YUCATÁN
In 1517, Hernandez de Cordoba discovered the beautiful Peninsula of
Yucatán.
Bathed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico and
possessing throughout immense area lakes and beautiful scenery, it is
one of the most picturesque States in the republic. Geographically
considered, the Peninsula of Yucatán extends to the Isthmus of
Tehuantepec. The natural condition and elements have made this
territory a theme for many studies on account of the great interest
that is taken in the various resources that are presented.
Lovers of art and history and students of archæology have been drawn
toward Yucatán for over a century.
The scenery impresses one as being strangely unique. Back of the coast
stretches a broad lagoon many miles in extent and varying in depth
with the sea. Here the northern birds spend their winters. Beyond the
lagoon, the bed of coral which composes the entire peninsula rises
slightly above the sea level, presenting the appearance of a dry swamp.
On the roads, which run parallel with the railways, patient oxen plod
slowly along, their heads bowed under heavy yokes, hauling great loads
of henequen in rude carts with wooden wheels.
The great industry of this State is the cultivation of hemp, which
is a species of the cacti family known as “sisal.” The magnitude and
importance of this business can scarcely be imagined. The hemp grows
wild in great profusion and seems to thrive best on barren lots and
desert sands or in very thin soil where nothing else could find its
abode. A “henequen” plant attains its full perfection in seven years.
A stem shoots out from the centre of it, the leaves gradually detach
themselves in the form of an immense spear or “Spanish bayonet,” with
sharp thorns along the edges, terminating in a strong needle-like
point. A bale of henequen fibre represents the product of about seven
thousand leaves. In most places the process of making the fibre by hand
is discarded as unprofitable, and the stripping of the leaves is done
with great machines driven with powerful steam engines. The scraper
consists of a large wheel with strong blunt knives around its rim. The
henequen leaves are pressed against this rim and by means of a lever
worked by machinery the knives remove in an instant the pulp which
covers the fibre. The pulp having been removed, the fibre is taken from
the leaves in long strips, like very fine silk thread of a beautiful
green tint. It is made into small bundles and placed in the sun to dry.
In the packing house the dried hanks are put up into four-hundred pound
bales by a cotton-press. It is then ready for market, where its value,
like other commodities, varies.
[Illustration: SEÑOR DON ENRIQUE M. ARISTEGÚI, GOVERNOR OF
YUCATÁN.]
On account of the present low price of henequen it is difficult to
support the factories and meet the numberless expenses incurred during
the long period of seven years until it reaches maturity and becomes
commercially valuable. The farmers are now thinking about reducing the
area of future plantations. They are also considering the cultivation
of cotton, “pochote,” castor oil plant, and all the products indigenous
to their climate.
A great interest is awakening in the manufacture of ropes, twines of
all sizes and bagging of all description, to such an extent that the
factory La Industrial has been manufacturing these articles for more
than a year and selling them at such profit that the demand is greater
than the supply. Had it not been for the excessively low price of hemp
the farmers would not have awakened to the fact that the time had come
for them to look for new cultures and develop new industries, and the
fall in the price of henequen has deeply impressed the minds of the
growers, with the result that many new industries will soon become
established in this State.
[Illustration: SEÑOR DON AUGUSTO PEON.]
Next in value to henequen comes the bromelia pita, locally known as
“ixtle” the ancient Aztec name. From this the Mayas’ clothes are
made: it formed the foundation of the beautiful feathered cloaks of
Montezuma’s time. The ixtle furnishes the poorer classes with their
garments and hammock-beds in which they are born and die, and their
baskets and household utensils and paper are manufactured from the
fibre. From the roots of the plant a favorite intoxicant is brewed;
the juice of its bruised leaves is the best known remedy for wounds;
its thorns are the Indian pins and needles. A few years ago some
ixtle fibre was sent to England for experiment in the great cloth
manufactories and from it some handkerchiefs were woven which have
since figured in several expositions, to the astonishment of all
beholders.
While the Mexican people are noted for their politeness and courtesy,
the Yucatecas seem to have more than their share of delightful
_simpatia_. The women are beautiful and cultured and in no part of
the republic is the social element more remarkable than here. Merida is
called “The White City” and has been famous for its brilliant carnival
celebrations. At these times enthusiasm and animation reign supreme.
[Illustration: VIEW OF MERIDA.]
Merida was founded by Don Francisco de Montejo in 1542. The original
home of its founder is still standing. It is located on the principal
plaza and is an object of great interest. The entrance to this house is
a wonderful specimen of antique carving.
The cathedral is one of the handsomest and largest in the republic and
the many beautiful temples are most interesting to visit. Some fine old
carvings of the time of the Spanish viceroys are seen in many of these
churches.
The new Peon Contreras Theatre ranks in beauty with any building of its
kind in the world. The splendid appointments of this theatre and its
marble columns and corridors are a marvel to those who have seen it.
It was built under the supervision of Señor Don J. Rafael de Regil,
demonstrating splendid taste and judgment.
Many prominent buildings have been erected in late years which are
a great credit to the city. The General Hospital, the Penitentiary,
the Insane Asylum and all the city government buildings are modern
structures equipped with every luxurious necessity. The Episcopal
Palace is a specimen of antique architecture and is one of the largest
in the republic. Merida has many benevolent societies and the public
benefit is well guarded. Orphan asylums, correctional schools of arts
and crafts, an asylum for beggars, and a maternity house.
[Illustration: HIS GRACE, MONSEIGNOR MARTIN TRISHLER, FIRST
ARCHBISHOP OF YUCATÁN.]
