Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-03-12
MEXICO PREPARES TO
WELCOME BIG FLEET

City or Mexico, March 15.-When
the American battleship fleet under
Admiral Evans arrives at Magdalena
Bay to begin its target practice next
week, the officers and sailors will find
awaiting them a city that has almost
literally sprung up in a night. By
declaration of the Mexican govern
ment, Magdalena Bay is now a 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. With the news that 49,
900 men of the American fleet would
make stay of three weeks there,
the Mexican commercial houses
scented an opportunity for trade and
barter that would likely be immense
1y profitable. Temporary structures
went up by the scores and few
permanent buildings have been erect
ed. Statesmen and stocks of goods of
all kinds have benn 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 business
enterprises, many of the outcasts,
gamblers and dive-keepers of this
and other Mexican cities have flocked
to. Magdalena Bay, and the men and
women who pray upon humanity for
subsistence will be there In large
numbers to greet the sailors.
In the character of it's buildings
and business enterprises, Magdalena
City now bears close resemblance
to Coney Island, remodling along
Spanish-American lines. Tamale
stands, dance halls, chile con carne
4tparlors" and saloons, Jack will find
in abundance, as we'll as the inevita-
BILE arena for buulfights. The new
municipality Lies in valley of the
Coast Range of Baja California,
where the mountains come down to
the sea. The bay is large enough
to anchor whole armyoe1icd
to anchor whole navy, being in re-
atty an inland sea formed by Mag
dalena, Santa Margartia, Screciente
and other islands.
The American navy department
has made arrangements to ship large
food supplies to the fleet at Magdale-
ma Bay. AS Magdalena City is now
port of entry, it will be necessary
for vessels to clear for Ensenada and
have their cargoes thence sent to
Magdalena Bay. The contracts in
clude $4,000 pounds of flour, 2QO,.
600 pounds of fresh beef, $4,000
pounds of frankfurters and 5000
pounds of condensed milk.
In additions to the hundreds of
enthusiastic Mexicans who will well
come Jack upon his arrival at Mag
dalena Bay, the sharks and snakes
Astounding in that vicinity will also
be on a lookout for the gallant sail
ormen, 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 poisonous variety. The
native Indians of the district cal
the reptiles Ell Muerto Blanco," OF
4.The Whit Death, since they have
no antidote for the poison excep
moseal, the native whisky Mexican
physicians, however, declare tina
permanganate of potassium, if in
jected in time, will save the victims
of the snake
Little less numerous than thu
sharks and snakes are the turtles
which grow to enormous size in Thu
bay and which have wide reputa
ton among epicures. They are us
ually captured by rushing them OF
the beach and turning them over OF
their backs.