Mountains of Gold

1895

OLD MINES RICH IN MINERALS AND DEAD MEN'S BONES.

Mr. Russell's Discoveries In the Stronghold of a Race of Strange Indians — Remarkable Stories Told by an American Residing In Mexico.

Fabulous deposits of gold are known to exist in the Sierra de Nayarat, in the territory of Tepic, near the west coast of Mexico. D. B. Russell, a well known American residing in this place, and who is an extensive manufacturer and dealer in machinery and apparatus for mining, has returned from a trip into the mysterious fastnesses which, with their inhabitants, have long baffled the attempts of the prospectors to unravel their golden mystery of the centuries. Mr. Russell, who is an old resident here, and whose word is never disputed, is perhaps the only man who has been allowed to view the riches and live to repeat the story. Others have penetrated a part of the way into the Eldorado, but have always met death at the hands of the Alacian Indians, who hold the stronghold and jealously guard its secret.

The gold belt lies in the Sierra de Nayarat, a rugged and almost inaccessible range of mountains some 90 miles north of the road to San Blas and several days' journey from this city. There is also another range known as the Alica, running nearly parallel with the Nayarat, which is inhabited and guarded by a brave and warlike race of Indians, the Alacians. They are supposed to be direct descendants of the Aztecs. Securing a military escort from the governor of Tepic, Mr. Russell set out on his perilous journey and in due time reached the entrance to the canyon, in and about which are all the settlements of this mysterious people.

Near the close of the second day the explorers passed over the last range of mountains shutting in the Alacians and had their first glimpse of the entrance to the valley. It is a narrow pass between two cliffs, which rise almost perpendicularly to a height of nearly 3,000 feet, and is a natural wonder. The view into the valley proper is shut off by a mountain wall running at right angles to the pass. From the top of the mountain the captain of the escort sent an interpreter to notify the chief of the first village beyond of the coming of Mr. Russell and his party, while they followed cautiously. It was after dark when they neared the entrance to the village and were met by a chief and a crowd of natives in their gala dress, who, accompanied by a band of music, came to extend a seemingly hearty welcome. All the natives except the chief wore complete suits of birds' feathers, which covered them from head to foot. At daybreak they started for the main city, a placo of 6,000 or 7,000 persons, a long day's travel away. The intervening country was found to be under a high state of cultivation, corn, vegetables, fruits and other products being raised in abundance on terraces 2,000 feet or more up the mountain sides, which, in places, have a slope of 45 degrees. Even the highest of these terraces seemed to be well irrigated.

The houses along the route were roomy and comfortable adobe structures, and the people were well supplied with cattle, cows especially, and large numbers of tame deer. The natives are straight featured, with long rather than oval faces, very quick and energetic in their movement and experts at handling their bows, arrows and slings, with which they always go armed.

Mr. Russell scanned the surrounding hills eagerly during the journey for evidence of the mineral wealth, and it was not long before he was overwhelmed by it. The valley is so narrow that he could scrutinize the mountains on both sides, and along toward the middle of the day he began to catch glimpses of old tunnels and the openings of abandoned mining shafts. On nearing a projecting spur he saw what looked like a mineral vein, and when he came to it there was plainly to be seen a fine streak of gold quartz, 8 inches wide, running through rocks.

That night was spent at the house of the chief of the main village, who told Mr. Russell that his people were the descendants of the "fathers of Mexico" and had been conquered by either Spaniards or Mexicans in their wars with the latter. Some 50 years ago Mexican troops tried to subjugate them, but were driven out of the valley and far beyond. Then the government made peace with them, so that now they have to pay only a small tribute to be left alone in their mountain homes. The old chief hesitated long before granting Mr. Russell permission to inspect the holes in the mountains, but finally consented and the next morning sent him off with a guard of 30 men. These were greatly exercised when Mr. Russell announced that he was going down into the shafts, and it was only on the chief's order that they accompanied him. When Mr. Russell climbed up to the shafts, he saw at once that they were openings of old mines.

The first mine Mr. Russell entered was dark, and he had to descend by means of a log of wood notched for footholds. When he landed at the bottom, he felt something under his foot, and holding a candle down was horrified to find himself standing on a mass of human bones, Which fell apart and rattled with every move he made. He was so overcome that he sank down on a rock and gazed aghast at the mementos of either some tragedy or religious observance, but as he sat his eyes fell upon the finest ledge of gold he had ever seen in his life. By this time the horrors of the dead chamber had worn away, and he chipped off some specimens. Mr. Russell visited half a dozen other mines and in every one found human bones, some of the shafts being filled to the brim with them, and in all also rich gold ledges.

