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Alfred A. Benitz | Page last modified: |
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Alfred A. Benitz | Page last modified: |
Alfred bought “Campo Winter” in 1917, from the daughters of General Lorenzo Vinter. This is an acount of a visit by Alfred and Olga in May, 1918. He recorded it in a diary now missing but which is quoted in his Chronicles, chapter 45 (see above). The Chronicles calls it “El Vermejo” - which is incorrect. Estancia “El Bermejo” was owned by a group of English investors and its mananagement was surpervised by Alfred’s brother John. In 1918, “Campo Winter” was bordered to the north by the Rio Bermejo, and to the south and east by estancia “El Bermejo”.
Alfred later bought more land farther east, beyond Ea. “El Bermejo” – please click here for more details about these camps, including maps.
Notes:
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he used at “Los Palmares”.~~~~~
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Background: The photo is from Olga’s album (lent to us by Susan Horner). It is not labelled but because its type is different from those taken in 1902 by Alftred’s brother John, we speculate the photo was taken by Alfred. He had his own dark-room for developing photos at Los Palmares.
Reference Pages: Written in English by Alfred and Herman, the day-book is full of Spanglish terms and names local to the region. To assist you, please open and have at hand (in a separate tab / window) the Reference Pages.
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1918 - “The Chronicles of Alfred Benitz” - Chapter 45: Travels. 1916-1918
Be aware that these quotes from Alfred’s diary are not verbatim: (i) verbs have been set to past tense; (ii) spelling has been changed to standard English; (iii) terms may have been softened; (iv) quote marks were added, often followed by a translation in parentheses, e.g. "charcos" (puddles); & (v) We corrected the camp’s name to: Campo Winter.
In July of 1916 1917, Alfred bought the estancia "Campo Winter" which was situated near the town of Resistencia
in the Chaco, and made a trip up by boat to revise his new property. Two years later, and this time accompanied by Mrs
Benitz, he made another trip by train.
May 19th 1918. Olga and I left "Las Tres Lagunas" by car at 10 a.m. and arrived at Cañada de Gomez at 11.10 where we took the train for Rosario, arriving at 11.10. We then took the train for Buenos Aires arriving at 1.30 p.m., Olga leaving her riding-hat in the train. Went to the Savoy Hotel for lunch and then visited the British Red Cross Kermesse where I spent about $13.00. Left by train at 5.45 for Resistencia on which we were able to get beds. Damp weather, rained slightly during the night.
May 20th. We arrived at Calchaqui about 5 a.m. next morning where we were met by Mr Fraire and his two daughters. They went on the train with us as far as Vera. I gave him a letter to J. Macdonald asking him to come and buy cattle. Rained a bit nearly all day. We arrived at Resistencia at 7 p.m. and went to the Hotel Pizzoloti. Lots of mud about.
May 21st. The morning was fine and clear with balmy air. Went to Banco de La Nacion and presented recommendations from manager of Las Rosas Bank. Ordered half a dozen saddles and afterwards went to call on Antonio Lions, who was not at home. Nice place Resistencia, with broad streets and pavements. Guess the people are a bit lazy as I find the vegetables come from Rosario. Olga bought a boy-scout hat in place of the one she lost in the train from Rosario. Wrote to the station-master in Rosario about the lost hat. At 2 p.m. took the "trencito" (little train) to Barranquero, where we took the steamer for Corrientes arriving at 3 p.m. Went to the Hotel Buenos Aires, quite a swell place, and after tea went for a walk about the town. The steamer "Washington" is here.
May 22nd. Got up at 4 a.m. and went down to steamer "Washington" which did not leave until 7.45 a.m. One of the chief officers, or pilot called Thompson is a cousin of Boardman's. The steamer is the best on the line and makes two trips a month. Cold overcast day. Arrived at Puesto Las Palmares at noon, and went up in a closed truck to Mr Young's place. They were very kind and kept us for the night. Made arrangements to be sent on tomorrow. Rained off and on steadily most of the afternoon. Got on board after breakfast at 7 a.m. next morning, going by the auto on rails to Kilometer 44. (Las Selvas). Left our bags and overcoats at Mrs Young's. At Las Selvas we got into a small trolley or platform car, drawn by a mare, and arrived at Kil. 62 at 11.30 a.m. just as the mare got tired out. A cape-cart of Donkin's met us there. There was lots of water on roads. Arrived at estancia at 4 p.m. Donkin meeting us at the estancia gate. Beautiful day. Orange trees seem to have grown a good deal in the last two years. Orr had been here about twenty days ago.
