Daily Times [Leavenworth, KS], September 11, 1860
Santa Fe, New Mexico,}
Aug. 18, 1860. }
Dear Times:–When I wrote to you two weeks ago, the city was in a fever of excitement on account of the daring depredations of the Navajos, but now it is as quiet as the dogs and bells will permit, for this, as you must know, is a Catholic town containing three or four churches of that denomination, each having as many bells as it can afford, and these keep a continual jingle; but what makes it particularly annoying to me is that I am obliged to listen to the ding-dong of at least half a dozen heavy bells of the cathedral which is only across the way from my room. Then, if it is after sun down and the bells by chance should cease their clatter, the barking, howling and fighting of dogs may be heard. Every Mexican has, or is supposed to have, two dogs, if not more. Here can be seen all the varieties belonging to the canine kingdom—the greyhound, setter, shepherd’s dog, the shaggy Newfoundland and the hairless dog of the tropics, all have to be kicked out of the way or stumbled over, as you see proper, although the last is sometimes not the most desirable plan, as they are not often choice upon what they close their teeth.
The Indians are at present quiet in this part of the country. Small bands of three or four have frequently been seen among the hills, but they have made no more attempts upon the property or lives of citizens. . . .
New flour and fresh hay have just come into market; the former is worth $15 per 100 pounds, and the latter $30 per ton. Bacon brings 18c per pound, coffee 30, sugar 25, and other things in proportion, so you can guess what it costs a person to live here.
H.G. L.