Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1881 — A Typical New Mexican. [ARTICLE]

A Typical New Mexican.

Top boots, trousers, a blue flannel shirt and a loose coat were ordinary enough, but his head was surmounted with a gray sombrero that in width of brim has never been equaled save by Jhe pretty chorus singers of “ Pinafore ” and the “Pirates.” That hat sat back on his head until the brim covered his shoulders and the cord and ornaments of the crown, being of solid gold wire and spangles, brings the value of this extravagant head-gear up to $l5O. Neither Aimee and Georgette, Virot or the other concoctors of French bonnets ever sent out a spring bonnet that equaled this sombrero in price. He wore a careless knotted necktie and row of big gold nuggets for shirt-studs, and below them swung a watch-chain composed of gold coins ranging from the largest slugs and S2O pieces down to an insignificant $2.50 coin. The watch at the end of the chain is heavy enough to use for a weapon, with its massive cases of gold. This walking gold mine carrier off all his magnificence with the most indifferent and half-contemptuous air. On occasion he is said to be capable of even more gorgeousness ; and. when this show-figure of Santa Fe is mounted on a little black horse, rattling with all the silver and blazing with all the wrought colors of Mexican trappings, it is enough to dazzle one. With huge silver spurs, an embroidered buckskin suit, a belt full of silver-mounted weapons and a fringed and embroidered blanket strapped to the saddle, he slatters through these narrow streets quite as the wild Western heroes dp in novels.— Santa Fe letter.