By this time his guides had become so surly that he had to return to the village, where the first move was to ascertain from the chief the cause of the mines being filled with bones. Talking through an ignorant interpreter, he found it difficult to follow the chief's explanation, but he gathered that many years ago there had been a great revolution, in which many thousands perished in battle, so many that the bodies could not be buried, and all, friend and foe, were thrown into these shafts to prevent a pestilence in the valley below. The only inference is that the foes were Spaniards, and that these people had thus gained the independence they yet maintain under Mexican rule. Doubtless the bones of many missing Americans also rest in those charnel pits. — Guadalajara (Mexico) Cor. St. Louis Globe-Democrat.


Sympathy

Tom — You look awful blue. I suppose it's because of Miss Maybelle's having rejected you?
Cholly — Yes; I can't help feeling sorry for the poor girl. — Pick Me Up.

The Mexican Secret Service

1895

It Keeps an Eye on the Affairs of Public and Private Men.

"The secret service of the French republic is generally considered to be the most perfect spy system in the world," said Oliver Beach, a traveling man of St. Louis, "but in my humble opinion the department of private intelligence supported by Mexico surpasses it both in extent and intricacy. A couple of years ago I was accidentally permitted to get an insight into its workings, and I was astounded. One would imagine that a great private detective agency would be a necessity only in a country like Russia, where the life of the ruler is constantly threatened, but down in Mexico there is a system of espionage that extends to every part of it.

"The motives of every public man in Mexico are not only perfectly well known to the government, but every visitor is subject to scrutiny. It was President Diaz who first established the chain of secrecy that now holds all the people in its links. Every now and then one will be surprised to see a body of Mexican troops hurried off to some remote place in a faroff state. None will know the reason, but the fact will soon become known that the government has prevented an embryo revolution from gaining strength and force. A considerable number of Americans residing in Mexico do so because the law will make it unpleasant for them in their native places. The Mexican secret service has the private record of each of these, and if any of them shows too much activity in Mexican affairs there is an arrest. The United States authorities are notified, and extradition of the prisoner follows. Yes, sir, the Mexican secret service is the greatest of them all, and its ramifications extend everywhere over the republic, and a good way on this side of the border." — Washington Star.

Villa Surrenders; Now Cantu Rebels

1920

Governor of Lower California Heads Revolt With 1,000 Armed Men.

MEXICO, CITY, Mexico. — Col. Esteban Cantu, governor of Lower California, is in open rebellion, Gilberto Valenzuela, subsecretary of the interior, has admitted. The importance of the movement was discounted by Valenzuela, who said the government could handle the situation.

Cantu, governor of the northern district of Lower California, announced he had issued a call to all citizens of the district to arm to resist "invasion," following reports that troops were being sent to Enzanda, on the west coast, and to an unnamed point on the gulf coast.

Governor Cantu said he had 1,000 armed men at his disposal, including soldiers of the regular army, reserves, and police, and equipment for more. The equipment, he said, includes rifles, machine guns, and three field pieces.

Three thousand Mexican federal troops are reported on the way to Lower California, Cantu said.

The reported dispatch of the troops would be in line with recommendations made a few weeks ago to Provisional President de la Huerta by Baldonero A. Almeda, who was appointed by the provisional government as successor to Governor Cantu, but who never took office.

United States Consul Boyle announced he had wired the State Department at Washington urging that the United States offer its good offices in an effort to prevent hostilities between troops of the Mexican provisional federal government and those of Governor Cantu of Lower California.

Francisco Villa, bandit leader, has surrendered unconditionally after a conference with Gen. Eugenio Martinez, commanding the Torreon military zone. With about one hundred and eighty men he is entrained for Torreon, where they will disband.

Villa was restored to full citizenship and will return to Chihuahua, his old home, it was understood. Villa also was given a yearly allowance by the Mexican government, the report added, and his men were restored to citizenship, allowed a year's army pay and given farming lands.

Villa will return to private life, the message added, and have no future military connections.

Carl Haeglin, American president of a brewery at Sabinas, who had been held by Villa for ransom, has been released, the report added.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 2.

Villa Comes North in November?

1916

Douglas, Ariz., Sept. 23. — Secret service agents of the American and Mexican governments are trying to locate Villa agents who are said to have visited the Mexican quarter of Douglas, telling the people that Villa will be in this district with a large force of men the first week of November.

