M-MmS//^ ^^lOSANCElfjv^ ^OFCAllF0/?4>, ^OFCAIIFO/?^ ^laoNvsov^ '^AiBAiNniwv* ^6>AavaanT^ ^ o ^(tfojiivojo"^ ^J^ijoNvsov'^^ "^/sajAiNn iwv ^ ^OFCAllFOff^ ^OFCAllFOi?^ "^^Aavaan-^i^ "^^^Aavaan-^^ .^'rtEUNIVfRS'//. ^lOSANCElfj> o _ ^rjijoNvsoi"^ "^/iaaAiNfia'kW A^lllBRARY^/^ ^\lilBRARYQr \oi\mi^ \oi\miQ'^ . aWE UNIVER% o ^lOSANCElfj> "^/^miNnauv .^OFCAllFO/,'4;, ^v)FCAllFO% ^'9,ur.'M:iii 'W'^ >'/7.uiVHqn a\^ A^IUBRARYQ^ , o "^AaaAiNd jw'" ..;,0F CAllFOfiV, .>;,OFCAIIFO% , ^WE UNIVERSyA ^lOSANCEltf; r^ «^ "^^JAbvaan-^^ ^. ^(?Aavaaii# f/lJDNVSOl^ "^/^aaAINdJW^^ ^\WEDNIVER% ^lOSANCEUj^ ^IIIBRARYQ^^ A^lUBRARYQr^ § 1 l^—' -^^ ^ $^ "v/otiMMiimV 'W/n4nv».jc\V' '^yAOJiivi jaV THE CITY AND COUNTY H 'J -J J -^ H CONTAINING USEFUL AND RELIABLE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FUTURE GREAT METROPOLIS OF THE SOUTHWEST. ITS RESOURCES AND ADVANTAGES AGRICULTURIST, ARTISAN AND CAPITALIST. 1 SSd. TIMES PUBLISHING CO., EL PASO, TEXAS. Preface. The little work which we here offer has been prepared in more of a hurry than we could obviate, as our time and business engagements while occupied upon it did not permit of that application to it of attention and labor which a due performance of the undertaking really demanded. Nevertheless, we send it forth as it is, with tlie assurance that we have set forth with equal lidelity the advantages __j and disadvantages of our county and locality; and we stand ready c»to verify them. „ No organized effort of the kind lias heretofore been attempted; ^this fact, among others, suggested to us the a interested in it. (6) 6 El Faso, Texan. The following named i)ersons compose the "Central Committee " of the organization : OFFICERS. President,, Hon. T. A. Falvey, Jst Vice-President, . . . S. H. Buchanan, . £d Vice-President, . . . S. AV. Boring, . . Treasurer, First Nat. Bank, District Judge. . . Builder. . City Marshal. . ." El Paso. MEMBERS. J. F. Sattertiiwaitk, J. P. Hague, James Makr, W. M. Davis, . H. M. MUNDY, Joseph f^ciiUTZ, . C. E. Moorman, . F. C. Gay, J. C. Beatty, R. C. LiGHTBODY, W. B. McLachlin, A. Krakauer, . R. F. Campbell, E. C. Roberts, . John Julian, J. A. McKinney', H. S. Kaufman, H. W. Read, . c. r. morehead, Henry Beneke, Wm. Watts, . Benj. Schuster, Chas. Merrick, AV. A. Irvin, Dr. RossER, . Joseph Gist, Chas. T. Race, E. V. Berrien, . J. R. Currie, J. G. Brock, Joseph Magoffin, H. L. Detwiler, F. N. HOLBROOK, J. H. Bate, Mg Capitalist. . Attorney-at-Law. El Paso Transfer Co. Hardware Merchant. Dealer in Land and Live Stock. . Wholesale Dry Goods. Attorney-at-Law. AgentA., T. &S. F. R'y. Mex. & Tex. Land & Cattle Co. Clothing & Furnishing Goods. Real Estate & Insurance. Gen'l Merchant. Druggist. Merchant. Merchant. Physician. . Cashier First Nat. Bank. Baptist Minister and Evangelist. . Pres't State Nat. Bank. Hardware Merchant. El Paso AVater AA'orks. Gen'l Merchant. Clothing & Furnishing. Drugs tt Chemicals. . Physician. Real Estate Dealer. . Physician. Furniture. . Capitalist. Real Estate & Live Stock. Collector of Customs. Contractor. Mining Engineer. . " Dailv Times." City of El Paso. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME "EL PASO." Two Spanish words, meaning " The Pass." It will be necessary for the reader to bear this in mind, as he will see, not only by reading this l)ook, but by a glance at any map, old or new, how appropriately the name has been applied. How unerringly has the linger of destiny pointed toward this place — this "Pass" through the mountains — this great natural highway from North to South, from East to West — this great geographical and commercial center ! CITY OF EL PASO. This city is no doubt destined to become the great commercial and political metropolis of this vast region. Nature has given her the position, and the laws of trade, like those of nature, will always assert themselves. Our position relatively, and very signilicantly, is about ei^ui- distant from the great cities of Mexico, San Francisco, St. Louis, New Orleans, Kansas City, and Galveston — about eleven hundred miles from each ; too far to come into competition or rivalry with any of them, and having direct and comj^etitive railroad communication with all of them. And all of them are now conii)eling for our trade, and for the trade of Mexico through us. This is in many respects, perhaps, the most important and brill- iant commercial prospect we have ; and the ri city itself. A little more than four years ago there were less than 200 persons here, all told; no railroads, no modern im- provements, nothing but a few old adobe structures ; and the town was almost unworthy of a name. To-day we have five railroads — the prospect Just spoken of fr)r the completi(jn of others — and we have a poj)ulation of at least 5,500 as wideawake and intelligent jteople as can anywhere be found. The old adobe buildings are fast giving way to business blocks as substantial and elegant as can be found in Texas ; while of residence property there has been erected, on all sides of the business center, properties which liave transformed an oi)en com- mon into a beautiful city of comfortable and elegant homes. Of churches there are substantial structures owned by the Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyte- rian, and Catholic societies. Wo have two well-e(]uip]ied planing mills, three brickyards which carry from one and a half to two and a half millions of brick in stock, of good (Quality, and in color from a deej» red to a Mil- 10 El Paso, Texas. waukee straw color. Our lumber yards are supplied from Eastern Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, California, and Nevada. Lumber is worth from $25 to $40 per M, according to class. Brick are worth $10 per M, laid in the wall. It is estimated that more than 400 permanent structures have been erected within the past two years, and the builders and contractors were never more active than now ; in fact, there is not an idle car- penter or bricklayer in town, and more are needed. Business of all kinds is and has been uniformly good. The depression felt elsewhere so sharply has not affected this place to any noticeable extent ; and we claim, con- fidently, that there is a combination of causes, which can be discovered by the reader from a careful perusal of this pamphlet, that will always operate in favor of this place, and prevent any serious business depression, or any corresponding to that which it is possible to feel elsewhere. We have an excellent system of water works, with a pressure of 200 pounds, giving us not only plenty of good water for all domestic and manufacturing purposes, but enabling us to have the best protection against fire ; and this has induced the organization of a very full and efficient "Fire Department," which is now one of the institutions of the city and a credit to it. We also have gas works, and gas of an excellent quality sold at 82.20 per thousand feet ; also electric light works, of the most approved pattern, furnishing an excellent light ; the tel- egraph, of course, and the telephone ; two first-class National Banks ; two miles and a half of first-class street railway; sampling works, ice factory; opera house, theatre, custom house ; one daily and three week- ly newspapers ; two very fine hotels of the first class, one of which cost $100,000, and several others of the second class; a court house that cost $110,000, and jail costing $35,000 ; a Live Stock Association, Union Stock city of FA Paso. 11 Yards, and a Building Association wliirh lias erected ho houses, costing from $1 ,000 to $3,500 each ; a Transfer Company using 75 animals, and splendidly e(piij)ped in every particular (this company alone paid freights on goods and merchandise hauled by them last year of $275,000), and a second of nearly equal capacity. This represents nearly every element of progress. The city is very eligibly and handsomely sitnat«'d, on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and the site is every- thing that could be desired for a great ci(y, combiiiing the needs and beauties of such a situation in a high degree, as to elevation, drainage, scenery, fine sites for residence and business, and general Ix-auty, and, in fact, grandeur of its scenery and surroundings, which far surpass anything of the kind we have ever seen in tlie Eastern States. One must come West to behold such scenery and such locations for cities, and there they can only be found near or in the Rocky Mountains. There are some drives liere — one in particular, just back of the city, that can scarcely be excelled (on account of its great elevation, for the view and line air that it alfords.) by any other drive on the continent so near to a city. Only a mile away is Fort l^liss, the military ]»osi to which allusion has already been made, atiording anotlici" delightful drive over the hills and u]t the river. But the most interesting drive of all to the stranger is across the riv^er, through the old Mexican town of Paso del Norte, which was founded by the Jesuits in 1(520. Ev- erything there will be found of interest to the stranger — the houses, the streets, the people, the old church (built more than 2.")0 years ago), the system of irrigati(»u. Tlie habits, customs, and life of this primitive people are in- describable, as a whole, but very interesting; and their country is beautiful, rich, and susce])tible of the highest degree