The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-01-28

prepared by the National Geography So
ciety. Washington. d. C.1
@T7HE report that ''the worlds
richest gold mine" has been
found recently in Mexico, even
If literally true. would add only
a chapter to Mexico's volume of min
ing history. Under Spanish domina-
ton the country poured out seem
ingIy inexhaustible stream Of wealth,
and save during acute political dis
turbances, the flow has continued
since Cecil Rhodes, who knew some
thing of the mineral wealth of the
world, prophesied Of Mexico that
from her hidden vaults, her sub
terranean treasure houses, will come
the gold, silver, copper, and precious
stones that will build the empires
of tomorrow and make future cities
of this world veritable new Jerusa-
1ems"
Guanajuato has been the great
treasure chest of Mexico It's huge
supply of silver was first tapped 68
years before the Pilgrims landed In
Plymouth, and by 1857 the wonder
full mother lode, the veta Madre, had
been found Baron Won Humboldt,
\ writing at the beginning of the Eight
zenith century, asserted that GUIANA
juato had yielded one-f1fth of the total
amount of silver then current In the
world.
The actual mint and government
records show production of gold and
silver from the Veta Madre in ex-
cess of one billion dollars. But we
are travelling too fast; let us halt
to get our bearings and locate this
Eldorado on the map, then rest
awhile and enjoy that which 1t has to
offer.
The state of Guanajuato Is in the
south-central part of the Republic Of
Mexico. The estimated population is
100000 II is the most important
mercantile center in the country, the
total trade being valued at $6700O,00O
per annum The leading industries
are mining, agriculture, and cattle
raising,
The city Of Guanajuato, capital of
the state, is picturesquely situated.
nesting in small basin, surrounded
on all sides by the Sierra de Guiana
juato. The Canada de Marfil affords a
pass to the city through the Gordon
of hills from the fertile valley lands
of Silac, a station on the line of the
Mexican Central railroad, IA miles to-
the west. The railroad grade from
the Silao rises rapidly following the
tortuous course of the Rio de Guiana
juato to an elevation Of 1000 feet,
where poised high in the Cordilleran.
plateau. is this historic city Of 10000
people-because of the revolt and
brigandage of recent years a wasted
shadow of its former greatness.
Scenes in Guanajuato.
In the soft sunshine of summer
days the first vista of the city is strik-
ing, indeed. Churches of magnificent
proportions ancient and modern
architecture strangely blended in the
same edifice stately buildings; i'm
posing markets stores Of all descrip-
tons; and dwelling places, rudely
bare, vari0usly colored with neutral
tlnts of calsomine their grated win
dows and open doors exhibiting to
all the sparsely furnished interior,
where bird. beast, and human eat and
live together. The sordid squalor Of
the many contrasts strikingly with
the oppressive opulence Of the few.
The cobblestone streets are crooked
and narrow so narrow. In fact, that
caballeros must take to the sidewalk
to permit Of the passing OF any kind
Of vehicle The dingy tram-cars are
drawn by relays Of mules, three
abreast. beaten into subsection by
the .stinglng lash or coaxed into ac-
tion by the curses OF the youthful
drivers, whose vernacular is. wonder
fully expressive and effective.
Guanajuato IS city rich in his
toric record. in its mines. III its nat
ural beauty, and In Its architecture.
To describe. even briefly. the many
things Of interest would occupy more
space than could be given to this
article but mention must be made
OF few.
Fl Teatro Juarez faces the plaza in
the center Of the city. tt Is an i'm
posing pile. perhaps out Of keeping
with its surroundings but Guiana
sre4o Is city wherein the plctur
and strictly practical are IT.