SECTION XII.
The New York, Texas and Mexican Railroad (better known as Count Telfener's Railroad).
This line begins at Rosenburg Junction, in Texas, and runs to Brownsville, on the northern side of the Rio Grande, via Wharton, Victoria, San Patricio, and Banquete.
There are two hotels in Brownsville, Miller's and the Rio Grande. The objects of interest are: Old Fort Brown, the United States Cemetery, the battle-fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and Point Isabel.
The road will cross the Rio Grande at Brownsville, and, entering Matamoros, it will extend southward to Tampico, a distance of about 275 miles.
There is no hotel in Matamoros. The places of interest are: The Government buildings, cathedral, theatre, Plaza mayor, the city walls, and the garden and zócalo at Santa Cruz Point.
The climate is very hot in summer. In winter the thermometer occasionally sinks to the freezing-point.
Communication with Brownsville is made by row-boats. A chalau, or flat-boat, is used for freight.
The Matamoros and Monterey Railroad is completed and in operation as far as Reynosa, a distance of 50 miles. (See p. 157.)
Count Telfener[1] expects to continue this railway along the coast to Tuxpan, and thence to the City of Mexico.
- ↑ Count Telfener is an Italian. He is also a brother-in-law of Mr. John Mackay, of Nevada.
