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The Test of Endurance

ALEXANDER FINDLAY MACDONALD'S appointment to explore northern Chihuahua in search of colonizing lands was a continuation of a mission given him by President Taylor when persecutions incident to the passing of the Edmunds-Tucker Law began. This mission had led him three times into Sonora where prospects had been uncovered, but lack of water to go with available land forced abandonment of the first two, and Yaqui Indians in revolt against the government had forbidden acceptance of the third mission.

With Christopher Layton, president of the St. Joseph stake, as companion and John Campbell as interpreter they left St. David and by team and train reached El Paso. There they crossed into Mexico and met land agents in Cuidad Juarez hardly taking time to rest on the way.

Owners of or agents for owners of large tracts of land in northern Chihuahua, as well as others controlling minor claims, were awaiting them, and they spent the day studying claims and listening to propositions. Senor Garcia's foursquare leguas of land between Janos and La Ascension, and Senor Acuna's 40,000 acre tract near the Sonora border both offered inviting prospects, and the Mormon scouts left the same night on the Mexican Central Railway to look them over.

At San Jose station, where they spent the latter part of the night, they sought the help of a legal advisor, one who could assist them in their choice of purchases, and also guide them in completing transactions according to business regulations in the country. They found this in Dr. Samaniego, a lawyer and practicing physician, to whom they were directed. He was a kind, mild man in his early sixties, and was at once cooperative and interested, listening to their problem and signifying his willingness to help.

Both by nature and training he proved a valuable asset. His background as a three-term ex-governor of Chihuahua met their need for direction in the choice of lands to buy. A wide practice in his medical profession gave them, through conversation, an invaluable insight into both Mexican and Indian nature. And as a landholder, he knew where available lands could be had. Continued conferences with Samaniego discovered qualifications compatible with their own hopes and beliefs, which beside being helpful, bound them together as friends.

A wide choice of lands, he confided, was to be had, and if the right kind of people could be induced to settle, special privileges and grants might be obtained. He was a personal acquaintance of General Fuero, acting governor of the state, and promised to write for friendly concessions from him, though he warned that the general was unfriendly toward foreigners and might prove a formidable barrier.

For the next twelve days MacDonald and Layton gave every foot of ground over which they traveled most careful consideration. In the Galeana district they found 200,000 acres of available land, beside great tracts in the Carrizal and Santo Domingo areas. The Santa Maria River running through the valley and miles and miles of good grass on level plains and low hills made this a most propitious prospect and one they passed by with reservations.