Mercedes Tribune (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 43, Ed. 1 Friday, December 10, 1920 Page: 5 of 10
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MERCEDES TRIBUNE
PAGE FIVE
{Mexico, and Inauguration
MR G. K. WATTSON WRITES AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF HIS
[TRIP TO OUR SISTER REPUBLIC, FOR READERS OF THE TRIBUNE
Mercedes Tribune: A -Uittle re-
sume of the writer’s trip to Old
I Mexico might prove of interest to
[your numerous readers.
Leaving Mercedes Friday, we ar-
rived in San Antonio Saturday morn-
ing, after securing a few things nec-
essary for the trip, the party left
iSan Antonio on a special train con-
futing of five Pullman sleepers, one
1 dining car and one baggage car.
Saturday night at 10:30, arriving
at Piedras Negras Sunday morning
[at 6:00 o’clock.
At this point the party was joined
[by Senor Federico Rojas, a promi-
Inent banker of that place. After
having our passports examined and
being identified, a large Mexican Na-
tional Railway engine was attached
l to our train and the journey was
resumed.
The distance from the border to
Mexico City is about twelve hun-
dred and ninety miles, starting at
an altitude of seven hundred feet at
Piedras Negras, you climb to an al-
titude of 7436 feet at the City of
Mexico, where the climate is delight-
ful, the days are warm and invig-
orating, the nights being quite cool.
You rarely find a home with any
heat in it, except a few electric j
heaters. The writer used a very
light overcoat during the day and
a heavy overcoat at night.
The trip through the country dur-
ing the first day’s journey is not of
much interest to one having lived
in Southwest Texas, the country be-
ing similar. Mexico is long on land
and short on water in the northern
part.
eRaching Sabinas, the first stop
'we all climbed out to look the “sol-
dados” over and the Mexican peons,
to whom we also were a source of
curiosity.
This is a large coal mining sec-
tion and the miners are on strike
at the present time.
The station, which is constructed
of stone and plastered on the out-
side, was more or less disfigured
with bullet holes and the plaster
gouged put where the bullets struck.
We were informed that this town
had changed hands fifteen times dur-
ing the -recent revolutions.
The country from this point on
liad a r-ange of mountains to the
est running north and south, per-
fectly barren of verdure but cover-
ed with a purple hue or atmosphere
that gave a beautiful setting to the
western horizon. If you were for-
tunate enough to look at the proper
time, you could have witnessed a
magnificent sunset.
The next point of interest to reach
was Monclova.. a railroad and coal
mining center, with a population of
about thirty thousand. At this place
the famous Villa had burned about
400 railroad cars, the remains of
which were along the railroad track.
*Just here, allow me to state that
the Mexican National Railway has
a remarkably good roadbed, being
thoroughly ballasted and perfectly
smooth, a decided improvement over
some roadbeds in Southwest Texas.
We did not have the pleasure of
seeing Saltillo, having passed both
going and coming at night. Also
MERCEDES LODGES
Masonic
Mercedes Lodge No. 1010,
A. F. & A. M., meets every
Tuesday night, .ill breth-
ren invited to attend.
O. Em. JONES, W. M.
T. J. 4FIKES. Sec’y.
Eastern Star.
Mercedes Chapter No. 629, Order
of Eastern Star meets 2nd and 4th
Mondays at 7:30 p. m., Masonic Hall.
MRS. LINE BYERS, W. M.
MRS. BETTIE R. VINING, Sec.
Monterrey, having taken another
route.
From Monclova you find silver,
lead and copper as far as San Luis
Potosi, which was our next stop, this
is a large and thriving town and a
railroad division point. A large
committee of senores, senoras and
senoritas were there to greet us, the
last two mentioned were very pret-
ty with beautiful complexions. It
was surprising how quickly the men
of our party became gallant and
greeted them most cordially. This
town has a number of smelters, their
various exports amount to about four
million pesos a year.
We only had a short stop here and
then moved on to Queretero, which
is a very pretty and unique place.
The land around here »was highly
cultivated. The farms adjoining were
irrigated with waters from the moun-
tains, a great many of the laterals
and small canals, were concreted or
cemented. The soil is very similar
to some of the farms in the Valley,
being a dark sandy loam and appa-
rently of the same nature. Strange
to say, I did not see a modern plow
from the border to Mexico City, with
one exception, they use a home made
one stick plow, with an iron share,
similar to the ones in vogue during
Biblical times. They have their beds
wbll mulched and in good prepara-
tion, one thing was particularly ap-
parent that was the straight furrow
rows—something I have never seen
a Mexican do in this Valley—make a
straight furrow.
What corn we saw was very good
indeed and several fields of alfalfa
were fine specimens.
