
OF the value OF what his mine produc-
cd he would indeed come close to
Injecting the many stories that are cir.
culated about him.
Mine Well Equipped.
The Palmilla mine is situated on the
Of nd h. -
its development is filled with legend.
ary tales, out of which II Is difficult to
deduce the truth. 1t Is enough to say
that the mine is well equipped with
the latest of American electrical min.
Ing machinery. which furnishes n
striking evidence OF the ability OF
American drummers to sell Alvarado
almost anything they care to tell him
about.
Less than year ago hustling rep.
resentatiyc OF large American mine
car company showed Alvarndo a sam.
pie OF the company's latest product
So taken was he with this car that he
Immediately gave an order for 100 like
II. He has never used one OF them. but
keeps them In storage for his own per
sonai ediiicatlon and for that of his
guests.
THE time will come when I will
need them ALL" Is what Alyarndo an
swers when questioned about his fol.
- Visit to Alvarado.
After becoming acquainted with the
important developments at Parral. II
one has the necessary Influence and
null with somebody who is on friend.
~ terms with Alyafndo. an invitation
10 visit his property Is soon forthcom.
ipg. While his ideas OF hospitality dif.
fer In many respects from those 10
which we are accustomed In the
United States. still. when showing his
guests his property. he seems to for.
get his alleged greatness and bc.
comes quite chummy with those he is
entertaining.
Tho invitation TO the writer Of this
article 10 30 into N. Paimilla mine
called for prompt attendance Mt the
mouth OF the shaft Mt \ o'clock In the
morning, inc MN" h'ihE SITUATED on
the very top Of ono OF the highest
peala In tho district. and tho road
leading TO II being very difficul,, the
visitor was half an hour late.
sitting on Ore Pile.
Aiyarado was found sitting on the
an,s Of ono Of hla richest ore piles.
without even 80 much M rising ho OK.
tended his hand rmilingiy aa the In.
sssrpreter performed the introduction.
After q time Alyarado suggested a
halt In the exploration. and seating
himself passed around cigarettes and
began to talk about his output and
other items connected with the opera
tior OF the mine, The esagsera,lon he
m,ds Use Of was staggering, lie
tse1sht nothing Of saying that before