This report, which has spread among the Mexican population is believed by many of them. They say that Villa kept his promise to attack Chihuahua City on September 16, and that a notice similar to the one received here was sent to Columbus before the raid there on March 9.

Trevino Invites Inquiry

1916

Chihuhua City, Sept. 22. — General Trevino announced today that if the report of Villa's attack on Chihuahua sent to Washington by General Bell commanding the El Paso district, is the same as the version of it received here, he would ask the General to send a personal representative here to investigate the facts at first hand.

The same facilities to investigate would be accorded to any responsible resident of Chihuahua City whom General Bell might commission, General Trevino [said.*]

Note: [*] Sentence ended a bit soon here.

Bell's Report on Villa

1916

Washington, Sept. 21. — The most detailed account yet received of the fighting at Chihuahua City last Saturday, when Villa celebrated the Mexican Independence day by a successful assault on the Carranza garrison, reached the war department today from Bridg. Gen. George Bell, commander of the El Paso military district. It asserts that Villa personally led the attacking forces; that he took and held numerous important buildings in the city for several hours; that he was joined by a thousand or more men of the Carranza garrison, and retired, promising to return soon, and taking with him a large quantity of captured arms, ammunition and artillery.

No official would predict what effect the incident may have on the negotiations at New London, which embrace General Carranza's request that American troops be withdrawn from Mexico. It was deemed certain, however, that no agreement could be reached by the commissioners until it was known precisely to what extent the situation in Northern Mexico had been altered by the Chihuahua City developments and until it was made clear what the Carranza government would do to cope with the new situation.

Entertaining The Mexicans

1916

Well, the parleyfoxes have had their pictures taken and will be seen in the movies. Nineteen American guns have been fired in salute of honor to three representatives of a Mexican "first chief," whatever that is. This, apparently, is by way of indicating what Mexico should have done for us in a former notable case. The joint commissioners for the retreat parley have displayed their credentials, such as they are. Also, there have been pink tea and wafers aboard the Federal yacht Mayflower, with felicitations all around. The parleyfoxtrot may be said to be under way, to that soft, hesitation music.

Incidentally, so we are told in the dispatches, it is the purpose of the American "commissioners," three extra-legal personal representatives of the President of the United States, to attempt to induce the Mexican "commissioners," three personal representatives of Carranza, a factional "first chief" in Mexico, to consider "American rights" in Mexico along with the Mexican demand for the withdrawal of United States troops from Mexican territory. We progress.

It is decidedly refreshing to hear that American rights may possibly be discussed over the iced drinks in the course of the "confab" at Portsmouth. Even tho the American commissioners are unauthorized and outside the law; even tho the Mexican commissioners can give no assurance that their adjustment plans can he enforced in Mexico, we may be pardoned if we show some little interest in the indirect suggestion that American rights may get honorable mention at the honorable parley. — Indiana Daily Times.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 6.

Not Yet Well Trained

1916

POINT ISABEL, Texas — Gen. James Parker, commander of the Brownsville district, takes issue with those agitating the return of the Illinois troops, asserting that the training of the Federalized Guardsmen in the Rio Grande Valley is only half completed.

"Should the troops under instruction here go home now, I would feel that they had only half completed their work, that they left it undone, unfinished," he said. "In the United States Army it takes three months to train a recruit. A large portion of the National Guard were no better than recruits. Their training has been badly handicapped by storms, and by all the necessities involved in the preparation of camps in a wild country.

"They came here hoping to become fit for war. It will require some weeks of training before they can do so. They have still much work before becoming acquainted with the details of field service, with the proper action of men when in camp and in battle. This they can learn here; they cannot learn it at home. Training in field exercises and in combat exercises is important. It includes instruction in scouting, reconnoitering, outpost duty, advance and rear guard duty, patrol duty, in the use of cover on the field of battle, in the proper method of advancing when attacking an enemy's position, which varies always according to the terrain, and in fire discipline. These things can be learned in time of peace. If not learned in time of peace they must be learned in war and men will be killed unnecessarily.

"The men are hardened now and can stand long marches, and their time can be employed to the best advantage in learning the real art of war. A few weeks more and this will have been accomplished.

"Again, a good soldier does not wish to go home until this matter on the border has been settled, until the Government has no longer any use for his services."

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

Villa Again Heard From

1916

EL PASO, Texas. — "I'll shout 'Grito' in Chihuahua City on the eve of Mexican independence day, Sept. 16," is the threat Pancho Villa is making to natives along the line of his northward march, according to a Mexican rancher arriving in Juarez.