of improvement and cultivation. These people 12 AV Pii.so, Texas. are our neighbors and IVitMids, and our intercourse witli them is both pleasant and profitable. Our city is free from debt, liavMng on hand $3,000; rate of taxation is 25 cents on $100 for general pur- poses, and 50 cents for school purposes. Under the present charter, the city cannot incur a debt of more than '$20,000. The total amount of taxes, State, county, and city, is about $1.75 to the $100. There are good openings here now for a dairy, a wine manufactory, a fruit-canning and beef-canning establish- ment, a poultry farm, a glass factory, smelting and re- duction works, a soap and candle factory, an apiary, a distillery and brewery, cracker factor}^, foundry and machine shop, and many other enterprises too numerous to mention ; and above all, there are openings here for 10,000 families of industrious people, and millions of capital can find profitable employmeuf. TEXAS — HISTORICAL SKETCH. Texas government underwent many and rapid changes before its territory became a part of this stable country. Up to the year 1821, Texas was a part of Mexico, under the dominion of Spanish viceroys. In that year Mexico renounced her allegiance to Spain, and established a regency. After one year's trial the regency was changed to an imperial government. Then the emperor was de- posed and, in 1823, a republican form of government was instituted. This only lasted one year, when it was changed for a federal s^^stem, modeled after that of the United States. This lasted ten years, and in 1833 Santa Anna established a military despotism. After three years of turbulence and bloodshed, in which the Texans El Paso County — Historical Sketch. 13 fought iiiuler the Federal llag of Mexico, Texas declared her independence, and in 1836 becanu; an independent Rej^ublic, and in 1845 was voluntarily annexed to tlie United States. Her population at that time could not have exceeded 150,000. By the treaty of annexation Texas retained all her public donuiin. She sold that which now constitutes a part of New Mexico to the United States, for $10,000,000. With this she paid her debt of $5,000,000, constructed her capital, deaf and dumb, blind, and lunatic asylums, and eiulowed her public schools with the remainder. Tiie history of Texas since then has been one of grand achievement in all tilings, and in all respects worthy of her heroic struggle for life, and of her eventful birth. Heretofore, the part which El Paso County has performed in all these grand achievements has of necessity been a very humble one. Up to 1881, her position was so remote and isolated that she could scarcely be said to be a spectator, for she did not see, or scarcely know, what was going on in the great world around her. But now all this is changed, as we will proceed to show; and Texas will hereafter be known as much by our achieve- ments as by her own. EL PASO (BOUNTY — HISTORICAL SKKTCII. COVEHING AN lOPOCir FROM 18r27 TO 1880, WITH Pin.NCIPAL TOl'OOItAlMIICAL FIO.XTITIIKS, ETC. The County of El Paso, Texas, is sitnated in the ex- treme western part of the State, bounded on the north by New Mexico, on tlu; west by the State of Cliihuahua. Mexico, the Rio Grande ("great river") constituting tlie 14 El Po.so, T('xaf<. boundary. It lies between lon/^itude 270° and 290° west from Greenwich, and between latitude 31° and 32° north, the latitude beinf^ the same as that of Savannah, Ga., and San Diego, Cal. It has a frontage on the Rio Grande of 147 miles, with a supeHicial area of 7,000 square miles, or 4,480,000 acres — twice as large as Dela- ware, as large as Connecticut, and six times as large as Rhode Island. Its surface is diversified Avitli mountains, valleys, and plains, sufficient of each to give variety to the grasses, soil and climate, and picturesqueness to the scenery. That portion lying along the river, and constituting the valley proper, is an alluvial deposit of as rich and productive soil as can anywhere be found. It varies in width from one to six miles, and, while in many places there are quite heavy growths of timber, there is every- where sufficient for all pui-poses of the farm and home. The valley is said to have been settled by the Jesuits in 1620, since which time portions of it have been under successful cultivation. The climate is dry, healthy, and delightful, the rainfall averaging from 12 to 18 inches, and the thermometer rarely indicating above 100°; while the winters are mild, the mercury rarely falling "below -f 20°, the ground is never frozen, and the snowfall, under all circumstances extremely light, never lingers upon the warm, unfrozen earth. The county now contains a population of about 12.000, distributed as follows : The city of El Paso, the county seat, 5,500 ; Ysleta, formerly the county seat, 2,000 ; So- corro, about 1,200; San Elzario, 2,000 ; Fort Bliss, 300; Concordia, 300 ; Camp Rice, 200 ; balance of the county, about 500. All of the above named places, with the ex- ception of El Paso, were colonized upon Spanish grants ceded to the inhabitants in the seventeenth century ; the Ysleta (or little island) colony having a grant of El Paso County — Historical SlutrJi. 15 9,000 acres, the Socorro colony of 12,000 acrns. and the San Elzario colony of about 40,000 acres. In 1827, Don Juan Maria Ponce de Leon. :iu inhabitant of Paso del Norte (the Mexican town just a<'r()ss the river), made an application to his governnn'iit for a grant of the land on which El Paso, Texas, is now situat«'rk, lard, butter, fruits, and vegetables, staples all of which can be produced here in great abundance and variety, and of a quality equal to any, and under the most favored conditions ; for it must be remembered that we not only have a soil of extreme fertility, capable of })ro- ducing crops continually without the use of fertilizers, but our climate is adapted to the growth of a greater variety of products, either of fruits, <'<'reals, or vegeta- bles, than elsewhere, except under the same conditions 20 El Paso, Texas. of soil, latitude, and altitude, and so healthy and pleas- ant that there is not a day in the whole year in wliich man or beast cannot work out of doors without fear of danger or discomfort. These facts — as to the capabilities of our soil, adapt- ability of our climate, cheapness of our lands, and numerous advantages of market, location, transportation, and communication, and the many pleasant and favor- able conditions under which life may be maintained — have all been demonstrated to such a degree of success and certainty that we no longer hesitate to say to the intending immigrant, wherever he may be, whether he be farmer, stock raiser, capitalist, dairyman, manufact- urer, miner, prospector, speculator, merchant, tourist, or health seeker, that these pages are dedicated to him; that the time has come when we know it to be our duty to Mm, as well as duty and pleasure to ourselves, to invite and urge him to read these pages, in which we will treat each special subject applicable to our country and situation in a plain, practical, truthful manner, with a view of interesting and informing him, so that he may not only know how and where he can probably better his own condition, by participating in and enjoying the advantages and benefits to which we invite him, but that he may thereby contribute his share to the general pros- perity, wealth, and happiness that must surely result from the settlement and cultivation of this valley, the occupation of our vast areas for grazing, the develop- ment of our mineral resources, the embracing of our oj)portunities for manufacturing, the stimulation of our trade and commercial relations, the enjoyment of our fine scenery, salubrious air, health and life-giving atmo- sphere and climate ; taking heed of our natural location and advantages, from which a great cit}" must inevitably arise, to turn an honest penny by trading and speculat- ing upon our prospects, to advance and invest capital El Paso Comity— IIlHtorlcal SJictch. 21 upon our securities and in our property ; to not only stop forever the outflow of our wealth, to the amount of a million annually, for flour, hay, grain, etc., as already mentioned, but to turn the tide in our favor by export- ing these and other products, to th«' amount of millions ; in short, to join the procession, and place ourselves un- der conditions whete the road to prosperity is not only shorter, smoother, safer, and in all respects better than any we have ever known, or to which we have been invited, either by publications similar to this, or in any other manner. There is a chance here for everybody with either brains, energy, or capital, and for the hai)py possessor of all these there is an illimitable fleld ; and they are invited to come. As we have already illustrated in a general way, the physical geography, or rather the to2)ogra})hy, of this particular locality (the City of El Paso and its immedi- ate surroundings) is remarkable, and of such a nature as to give it a commanding iuipoitance in respect to trade, commerce, and military and political affairs ; so much so that, we believe, greatness will be thrust u]iou it — that it must become the commercial and political metropolis of the Southwest. Nature lias given her the position, and the laws of trade are* as immutable as those of nature. The flnger of destiny seems to j)oint unerringly toward this supremacy. This place is reached through a series of natural passes in the several chains or groups of mountains which lie across our paths here in every direction, east, west, north, south ; and this city is itself located at tlie lower extremity of the most remarkable of all thes»' gateways through nature's great barriers. One of these great chains of mountains was throwu by nature from east to west directl}' across the ]>ath (tf the "Rio Bravo del Norte " (the brave river of the North), as the Me.