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Nininger Moment #3
The Trip To Mexico Part 1
In the fall of 1929 Nininger began planning a trip to Mexico where
he hoped to trade for meteorites that were in some institutions he heard
of down there, as well as find a number of meteorites in a certain area
he heard so much about. He made arrangements to take an extended leave
from his classes in the fall semester that year. He approached one of
his students, Alex Richards to accompany him on this trip, as Alex spoke
spanish fluently, was mechanically incline, and resourceful sort of
fellow. He asked Alex to construct out of various car parts a rugged
vehicle that could undertake the journey they would make. He also asked
that it be made to look ugly so it would not as likely be stolen. All
of Nininger's wishes were met and a vehicle was made to undertake the
journey. Nininger stated that Alex had succeeded in making the vehicle
look much uglier than he had imagined.
The beginning of the trip started after reaching the boarder town of
Laredo, Texas in September of that year. To get information about traveling
in Mexico they stopped at the Chamber of Commerce and talked to a man
inside. They were given very strong warnings about travel in that county
and advised of banditry and possible murder to cover up the crime. They
were also advised not to camp, to watch the local food, water and disease.
Also inspection of a rifle they had was made and they were told they
would need it. The Chamber of Commerce man did what he could to discourage
their trip but after talking it over Nininger and Alex decided to undertake
the trip. Much preparation had been made in advance for the trip as
well as much to be gained by making it. At the Mexican boarder all of
the supplies were laid out and inspected that delayed their travel but
finally they were permitted to continue on the way.
The first 150 miles of their journey was on a graveled road heading
to Monterey. After that point travel became more difficult and often
only an average of forty miles a day was achieved with some days travel
being only ten miles while other days one hundred miles might be achieved.
They spent three days trying to find the road to Mexico City from Saltillo
by the San Luis Potosi. Nights were often spent just outside various
villages on route and as they would prepare their evening meals it was
not uncommon for them to be surrounded by curious onlookers of their
camp. Nininger stated it was also more common than they liked to be
out in the middle of isolated locations with no one in sight and after
setting up camp, suddenly see several men standing among the desert
shrubs sometimes just a few steps away. Also a number of times the appearance
of tough looking individuals made the Nininger party nervous as their
travels continued on to Mexico City.
Source: Find A Falling Star by H.H. Nininger
The Nininger Moments are articles or books written originally by Harvey
Nininger and put into a consolidated form by Al Mitterling. Some of
the items written in the moments might be old out, dated material and
the reader is advised to keep this in mind.
--AL Mitterling
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