The rancher declared that Villa had 1,500 men with him, all fully armed. From the seat of a wagon, Villa addressed the populace of Satevo, Chihuahua, when his forces captured the town about two weeks ago according to an American arriving here.

"You see before you 'Pancho' Villa, Villa the bandit. But you see also that I am paying my soldiers in silver and I promise you it will not be long until I have a large army," Villa is quoted as saying.

"The 'gringoes' are harder fighters than the Carranzistas, but I bear them no animosity. All I am interested in is punishing traitors and putting an end to Carranza."

Texas rangers exchanged shots with Mexicans across the Rio Grande near Fabens, twenty-five miles south of here, wounding one, it was reported. The rangers had captured a horsethief, who later escaped and fled across the river.

—The Saturday Blade, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

Villa Rumors Not Confirmed

1916

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The War Department has received from General Funston additional information discrediting reports of Villista activities. Funston's message included the following from General Pershing:

"Reports regarding Villa's movement north continuously received thru El Paso authorities. So far these reports cannot be confirmed here, altho every possible source of information is being used."

—The Saturday Blade, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

U.S. Liable For Mexican Claims?

1916

HELD RESPONSIBLE BY OTHER NATIONS, IS REPORT.

Foreigners Said to Have Been Told That This Government Is Bound to Settle Damages for Them.

NEW LONDON, Connecticut — After an agreement is reached on the question of safeguarding the Mexican border from Mexican bandits, one of the most important matters which will come before the American and Mexican joint commission, according to Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior and chairman of the American section, is that of finding a method of settling claims for the loss of property and life by Americans and other foreigners in Mexico.

These claims, as told in The Saturday Blade last week, total at least $1,000,000,000 and may exceed that figure. About $400,000,000 of them are held by foreigners and the rest by American citizens.

Altho the Government of the United States is not known to have ever officially admitted any liability for the losses of persons belonging to other nations, the consular representatives of Germany, England, France, Spain and other nations in Mexico have told men of their nationality that the United States was bound to settle their claims, according to Americans who have recently arrived from Mexico.

Mexicans Want Money.

At the conference here this week the Mexican representatives were told flatly that unless the United States was assured that Mexico would guard its border effectively and that the property and lives of Americans in Mexico would be protected, American mining and ranching interests in that country would be unable to furnish any part of the revenue of the Carranza government.

The American commissioners also advised the Mexicans that the order imposing confiscatory taxes on certain foreign-owned mining properties in Mexico ought to be rescinded.

Try to Show Mexico Is Safe.

At the suggestion of the American delegates the Mexicans began presenting detailed reports as to the progress made, since the recognition of Carranza, toward re-establishing order. Whether Americans are to be invited by their own Government to return to their properties, it was indicated, depends apparently upon the showing that can be made as to the ability of General Carranza to protect them from bandits.

—The Saturday Blade, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

Two Months Needed To Return Militia

1916

LACK OF CARS WILL BE PROBLEM FOR WAR DEPARTMENT.

"How Long Are We Here For?" Is Still the Question at Border Camps —All Troops to See Service.

WASHINGTON, D. C. — If an order should come now for the withdrawal of all the National Guard regiments from the Mexican border it would take two months to return them to their home stations, and perhaps longer, according to military authorities here and at the border camps.

The War Department will face a genuine problem in the lack of available rolling stock to transport the troops to their destinations. Even in sending 15,000 of the Guardsmen home during the last two weeks there was much difficulty and delay.

Border Service for All.

There is no definite answer yet to the off-repeated question in the camps on the border, "How long are we here for?" Secretary Baker favors giving all the State troops a chance for the training to be acquired on the border line and it is said that the Guardsmen who are still in State camps will be sent to the border to relieve men now serving there.

In response to requests from Illinois, Secretary Baker is reported to have given assurance that the Illinois militiamen will be back home by Nov. 1, their places, if necessary, to be filled by Guardsmen from other States who have not yet seen border service. Senator Lewis of Illinois made an urgent appeal for relief of the Illinois Guardsmen from service so that the men could resume their business and the youths be sent back to schools and colleges. The Illinois regiments have been on the border four months.

15,000 Mustered Out.

The 15,000 Guardsmen returned from the border by the recent order of the War Department have been ordered mustered out of the Federal service. The order affects three New York regiments, two from New Jersey, two from Illinois, two from Missouri and one each from California, Oregon, Washington and Louisiana, and twenty-eight companies of coast artillery troops, most of them being from the Atlantic coast.

