Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-16
Correspondence of the Public Ledger.l

Correspondence OF the PuDnc Leuger'l
KEY WEST. FLA, March 26. 1872. Z
Thinking it may be interesting to
some of my Memphis friends to know
something about this portion of the
United States, | will endeavor to give
the information acquired during win
ter's residence: ~
| left Tennessee on cold morning in
November, going via Chattanooga to
Atlanta. After few days spent in that
beautiful city, rapid transit through
Montgomery and Mobile brought me to
New Orleans, where, on the day of my
arrival, overcoats were in brisk demand
My passage had been secured on the
steamship Liberty, and, on going on
board, | was instantly placed in COM
Portable quarters, and made to feel at
home in every respect. Captain Reed,
of the Liberty, is a thorough and practi;
cal seaman and an accomplished gen
tleman, as all who have had the pleas
ure of travelling with him can testify.
On the evening of the 18th we cast
off our lines; and in few moments the
booming of our gun announced that we
were fairly started an our voyage.
The night was dark and cold, and
there was no inducement for remaining
on deck, especially as the scenery on
the "Big Muddy" between New Orleans
and the ''bar, is not celebrated for its
grandeur. Before daylight we were over
the bar and fairly out in blue water. A
moderate breeze was blowing and the
sea was quite smooth, but yet sufficiently
rough to cause the majority of our pas
sengers to lose the number of their
mess.
Early on the morning of the 18th the
high green hills of Cuba were sighted,
and from that time until we passed the
Moro" feld-glasses were in constant
requisition.
As the city of Havana has been so
often described do not propose to have
much to say about it. The steamer re-
NAMED there several days, during which
time the passengers were all on shore,
and busily engaged in seeing the sights
As soon as the lading of the ship was
finished we were all on board, and
soon were gliding past the Moro on
our way to Key West, which place lay
eighty miles north of US Early in the
morning the low, sandy beach and
cocoa-uut trees of the island were in
sight and in half an hour after crossing
the reef we were gliding past the guns of
Fort Taylor and into the harbor.
On arriving at the wharf, one may
almost fancy himself in a Spanish town,
from the crowds of Cubans to be seen.
Their iabber and gesticulations are sim
ply terrific.
The first thing that strikes the stranger
ia the large number of cocoa-nut trees
With which nearly every house is sur
rounded. These beautiful trees grow
luxuriantly here, and are full of fruit
during the entire year. The nuts, in all
stages of development, from the blossom
TO those fully matured, may be seen on
the same tree. Those who have eaten
the cocoa-Iut as it appears on the Mem
phis fruit stands, have no idea Of the
delicacy Of the halfripe fruit, which are
the only ones that are eaten here.
The city and island of Key West has
nopulation of six thousand, two thousand
OF whom are Cuban refugees. Most of
these are cigar-makers, and are OF the
lower class. They are quiet and peace
able. and seem to be industrious. They
have their cafes and restaurants, and
also have a very pretty little theater'
where Spanish plays are rendered two
Or three times a week. OF the remain
der of the population, large portion
are Bahamians, or "Conchs," as they are
called here. probably from the supposi-
tion that that wholesome shell-hsh, the
" Coneb," forms the principal article OF
their diet. aaa b.Nf
The business of the island is purely
commercial, as there is not soil enough
for agricultural purposes. Shipping
spongIng, fishing, wrecking and cigar
making are the principal pursuits. All
vessels wrecked on the Florida reef
which can be gotten of, are brought to
this port and salvages are adjusted by
the Admiralty Court.
The sponge trade of the island is
large one, and thousands OF dollars
worth are shipped annually. The
sponges are gathered in the Florida bay,
and are cured and baled here. There
are some eight OF ten large cigar tacto-
ries here. The tobacco used therein is
all brought from Havana. Thus we have
a genuine Havana cigar without the Gus
tom house duties to pay. Some idea OF