Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-05-13
A cROESUS IN EXILE.
Story of Mexico's Richest Man Now
Almost Ruined.

Story of Mexieo's Richest Man Now
Almost Ruined.
| An inventory Of the property hold
lings of General Luis Terrazas, who is
living in enforced exile at Ell Paso
Texas, recently was made by the office
Of conhscations and the state treasury
It brought to light the surprising fac'
that General Terrazas is the owner Of
| 7O,OCO,0O0 acres Of land, all situated In
the state Of Chihuahua Besides his
landed holdings he possesses title to
more than 200 houses in Chihuahua
City, several productive mines, many
manufacturing plants, and was largely
interested in banking affairs. Accord
ing to the official report all of this
vast estate, which in pre-revolutionary
days had a total value of s150,000,OOO
in gold, has been taken over by the
state government under confiscaton
processes.
1t is stated in this official report that
he land is scattered all over the state
and was all we'll stocked with CATTLE
horses, and mules. and goats at the
time the revolutionary period began.
Besides the ranches, General Terrazas
owns approximately 100000 acres OF
farm lands, most Of which was In
high state of cultivation at the time
he was compelled to abandon his last
property interests and flee to the other
side Of the Rio Grande to prevent be-
ing taken prisoner.
Protecting His Property.
General Terrazas, Notwithstanding
the fact that he had been forced to
make his temporary home outside OF
Mexico during the last several years,
has kept up a continuous bulldog tight
for the protection of his property.
Very few animals are now to be found
anywhere upon Terrazas's ranches.
They were stolen and driven off by
thousands by revolutionists and BAN
dts.
General Terrazas has put up re-
markable long distance fight against
Francisco Villa and his bandits, and
also against the officials Of the So
called constitutional government Of the
state. 1t has been a losing fight for
him, however, as many Of his ranches
and farms have been divided among
his former employees and are operated
by them for their own benefit and pos
sible profit.
Up From the Pson Class.
General Terrazas's career has been
filled with thrilling exploits and armed
strife from the time that he was a small
boy. His parents belonging to the peon
class when 10 years old he was forced
to earn a livelihood. He worked at
odd jobs, was taken into store as
general utility boy, and there began
learning something about the mercan-
tile business. He was advanced from
one position to another until he occu-
pied a responsible position in the es-
During those struggling
wears he saved as much of his earnings
as possible. Before he had reached his
majority he had started store OF his
own. It was a small beginning, but
with the careful attention that he gave
it the business quickly expanded and
he became one of the leading mer-
chants of the city when still young
man. 1t was about the time that the
United States and Mexico were at war
in 1S4S-that TerraZas became inter-
ested in politics. He was elected jefe
politico Of Chihuahua, which was his
first public office. In those days ban
ditry ragged through all the country
districts Of Mexico.
In March, 1867, Terrazas led an
army of Mexicans against the French
invaders under the Inflated Emperor
Macmillan. He had already placed
his fortune at the disposal of the gov
ernment to assist in overcoming the
to make Mexico a part OF
the French empire. At the head Of a
division of the army he drove the
French out of chihuahua, recapturlnG
the city and inflicting decisive defeat
upon the enemy. During this military
campaign General Terrazas had main
tained his army out Of his private for
tune. When the war was ended the
government found the national treas
ury empty and no funds available with
which to repay Terrazas for his SER
vices. 1t was then that the congress
of Mexico ceded to Terrazas large
tracts of wild lands in the state of
Chihuahua in lieu of the money he
had advanced, and in payment of his
services to the country. This was the
nucleus for his vast fortunc.-Chris-
tian Science Monitor.