—The Saturday Blade, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

Freed Captive Praises Villa

1919

EAGLE PASS, Texas — Fred G. Hugo, American ranchman, captured in the raid on Muzquiz by Villa soldiers and released a few days later, made the following statements upon his arrival here:

"I was treated like one of the party," he said, "and became really favorably impressed with Villa." Hugo regards his experience lightly. He said he was asleep at the time, of his capture, and when he awoke he found himself looking into the barrel of a gun. One of the ranch hands had been compelled to show the bandits to his room.

Hugo was somewhat reticent, explaining he was released upon promise that he would not tell where he was taken or under what conditions he had been liberated.

Speaking of Villa, Hugo said:

"He is about 42 years old, 6 feet 1 inch tall, is in excellent physical condition, and does not drink, or use tobacco.

Civil Government Villa's Hope.

"During a talk he told me he did not believe in a military government. His hope is to establish a civil government in Mexico. He is a man you cannot help admiring. When he talks to you he looks you in the eye and leaves no doubt in your mind that he means business. He impressed me as being of a firm character.

"While he has almost no education, he is a man of good common sense. He carries on operations of his army in a thoro, systematic manner and keeps his men under strict discipline. He keeps check on all property in a special book he has prepared for the purpose, and sees that each man gets a square deal.

"He shares the lot of his men. They all eat the same food and the army is run on a sort of fifty-fifty basis."

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 7.

Bold Pirates Attack Ships Near Mexico

1920

Modern Red Rovers Recall Days of Captain Kidd — U. S. May Act to End Ravages

Buccaneers and pirates are swarming in the Pacific off the west coast of Mexico — freebooters in high leather boots, who swear terrible oaths and carry huge swords. Just as if they had stepped out of the pages of story books or had come to life again from the days of Captain Kidd, these marine highwaymen are waging their nefarious trade much as did the pirates of the old Spanish Main. From Mazatlan the Mexican government has dispatched a naval expedition equipped for two months' service and which it is hoped will be able to rout the outlaws.

From time to time into the ports on the Pacific coast of the United States, in the places where sailormen gather, there have come rumors of these bands of pirates. Mostly they have been put down to overindulgence in forbidden liquor or a desire to shine in the spotlight with wild and improbable tales. But now the discovery has been made that these pirates actually are infesting the seas and the stories that once were sneered at or dismissed with a pitying smile are avidly listened to.

Small Vessels Their Victims

In wild and almost inaccessible caves on the lonely islands off the Mexican coast these buccaneers have their hiding places. Tramp steamers, coastwise trading vessels and sailing ships with small crews are their victims. They appear at the break of dawn, sail boldly up to their prey, swarm over the sides, battle the crews and loot the ships. Then they sail away with their holds loaded with booty, to hide it in their caves until a favorable opportunity presents itself to smuggle the loot into the United States at some lonely point on the coast or into one of the less usually watched parts.

Who are these men and where do they come from? They do not seem to belong to any one nationality. Americans, Europeans, Mexicans, a Jap and a Chinese or two — these make up the motley crew of the pirate ships, according to J. C. Robinson, who recently arrived at San Francisco, Cal., with a thrilling tale of his capture and his adventures at the hiding place of the gang.

Pirates Overcame Crew

"They took me off the sailing ship Marie Penman," says Robinson. "I had stood my watch and was in my bunk in the forecastle. I learned afterward there had been a battle on deck and that the pirates had overcome the crew, but I was so tired I didn't hear any of the noise of the scuffle. The first I knew was when I was roughly shaken and awoke to find a pirate holding me by the shoulder. I rubbed my eyes and believed that I was dreaming, because he looked just like the pirates of whom I had read in my boyhood days. But I quickly saw that it was no dream, for I was jerked to my feet and ordered on deck.

"There the pirate chief, a big, black-mustached man who wore big boots to above his knees, carried a huge cutlass and swore the most blood-curdling oaths, put me to work helping transfer some of our cargo to the pirate ship. I was frightened and I worked hard, and when the pirates left they took me with them. Why I do not know.

"A day or two later we made port in a lonely island. I haven't the least idea where it was. The pirate ship just sailed straight toward it, and just when I was beginning to think that we were going to bump square into a huge cliff an opening appeared and our ship twisted through it into a little bay. Back in the edge of the hills, a half mile from the sandy shore where we landed the cargo, there was quite a settlement of these pirates. Evidently the ship which had attacked the Marie Penman was only one of several pirate vessels.

