Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1922-08-11
"A GREAT TRIP
ACROSS THE U.S..
John NJ. Newton, of Pocahontas,
Writes of His Trip to San
: Francisco to Attend Pythian
Meeting.


Santa Fc Railway gnvc us threo anu
half hours stop at this quaint old
city. Automobiles furnished by the
citizens were waiting for us ut tho
station, with entertaining gentlemen
Tor Indies to guide us wherever VIC
wanted to. 30. Most OF your srcadcrs
know that this is the capital of New
Mexico, and is, perhaps, tho oldest
city in the United Statos.
The country through Colorado and
New Mexico is not unlike we on
pected to see. We had drawn OH our
Imagination quito correctly. But this
city is different from any thing we
had imagined. 1t is such bringing
together of the ancient and modern,
the past and the present. Tho doors
were thrown wide open to us and wo
were invited to inspect the city md
surroundings, and even their kitch-
ems md dining rooms. Governor Nee
hem was one of the first gentlemen
we met after alighting ut old st,
Mihicl's Church, the oldest church Ia
the United States, with tho possible
exception of ono at ST. Augustine,
rla. lie personally welcomed us to
the state and TO the city, and nfter-
wards reception was held ut tho
mansion Tor the women Of our party,
Mt which Mrs. Mcchem proved very
agreeable entertainer. Gov. Mechom
inquired about Mr.. Slemp. who SEEM
cd to be II friend of his.
One Of tho entertainments proyld-
ed for us here was Mt the Stnte Mu-
scum. which consisted of Indian
DANCES. A platform on the South side
of the building Ind been erected. and
nftcr the Indians, dressed like enqlos.
had danced their several sets the
party was photographed in tho hot
sun. a trip through the museum Ia
interesting and instructive; lots of
pictures, some of which nre works of
nrt of considerable merit; othors look
we'll from distance but closer
examination will reveal heavy daub
ing or smenring. Mexican md In
dian relics or curios are much in ev-
idcnce, nlso petrificd body of ono
OF the cliff dwellcrs, and chair In
which Gen. Lew Wallace Transcribed
the notes for Ben Hur. Gen. Wallace
was Governor Of New Mexico from
1879 to 1881.
The styles Of architecture will In
stnntly attract the attention of a
visitor from tho East. Much Of this
Is, judge, whnt is known as tho
Spanish or Mission style, and, of
course, the adobe houses or huts of
the Mcxicans, who form possibly rs
per cent of the population. Tho In
dians are also numerous and I un-
derstnnd they nlso use the fdobc
huts. | was pointed out n handsome
building OH the Spanish stylc of
architecture which was intended for
a hotel-but the cost was so urcat
the promoters were unable to figure
out profit on the Investment md
abandoned the idea.
This is clean, well kept city, and
thoroughly sanitary. DR.. Il. M. SwarLz
Of the County Health Department,
VINO took me in his cur over the city,
told me it had not rnincd here since
February. Although July and Au-
gust arc the rainy season not Il drop
oil rain had fallen in July. IIo took
me out TO the tuberculosis sanitorium
where numbers OF tuberculosis pa
tlents are carod for, the city being
known far and near for its fine eli
mate for these sufferers, many of
whom mako inadequate financial pro-
vision for their coming and worry
over this as well as the folks Mt
home, the result being that thoy can
not do so well. Others delay their
coming until too late, and suffer the
inevitable. But this Is II great and
benciicicnt institution and many arc
being permanently relieved. The writ
er met handsome young man from
South Carolina named Sullivan, who
came here three years ago, before
the disease had made much head-
way. Ho seems to be permanently
cured, and is spending some time in
the city.
On the South sido of the sanato-
rum DR.. Swartz pointed out to mv
Tho Million Dollar View; most
beautiful from the scenic standpoint
The first range of mountains csti.
mated by me to be five miles dis
tant was 25 miles, and higher rang.
further OH was Go miles. The CITY
has many beautiful shade trees. One
kind ftree that looked beautiful
because of flower it grows is call
ed the Tamcrisk tree, and can also
be used rs a hedge. Although it has
not rained since February I saw some
very pretty gardens; mot very mum.
erous however. The water they use
is obtnined from artesian wells, both
here and at albuquerque. Not much
farming. The Mcxicans raise beans
In some sections here it is said that
the natives live on beans and tour.
lists.
This is a Catholic stronghold. 9th.
eer denominations can do little with
the Mexican population, unless they
get hold cf them when they arr
young. The Presbyterians are doing
a good work in their hospital here
and the Methodists at Albuquerque
These are open to everybody, and
numbers take advantage of the, ex:
cellent opportunity for treatment, ant
many come under the influence O.
the gospel by the healing method
! The land is pretty well covered
over with grey grass called mes.
quite pronounced meskit). The Mex
II icans mako an intoyinafipor ,l,.; II