The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931 Page: 143
359 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Through Texas and Northern Mexico in 1846-1847 143
terms so analogous may be allowed. The first class are seldom
seen in public, except at church. I have seen two or three of cas-
tillian extraction, who would be considdered handsome in any circle
of society, they are generally tall, in form, and shape, yet of faulty
proportions, features inclining to aqueline or Grecian, generally the
latter, complection a rich brunette. In dress, plainness, richness,
and tast [e] are admirably blended. The men mostly at this sea-
son dress in white, a crimson silk sash about the waist superceed
the use of suspenders. A linnen roundabout and sugar lofe hat
complete their entire dress. when the weather is cool which is the
case every few days, they throw a Mexican blanket of rich and vari-
gated colors over the shoulders. These blankets are worth from
fifty to seventy five dollars. The men are generally tall, very lean
and spare, displaying in the tout ensemble, more grace and activity
than strength. A great number of very old persons are to be seen
here. Many have withered away untill they are literally living
mummies. I have spoken at some length of the Mexican inhabi-
tants of this place. A few words in relation to those who consti-
tute the remainder may not be here out of place. There has been
at different times since last fall, in the agregate not less than ten
thousand troops encamped in and near the town. Many of these
are regulars, who have come from posts in the west and south west.
They have brought with them, many at least, their wives and fami-
lies. These women are generally half breed Cherokee and Choc-
taw Indians. You can better imagine than I describe, (not having
any acquaintance with them) the effects their origin, the circum-
stances with which they have been surrounded, their only associates
being a lewd wreckless and abandoned soldiery of the lowest order,
would produce on their natures.
Fights, quarrels, and riots are daily, or nightly occurrances in
the quarter they occupy. There are a few of the lower class of
Germans, generally employ'd as hostlers, cooks, waiters, etc. A
number of citizens of different states who have come here in per-
suit of wealth, and engaged in different branches of mechanical,
or mercantile business.
Last, but not least, comes the gamblers: these in infinite variety,
and I had almost said numbers, have infested the town for some
months past. But as Willis Gaylord Clark said of our gran-
mother's waists, "They are grown small by degrees, and beautiffly
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931, periodical, 1931; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101091/m1/153/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.