U. S. May Take Action

"They didn't pay much attention to me — just let me run around and do what I wanted to. I heard a lot of their plans, ate with them, slept with them and it seemed they had forgotten I did not belong to the band. When the chief who had captured me sailed away the next time he took me along. We raided a small schooner, and when the pirate ship was leaving I managed to remain aboard the schooner, upon which I worked my way back to a port in Lower California, from which I worked my way to Frisco." Robinson has been asked to tell his story to Navy officials, who say that if such a pirate nest exists the United States may take a hand in helping to wipe it out.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1900, p. 1.

Making Ice Water From the Sunshine

1910

EL PASO, Tex. — Manufacturing a drink of ice water with nothing cooler than the sun's rays and dry tropical air would probably seem under the province of the magician to the easterner. It is nevertheless a fact that from these ever-available agencies the greater part of the population of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico manufacture their own ice water. This not only serves for drinking purposes, but also provides an efficient medium for the ordinary requirements of refrigeration — for in the cruder sections of the great southwest the artificial production of ice is still a trifle too costly to be feasible.

The secret lies wholly in the construction of the little red receptacle in which the water is placed. This is a simple Mexican creation, and in that language is called an olla, the two l's being silent according to the Spanish pronunciation of the word. In northern Mexico olla making is a very profitable industry to the inhabitants, who carry them over into Arizona on the backs of burros.

The olla is made from a crude clayish mortar. In drying the composition becomes very porous, and it is this essential characteristic which contains the secret of the cooling process.

It is filled with water and hung up, preferably in some place which is exposed to the wind if there be any. The moisture seeps through the porous composition. The process is very slow, and the moisture which exudes evaporates into the receptive, dry atmosphere in such equable proportion that scarcely more than a drop a minute trickles away from the bottom of the olla.

It is this continuous and fairly rapid evaporation which produces the cold. Immediately the sides of the olla become chilled, and the water within grows gradually cooler. In less than an hour from the time the phenomena is begun the water is cold enough for drinking purposes, no matter how warm it might have been when poured into the receptacle. Two or three hours later it is cold enough to fill the ordinary requirements of refrigeration for bottled milk, butter and other culinary necessities.

Ancient Coin Recalls Old Rome

1919

2,000 Years Old — Surpassing Historic Interest

A coin 2,000 years old, which may have reposed in the treasure box of a Roman senator, passed from hand to hand in the dice games of members of the Roman imperial guard, been tossed to the rubble by a patrician as he passed through the streets on his way to the baths, or thrown to a victorious gladiator by one of the vestal virgins, now is in the possession of Arthur S. Hibler, United States immigrant inspector at New Orleans. On its way to Mexico, where it was obtained by its present owner, the coin may have been carried as a keepsake by one of the Spanish conquerors and exchanged for the gold and jewels of the Aztecs. Two thousand years afford ample time to pass through a few adventures.

The coin is valued by Mr. Hibler, not only for its age, but for the queer history attached to his gaining possession of it. While he claims he is not superstitious, he admits he regards the coin as a good luck talisman. The piece was sold to him by a Mexican, who wished to cross the border at Brownsville, Tex., and had not enough money for his toll. To pay his way across the international bridge he offered the coin with several others to Mr. Hibler, asserting that it had a strange significance and a blessing attached to it. It had been given him, he said, by the mother of a member of Villa's band, who had been murdered in a cafe brawl. As he lay dying, he had begged the man to take a handkerchief, stained with his life blood, to his mother. The Mexican had sworn to fulfill the trust, and delivered the handkerchief to the old woman. She opened the corner of the handkerchief, which was knotted tightly, and took out several coins. Then she retired into an inner room and, returned, placed a small silvery disk in the messenger's hand, saying it was a talisman that would mean much to its possessor.

The coin is small and white, resembling a modern United States dime in size and color. On its front is a relief of a Roman emperor, with the inscription: "Domitian VIII, Imp. Caesar," and several other characters which are indistinguishable. On the reverse side is what seems to be a reproduction of the temple erected in Jerusalem by Solomon. It is worn thin by the touch of the millions of hands in which it must have rested.

"I have no doubt that it is genuine," Mr. Hibler said. "But how did it come into the possession of the Villista bandit? Well — quien sabe?"

