The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-07-13
FARM AS BIG AS A KINGDOM.
The Farmhouse Cost $1,6o0,oo0 and
Accommodates 500 Guests.


"The announcement that Mexico Is
about to make some effort to curD
the princely aspirations of Don Luis
Terrazas of the State of Chihuahua
promises" says the Bookkeeper, Ito
bring into the public eye one of the
most remarkable and at the same
time one of the least known of the
worlds unusual men.
-Four years ago German prince
travelled 5000 miles to visit farm
err This farmer was Don Luis,
whose farm Mexicans are beginning
to believe is getting too large for the
public health.
"In short, it is the biggest farm
in the world. In area 1t ranks with
the largest of European Kingdoms
and empires and would make one OF
| the big States of the Union. 1t
measures $50 miles from north to
south and 200 miles from east to
west, or 100000 acres in all.
ut embraces whole ranges OF
mountains, entire water systems, vol.
canoes, mineral lands and thousands
| of lakes. over it roam 100000
head of cattle, 100000 sheep and 300,.
900 horses. The farmhouse is the
most magnificent in the world-a pal
ace costing $1,6OO,OO0 in gold, super
bly, furnished and with rooms to &C.
commodate 500 guests.
Scattered over this vast ranch are
100 outlying stations, each of which
has charge of a certain portion OF
the estate. The cowpunchers, line
runners, shepherds and hunters num-
bered 5000 mounted men last year,
and the total number of employees
exceeds 10000.
"The Terrazas ranch is the only
one in the world which maintains its
own slaughtering and packing plant.
Last year 100000 head of cattle and
100000 head of sheep were dressed
and packed, 100000 head of horses
were sold, 100000 tons of hay cut and
stacked for use in the rainless sea-
son and 100000 bushels of various
grains harvested.
"The running of this colossal farm
and ranch is not only interesting be-
cause of the magnitude of the oper-
alton, but it furnishes as well a val
liable object lesson in the manage
ment of a people. The total popula-
ton supported is about $4,000, and
there are no happier people in Mex
leo than those who owe allegiance to
Don Luis.
mot long ago it was claimed by
member of the Mexican Government
that II he so willed Don Luis Ter
razas could raise an army of 1000
men, and that every one of them
would fight for him-and especially
for his beautiful wife and twelve
children. The Dons wife is consid-
cred by many the loveliest woman In
Mexico today, and her five daughters
are also beautiful.
"While the Terrazas family enter
tains hundreds of guests every year
and spends thousands of dollars an
nually in philantbropic work every
effort is made to keep out OF the
public eye, especially to keep out of
the papers. 1t is always impressed
upon their guests that to guard this
privacy is the only way to retain the
Terrazas friendship
"It is said that no paper in Mexico
city has ever published picture OF
a member of the family. Guests are
welcome to bring cameras, but they
are not expected to use them near
the Terrazas home or to include in
their pictures any member of the
family.
Although the richest man in Mex.
leo, Don Luis personally superintends
the work on his huge estate. He is
handsome, highly educated and with
his family has travelled all over the
world. His children will all have
been educated in the United States.
The home of the family, called Chi
huahua Castle. is surrounded by mag.
nificent gardens. When Don Luis is
away one Of his sons, or perhaps a
daughter, takes his place."