East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-03-14


American batt!eship fleet under Ad-
miral Evans, which is now at Magda-
lena bay, TO begin its target practice
next week, found awaiting them a city
that has almost literally sprung up
in a night. BY declaration of the
Mexican government Magdalena bay
Is now port Of entry and Senior n.
Rafael Castro Montana has been made
captain of the port and administrator
/ of the customs house.
Until recently only a few scattered
novels comprised the town" of Mag
/ dalena Bay When the news that
$4,000 men of the American fleet
would make a three weeks stay reach
ed there, Mexican commercial houses
scented an opportunity for trade ana
barter that would likely be immensely
profitable, Temporary structures went
up by the scores and a few permanent
buildings have been erected. Sales
men and stocks of goods OF all kinds
have been sent to the new city and
all is now in readiness to supply Jack
with anything he may desire and, in
cdentally, to separate him from his
coin.
In the wake of legitimate business
enterprises, many of the outcasts.
gamblers and dive-keepers of this and
other Mexican cities have flocked to
Magdalena city, and the men and wo-
men who prey upon humanity for sub
sisteuCe will be there in large numbers
to greet the sailors.
In the character Of its buildings and
business enterprises. Magdalena City
now bears a close resemblance to Co
rey Island remodeled along Spanish
American lines. Tamale stands. dance
halls, chile con carne 'parlors" and |
saloons Jack will find in abundance, |
as well as the inevitable arena for |
bull fights. The new municipality |
lies In a valley of the Coast Range |
of Baia California, where the noun |
talns come down to the sea. The bay |
is large enough to anchor a whole
navy being in reality an inland sea
formed by Magdalena, Santa Margar-
ita. Greciente and other islands.
The American navy department has
made arrangements to ship large food
supplies to the fleet at Magdalena
bay. As Magdalena City is now a port
of entry, it will not be necessary for
vessels to clear for Ensenada and have
their cargoes thence sent to Magdale-
ma bay. The contracts include 100000
pounds Of flour. 100000 pounds of
fresh beef, $1,000 pounds Of frank
furtcrs and 5000 pounds of condens-
ed milk.
I'm addition 10 the hundreds of en-
thus.astic MeXicans who will welcome
Jack upon his arrival at Magdalena
bay. the sharks and snakes abounding
in that vicinity will also be on look
out for the gallant sailormen, and if
he should attempt any sea bathing he
is likely to be sent home in pieces
The bay is full Of sharks and the beach
produces an equally abundant crop of
rattlesnakes Of the most virulent and
vicious variety. The native Indians
Of the district call the reptiles "El
Muerto Blanco." or "The White
Death" since they have no antidote
for the poison except mascal the ma
tive whiskey. Mexican physicians
however. declare that permagnate of
If injected in time, will
save the victim of the snakes.
Little less numerous than the sharks
and snakes are the turtles, which grow
to enormous size in the bay and
which have a wide reputation among
epicures. They are usually captured
by rushing them on the beach and
turning them over on their backs.
Old soldiers declare that it is at
times impossible to take soundings
I'm the bay. because the sharks are so
thick that there isn't room to heave
the lead through them
The morning plunge oversize regu-
larly enjoyed by the officers and men
in many Of the tropical ports is quite
out Of the question in the bay There
is. To be sure. no record OF any one In
the navy having been attacked by
shark in these waters, fact not so
remarkable when it is also learned
that there is no record of any one
having exposed himself
The Indians Of this district are of
a physique considerably superior to
those Of the mainland Of Mexico and
the Colorado river delta country but
still far inferior to the magnificent
Seri of Tiburon island, whom they re-
semblc slightly. Unlike most of their