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This town was a part of old Laredo, on the opposite side of the river, before Texas was separated from Mexico. Communication has always been made by ferries, until the recent completion of the railroad-bridge. New Laredo will become an important city when the two American trunk-lines are finished. The Mexican National and the Mexican Southern Railway Companies have recently made arrangements to build jointly a substantial iron bridge across the Rio Grande, to replace the wooden trestle-work erected by the former company. The new bridge will be used by both roads. Leaving New Laredo, the train passes the station of Rio Grande (168 miles), and then crosses the river, which is about one quarter of a mile wide. The next stop is at Mexico Junction (169 miles). The track now makes a long bend to the northwest, and reaches Laredo, Texas (172 miles). Between the two Laredos, an express agent passes through the cars, and checks baggage to any part of the latter city. He also sells transfer tickets to the depot of the International and Great Northern Railroad, which runs to San Antonio. The customs inspector meets the train on arrival at the station of Laredo, and examines baggage on the platform without causing any unnecessary delay to the passengers. There is a dining-room adjoining the station, owned and controlled by the Mexican National Railway Company.

Tickets are sold at Laredo to all parts of the United States. The distance to San Antonio is 153 miles, and the