History of San Felipe: Desert of the Chinese |
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THE HISTORY OF SAN FELIPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
CHAPTER IX: EL DESIERTO DE LOS CHINOS An interesting, yet tragic side-light to the historical past of San Felipe is the story relating to the desert lying just north of San Felipe Bay. This desert is known locally as El Desierto de los Chinos (Desert of the Chinese).
The desert received its name as a result of a tragic occurrence that cost the lives of thirty-five Chinese out of a party of forty-two. This party in quest of Mexicali, attempted crossing the desert with a guide interested only in his pay, ignorant of the desert's blistering wastes. Far from their China homeland, these new arrivals to Mexico heard of great agricultural developments beginning along the lower portion of the Colorado River. Thus the long unemployed group set out for Guaymas in order to gain passage as far as San Felipe on the "S.S. Topolobampo." The group arrived at San Felipe on August 20, 1902. There they met Jose Escobado who had come to San Felipe to participate in the fishing industry, which unfortunately was closed for the season. Without funds and anxious to leave San Felipe, Escobado quickly sold his services as a guide to the party of Chinese wishing to reach Mexicali. Escobado had only traveled the desert route once, and then he was guided by an experienced miner who knew the desert well. But the Mexican sold himself by a bit of clever misrepresentation. [Ibid., p. 38.] |
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MEXICO FISHING INFO SAN FELIPE FISHING INFO "WEEKLY MEXICO FISHING NEWS" FISH PHOTO GALLERY
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