May 24th "Campo Winter" Had breakfast about 7.30 a.m. Very cold night and overcast day, but cleared up a little in the afternoon. Rode up into my camp where some people have cattle in "pastaje" at 10 cents per month. Went to revise rest of camp and animals.
May 25th. "Campo Winter" Fine afternoon, after morning a bit overcast. Olga, Donkin and I went to Rio Oro where the drain is and Olga gathered nine different kinds of ferns. A "tolderia" of Indians was near the "sanjon" (large drain), they looked poor and with hardly any native work to sell. Wife got full of "garapatas" (species of leech).
Sunday May 26th. Fine forenoon but overcast in the afternoon and coldish. Olga and I went up to the Rio Vermejo near the house, on the other side, and had an "asado" and mate. Camp wants burning very badly. What cattle we saw in camp were in very good condition.
Monday May 27th. "Campo Winter" Overcast in forenoon, but afternoon was fine and sunny, but with a cold south wind blowing. Went on horseback with Olga and Donkin to Rio Oro to near the house where the trees are being barked, where we gathered ferns. Later news came that the steamer to Puerto Vermejo wont go down until Friday. I have a bad cold. Proposition of Donkin's to take cattle on my camp on thirds.
Tuesday May 28th. "Campo Winter" Fine day. Rode out with wife and Donkin to "tajamar" (cutwater or groin) on the east side, and then walked along "sanjon" which was a beautiful walk. Saw "carpinchos" tracks. I still have a bad cold. In the afternoon we walked to where they are breaking up camp and where we saw tracks of lions. Hear that it is impossible to get to Las Palmares.
Wednesday May 29th. "Campo Winter" Went with Olga and Donkin and we had a picnic at Laguna Lobo, which is the place where little Alfred Benitz (Johnny's son) shot off his hand when his gun exploded. Saw some men loading some Urunday logs, of which I took some photos. We are going to Kil. 62 to see if we can get down that way. Camp on the other side of Rio Oro, near Laguna Lobo, is getting more refined through draining and stocking. Saw some toucans and "uracas" and another beautiful woodpecker with a red head and red crest, also some "Pavo del monte".
Thursday May 30th. Left "Campo Winter" estancia at 6.45 a.m. for Kil. 62. Donkin driving us as far as the big "estero" in Lowndes camp. We arrived at Kil. 62 at noon where the mules were awaiting us. After a snack of "fiambre" and oranges, we went to Kil. 43, where we had to wait at Selvas for about an hour, as we wanted to change mules. We got on to the auto on rails, and arrived at Young's place at about 4.30 p.m. where we had tea and dinner, leaving for Puerto Las Palmas at 8.30 p.m. and where we stayed the night at Mr Young's private rooms. It was a fine warm day. Talked with Young about the business of "poblaring" Cecil Winter's camp with cattle. He has a man called Supervielle who could look after the business on thirds. Las Palmas begin their sugar harvest tomorrow.
May 31st. Thursday. Were awakened at 3 a.m. and went on board the "Berna" which left at about 5 a.m. after loading a lot of extract of "quebracho". Our cabin has a double bed and is on the saloon deck. We arrived at Corrientes at 7 a.m. and left again about 8 p.m. Sky very overcast and looks like rain, but quite warm wind, seems N.E. Quite a good steamer, and there are about between 40 to 50 passengers on board. It is loaded up with oranges and mandarins. We passed Bella Vista about 3.30 p.m. and then Puerto Ocampo.
Friday June 1st. Weather still misty. We passed Santa Helena about 7 a.m., Parana at about 1 p.m. arriving at Rosario at eight in the evening where we went to the Savoy Hotel.
© Peter Benitz (Benitz Family)