\- icans call it, on its course to the sea, and the great 22 El Paso, Texas. mountain was penetrated, subdued, conquered, by the " Brave River of the North ; "' and now it passes (as it has for untold ages) — or rather, it sweeps majestically, angrily, growlingly — through the great mountain, still making, as it has made in the past, a smooth and peace- ful highway for commerce with Mexico, all of North- western Texas, Eastern Arizona, and Southern New Mexico. Commerce is the weapon, the all-powerful arm, with which we have entered in earnest, and with every pros- pect of success, upon our conquest of Mexico, — a con- quest not like that of Hernando Cortez, or Scott, or Taylor, yet we shall enter the halls of the proud Monte- zumas in greater triumph and return with a far richer reward than they, and with no stain or suspicion of wrong or oppression upon our consciences. We shall conquer Mexico with our arts of peace, our commerce ; and El Paso will be the great highway through which it must be accomplished. And we will be richer, and Mexico both happier, richer, and more powerful, after she is thus subdued. Already both we and they are feeling the power and the beauty and glory of the com- ing of this winged goddess of peace, as she nestles lov- ingly here and flies swiftly there, freighted with kind messages and the arts of peace and progress. The rail- road, the telegraph, these are the potent agencies of our gentle goddess ; with these she subjugates, civilizes, en- riches, and builds up the Avaste places. The entire rail- road and telegraph sj^stems of the continent are here united ; and thus are we in communication and commer- cial intercourse not only with Mexico, but of the world, through all the cities and ports of Mexico as well as our own. Our trade with Mexico is daily assuming greater proportions, and, considering our great competitive sys- tem of railroads, and other advantages already men- tioned, we believe that our business relations with Mex- El Paso Count ij— Historical Sketch. 23 ico alone will build up and sustain a lari^^e and important city here. At the same time our social relations are daily becoming more cordial and pleasant. The barriers of distrust and suspicion engendfied by past misunder- standings, and fostered by foreign intilgues and interests, are fast melting away and disappearing before the be- nign influence of this knowledge of eacli other and each other's aims and aspirations, acquired from tliis inter- change of ideas, courtesies and commodities. We are beginning to think better of the Mexican people and their country, and they are thiidving better of us. We are beginning to understand each other, and there is no better way to understand men or nations tlian to trade with them. And Mexico is now fairly stjirted on the high road to jDermanent peace and prosperity. She luis now the most powerful as well as the most liberal and enlightened executive and government she has ever hail. President Diaz, of whom we speak, is tlie father of the great projected railway system of Mexico, and essen- tially, and avowedly, the friend of progress as repre- sented by Americans. So that from Mexico alone we have much to hope and nothing to fear; and this rela- tion, Mexico is beginning to understand, is entirely re- ciprocal. In addition to our reasonable expectations as to the importance of our geographical situation and commercial relations with Mexico, Ave have also reason to believe that the day is not far distant when wi^ will be able to permanently command the entire trade of Northern Texas, Southern New Mexico and Eastern Arizona. In fact, we have comnumded that tiade for the i)ast year. We have been selling goods to all that imrtion of the country, and goods that were hauled i)ast llieir own doors, then purchased here and shipped Inick to them, cheaper than they could lay tliem down direct from any other point. The competition in railroad fn'ights has 24 VvV /V/.so. Tt'X'i-s. been ho sharj) to tliis ])()iiit, where tlie roads terminate, and to wiiii'll tliroiigli rates were made, tliat all kinds of freights, regardless of quantity or class, from all com- peting ])()ints, such as Kansas City, St. Louis, New Or- leans, and San Fiancisco, have been laid down here for 40 cents per 100 lbs ; while to all points east and north, or anywhere on the lines of these roads, local rates pre- vailed, or rates one, two, three, four, and even five times as high as to this point. Simply because there was no competition, we have been selling the same goods to those points that were hauled past their doors. And, further, there is no doubt that this will become the point from which through and competitive rates will be made on cattle, ores, hay, grain, and all the products of this country, to all other points where there is competition. Therefore, and necessarily, these products will come here from long distances for shipment. There can be no question of the future of this place in this regard. It is inevitable, and we have no hesitation in calling the at tention of the capitalist, merchant and speculator to these facts. Investigation will verify them, and that investigation we invite. The reader will, we hope, not fail to note also what must be the effect on the cost of living at a point where railroads are in competition, and where rates are so low. In considering this whole question it must be remem- bered that the railroads were not attracted here to avail themselves of any business or trade that already existed ; they came solely because of these facts of topography, physical geography, and the resulting laws of commerce which we have mentioned, and they will be the great instrumentalities of our glory and greatness. They will be, they are, the popular vehicle of a very large propor- tion of that commerce between the two worlds heretofore carried over the Isthmus, the seas and other routes. But aside from all this, and aside from our own ex- Agriculture and Horticulture. 25 ports and imports, the local traffic will be considerable and important, and will occasion tap railways in every direction ; for there will have to be transported, of our own products, ores in large quantities to this point, where they may be reduced ; wood and coal to the mines and to our reduction works, and other manufactories ; timber, lumber, iron, building material, etc, to the mines and mills ; breadstuffs, fruits, vegetables from the valley to the mines and grazing lands, and live stock to the markets ; marble, granite, onyx, gypsum, sand, and other like material, and innumerable other articles which enter into the list of necessities and luxuries of American life, and a great many new products peculiar to this combina- tion of latitude and elevation. AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. That the valley of the Rio Grande, especially in the vi- cinity of El Paso, affords all the requisites, and therefore is well adapted to the delightful and profitabh^ pur- suits of the agriculturist and horticulturist, no intelligent citizen of this community need be told. Indeed, it has become a fact so abundantly and perfectly demonstrat(»d that we wish now to announce it to the world, if possible, in an authoritative manner. To attain great perfection, and to achieve the most considerable degree of success in these pursuits, favor- able conditions of both soil and climate must be found. We claim that those conditions exist here to as great, if not greater, degree than can be found elsewhere on this continent. Nearly all the products of the temperate zone can be produced here in abundance and perfec- tion. The cereals, wheat, corn, oats, bnrl»'v. rve, etc.. 26 AV l'(ts(>, Texas. yield ;is iiiiich \)vv acic, and of as good ([uality, as in any part of tilt; United States. The grasses — alfalfa, millet, timothy, bermiida, and all others which have been thus far introduced, do well. The Smyrna millets, grown here for the first time last year as a test, in small quantity, and under the most favored conditions, attained a gi'owth, in two cuttings, of ten feet. It is estimated that it will yield from three to four tons per acre. This is a perennial of vigorous root and growth, spreads rapidly, runs deej), and is, there- fore, well adapted to our soil. Alfalfa was, we believe, lirst introduced into this vi- cinity by the late Gen. Magoffin, in 1849. It does re- markably well. May be cut from three to four times each season, aggregating four to six tons per acre, and two to four feet in height. This is also a perennial, with a vigorous growth of root, penetrating to as great a depth as thirteen feet, showing great adaptability to a dry climate. From present appearances, it would seem that this is destined to be the staple grass crop of the valley. It is very productive, hardy and tenacious of life, the best of food for cattle, horses, hogs and chickens, and has already become quite an important and remunera- tive industry. Bermuda grass, wherever planted, indicates its love for our soil and its determination to stay. Its myriad root- lets permeate the soil and form an almost impenetrable sward. It is peculiarly adapted to lawns, parks, etc., and fills exactly that much-needed and desirable quality here. Vegetables of nearly every known class and variety, and especially all those that are grown on vines, such as the melon, squash, pumpkin, etc., do as well here, in all respects, as in any part of the United States. The El Paso onion is already justly famous above all others. Under the head of pomology, it may be said that our Agriculture and Horticulture. 