The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970 Page: 12
605 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
personal effects be opened and examined against the possibility of
smuggling." Because of the difference of languages, misunderstand-
ings were frequent and many Mormons, failing to obtain a receipt
or meet some other requirement, were fined or asked to pay double
duties. One emigrant, William P. Hendricks, estimated that the
Mormons paid more than $250,000 to Mexico in duties and fines."3
Beyond this, Mexican guards and officials would sometimes get drunk
and insult or taunt the immigrants."4 It was no doubt the almost
inevitably troublesome nature of dealings with the customs officers
as well as the severe pinch of excessive fines that led some Mormons
to smuggle as much across the border as possible. In the words of
one of the few surviving Mexico polygamists of that era, this was
especially true of those who knew Spanish and had "gall."" Worst
of all was what the Mormons considered an intolerable amount
of delay. The Mexican customs officers seemed disgustingly slow.
Edward Milo Webb was forced to wait not just days but weeks for
his family and possessions to be processed."6 Ecclesiastical authorities
repeatedly published notices in the Mormon press giving advice
and directions regarding passage through customs."7 Special agents
were directed to take up residence both in Deming, New Mexico, and
at the customshouse in La Ascensi6n for the purpose of giving as-
sistance to emigrants."8 Still, throughout the entire period prior
to their i912 exodus, customs remained one of the most trying of
all obstacles faced by Mormon travellers to Mexico.
Arrival on Mexican soil by no means released the Mormon colo-
nists from the rigors of primitive transportation. This last leg of
the journey could sometimes pose grave problems for those travers-
ing the distance for the first time. Alfred F. Bandelier, who explored
the area shortly before the Mormons began using it, told how in
dry months it was almost impossible to obtain water for the animals.
Although the Casas Grandes River was often within view, it was
U"Martineau, "History of the Mormon Colonies in Mexico," IV, 4.
6 Ibid., IV, 44. Martin P. Mortensen, for example, was fined $19o in 1887 because his
son, ignorant of the law, had brought his mother into the Mormon colonies without
clearing the customshouse. Deseret News Weekly, December 21, 1887. For other incidents,
see Smith, Journal of Jesse N. Smith, 316-319; and Martineau, "History of the Mormon
Colonies in Mexico," IV, 16, 39; V, 2.
5Ibid., III, 10.
55Heber E. Farr to B.C.H., interview, April 28, 1965.
56Merrell, "Edward Milo Webb," 2o.
57See, for example, Deseret News Weekly, October 31, 1888; December 7, 1889.
58Deseret News Weekly, April 5, 1890.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970, periodical, 1970; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117147/m1/28/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.