An "All-American" Conference

1900

Arrangements are in progress for the assembly at the City of Mexico next year of a general congress of all the independent governments on the American continent. The gathering will be similar to the "Pan-American Conference" which met at Washington in 1889. One result of that conference was the formation of an International Union of American Republics, with a "bureau" of general information. The bureau, which includes in its membership all of the republics, is taking up the preliminary work of the proposed congress. The replies which Secretary Hay has received to his letter suggesting the new conference indicate that all the American republics will be represented.

The conference will have no political aims. It will consider questions of trade, facilities for transportation by rail and sea, banking systems and customs methods, and perhaps it will discuss the feasibility of a permanent tribunal of arbitration to settle disputes among the republics without recourse to war.

There were apprehensions, when the first Pan-American Conference was called, that its usefulness would be impaired by the suspicions and jealousies of some of the governments represented. This did not occur. The new conference should strengthen the ties of common interest among the American republics. If, as is hoped, similar conferences can be held in the future once in two years, or even oftener, at the different capitals, these results may be made permanent. — Youth's Companion.

Farming in Mexico

1908

Primitive Methods Still in Vogue in Many Sections

Mexico City. — The most primitive methods of agriculture are still in vogue in many parts of Mexico.

Even upon the farms adjacent to the City of Mexico and other large cities of that country, where it might be expected that modern machinery would have replaced the antiquated implements which have been in use since the time of the Aztecs, the ground is broken by wooden plows drawn by oxen.

These plows are cumbersome in construction and method of operation. The beam is about eight feet long and to it is frequently spliced another beam in order to afford working room for two yoke of oxen. The handle of the plow is an upright curved piece of timber. The plow point is also made of wood and is lashed to the brake-beam by means of thongs of rawhide.

The plowing with this heavy and unwieldy piece of mechanism is frequently done by Indian women. The men pick the easier kind of labor. The plow does little more than scrape the surface of the soil and but for the natural richness of the land and the splendid climate little could be grown where the work is performed by the ancient implement.


Famous Woman Life-Saver

America's bravest woman, in the opinion of the Society of the American Cross of Honor, is Ida Lewis Wilson, keeper of the Lime Rock lighthouse, off Newport, R.I. "Mistress Wilson," as the sailors call her, is declared by the society to have "rendered greater service tending toward the saving of life than any other woman of the country." The society has therefore awarded her a cross of honor. Mrs. Wilson is better known as Ida Lewis, who years ago gained a world-wide celebrity through her many heroic rescues of drowning persons. — Leslie's Weekly.

Marches Well at 95

1900

The oldest veteran who marched in the G. A. R. parade at Chicago recently was William Taylor of the Fourteenth Wisconsin infantry. He marched over the entire route without facing any ill effects from the exercise. He is 95 years old and a veteran of three wars, having, taking part in the war with the Blackfoot Indians, the Mexican war and the civil war. He is a member of the La Crosse post and is as lively as some of the young boys of 60.


Bees and Peaches

One of the most peculiar suits at law ever brought before any court is soon to be tried in Van Buren county, Michigan, between two neighbors and old friends. One of the men, H. D. Burrell of South Haven, keeps about sixty colonies of bees. The other is a peach grower. A few months ago the latter complained of the former's bees destroying the early Crawford peaches, claming that the bees came into his orchard in large numbers, bit holes in the fruit and rendered it unmarketable for which he demanded $200. Prof. J M. Rankin of the agricultural college and the entomologist of the Agricultural department at Washington will be called as expert witnesses by the defense in a suit for damages.


Galveston Relief

Little has been said, and probably as little thought, of the beneficent work done by the railroads in aiding and promoting the measures set on foot for the relief of stricken Galveston. Thousands of refugees from that city received free transportation to any part of the country, and immense quantities of supplies were rushed forward without charge. This ready response to the cry of human needs characterized all the great railway systems of the country, the express, telegraph and telephone companies. The cash value of the services thus rendered is as impossible to estimate as the amount of human suffering and misery they helped to alleviate.

A White Bean or Death — Struggling for Texas Independence

1878

A White Bean or Death

A Story of the Texas Struggle for Independence — Shot by the Mexican Authorities — Drawing the Lot for Life or Death

The events recorded below took place at Salado, Mexico, March 28, 1843, when seventeen Texans of the Mier expedition were shot by order of the Mexican authorities. The story is told by a correspondent who signs himself R. P. H., of Blanco, Texas, a brother of one who drew a white bean:

One hundred and-fifty-nine white beans were placed in the bottom of the mug and seventeen black ones placed upon the top of them. The beans were not stirred. Such was their anxiety to execute Captain Cameron, and perhaps the balance of the officers that first Cameron and afterward the other officers were made to draw a bean each from the mug in this condition.