27 soil and climate are perfectl'y adapted to the growth of apples, pears, 23eaches, plums, apricots, grapes, quinces, nectarines, almonds, pecans, prunes, and many others, such as strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, too nu- merous to mention. All of these have been thoroughly tested ; in fact, it is no longer a matter of experiment with any of them. They can be produced here in abund- ance and j)erfection. While adapted to the growth of all kinds of grapes, the old "Mission grape," of dark purple liue, widely known now (and as distinctively as the El Paso onion), under the name of the "El Paso grape," is grown here in great perfection, and is a very superior grape for tlie table and for the manufacture of wine, brandy and rai- sins. An acre, with one thousand good vines, is worth here $1,000. A large quantity of these grapes (some 10,000 baskets), will be shi^Dped this year to Eastern markets, yielding, no doubt, a satisfactory remuneration. The superiority of our soil and climate for the growth of fruit is further shown by the fact that trees of the staple fruits, such as apples, pears and peaches, set out only two years since, are now bearing. Flowers and shrubs of all kinds lind here a natural and congenial home. Our alkaline soils can be utilized by growing any of the great varieties of the sugar beet, to which these soils seem singularly adapted. The cab- bage and onion also thrive just as well in such soils; and in a few years of such cultivation, esi)ecially if ma- nure is used, the alkali will be {ibsorbod, and the land found suitable to the growth of anything grown else- where in the valley. Small farms for the individual are preferable to large ones, unless there be a community of interest in all the people of a settlement. The land can be doubly cropjjfd each year, so that one acre here answers as well as two fjir- tlier north. Every acre can and should be made a perfect 28 El Paso, Texfis. ganh'ii, and it will <::ive support to a liuiiKUi being. Willie agents for colonies are running hither and thither seeking for locations, they should look to the valley ly- ing in this favored climate, where lands are cheap, and on the lines of railway. Time, in this case, is most surely money in the pockets of the first comers. THE KL PASO GRAPE. The arable land of this county, and particularly of this valley, is, as we have shown, admirably adapted to agriculture, but most perfectly to the El Paso grape. Those experienced in the cultivation of the vine, report that all the conditions of the soil — humidity and tempe- rature — are united here to produce the grape in the greatest perfection. The soil, composed of disintegrated matter of the older rocks and volcanic ashes, is light, porous and rich. The frosts in the winter are just suffi- ciently severe to destroy the insects without injuring the plant, and the rain seldom falls in its season wiien the plant is flowering, or when the fruit is coming into ma- turity and liable to rot from exposure to humidity. As a consequence of these conditions, the fruit, when ripe, has a thin skin, scarcel}^ any pulp, and is devoid of the musky taste so frequent with American grapes. Yearly new vineyards are coming into bearing, counting their vines by the thousand, while the production of wine is becoming annually more and more an article of com- merce and profit. Here may be found, and often in great perfection, both the light white and red wines of the Rhine and Bordeaux, and the heavier Burgundy, port, sheny, and, with sufficient age, even a good Ma- deira, with a grajie acclimated by two hundred years of cultivation, unexcelled for richness and lusciousness of flavor, always free from blight and disease of every kind, so destructive to European vineyards, so fatal to wine Agriculture and Horticulture. 29 growing on the Atlantic slope, and often so damaging even to California. With a soil and water as rich as that of the Nile, with an abundance of water for irriga- tion, and with sunny days and dewless nights, increasing in strength as the summer heats increase, the wines of the Rio Grande Valley promise to become as varied and as excellent as those of France or Spain. RAISINS. There is every reason to believe that this valley will become at no remote day a famous raisin district, per- haps more so than any on this continent. The soil and climate are peculiarly adapted to one of the best varie- ties of raisin grapes in the world. It is well known that raisins, to possess lasting qualities and best flavor, must be dried in the sunshine, then passed through the sweat- ing process, and packed. And there is, perhaps, no place in America where the climate will so cer- tainly and readily admit of this process as here ; because at the period of closing the labors of the vineyard, the atmosphere is perfectly dry and clear, with scarcely a cloud upon the horizon for months. The best raisin in the world is made from the jNIuscat grape, of Egypt, and is cured and packed in just such an at- mosphere as this. Our grape, the '' El Paso grape," and this raisin industry that will certainly grow out of it, should attract the attention of those skilled in this art, and we trust this article nuiy be read and noted by them carefully. oO El Pa.so, Texas. LTA'K STOCK AND GRAZING. This poitiou of tlie country, for hundreds of miles in every direction, outside of the great aUuvial and agri- cultural valley of the Rio Grande, of which we have just written, consists of plains, uplands, and mountains, and having an altitude of from 3,500 to 7,000 feet, is admira- bly adapted to stock raising. The climate is everything that could be desired — mild, equable, healthy. Free from the effects of cold storms, of drouth, of disease, with none of the enemies which are so destructive to many of the cattle districts of the West and Southwest, there are here all the conditions that favor the rapid in- crease and growth of cattle, horses, sheep, and other live stock. The grasses are of great variety and peculiar excellence, due to the elevation above the sea, which gives life, vitality, and coolness to the atmosphere. There is no reason why the percentage of increase should not here reach the maximum. These are, we believe, justly considered the best breeding grounds for live stock on the continent. The loss from climatic causes is absolutely nothing. The new-born calf is as safe here in midwinter as in summer, and cattle are never drifted or driven from their ranges by the violence of the storms of any kind. Northers and sleet are unknown. We have often seen fat beef shipped to the eastern markets from these ranges in midwinter and early spring — Feb- ruary, March, and April. The shipments met with favor and profit; and the changes of condition in cattle, as between winter and summer, is, perhaps, less here than on any portion of the continent. The topography of the country is such, that the shelter and drainage are per- fect. The grasses are greener, sweeter, and more nutri- tious in the higher altitudes in and around the mountains, Live Stock and Grazing. 31 and the cattle in better condition. There is no question, that the mountain ranges, will, at all seasons of the year, afford the best of beef. The facilities for marketing stock, procuring supplies, labor, etc. for the ranch, are excel- lent, probably none better are to be found. A great competitive system of railroads centers here, hauling empty cars eastward, and low rates can be obtained. In fact, all the conditions exist here, for the successful breeding and fattening of live stock, and for making El Paso the center of an immense live stock interest, cover- ing all of Northern Mexico, Western Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Eastern Arizona. The only drawback to the business is the scarcity of water. About two-thirds of this great grazing country is without natural water, and in order to make this vast region available, it will be necessary to resort to wells, wind-mills, reservoirs, and other artificial means. While these are not as good in all respects as natural waters, they have some peculiar and important advantages. By enclosing these artificial wells, the cattle can be made tame and gentle, not only adding to their fiesh and value, but greatly diminishing the cost of herding, handling, and shipping, but they will locate" more easily and perma- nently ; and such ranges will not be encroached upon by others, to any extent at all equal to those located on natural waters. In fact, there are no reasons why the ranges supplied with water by artificial means are not quite