Some of the finest hammocks in the world are made in Yucatán. They are
hand woven of the sacci fibre and are of unusual size. This State is as
famous for its hammocks as Switzerland is for its clocks. The finest
come from the penitentiary at Merida.
The Paseo Montejo is one of the fashionable drives. On it are handsome
residences, among which is the palatial home of General Francisco
Canton.
The prehistoric race that peopled Yucatán and the wonderful monuments
and ruins they left behind them have baffled explorers from all parts
of the world and there are many theories advanced concerning the
builders. The natives regard these decayed cities with superstitious
awe, and they remain much in obscurity because few have braved
the wilderness in order to explore them. The ancient knowledge of
architecture is proved by these marvellous structures and amazing
relics. The ruins of Chichen-Itza and Uxmal are accessible from Merida.
[Illustration: CORRIDOR OF THE CURATE HOUSE, MERIDA.]
There are two agricultural chambers in Merida, “La Camara Agricula
Nacional” and “La Camara Agricula de Yucatán,” which are doing great
work in promoting the industries of the State. One of these recently
had an exhibit demonstrating the wonderful possibilities of the
henequen, and among the numerous articles were baskets, hammocks and
cloth, three widely different articles. The fruit and vegetable display
consisted of the products of the State.
A monthly magazine devoted to the interest of farming called _El
Agricultor_, is published by the Camara Agricula.
[Illustration: MODEL SCHOOL FOR BOYS, MERIDA.]
In the Yucatán Museum there is an interesting collection of monoliths,
statues, prints and other details of the old Maya architecture,
utensils and personal ornaments of a primitive and mysterious race that
inhabited the peninsula. Another museum which merits special notice is
that of the late Bishop De Crescencio Carrillo y Ancona, who was the
first director of the State Museum. Fine parks and public gardens help
to add to its beauty: in one of these parks stands a splendid statue
of General Manuel Zepeda Peraza, the great patriot of Yucatán.
Señor Don Augusto Peon is the mayor of the city and many reforms have
been executed during his administration. New streets and avenues have
been opened and schools have been established. He is noted for his
philanthropy and the poor have found in him a good friend. His family
is one of the most distinguished in the State and he is held in great
admiration and respect.
[Illustration: THE PEON CONTRERAS THEATRE.]
Public education is given the most rigid attention. Among the most
important schools are those of San Vicente de Paul, under the direction
of Obras de la Ensenanza. These schools are conducted upon monthly
subscription by those interested in the Christian education. In the
scientific and religious instruction all the precepts of modern
pedagogy are followed. The elementary schools for boys and girls are
supported by the estate of the late Leandro Leon Ayala. These schools
are divided into five branches with an inspector appointed for the
supervision of each. The literary institute founded by General Peraza
is under the personal direction of Señor Licenciado D. Olegario Molina,
who is one of the distinguished statesmen of the republic. To this
noted gentleman the State of Yucatán owes its wonderful growth within
the last ten years. He has occupied many high official positions,
having been governor of the State before assuming the cabinet office.
He was the engineer who had charge of the construction of the first
railroad that was built in the Peninsula, which connects the capital
city with the port of Progreso.
[Illustration: FAÇADE OF THE MONTEJO HOUSE, MERIDA.]
[Illustration: INDIAN HEMP CUTTER.]
This railroad was constructed with local capital and the entire
enterprise was organized with great success. In the cultivation
and development of the henequen industry, Señor Molina has been
foremost in the enterprise. He is noted for entering into everything
with enthusiasm and in the reconstruction of his State while he was
governor, he adopted the famous system of his chief magistrate, General
Diaz, of “less politics and much administration.” With perseverance,
which is characteristic of this official, Señor Molina consecrated
his attention to the irrigation and industry of the State, which are
important factors in the national good, and during his administration
agriculture assumed splendid results and the record that remains
behind him is a monument to his greatness. The present governor is
Señor D. Enrique Muñoz Aristegúi, who is progressive and enterprising
and has followed closely the example set by his predecessors.
The United Railroads of Yucatán have eight hundred kilometres of
various lines which extend to all important points of this State and to
Campeche. This company was formed in 1902, being a merger of several
independent lines, as follows: The railroad from Merida to Progreso
with a branch to Izamal; from Merida to Valladolid with a branch to
Progreso; the Peninsula Railroad; the railroad from Merida to Peto
with a branch to Sotuta. The construction of the first railroad was
organized by Señor José Rendon Peniche.
[Illustration: JUAREZ PENITENTIARY, MERIDA.]
The principal points which these railroads touch are Valladolid, which
is known as the Sultana of the East, and was at one time a city of
much more importance than to-day; Tizimin, where the three kings,
Magos, annually met; Motul, the next largest city of the State, and
a centre of importance on account of the henequen industry; Izamal,
another important industrial centre and famous for the pilgrimages to
the Virgin de la Asuncion; Tekas and Peto, important cities of the
sugar industry; Ticul, the centre of the corn region; Halacho, another
point famous for its religious feasts. The only port in the State is
Progreso. The Ward Line steamers touch this port and this company runs
excursions from the port to Merida, giving the passengers a glimpse
of this unique part of Mexico, returning to the steamer in time to
continue their voyage.
[Illustration: STAIRWAY IN THE PEON CONTRERAS THEATRE.]
Mr. W. P. Young, of the New York and Cuba Mail and Steamship Company,
has formulated plans for excursions to Yucatán on a twenty-day tour to
see the ruins and enjoy the wonders of a semi-tropical climate during
the winter months. This is an excellent opportunity for the student or
traveller.
[Illustration: ARCH BUILT TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL,
MERIDA.]
[Illustration: PLAZA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA, CAMPECHE.]
[Illustration: THE CATHEDRAL, CAMPECHE]