Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-03-13
Ma G d alena Bay
Springs Into In
ternational Mo-
tice.
CITY GROWN
IN A NIGHT

City OF Mexico. March 1S.-The
American battleshlp fleet under
Admiral Evans arrived at Magdalena
Bay yesterday to begin it's target
practice for three weeks. The Of
ficers and sailors found awaiting
them a city that has almost literally
sprung up in night. BY declara-
ton OF the Mexican government,
Magdalena Bay is now port OF en-
try and Senior n. Rafael Castro Mon
tano has been made captain of the
port and administrator OF the GUS
toms house.
ed novels comprised the town" OF
Magdalena Bay. with the news
that 1900 men of the American
fleet would make stay OF three
weeks there, the Mexican CONNER
cial houses scented an opportunity
for trade and barter that would
likely be immensely profitable.
Temporary structures went up by
the scores and 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. incidentally. to separate him
from his coin.
In the wake OF legitimate bust
ness enterprises. many of the out
casts, gamblers and dive-keepers Of
this and other Mexican cities have
nocked to Magdalena city. and the
men and women who prey upon hui
manity for subsistence will be there
in large numbers to greet the sail
ors.
In the character Gifts buildings
and business enterprises, Magdalena
City now bears close resemblance
10 Coney Island. remodele1 along
Spanish-American lines. Tamale
stands, dance halls, chile con carne
"parlors" and saloons Jack finds in
abundance, as well as the inevitable
arena for bullhghts. The new nu-
nlcipality lies in a valley OF the
Coast Range OF Baja California
where the mountains come down to
the sea. The bay is large enough
10 anchor whole navy, being in
reality an inland sea formed by
MagdaleDa, Santa Margarita. Gre
nj and Cthnr tel
The American navy department
has made arran gements to ship large
food supplies to the fleet at Mag
dalena Bay. AS Mag1alena City Is
now port OF entry, 1t will not be
necessary for vessels to clear for
Ensenada and have their cargoos
thence sent to Magdalena Bag. Ito
contracts include $50. 900 pounds OF
-four. 100000 pounds of fresh beer.
$1,000 pounds of frankfurters and
1900 pounds OF condensed milk.
The bay is full OF sharks and the
beach produces an equally abundant
crop OF rattlesnakes of the most
yirulent and vicious variety. The
native Indians Of the district call
Che reptiles Gel Muertc Blanco," or
Tho White Death" since they have
no antidote for the poison except
moscal the native whiskey. Me1i-
can physicians, however. declare
that permanganate OF potassium, "
Injected in time, will save the vic
tins OF the snakes.
Little less numerous than the
sharks and the snakes are the tur.
ties, 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
ola soldiers declare that Il Is at
times impossible to take soundings
in the bay because the sharks are
30 thick that there isn't room to
heave the lead through them.
The morning plunge oversids reg
ularly 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 al
tackled by a shark in these waters.
a fact not so remarkable wbe. Il is
also learned that there is no record
Of any ono having exposed himself.