as desirable, even more so, than those located on natural waters. A little enterprise and capital will soon overcome these aj)parent difficulties, and some of the best ranges in the world will be had at a mimimum cost; for the price of these dry lands is very low indeed, particu- larly in Northern Mexico. The difierence in price in favor of the dry lands will, no doubt, more than pay the cost of artificially obtaining abundant supplies of water. Life and property are as much respected and as safe 32 AV /'"•s•'^ Trx<(s. (tvci- all this region, including Northern Mexj.co, as in any of I lie Western States or Territories. All these favorahle conditions Avill he found to exist here, and we have no hesitation in inviting all men inter- ested in this great question to come and examine for themselves. They will iind vast vacant areas covered with an abundance of nutritious food, to which perfect titles can be acquired, a mild, equable climate, first-class facilities for market, security, and every requisite and element necessary to success, A branch of the " National Live Stoclv Association " is located here, and is also do- ing good work and arousing considerable interest in Northern Mexico. Live stock and lands in Mexico are exempt from tax- ation. In short, it may be said, that for the profitable raising of horses, mules, cattle, sheep, and goats on an extensive scale, no portion of the world can rival this district. Its mild climate presents no rigors, while its mountain slopes, valleys, and plains, are unlimited ranges of excellent pasturage. The grasses of these plains and slopes are by no means the least of nature's wonders. The " gram- ma" and " mesquite " varieties, which most abound, have a peculiar tenacity of life, and survive a succession of dry seasons, and when apparently dead a few showers will bring them out in full freshness ; indeed, they change from a single shower. These grasses are sweet and nu- tricious, dry or green, and cattle thrive and fatten on them. They cure on the ground before the coming of the frost, making a natural hay. The natural configui'a- tion of this vast region is not the least of the many de- sirable advantages it presents. Situated as it is, from 4,000 to 7,000 feet above the level of the sea, fanned by the purest atmosj^here, giving a cool, refreshing and salu- brious climate, pure and healthy water, the succession of mountain and valley affords the most ample defence Live Stock and Grazing. 33 against the heat of summer, as well as the storms of winter, which, however, are so little to be dreaded that artiticial protection, shelter, or food of any kind, is wholly unnecessary, and is never provided. Our mesas (table lands), mountain gorges, and many portions of our plains, are most prolific in a variety of herbage suit- able for all classes of animals, but especially for sheep. During the winter they afford a supply of pasturage so abundant that no additional food is required. By con- stant and steady supply of proper food by which the secretory powers are retained in full action, the uninter- rupted increase of meat and fat in animals, and of growth of wool on sheep, is promoted ; while cases of constipa- tion and various diseases, frequently fatal in the States, by reason of sudden changes of food, are unknown here. There is not a day in the year in which cattle and sheep cannot find here sufficient food of a proper kind to keep their digestive organs in a healthy condition. Untold wealth is going to waste here every year, because our grasses are not consumed — a wealth that will prove greater than our vast mineral deposits. The one we have in the earth, the other we have the means of pro- ducing on the soil. Come, then, and gather some of this wealth from the surface, by providing means to consume these grasses — a most pleasant and profitable business under such conditions as are to be found here. No intelligent man need be told that the raising of live stock is profitable. We will only point to its history during the past ten years. Nothing has ever equaled it in results. It must always remain a good business. More money has been made in cattle during the past ten years than in any other business that can be named. And the raising of sheep and horses has also been very remunerative. 3 84 Kl Pdso^ Texan. MINES AND MINERALS. There can be no question that there is mineral wealth in nearly all of our surrounding mountains, for Imndreds of miles in every direction. Thousands of good pros- pects have been found in the Organs, the Jarillas, the San Andres, the Guadalupe, the Quitman, the Chenati and Eagle Mountains, constituting the groups nearest to El Paso, and forming a background to the great picture of whicli El Paso is both the focus and radiating point. In the Organs, several of these prospects can now fairly be called mines. They have reached a stage of consid- erable development and are worked with profit, shipping their ores to Denver and Pueblo, Colorado, or to Socorro or Kingston, New Mexico, for reduction. Many others are in process of development, and are dumping their ores upon the ground, awaiting the advent of a railroad, or reduction works. Several promising discoveries have been made within a few miles of this city. There are, no doubt, hundreds of these prospects that can be worked with profit the moment the questions of transportation and reduction are solved satisfactorily, so that the profits may not be consumed in these processes. All of this applies with equal force to that vast portion of Northern Mexico of which El Paso is already, and must always remain, the business center. In fact, there seems to be no end to the mineral wealth of this country, far and near, in every direction ; and one cannot but be amazed in contemplating the results which must follow its development. Scarcely a day passes that we do not hear of some discovery within this scope of country. Coal has also been discovered on three sides. North, 150 miles, is the White Oaks deposit, west- 150 is the Corralitas deposit, and southeast, 100 miles, the Eagle Mines and Minerals. 35 Springs deposit, only four miles from tlie Galveston, Htirrisburg & San Antonio Railway. The quality of this coal is excellent, particularly the White Oaks deposit, which is pronounced to be inferior to none in the world. All of this great mineral district has been retarded in its development by the lack of capital, not only to work the mines, but to furnish cheap transportation, cheap fuel and reduction and smelting works. The question of transportation is now partially solved by the railroads already constructed and centering here ; and with pres- ent facilities there is no doubt of the capacity of the dis- tricts now being worked, and where railroad facilities are within reach, to supply this city with sufficient ore to cause it to begin to assume the importance of a center for smelting and reduction works, which we are satisfied it must inevitably do ; for it must be borne in mind, in con- sidering such a statement, that we have unequaled rail- road facilities, where there will always be more or less ' competition, both in hauling coal, the most important factor, and in hauling the ores. These ores contain the necessary fluxes for smelting readily and cheaply. That mining as a business will pay, it is only neces- sary for us to point to the statistics and history concern- ing it, as shown in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Such progress has been made, both in the art and science of mining, that under like conditions of management there is no reason why it should not be classed as one of the legitimate pursuits, with every essential element of safety and success. There are also large deposits of salt in the eastern portion of the county, about ninety miles from El Paso, from which great quantities of an excellent, pure salt is taken. Limestone is also found in great abundance, from which the J^est of lime is made. Several kilns are estab- lished near the city. 36 El Paso, Texas. Large beds of clay also abound, from which an excel- lent quality of brick is made; tiling and a coarse variety of ware is made from it also. The Origan Mountains also furnish kaolin, the substance from which fine china and porcelain are made. Marble of a very line and superior quality has also been discovered in several localities, not far from El Paso, and will soon be quarried, proiitably no doubt. A deposit of the beautiful Mexican onyx has also been lately discovered and located a few miles northwest of the city. One of the largest known deposits of gypsum, of the variety known as anhydrite, much resembling granulated sugar, does not require calcining, and when ground makes an excellent hydraulic cement, is situated about seventy miles north of El Paso ; is twenty by sixty miles in extent, and is open for location, and, no doubt, will some day prove of value. Building stone of several kinds, and in great quantity, lies almost within the city limits, and is abundant evei y- where near the mountains. Among those that abound are limestone, granite and sandstone. An important feature of the mines in this vicinity is that the prospects are generally sufficiently rich from the very surface to pay the working expenses ; and, where this ore can be reduced, there Is no reason why the work should not progress. The mines are, as a rule, situated at high altitudes, and the formation is not per- meated with water, there being no snow at this altitude sufficient either to penneate the formation or prevent work at any and all times. The danger of caving and necessity for timbering throughdut is avoided. All of which adds materially to the proiits. To the capitalist, miner and prospector, we would say. Come, here is a field worthy of your attention. Irrigation. 