The Holt County sentinel., 1921-06-03
More Of the Experiences Of An Oregon
How in Mexico.

days ago: x,,
Pelenque Chiapas, Mexico.
April Is, 1921.
Dear Folks:-I don't believe ! have
written YOU since left Puerto Mexico,
except for a short letter to Dad from
Villa Hermosa, so ! expect It is time
for me to bring the news up to present
times. II is raining. In fact, IT has
rained steadily for about eighteen
hours, so it is a good occasion for writ
ing.
We came from Puerto Mexico TO the
river mouth below Frontera by steam
err. Il was = night trip lasting about
fourteen hours. TIE gulf was smooth,
and very few of the passengers were
sick. scarcely noticed II at all. our
only hardship Of any consequence was
that the boat w1s so crowded WIN
passengers from Vera Cruz that we
had to sleep on deck.
Al Frontcra we stayed on the steam
or for about four hours until launcn
came and took US up the river to From
terra, an hours ride. Here we had to
wait until the river steamer left in the
evening.
This steamer, or steamboat rather,
was an old, wood-burning, stern-wheel'
Mississippi river boat. II was SO
crowded that we ran short Of food Tor
supper and breakfast, and the bcrths
appeared TO contain everything thst
flies, hops or crawls. This didn I
bother US greatly, as we stayed on
deck, enjoying the breeze until we
were so tired we could sleep anywhere.
At Villa Hermosa we found fairy,
modern hotel. where we rad good
meals and the luxury Of running water
in our rooms. Villa Hermosa Is the
capital Of the state Of Tabasco, and Is
n typica old Mexican town OF about
eight thousand people.
We were unable TO get horses or
mules there on account Of the eifccts
Of the revolution, 30 after three days
OF un successful effort we loft Tor
Monte Christie. This neccssitated a
trip of two days and two nights back
down the river 20 Frontera and up an
other branch Of the river. ,,
This was an interesting trip. villa
Hermosa was terribly hot. You can
understand why when ! tell you that
nj noon n persons shadow Is directly
under him, an u little later in the
voors falls 10 the south, 20 the river
breeze was very welcome.
The scenery along the river Is prct-
~, too. especially near the larger
towns. Banana plantations and cocoa
nut trees are 20 he seen at Intervals
Leaving Frontcra we followed thc
other branch Of the river up to Monte
Christie. The first morning out we
snv nllipntors summing themselves on
the banks, parrots in the trees ana
flamngoes, hcrons, cranes ana
egrets over the river.
At Monte Christie we stayed at
house rented and occupied by some
mahogany buyers. We found plenty
of horses and mulcs here and we out
fj,tod with three horses and one mule
for riding and one pack mule. am
ridinq n mule and find him n good
saddle animal.
On the morning Of the third day, ns
We were nbort 10 star. !or Fslenque' n
rancher claimed that one OF the horses
had bcen stolen from him by the man
who sold him 10 US. He brought along
some army Officers to take possession.
We talked them into waiting q lew
minutes until we could send ior a
friend Of ours, sort OF politieal noss
of tho town, and the man who had sold
us the horse. Our friend, the politicaii
boss. "read the riot act' TO them and
Tho Syrian rancher who had SOLD US
tho horse became very eager to give US
orr rooney hack. We took great deHl
~ Measure in making him sweat and
shiver until everything could be pvt
In legal form, and then we very grac-
iouslv accented his money. we then
bought another mule.
All this had delayed us until u was
,bou, three n. m, before we got start
oil so we had 10 ramn NJ little IN
dian village on the waV over we
wore almost eaten alive by mosouitoes
while were were making camp ana
cooking orr supper. As sooN ms we
disposed Of that we crawled into our
hammocks and put our mosquito phrs
down.
Next morning we hit the trail AGAR,
and Got in here on the evening OF Apr'l
18th. We are staying at the house OF
an old Mexican, named LaCroiS' ne
iS Of Spanish md French ancestry.
His house has dirt floors and bars for
windows. but we get good food ana
have cots on which to sleep.
The town is so small that II has out
one tinv store, which contains nothing
We could use, and is so far out OF the
world that mail goes out only once
week. am afraid It left early TINS
,.l
Day before yesterday we pas. passed ,d
.ome old Indian ruins, dating back 10
the fifth century,. We saw some Quite
architecture and tablets.
We spent about three hours taking
nictnres and "rubbering." We have
ioyelonea our films. hut have not made
rny prints. We certainly hone thev
turn out well. will show them to you
whom I get home.
This country is q dense jungle, as rs
rrost of Tropical Mexico. We are in
the edge of a rance Of low mountains. !
and the dense wall of trees. vines and I
H. hA.V-