Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-23

ne So-CalleQ revolution IN Cnlnu0Hud
is an armed protest against an autocracy
which has existed there for nearly half a
century under Don Louis Terrazas. who
owns half the land in that state and is
credited with more wealth than any other
man in Mexico. He is probably the largest
land owner in the world. His wealth Is
estimated at more than $1OO,O0OOOO. He
owns or controls everything in the city OF
Chihuahua. and is as great an autocrat
within his dominions as the Car ofEussia.
He owns all the public utilities. which are
monopOlies. and pay big dividends. No
one can borrow money or buy a piece Of
property without his consent and no con-
cession will be granted by the government
within that state without his approval
Either he or one Of his sons is always
governor, and they take turnss in ex-
ercisng authority. Don Alberto Terrazas
his second son, is the present governor
ana during the fnsurrectioD has proved
himself 10 be of little capacity He has
not been able to do anything to defend
or protect his fathers property. or the
city OF chihuahua or any other rart Of
the state. Everything is in condition of
anarchy and Don Alberto's authority is
defied and ridiculed.
Nobody knows exactly how much land
Don Luis Terrazas owns. but you can
ride all day north and
1eTTaZaS south. east and west,
Vast Domain. e on the railways ,. of
going outside Of his domain His holdings
are estimated all the way from 1900. 900
to 100000 acres. People say
that he does not know himself how much
land he has. nor how much live stock
but 1t is believed that he has more than
100000 cattle, 100000 sheep and 100, 900
horses. The animals have never been
counted, and it would be impossible to
count them. They have never been as
sessed. Don Luis pays no taxes. and that
Is one of the principal causes of the I'D
rising.
Last fall. it is said, Don Luis shipped
fourteen train loads Of cattle to market
and each train had more than forty cars
ne shipped almost as many sheep and
about 5000 horses This will give you
an idea Of the wealth and the transac-
tons of the old man. He Is nearly
elshty-one years old, small Of stature
Wrinkled and bald. but in full possession
or all his faculties, physical and mental
They say that he grows keener in bust
ness transactions, and more avaricious
every year. He used to be satisfied with
, per cent profits. Now he demands T.
ana NOBODY can borrow money in Chihua-
per cent a month interest He controls
all the banks and no one would dare loan
dollar without the approval of Don
LUIS II merchant. miner or hacien-
uaoo wants to borrow for any purpose.
the bank consults Don Luis and acts
under his orders II he wants the notes
and mortgage they turn them over to
him. and II he does not the bankers
keep them themselves. But people will
tell you that no transaction involving
real estate is ever made without his ap-
prevail He never sells anything himself,
but will lease land on long time. both
on shares and for cash. He is always
adding to his holdings and never lets an
acre or dollar get away from him.
Much Of his land is in the mountains
nobody knows how much Nobody
knows whore his acres
BOUNDARIES begin or where they
Nat n.A,.a end. and hence he
0' "' gets the credit for
owning more than actually belongs to
him. People who fear his enmity usual
ly consult him and ask his permission for
whatever they wish to do. The mining
companies are all more or less subject to
his control. He doesn't caro- much for
mines. his passion is limited to land. live
stock and loans. But 1t Is imprudent to
attempt anything in Chihuahua without
the favor Of Don Luis.
Doubtless most OF these stories are exag-
gerations Many Of the things that are
told Of him are incredible, but neverthe-
less he is the richest man in Mexico, the
largest landholder and an autocrat as
far as Chihuahua is concerned. He was
born In Chihuahua and has lived there all
his life. His parents had a ranch near
the city, and his father obtained q large
grant of land because Of his services In
the war for independence. When Maxi
milan invaded Mexico, in 1865, Don Luis
organized an army and held the state Of
Chihuahua against the invaders. For
that he received another large grant of
land In 1879, when Diaz came into power
by a revolution. Terrazas was the lead
er OF his sympathizers in Chihuahua
and was appointed governor of that state
This brought him moro land. and still
more and he has been adding to his hold
ings continually by methods which need
not be discussed. At any rate, he has
obtained millions Of acres as rewards for
his services to the government. and has
purchased and obtained by foreclosure as
much more.
y X
Although he is simple in his tastes and
frugal In his habits, he exacts from his
family and retainers the
Insists on the formalities that would
r.,;4:. beft king. During the
Ev'"AeAA'1es' st. Louis exposition he
took sixty members Of his family on a
special train of Pullman cars to that city
and afterward to New York. They had a
good time, but were not allowed to go
anywhere or do anything without the old
gentleman permission. He required them
to come to his room tho first thing in the
morning and the last thing at night to