37 IRRIGATION. ITS HISTORY, INTRODUCTION INTO AMERICA, AND PRESENT ASPECT. The greatest prerequisite to success in agriculture, fruit-raising, etc., in the Western States and Territories, is water. A constant and abundant supply of water is the true key to Western progress and development. In nearly all of that country the rainfall is totally insuffi- cient, and not to be relied upon ; hence Western people have been forced to study the problem of irrigation. Having been forced to look into this question, we natu- rally try to trace up its origin and history. The system found in California and in this country has been bequeathed to us by Mexico, and was inherited by them from Spain. Looking farther back, we find that it was one among the numy good gifts which the Moors gave to Spain when they overran that country in the 8th century. Whether the Moors obtained it direct from the Arabs, or took it from the Egyi)tians, we are unable to determine at this late day. But in inquiring after its still more ancient origin and sourc(\ we must not stop this side of the valleys of the Eui)hrates and Tigris. If we start here, in the dim and shadowy ages of antiquity, beyond which even traditicm becomes unin- telligible, we will find that, with few exceptions, the highest types of civilization and the brightest examples of progress and prosperity have been located, sustained and nurtured by systems of irrigation. A FEW PERTINENT EXAMPLES. The glory, grandeur and wealth of royal Babylon, of Nineveh, Thebes, Bagdad, Cairo and Mcmjiliis. around 3U4S ctcd. 49 thousands of new-comers, now citizens, assure this, as- sociated as they are in social, commercial, moral, and religious objects. In politics, where naturally lines would be sharply drawn, there is absolutely no sectional distinction, and the county is about equally divided be- tween the two parties. We will give all immigrants a hearty welcome, and extend to them full and complete protection. We have no prejudices to overcome, for we are already cosmopolitan. NORTHERN ENERGY— HOW AFFECTED. One subject, that of the effect of this climate on North- ern energy, we thought we would dilate upon, but, on reflection, vnll only briefly allude to it. Most Northern people believe that our climate is oppressively warm in summer, and also imagine that white persons cannot labor, or at least do not ; that people who reside in this latitude have but little energy or industry, and that the Northern immigrant would soon lose his former ambition and activity. Now, we have given the temperatures of the seasons, which are conclusive as to the moderate heat, and the reasons why this climate invigorates, in- stead of depresses ; and we can confldently refer to the native-born citizens, and the earlier and later immi- grants, as to continued sustained labor in the held, work- shop, or office. It is true, we have in the Mexican population a class of indolent, shiftless ])eople (the fault of their Indian blood), who live and subsist easier than they can in the North, as the soil produces easily and the climate is favorable ; but the person who has a desire to secure a home and com2)etence can work here in more comfort, and employ more days prolitably, than he can anywhere else. 4 50 El Paso^ Texas. SCHOOLS. Great as are tlie manifold attractions offered by the climate, the soil, and other physical advantages of El Paso county and her tributary surroundings, none of them equal the advantagc.^s she will derive from the princely provision which the fathers of the republic made for the education of the millions of youth who will in the near future be numbered among her popula- tion. The far-sighted statesmanship of those who laid the foundation of the " Lone Star " Republic provided for the education of generations yet unborn, a more gen- erous revenue than is enjoyed by the schools of any State in the American Union. Nay, more than this ; as we read the page on which these princely revenues are dedicated to education, we shall see that neither Oxford nor Cambridge have such royal endowments as the sages of Texas gave to the university and schools of Texas. " There is a permanent school fund of §3,500,000. That of Massachusetts is only two-thirds as large. These lands have been set apart for educational purposes : For a university 1,221,400 acres. County school domain 2,833,920 " Central school domain 50,000,000 " Total 54,055,320 acres. So much for tlie permanent support of the schools. Let us see what provision is made for their present maintenance, besides the interest on the $3,500,000 Per- manent Fund. This is jaelding an annual income of more than $200,000, and is increasing $100,000 a year from land sales. The Constitution sets apart more than one-fourth the general revenue of the State, and $1.00 poll-tax for the support of common schools. In the year 1880, and since then, this amounted to nearly $2,000,000 annually. Besides this amount, there is the interest on Schools. 51 the County School Fund of §550.020.00, heintr the amount realized and invested by those t-ounties which have sold their lands in whole or in part. In some cities an addi- tional local tax is levied for the sup})ort of scliools. The school lands of El Paso count}-, all of which are unsold, and are being held for a better figure, are now worth $75,000. So much for the provision for schools. "What is being done with the money that is available now? Of course, in sparsely settled communities the inaugura- tion of schools is difficult, and it is almost impossible to apply any strict system ; there must be more or less flexibility. Free schools are maintained in more than 160 counties; these are attended by more than 200,000 children, and in them are employed more tlian 5.000 teachers. The State has also established two normal schools. At these schools the students are both edu- cated and boarded free of charge. From these a supply of trained teachers is constantly going to all portions of the State. An agricultural college has also been erected by the State, at a cost of more than $200,000, and the college has since been endowed with 1,000,000 acres of land. Thus generously has Texas provided for the education of all classes of her youth. In El Paso county we have five public schools, four of which, those at Con- cordia, Ysleta, Socorro and San Elzario, are maintained wholly by these State endowments. In the city of El Paso an additional local tax is levied for the support of schools. A line school building was completed in the autumn of 1884, costing $20,000. The board of education consists of the best re})rcs('ntative men of the city, and they have made the school an honor to the city, offering facilities for every grade of advance- ment, and no better advantages can be found elsewhere for a thorough preparatory college education. Tlie sys- tem of instruction and course of study are both up with the most approved and most recent methods in operation. 52 AV /Usv), Texas. The corps of teachers i.s of tlie best, and is under the direction of a superintendent of experience. The sal- aries paid teachers command tlie best talent in the profession; $75 ])er month is the minimum. A printed code of rules and regulations is in fcjrce which, in itself, shows the interest taken and results expected. If our schools continue t, yVvrr/.v. of elevated H'gions. It also produces large dimensions of the air cells, enabling a freer discharge of accumulat- ing secretions, ixTtnittiiig largpr influx of pure air, exercising a strongly antagonistic and germicidal in- fluence, and rendering the lungs increasingly inapt to take on a tubercularizing action. With the rise above the sea level the air becomes rarefled and the atmospheric pressure is considerably diminished. At the height of 4,000 feet the atmospheric pressure is about thirteen and a half instead of fifteen pounds to the square inch, and the proportion of oxygen is diminished twelve per cent. This attenuation of the air producBS important changes in the economy. The mechanical effect of the rarefied air is to increase the frequency and depth of respiration and to accelerate the pulse. A greater amount of air must be inhaled to satisfy the demand for oxygen. Hence the lungs have a tendency to be cqmpletely filled, the elastic tissue of the vesicles is stretched and the thorax is expanded to its fullest capacity. At moderate elevations the system quickly adapts itself to the lessened atmospheric pres- sure, but when great heights are rapidly attained, as with aeronauts, copious hemorrhages from the lungs ensue. In the altitude of Denver haemoptysis frequentlj" occurs in consumptives in the stage of excavation. Br. Denison says : " The lessened tension of the air, and the increased frequency of respiration, force the blood to pass more quickly through the lungs, and the rapid and perfect renewal of capillary circulation is opposed to the stages of early and chronic intiammation. This improved capillary circulation, together with a more perfect expansion of the thorax, loosens and pro- motes the expectoration of the mucus and inflammator}- It has been so often demonstrated beyond the possi- bility of a doubt, that the combined conditions making Sanitarium. 