At Queretero you will recall, Max-
imillian, the emperor, had made his
home after being driven ^ut of the
city and it was here he was taken
out on the hill top and shot at sun-
rise, thus ending his eventful and
sad career in the conquest of Mex-
ico. The opal mines are also located
near this place.
The trip from here on is through
rugged and high mountains, the road-
bed being cut through solid rock in
some places and one or two tunnels.
The train reached Mexico City
about 10:00 p, m. at which time we
detrained, stretched our limbs, and
repaired to the Colonia Estacion,
which had been nicely fitted up for
our reception. After writing a few
post cards, and wiring home our
safe arrival, we retired to our berths
in the Pullman, which we made .our
domicile while in the city, as it
was impossible to get hotel accom-
modations.
Our reception and entertainment
was almost too wonderful to relate
in this short space. Every morning
the official program was presented
to us. For instance, Tuesday morn-
ing we were presented to General
and Mrs. Obregon along with the
twelve governors from the United
States, including Gov. Hobby and Pat
Neff.
At one o’clock a few of us attend-
ed the splendid banquet given by
the Engineers Club, it was a beau-
tiful affair, the tables being banked
with roses, the entire length. The
menu consisted of ten courses and
six different wines,
In the evening the visitors witness-
ed, the ceremony of swearing in the
president. General Obregon marched
down the aisle together with his of-
ficial family and after embracing
each other, took the oath of office.
The party then marcVd down the
steps, re-entered the automobiles ana
was driven .off, with two soldiers
standing on the running boards,
holding a great candle, vhkh gave
out a strong white light
Wednesday morning at eleven
o’clock a reception was given at tie
The McMurry Lumber Go.
We are the only local representatives of the YE PLAN-
ARY architects. We have always on file complete plans
and specifications for the most simple or the most elabo-
] rate dwelling, business bowse or out-buildings.
Building Material
Whatever you need in building materials or supplies we
... have it and it ik first class. YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO
BUILD until you have inspected our materials and re-
ceived our prices.
Make our office your headquarters in Mercedes
The McMurry Lumber Co.
National Palace to the president.
The ancient City of Mexico, foun led
some 593 years ago, was entirely de-
stroyed by Her man Cortes a no his
soldiers in 1521, as only in this man-
ner could they control the few in-
habitants thereof, who survived the
millions who perished in its defense.
On the plot where Montezuma had
his palace, Cortes placed the found-
ation of his mansion, which after-
wards became this present building.
At 1:30 p. m. a banquet was given
at “Parque Lira.” This is a very
interesting park in the suburbs of
the city. In the evening a special
theatrical performance' was given in
the big “Iris” theatre for the en-
tertainment of the visitors. The
first item was a musicale by the
orchestra of 82 pieces from the con-
servatory. of Music. Believe me,
there are some musicians in that
country—you see them everywhere.
Thursday an excursion to the
Pyramids which are of unknown ori-
gin and very interesting,, at which
place a large banquet was given in
a cave, the light being admitted from
each end.
Also a visit to the cathedral “La
Catedral” known as the Holy Metro-
politan Church of Mexico, said to
be tbe largest .on this continent.
Massiveness and grandeza are its
qualities. The cathedral is a gigan-
tic structure with very thick walls.
Exclusive of the walls it measures
387 feet from north to south, 177
feet from east to west and has an
interior height of 179 feet. The twin
towers are 203 feet above the atrium.
The estimated cost of the ^church
was $1,752,000 exclusive .of the tow-
ers, which cost an additional $190,-
000. The silver and gold ornaments
cost about a million more. The
writer was fortunate in visiting the,
church just when the bishop was
holding services in the Holy <of
Holies, and the various priests re-
ceiving confessions. This writer
also heard the famous organ play.
In the evening the visitors went
to hear the Grand Opera “Aida”
which was magnificently rendered.
Friday whs the gala day of all.
At one o’clock the president held a
reception in Chapultepec Park and
served a beautiful banquet to about
six hundred people. In the park un-
der the shade of the great cedar
trees, probably a hundred feet high,
a band at either end of the tables
furnished the music.
At four p. m. Mrs. Obregon
ceived at the Castle .of Chapultepec.
from five to six we had a fine dance
on the marble floor of one of the
immense galleries, in which the sen
or as and senoritas heartily joined
us. After which another lunch was
served with plenty of wine and cham-
pagne.
During the afternoon Governor
Hobby laid a wreath on the monu-
ment of the four soldiers, who when
the Americans stormed the Castle
of Chapultepec, rather than fall into
the hands of the Americans, threw
themselves from the immense preci-
pice and were killed
That night we departed for home.
At San Luis Potosi the train was
stopped and a delegation was there
to receive us, load us into automo-
biles and then to the club bouse for
a reception, where we danced in the
magnificent ball room.
The writer was agreeably surpris-
ed how quickly Mexico is recovering
from the recent revolution, very lit-
tle destruction being in evidence.
