The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-07-04
A Letter From New Mexico.
Bernalillo, N. M, June 20, 1912.

Bernalillo, N. M, June 20, 1912.
Editor Reporter:-I wonder if m,
Decatur county friends would be in
terested in hearing from me ava,
down here in the jungles among the
Indians and geasers. This is one O.
those beautiful dreamy Sunday after
moons which has tendency to make
one think of home and friends. an(
while l would not for the world say
thought Of inconsistencies ever EN-.
tiers my mind I will admit a quiet
calm Sunday afternoon like today as
/ gaze out over the sun-kissed hills
on the blue hazy mountains makes
some sort of feeling steal over my
system which I can scarcely define
unless it is longing for familiar
faces and home surroundings.
We read very often in the Re-
porter where Decatur county people
have gone to California and differ
ent points west for recreation, but
no one seems to consider New Mexico
worthy of their time. But let me say
to you, if you know the places of
intense interest throughout the
state you would change your
minds and instead of flying over the
barren hills which look too God for
saken for civilization when passing
through on the train, you would
stop over for time and enjoy the
scenes here as much as any place
you might choose to go.
Bernalillo is located 16 miles from
Albuquerque, 40 miles from Las
Vegas, and 60 miles from Santa Fe,
which are all splendid enterprising
towns. By the way we are quite
proud to be called a state and expect
changes in various respects
in the near future. Everything and
every place seems on the boom and
everyone anticipates a great future
for New Mexico.
Bernalillo has about 1000 inhab-
itants, but they are a mixed up
bunch, there being about seven diff
ferent languages spoken, namely,
French, Italian, German, Syrian, In
dian, Spanish and English. The
majority of inhabitants are Span
ards. There are only a few true
blue American residents here but
hey are live wires and We have many
good times, though the environments
Ire not altogether pleasing and at
lines gets very monotonous, though
We are quite happy, making the best
If the inevitable until an opportun-
ty presents itself for better situa-
ion.
Ihe country around us is all I'M
Ter irrigation and the soil very fer
lie. Most everything in fruit and
are raised here, though
his season has been very backward
nd the late frosts seem to have in
ured the early fruit to quite an ex-
ent, which means a heavy loss to
he fruit growers as there are many
f them who depend entirely upon
heir shipments of fruit and vege-
ables for their support. The fruit
rown here is of the very choicest
ariety, aples, peaches, pehrs, APP
tcots, prunes. plums and II varieties
f grapes, which are all extremely
eliciOus.
The Sisters of Loreto, whose or
anization was established in the
ear of 1912, are located here and
hey also have a dormitory for the
indian girls. At one time Marjorie
ore the distinction of being the only |
american girl in the school, but this
ear others enrolled from different
arts of the state. The convent and
ublic school girls are all in the
anne building and under the same
though the girls re-
ding here have the privilege of go
IL home after school closes for the
ay. The boys are instructed in the
rother's institution in a separate
uilding. There is something very
ascinating about the surroundings,
{ the institution, Of which one never
GEMS to grow tired. They are To-
lted upon street which is termed
; up town." being one mile from
le business district. The walk out
lere through a shady lane with a
Ugh hedge fence and the tall trees
nd dropping tamaracks growing by
10 wayside is indeed very pic
RESCUE and beautiful and de-
ghtful place for stroll on a warm
INNER day. The oath of April was
le Tooth anniversary of the found
II of the establishment and every
ranch organization celebrated the
,casion by giving an entertainment
n the benefit of the patrons OF the
hool. The program given here
as very interesting and creditable +
both the Sisters and pupils. The
ost interesting part of the program
as the drill of "Welcome' by the