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A Nininger Moment (3)


The Trip To Mexico

In the fall of 1929 Nininger began planning a trip to Mexico where he
had hoped to trade for meteorites that were in some institutions he had
heard of down there as well as find a number of meteorites in a certain
area he had heard 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 made to under take the journey.

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 an 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 under take 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 that 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 there travels continued on to Mexico City.

Source: Find A Falling Star     by H.H. Nininger

--AL




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