Mexico City streets were constantly
crowded and the stores seemed busy.
The atmosphere is optimistic. We
believe General Obregon is a strong
man, with broad ideas and very
diplomatic and with proper encour-
agement may work out. Mexico’s des-
tiny successfully.
He feels kindly towards the Uni-
ted States and stated that he needed^
our help and our money and invited
men with good intentions to come to
Mexico and they would be protected
Here’s hoping that his reign may
prove successful and his end crown-
ed with honor.
G. K WATTSON.
Dairy Cows Bring in Money every Week.
THE HIDALGO
COUNTY
BANK
FARMER FRIENDS:
We cannot say anything better to you
than to suggest that you Plow all your
Land Deep Now and have it ready for
any Rains that may come. Lnad well
prepared in advance which catches
some moisture, and is ready for plant-
ing in January and February brings a
yield of 30 per cent greater in corn,
cotton and feed crops each year.
i*
THE HIDALGO COUNTY BANK
AT YOUR SERVICE
7
S
A
Dairy Cows Bring in Money every Week.
DURANGO COTTON TO
BE BIG STAPLE CROP
Mr. Freeman Had Fine Success Last
Year and Staple Sold at Fancy
Price
The DeKreko Bros. Shows opened
Tuesday night on the vacant lots at
the rear of the Empire Theater for
an engagement for the balance of
the week under the auspices of the
local post of the American Legion.
The shows are a big street fair and
j carnival. About fifty people are con-
nected with them. There is almost
| everything to amuse the public.
I Ferris wheel, Merry-go-round, side
shows, museum, plenty of opportun-
j ities to knock the babies down and
I get a prize, games of chance with
beautiful dolls, rugs, glassware and
etc., for prizes.
The arrangements are elaborate
and on an extensvie scale. Big
crowds of people are in attendance
every night and the carnival is
pronounced a decided success which
no one should miss.
According to present indications
the big staple crop in the Valley
next year wi.ll be the Durango long
staple cotton.
Cotton growers who have grown
long staple cotton this year say that
the yield per acre is fully that of
the short staple and tbe price ranges
from ten cents to thirty cents per
pound more than the short staple.
Mr. Lee rFeeman of Mercedes pro-
duced a very fine crop of Durango
cotton this year. The yield averaged
about one bale per acre and the grade
was good middling which is next
to the highest grade. The staple
averaged one and three-quarter inch-
es in length. Best of all he was
offered double the price for which
middling short staple was selling.
Mr. Freeman has sold all of the
seed from this crop, and it is suf-
ficient to plant 1500 acres and it
will all be planted in this immediate
section. Mr. Richardson, the coun-
ty agent of Cameron county, is very
enthusiastic over the prospects of
Durango and is urging the farmers
in Cameron county to go the limit.
Experiments in growing long sta-
ple cotton have been made in the
Valley for years but with indiffer-
ent success until the Durango was
tried and it seems assured now that
the Valley has another big sure mon-
ey making crop.
A strong organized effort is under
way to reduce the cotton acreage
throughout the country next year by
fifty per cent to stabilize the market
and restore the price to a point
where the farmer will receive a rea-
sonable return for the 1921 crop.
Farmers in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley are fortunate however, in be-
ing able to market their crop be-
fore the decline in price usually be-
gins. This year almost the entire
crop was marketed while the price
was from 30 to 35 cents per pound.
Long staple cotton, however, is
in a class by itself, there being very
few sections of the United "States
where it can be grown and the sup-
ply is never equal to the demand.
-o—:--
The styles indicate there may be
an outbreak of kneemonia this win-
ter.
LUMBER
and Building Material of all
kinds. ' Paints, varnishes and
oils. All the various roofing
materials.
We have the stocks
We give the service
MERCEDES LUMBER
COMPANY
WE BUY AND SELL
High Grade Irrigated
Rio Grande Valley Farms
ON MERCEDES CANAL ONLY
. ..We handle only the host tracts for Grape Fruit, Oranges, Lemons*
Fall and Winter Truck and General Farming, and land that is served
by the second best canal and irrigating system in the United States*
at prices that are extremely low.
We also have some good farms for rent, and solicit land owners
for rental contracts. We* have a man to look after yonr land and get
best renters.
We also have some desirable City property for sale and have buyers
for City property.
Let us be of real service to yon. We are now permanently located
in the eld Mercedes Bant of Commerce Building, near the Depot.
Knight Bros. Land Co.
MERCEDES, TEXAS
TRIBUNE ADS AID CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS. READ THEM
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Hoyt, L. T. Mercedes Tribune (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 43, Ed. 1 Friday, December 10, 1920, newspaper, December 10, 1920; Mercedes, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1017406/m1/5/: accessed July 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.