59 up the climate of high altitudes do favorably modify the causes and course of phthisis that the popular faith in this "mountain cure" is almost unbounded by both the lay and professional. El Paso offers many superior advantages to the invalid and pleasure seeker, by rea- son of its well sheltered position from winds by its mountain ranges and terraced hills on the north and west, a slightly higher mean temperature and in a notably less lower extreme range of this — absence of the essential elements of volatized poisonous organic matter and mechanically irritant particles, the uniformly mild, dry air, which is bracing and exhilarating; so many bright, clear, soft balmy days, never foggy, light or little dews at night, rarely ice in winter, and more rarely visited by snow. Equableness of temperature is the rule; sudden changes are comparatively rare; well provided with hotel and other accommodations, attractive in itself, its mountain scenery, its singular mixture of American push and Mexican indolence, mostly cosmo- politan, markets having an abundant supply of every variety, with a quality of food all that can be desired. Those ill-defined conditions included under the vague title of delicacy of chest, may be completely removed by residence in El Paso, as likewise the tendency to winter attacks of bronchitis, chronic bronchitis in all varieties, cirrhosis of the lungs, asthma, emphysema, hay fever and chronic pneumonia, are always relieved, more often cured, and the disposition to recurring attacks of haemoptysis effectually controlled. Statistics afford us no guide yet to the rate and cause of deaths among the native population, still it is a nota- ble fact to a close observer, that pulmonary troubles affect them to a very limited extent, the writer having failed to find a case of consumption developed in tliis climate after nearly five year's residence. The same is true with regard to t)tlier diseases; that there are frw 60 AV r, Trxas. < o CO X Oh iCiO'Ot~0 • • • 'C CO ■J3qUI339Q •i3CJlU3AO\J •jaqopo •Xinf •3unf .— c: CO I?! o lit) -^ o o Oi . tr _ <5 ^1 -^- c-i -r - ^ 1^ --d - Tf ^ ;: J2 '^ *=? 2 ^ CM CO ■TiCOOCOOr^COOC-l C'J CO ■- ic X 'C !^ »o ? I CO ;d • --c ■-;; p C'l o ^ CO t-< — ; ^ lo i '>< "^ '>' d oj t- -f ^' (n W ^^ ^ ^ '^ I CO ^ CO >o I- o CO id>. 1 1^ h-. p 00 to o oc oi C-l . I oi 1^ d CO oJ ci s^' '-o ; ) i^ o; i^ CO :o -r ;::: o ;^8 o -^ 71 o -fo c: looo _( ^.dd--oc^'-'=22< c- i^ _ X Oi t- -^ ;i -r < ciiooiMocf-rs^ico^. CO ^io_^u^xdcooco^::2'^'*:: Cl-fX^t^(M-- = = ^ i^ = ^ ^ • i; X CD - -3 ::; tl I- t. — w SSc!^ r: = c: = = >t i<5ah-j<;SS:C;.!^^j5i; ;z;S Food. — Accommodations. 61 cases, most all of whicli recover, viz., typhoid fever, intlammatory rheumatism, sunstroke, liydropliobia, etc. Children's diseases are not so varied, and less severe than in lower altitudes. Diphtheria very rare ; no case seen in El Paso in the last four (4) years ; scarlatina rare and of a mild type, seldom, if ever fatal ; never produces any of those ravages and after-effects so common in the East. The advaiitage of El Paso for pulmonary con- sumption in its incipient stages, and many other dreaded fatal diseases, has been too recently ap})reciated to allow extended statistics to be presented as to its benelits. A meterological report for the year 1884, for El Paso, is herewith submitted (on opposite page) as an exhibit of the excellent climatic condition of this altitude. FOOD. As .to food, the locality, together with the means of quick and preservative transportation, places at com- mand everything, from the local abundant supply of fresh vegetables and fruits, including the delicious grapes of the country, with the grape wines equalling any in the world, to the northern products of the United States, and the numerous tropical productions of Mexico. The markets afford articles to meet every requirement of necessity or fancy. ACCOMMODATIONS. Accommodations as to home and family supplies, and rooms and board at the best managed hotels and private boarding houses, are commensurate with every demand made by the permanent resident or the transient so- journer. Rates are reasonable. {')2 El Paso, Texas. HOW LAND TITLES ORIGINATE— PRICE, ETC. As already stated, Texas reserved by the treaty of an- nexation all her ])iil)lic domain, amounting to 171,967,- 0(50 acres. Thus it was that while she was the youngest of States she was the most wealthy. Prom the earliest days of the republic it has ever been the policy of Texas to use her public lands for the encouragement of im- migration, endowment of her school fund and the build- ing of internal improvements in the State. Each county has a local land office, with a surveyor, who is a bonded officer of the State. He keeps an accu- rate map of every survey ever made in his county, and a book in which every set of field notes is duly re- corded, and patents (titles) to public lands come directly from the State. A portion of the county, perhaps one- third, belongs to the railroads, one-third to the State, and one-third to private owners, from all of whom good titles can be procured. Unimproved agricultural lands can be had, in any quantity, for from one dollar to five dollars per acre, according to location and advantages. Grazing lands from one to two dollars per acre. Lots in the city of El Paso from twenty -five to five hundred dollars for residences, and for business from ten dollars to one hun- dred dollars per front foot, according to advantages. Titles are good. Nearly all controversies concerning titles have been settled by compromise or b}^ the courts. Homesteads may be acquired wherever anj' vacant lands can be found, ahd each head of a family' is entitled to 160 acres, by occupying and improving the same for three consecutive years. The laws of the State are sim- ilar to those of most of the advanced States of the Union. They give ample and full protection to life and property, and are rigidly enforced. The largest liberty of speech Laws of Texas. 63 and thouglit is here encouraged and guaranteed ; no pro- scription in religion or politics is tolerated; every right and privilege is closely guarded in the laws. All forms of religious worship may be j)i'acticed, and every shade of politics is entertained among our peox)le. The two political parties are very ecpuilly represented by our population, and it is a question which has the ascend- ancy. LAWS OF TEXAS OF GENERAL INTEREST TO IMMIGRANTS. The homestead of a family, not to exceed 200 acres (not in any city or town), or town or city lot or lots, not to exceed $5,000 in value, exclusive of improvements at the lime of their designation as a homestead, shall not be subject to forced sale for debts, except for taxes or for labor or material expended thereon. The owner, if a married man, cannot alienate the homestead without tlic consent of the wife. PERSONAL PROPERTY EXEMPT. All household and kitchen furniture ; all improvements of husbandry; all tools and ajjparatus pertaining to any trade or profession, and all books belonging to public or private libraries ; five milk cows and calves, two yokes of work oxen ; two horses and one wagon ; one carriage or buggy; one gun, twenty hogs, twenty head of slieep; all necessary jirovisions and forage on liand for the use of the family. And for every citizen not the head of a family, one hoi'se, saddle and bridle; all wearing ap- parel, all tools, apparatus, and l)ooks belonging to his private library. 64 El Pcuso, Texas. jiomp:steadr and prp:-emptioxs. Every head of a family wlio lias not a homestead shall bo entitled to IGO acres of land, as a homestead, out of any part of the public domain not included in any lail- I'oad reservation, or in any State section of land surveyed by virtue of any railroad land certificate, nor upon any island; upon condition that he or she select, locate and occupy the same for three years, and pay the office fees on the same. Any single man, twenty-one years of age, is entitled to 80 acres upon the same terms. Any person who, in good faith, actually settles upon any part of the public domain, not exceeding 160 acres, and furnishes the Commissioner of the General Land Office satisfactory evidence that he or she has, in good faith, settled upon said land, shall be entitled to pur- chase the same from the State at one dollar per acre. MARITAL RIGHTS. All property, both real and personal, owned by hus- band and wife before marriage, remains the separate property of such owner, and such property as is acquired after marriage, by gift, devise or descent, becomes and remains the separate property to whom given, devised or descended. The homestead, or sepa- rate property, cannot be sold unless the wife joins in the conveyance. All property acquired by either the husband or wife after marriage, except as above, is the common property of both. At the death of one j^arty the survivor takes all, if there are no children ; if children, th6 survivor takes one-half, the children the other. Secret Societies 65 SECRET SOCIETIES. The city of El Paso is well represented in tlie secret societies and organizations. The Masonic fraternity, particularly, are in possession of one of the best fur- nished halls in the Southwest, the entire third story of the Mundy building. Besides the following named societies, the founding of Knights of Pythias, order of the " Eastern Star," Chosen Friends, and a post of " G. A. R." is in contemplation. For the benefit of members of those organizations into whose hands this pamphlet may fall, we will give the names of the presiding officers and secretaries of the lodges here, so that they may correspond or communicate with them should they desire to do so. El Paso Lodge of Perfection, No. 5, A.