Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1881 — A Typical New Mexican. [ARTICLE]

A Typical New Mexican.

Globa Demoorat. Western towns are most often dethe striking characteristics one ejects, but in the matter of a typical frontiersman Santa Fe possesses a citizen who might have sat for the pictures of Bret Harte’s and Joaquin Miller’s dashing heroes. He came strolling into the postoffice the other morning, both hands into his pockets and nis elbows swe ping a clear space through the gathered idlers. As a town celebrity everyone knew him and the least question will bring out more and more piquant bits of history. With unusuul interest I looked at the small man and slowly took in the details of hts costume. Top boots, trousers, a blue flannel shirt and a loose coat were ordinary enough, but his head was surmoun’ea with a gray sombrero that in width of brim has never been equaled save by the pretty chorus singers of “Pinafore” and the “Pirates.” The hat sat back on his head until the broad 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, Vlrot or the other concoctors of French bonnets ever sent but a spring bonnet that equaled this sombrero in price. He wore a careless knotted necktie and row of big gold nuggets for shirtstuds 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 carries 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 bel full of silver-mounted weapons and a fringed and embroidered blanket strapped to the saddle, he slattern through these narrow streets quite as the wild western heroes do in novels. By profession he is a gentleman and amuses himself, as the less literary “gilded youth” of Paris and London do, by chasing the flying hours and dull cares over green tables.