The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-06-06
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Mag II, 1856, (
DxAR BRorHgR:--On the list inst, II
mailed you an elaborate letter IRON which
you may have gathered some ideas in re-
ard to my journey thus far. and probably
may have extracted few interesting items
for your paper, il You had the patience to
hunt them out and dress them.
We have now been in the city ofGrana.
da, the headquarters ofGen.W aiker's ar
my, for over three weeks, with as Little
probability of getting off in another three
weeks as we had at our arrival. During
this time, many Of the emigsants have sui
fered much from want Of proper food, ex-
posu.e and disease; though the former could
be avoided by those who possessed money,
but unfortunately the msjority were not
supplied with this very necessary article
otherwise large proportion OF the passeh
gers would have returned on the Orizabs
from Castlilo.
All emiarants are allowed free possession
of the vacated chemoristoe houses, and all
those who are 80 unfortunate as to have no
money, are kindly allowed by Col. Walker
10 draw rations similar 10 the soldiers, pla-
cling them in still better circumstances than
the latter, were il net for their family per-
Esxities and other similar cares. These
rations consist of tortillos (corn beat up
with water and baked9 fever beef, rice and
sugar, with occasionally coffee. This, with
the fruit they get, being such complete
change OF diet, with that of climate, causes
much sickness.
Granada Is considered the most unhealthy
point in this country, and now, just before
abe rainy season sets in. Is il most IN.
healthy The characteristic disease is a
contagious fever with typhoid symptoms,
| md in many cases with all the forms Of
yellow fever. Out of 800 emigrans be-
tween SO and so have died.
Though it is con agious, have been
| among II daily in my profession, and have
seen many Of my friends, with whom ] had
formed an intimacy while on shipboard, die.
On the I'd inst. we buried DAM. Tucker,
one OF our original company OF four who
started rom Dayton. attended him as
siduously two or three days, though he was
delirious all the time, like all who die OF
this disease. Since then have seen Judge
Smith and DR.. Finney OF California, Mr..
Dunton and others die, each dying delrious.
So far have enjoyed excellent health and
spirits, and when | get safely out of this
country, shall never regret that Providence
has given me such fair insight into this
| tropical country.
Gransda was once a rich CITY, numbering
SO 900 inhabitants and contsin.ng many fine
churches, (these like the buildings being
| built of adobes,) out was almost depopula-
ted many years ago BY the internal wars
which have consulsed this country for cen
turtles. Before ,hc present war broke cut
It contained about 1900 int abitants, more
| than hall oEwbom, belonging to the oppo-
sing party, have been obliged to fly since the
accession OF Gen. Walker. The presen,
inhabitants are the native Indians, with
straight hair md regular features, though a
large proportion ofthem are mixed with the
Jamaica Negro blood. The females, who
far outnum Der the otser sex, are also much
| finer specimens Of the human race. Some
OF the signorettas are very handsome, though
| quite dark skinned.
Ii the old adage Of a poor man for chill.
dren will apply to this country, there mus,
be an abundance Of poor natives here judy.
ing by the number of children. They all
keep remarkably clean however, thus re.
minding strangers that cleanliness is neces.
cary TO health in this hot climate.
A few evenings since | walked through
the western portion Of the city which ID
now mass Of ruins. This was formerly
the handsomest part of Granada, but was
reduced by the besieging party during one
| of the intestine wats, many years ago. The
| Thick adobe walls, showing the marks ot
| thousands of cannon and musket balls, re.
main with no other 'hange than that which
time impresses oil them. From the cupois
of one of the ruined churches, had fine
view of the city and surrounding county
The latter was beautiful, extending off in
rich haciendas for many miles TO the noun
tains, while in the distance could be seen
smoke issuing from two volcanoes This
church still possessed its bells, though one
had large piece knocked cut. These bells
are said TO have much gold n their compo-
sition
On the plaza are wo splendid pieces Of
cannon, OF soft yellow metal, bearing the
dated 1913, they are SO rich in gold as to
be worth large amount. Our Minister,
Col Wheeler, offered SO 600 for the largest
one, understand, which is "a FOUNDER,
and about u feet long.
On Sunday went through the San
Francisco monastery and church. This is
the largest in Granada and occupies whole
block. 1t was once fine building. bat time
has spoiled the carvings and gliding Al
one time it was made tue quarters for the
soldiers, but now it is only used as a ro-
ceptacle for the dead. In one Of the rooms
entered, Gen. Carol, who was sho, az a
traitor by Gen. Walker, signed his own
death warrant.
Ga the Alb inst. went down on the plaza
at 8 o'clk. TO see the execution of two de.
ser,ers They were mere boys, between 10
and 20, who deserted after the battle Of
Rivas. TWAS pronounced most brutal
affair.
About two weeks ago, in company with
three others, attempted to ascend Mount
Sara, near by. We started about daylight,
well armed and progisioned; we reached the
mountain, asceRded some distence, and then
crossed about two miles of table land while
il was cool. On this table land were seye.
raj ran chos where they cultivated plsntuln.
pihe-aPPies and other fruits. Also passed
an old indigo, factory, where were quite ex
tensiye yats and buildings used in manufac.
turing the article; ALEC the old field. used
10 lis cultivation. saw the indip, Ian.
ana nader growing; also a species Of Gin
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