-. A.-. S.-. R.-.— S. W. Boring, 32° V. M. ; Henry Berliner, 32° Secretary. El Paso Chapter Rose Croix, No. 4, A.*. A.-. fc>.-. R.-. —Charles B. Patrick, 32° W. M. ; Henry Berliner, 32° Sec'y. El Paso Commandery Knights Templar, No. 18. — Charles Davis, Eminent Commander; T. L. Ennis, Recorder. El Paso Chapter Royal Arch Masons, No. 157. — S. W. Boring,'M. E. H. P. ; Henry Berliner, Secretary. El Paso Lodge, No. 130, A. F. and A. M.— R. C. Lightbody, W. M. ; H. L. Bingham, Secretary. 5 (5(J El Paso, Texas. El Paso Lodgk, No. 284, J. O. O. F.— C. E. Fruiii, N. G. ; n. L. Capell, Recording Secretary. El Paso Lodge, No. 2884, Kxiqiits of Honor. — Chas. F. Slack, Director; A. Kaplan, Recorder. Rio Grande Lodge Knights and Ladies of Honor, No. DIG. — Charles C. Kiefer, Protector; John S. Kierski, Secretary. Order Railroad Conductors. — D. F. Rimmer, C. C. ; F. A. Taylor, S. and T. New Year Lodge, No. 135, B. of L. F. — C. McArthur, Secretary. Besides the above societies, the founding of a Knights of Pythias Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Chosen Friends, and a Post of G. A. R. is contemplated. Assessed Valuation of El Paso County. 67 ASSESSED VALUATION EL PASO COUNTY, Year 1884. Real estate improvements, city of El Paso — Mills' map $1,255,889 Morehead's addition 78,345 Satterthwaite's addition 65,600 Magoffin's addition 89,820 Campbell's addition 627,897 Cotton's addition 40,400 Bassett's addition 10,400 Alexander's 6,175 Hart's 61,050 $2,235,576 County real estate and improvements outside of city 1,378,329 Total real estate $3,613,905 Railroads 1,888,481 Telegrai)h 15,900 Personal property in city and county — 33 jacks and jennies 342 336 hogs 1,448 1 ,379 horses and mules 42,405 8,574 cattle 142,784 3,200 sheep 8,029 1,588 goats 2,291 347 carriages and wagons 32,339 Machinery, tools, implements, etc 76,100 Goods, wares, and merchandise 481 ,000 Money on hand 33,650 Credits 63,228 Miscellaneous 236,888 1,120,514 Total vuhiation $6,638,800 68 El Paso, Texas. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE, Etc. January, 1884. February, March, AV)ril, May, June, July, August. September, October, November, December, January, 1885. February, " . March, " . April, " . Average Temperature 39.9 50.6 54.5 59.0 69.0 78.4 85.5 79.6 72.7 62.6 51.5 46.9 41.7 49.9 56.6 63.6 Rainfall. .55 .84 .33 .91 » .11 .46 !.U8 !.98 i.15 .22 !.07 .12 .03 .34 .04 No. of Cloudy Days. 3 2 3 1 2 2 4 10 5 8 2 7 2 1 6 4 Too small to measure. The following is taken from the report of the Chief Signal Officer of the Army for the 12 months ending June 30, 1883 : El Paso, total No. of cloudy days for 12 months (year 1882) 30 Denver, Colo., " " " " " " '" " 33 El Paso, total No.of cloudy days for 6 months ending June 30, 1883. .. 17 Denver, Colo., " " " "" " " " " " ...36 Importations. 69 IMPORTATIONS Made through the El Paso Custom House from January 1, 1881, to December 31, 1884. Date. Free Goods. Annual Increase. 1 Dutiable Goods. Annual Increase. 1881 1882 5; 3,920 10,626 638,045 821,394 $6,706 627,419 183,349 $83,666 185,098 250,485 374,522 $101,432 1883 1884 65,387 124,037 Totals 1,473,985 893,771 Recapitul.\tion : Total free goods $1,473,986 Total dutiable goods 803.771 Total importations, all classes $2,367,756 70 El Pcvio^ Texas. TABLE OF DISTANCES From El Paso, Tex., to Miles Abilene, Tex 455 Albuquer(]ue, N. M 255 Aguas Calientes, Mex 860 Atlanta, Ga 1,598 Austin, Tex 879 Baton Rouge, La 1,074 Benson, Arizona 262 Big Springs, Tex 347 Calera, Mex 767 Camp Rice, Tex 53 Celaya, Mex '. 1,042 Chicago 1,639 Chihuahua, Mex 225 Colorado, Tex 386 Colorado Springs, Col 711 Coltoif, Cal 746 Dallas, Tex 648 Deming, N. Mex 88 Denver, Col 786 Emporia, Kan 1,045 Fort Worth, Tex 616 Galveston 963 Hot Springs, Ark 997 Houston, Tex 848 Jimulco, Mex 562 Kansas City, Mo 1,173 La Junta, Colo 602 Lamy, N. Mex 322 Las Cruces, N. Mex 44 Las Vegas, N. Mex 387 Leon, Mex 965 Miles Lerdo, Mex 515 Lordsburgh, N. Mex 148 Los Angeles, Cal 804 Marshall, Tex 795 Mexico City 1,224 Montezuma, Mex 112 New Orleans 1,163 New York 2,410 Pueblo, Col 666 Queretaro, Mex 1,071 Raton, N. Mex 498 Rincon, N. Mex 77 San Antonio, Tex 632 San Elizario, Tex 21 San Francisco, Cal 1,286 San Juan del Rio, Mex 1,105 San Marcial, N. Mex 152 Shreveport, La 835 Sierra Blanca, Tex 92 Silao, Mex 986 St. Louis, Mo 1,359 Topeka, Kan 1,107 Toyah, Tex 194 Trinidad, Col 521 Tucson, Arizona 308 Washington, D. C 2,239 Ysleta, Tex 12 Yuma, Arizona 555 Zacatecas, Mex 785 Zeminez, Mex 371 Class of Immigrants Wanted. 71 CLASS OF BrMIGRANTS WANTED. We want population from every State in the Union, and from every country in Europe. We want the thrifty and industrious, with a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, to join us in occupying and building up the va- cant places in our favored country, that they may secure pleasant homes for tliemselves and their families. We want them to identify themselves with our present pop- ulation, and enjoy all the rights and privileges of the native born, which the laws of the State fully guarantee to them. We need population. We want immigrants of kindred races, that we may be a homogeneous people. We are all immigrants or their descendants. We give immigration credit for all we are or hope to become. We want especially persons skilled in farming, garden- ing and fruit growing. We want stock raisers, ;^os- pectors, miners, capitalists and manufacturers. We want capital to develop our unbounded resources, and take advantage of the many opportunities for profitable investment. We want iiiiinigrants wlio will bring along with them sufficient means and energy to enter upon business for themselves, to buy our cheap lands, become permanent residents, practical frnit growers and success- ful agriculturists, or who will follow some mechanical or manufacturing occupation. We want settlers who will rely on their own exertions and means. To such we say. Come; and if you have fair staying qualities your reward is sure. 72 El Paso^ TexiVi. FEMALE DOMESTICS Are in great demand here, and we have no doubt that from lifty to one hundred good girls, or women, could at once obtain employment at wages ranging from fifteen to twenty-live dollars per month. This is entirely within bounds, and it is probable that a much larg«3r number might obtain employment ; and the demand will continue and increase from year to year. We would advise good domestics to come here. They will find this a most de- sirable place to cast their lot. The opportunities for good females of this class to make desirable settlements in life are excellent. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, we desire to say that it has here been our aim to give information concerning the geographical position and character of El Paso City and County, and the superior natural advantages which they possess, and which she offers with extended arms, open to receive and embrace in welcome all who may choose to cast their lot with ours. First. For the peculiarly charming climate, free as it is from all and every epidemic ; mild, yet invigorating, and singularly pure, pleasant and salubrious ; where the yellow fever and cholera germs cannot exist ; where sun-stroke is unknown ; where a refreshing sleep can always be had ; a perfect sanitarium, in fact, unsurpassed by any, probably, in the world. Conclusion. 7b Second. For lier vast grazing domain, which is iinsiir passed, as we have shown, by any on the continent. Third. For her millions of tons of hidden treasure in the shape of gold, silver, lead, copper and coal, which lie buried withii. the bosom of her majestic mountains. Fourth. For her large bodies of agricultural lands, lying in one of the most fertile and beautiful valleys in the world, with so many attractions and advantages for the settler; witli comparatively so few obstacles to over- come and hardships to endure, and with the many pleas- ant and easy conditions of life, so few dangers and priva- tions incident to life on or near the frontier. Fifth. For the commercial advantages possessed by the cit}^, the great metropolis of this whole country, as has been shown, and to which we again invite atten- tion. We repeat, that no portion of our country offers greater inducements than this of which we have written, and of which far more might well be said. If we have failed to bring to light, or if we have misrepresented in any way, the advantages our situation offers, in the fore- going pages, it has been the fault of the head and not of the heart. And here we leave the subject, to Tx' renewed at an early day, we trust, by a more able but not less impartial pen than ours. 74 AV yv^s7^ Texas. THE MEXICAN CENTRAL RAILWAY extends from El Paso, Texas, to the City of Mexico, traveisin