The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-08-05
New Mexico Letter.
RIBERA, N. NJ, July 10, 1909.
r.. q. n. Hull.

MR.. y. Il. HULL,
EDITOR REPORTER, Leon, Iowa.
DEAR SIR:-I see 80 many very inter-
estins letters in The Reporter from
different sections of the United States |
1 thought probably that some would
like to hear something about this inter-
esting section.
am now located at Ribera, N. M, a
thriving little settlement on the Pecos |
river up near it source amongst the
beautiful Glorieta mountains. We spent |
the winter at Bernalillo, N. NJ, along
the Rio Grande, the most notable of all |
is in the midst of a fertile valley all |
and land sells from 500 to 5000 per
acre, according to whether it is grain
or fruit land. Up the river from
Bernalillo the Sandia EIndians live
on some very fertile valley land, but do
not develop it to any great extent,
merely raising enough to supply their
simple needs, great many Of them de-
voting their time to the manufacture Of
pottery, blankets and rugs which they
sell to the many tourists passing
through this country. The principal
products along the Rio Grande are
alfalfa, cutting from 5 to times .
year, and fruit, and such fruit | have
never seen tho equal of, even in bounte-
GUS Iowa. Bernalillo is also noted for
it's wine and acre upon aero is devoted
to grape vineyards, many of the vari-
cites being imported from Spain for
their superior quality for wine. The
climate during the winter months is
very delightful, but alas with the COM
ing of spring and irrigation the mos
quitoes and malaria hold high revel, and
we were very glad to leave there.
Left Bernalillo as relief agent on the
A. T. & S. f. going to Kennedy, N. NJ,
as the agent there wished to 60 back to
Missouri on a months vacation, and on
his returning said that in order to get
him to leave New Mexico again would
require more energy than he ever
possessed as it was so blooming hot and
rained so much while he was there that
he was glad to get back to the land of
perpetual sunshine.
Kennedy, N. NJ, can be dispensed with
by saying that it is a spot on the map
surrounded by prairie dogs and sand,
being the junction point of the Santa
Fe and New Mexico Central railroad
which wanders off down through the
Estancia Valley. A good many home
seekers came through while l was
stationed there, but crop conditions
in the valley are not very encouraging
on account of the continued dry weather,
having had no general rain all summer.
The most profitable crops grown in the
valley are beans and potatoes, although
oats and corn do reasonably we'll. The
land is very fertile, and if they succeed
in obtaining artesian water which they
are now trying for, it will be veritable
garden spot, and with it's incompatible
climate and surrounding mountains
richly underlaid with coal, copper and
gold bearing ore, it will be the home of
thousands. Ortiz gold mine, said to be
the oldest mine in the United States, is
located near Kennedy, it being worked
by the Indians before the invasion of
Mexico by the Spaniards.
The stockmen of New Mexico are
heavy losers this season by the con-
tinued drouth, cattle and sheep dying
by the thousands.
l was transferred from Kennedy to
Ribera and given this agency perman-
entity, and as it is very delightful
place to live we will probybly stay
here for some time. Old San Miguel,
an old Spanish mission, is located one
half mile from Ribera and is the proud
possessor of what is said to be the
second oldest church in the United
States, the oldest church being at Santa
Fe, N. M. The old church at San Miguel
is still in good state of preservation
and is still i'll use as place of worship,
a convent also being maintained there.
Another fact worthy of mention in re-
gard to San Miguel are few apple
trees nearly 200 years old still growing
and bearing fruit.
The Pecos river flowing through the
valley at this point is just beautiful
mountain stream clear and cool, bound
ing in mountain trout and we spend
many delightful evening angling for
them. The surrounding mountains are
covered with pine trees and wild tur-
key, and deer are often met with and
an occasional bear thrown in for luck.
Well, hoping this will be interesting
enough for few people to read l will
close. ! remain,
G. l.. LoRLY, Agent,
Ribera, N. NJ.