Cameron, in the act of drawing first, said with his usual coolness: "Well, boys, we have to draw, let's be at it." So saying, he thrust his hand into the mug and drew out a white bean. Next came Colonel William F. Wilson, who was chained to him; then Captain William Ryan and then Judge F. H. Gibson, all of whom drew white beans. Next came Captain Eastland, who drew a black one, and then came the balance of the men. They all drew their beans with that manly dignity and firmness which showed superior to their condition.

Some of lighter temper jested over the bloody tragedy. One said, "boys, this beats raffling all to pieces." The knocking off the irons from the unfortunate told who they were. Poor Robert Beard, who lay upon the ground sick, said: "Brother, if you draw a black bean I'll take your place." The brother said : "No, I am stronger and better able to die than you." Several of the Mexican officers who officiated in the cruel violation of their country's faith expressed great dissatisfaction thereat, and some wept bitterly. Soon after the fated were placed in a separate courtyard, when about dark they were executed.

Several of our men were permitted to visit the unfortunate previously to the execution, to receive their dying requests. Poor Major Cooke said: "Boys, I told you I never failed to draw a prize; and then he said to Judge Gibson: "Say to my friends that I lived in grace." Judge Gibson was so much affected at this last parting that he showed it from his tears. The major said: "They only rob me of forty years," and then sat down and wrote a sensible and dignified letter to General Waddy Thompson, the United States minister to Mexico, and knowing that his remains would be robbed of his clothes after death, drew off his pants and handed them to his surviving comrades and died in his underclothes. Poor Henry Whaling, one of Cameron's best fighters, said: " Well, they didn't make much off me, anyhow, for I know I have killed twenty-five of the yellow dogs." Then demanding his dinner in a firm tone, saying that "they could not cheat me out of it," ate heartily, smoked a cigar, and in twenty-five minutes was launched into eternity.

Our interpreter, who was permitted to remain with them to the last, says that "fifteen times they wounded the iron-nerved soul, Henry Whaling, and it would seem that Providence had a special care in prolonging his existence that he might demonstrate to his enemies the national character they had to contend with, for he gritted his teeth at and defied them in terms of withering reproach, until they placed a gun to his head and blew his brains against the wall." Such was the effect of this horrible massacre upon their own soldiers, who were standing as guards upon the wall above, that one or them fainted and came near falling over, but was caught by his comrades.

Poor Terry, quite a youth, but in spirit a giant, said that "he was perfectly willing to meet his fate; that for his country he had fought and for her glory he was willing to die," and turning to the officers, said: "After the battle of San Jacinto my family took one of your youths prisoner, raised and educated him, and this is your requital." Edward Este spoke of his fate with coolness. Cash said: "Well, they murdered my brother with Colonel Fannin, and they are about to murder me. Tell the officer to look upon men who are not afraid to die for their country." Captain Eastland behaved with the most patriotic zeal. He desired that his country should never lay down her arms until the most ample reparation and her freedom was obtained. Major Robert Dunham said he "was prepared to die, and would to God that he had a chance to do the same thing over again; that he gloried in the demonstration they had made, which showed Texans without arms to be more than equal to Mexicans with arms." James Ogden, with his usual equanimity of temper, smiled at his fate, and said: "I am prepared to die." Young Robert W. Harris behaved in the most unflinching manner, and called upon his companions to avenge the murder, while their flowing tears and bursting hearts, invoking heaven for their witness, responded to the call. I have the utmost confidence that this pledge, so solemnly plighted, will be redeemed. They one and all invoked their country to do both them and herself justice.

Just previous to the firing they were bound together with cords, and their eyes being bandaged, they were set upon a log near the wall, with their backs to their executioners. They all begged the officers to shoot them in front and at short distance, as "they were not afraid to look death in the face." This they refused to do, fired at several paces, and continued the firing from ten to twelve minutes, mangling these heroes in a manner too horrible for description.

The names of the murdered men were : L. L. Cash, J. D. Cooke, Robert Dunham, Captain W. M. Eastland, Edward Este, Robert Harris, Thomas L. Jones, Patrick Manan, James Ogden, Charles Roberts, William Rowan; J. L. Shepherd, J. M. Thompson, James Terrey, James Turnbull, Henry Whaling, M. C. Wing. — Houston (Texas) Telegram.