The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-04-27
sotrH 4mERTcAN LEfTBR.
From a Former Citizen Of Wheeling,
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soUTH AMERICAN LETFBR.
From a Former Citizen Of Wheeling,
correspondence Of the Inteliigeneer)
SANTIAGO, CHILL, Feb. 20, 1872.
Ny trip from Los Angeles 10 Nacie.
uento was perfectly delightful. "a beau.
,fal road through as fine an agricultural
district as one would desire to see; ar
rived at the Blo.Bio about . P. NJ, and
crossed in a launch to Naciemento. This
town is situated on a high bluff, over.
looking the rivers Bio-Blo and Vergars,
about half mile above where the latter
aows Intoth former and the view from
the fort Is magnificent. This comprises
the two rivers winding of in the distance,
reflected in the sunlight, like two immense
silver serpents, with the Cordillera for a
background, in the midst Of which Is seen
the volcano Of Antuco. The town has a
population Of about 5000, and Is ofvery
little importance, since the troops were
advanced to Angel. The fort Is located
90 the brow Of the hill, and commands
tho northern and western approaches to
thetown. It Is now used as a quartet for
q few troops that are located there, who do
police duty for the town. A very fair
hotel supplies the commissiariat for
strangers. a line Of stages run from
NsCiemento to Angel, but l had quite
enough Of that sort Of navigation, so pro.
cured horse and started for Angel, dis.
unt eleVen miles. The first portion Of
thsroad was very disagreeable owing to
the dust which was whirled around
rather loose with a strong wind that was
blowing at the time. This country is,
indeed, the flower Of Chilli. The land is
= rich dark loan, well watered and plenty
Ottmber, just rolling enough for all
kinds Of farming. But these people have
avery limited knowledge in regard to
agriculture, and they are bitterly opposed
to all the modern appliances sTheystill
adhere to the ancient custom Of thresh.
ing the wheat by corraling mares and
making them tread II out-for a pillow
they use the old wooden arrangement, q.
heavy log with wooden share. Talk to
them Of a railroad and they will not un.
leEstand you; they say an OK team is
last enough The.landscape viewslonI the
road are magnificent, and as we approach
Angel the Notifications are. seen on the
mountains surrounding the village, beyond
which are the unconquerable Auracan:
ians. 80 vi ~ ,siOJ.
Angel Is much larger and better laid
out than either Naciemento or Los An,
geles, and has population Of about four
thousand, the majority Of which are sol:
diers, with few foreigners, who ore
awaiting the action Of the government,
which has declared Its intention to move
the troops farther into the interior, which
Will give these foreigners (Who are princl.
pally miners a chance to prospect for
gold and silver, Of which Il is thought
there are large quantities in the noun.
ta'nS, which is inaccessible at present ow.
ing to the hostility Of the Indians. In this
particular they will not allow mining, but
foreigners go among them with IMMUNITY
Iol trading. Accompanied by an English
gentleman, ] visited the Qualifications
which are earth entertainments, compfis
Ing about ten in number, within a tddiu.
oil about twenty miles; the number Of
troops Is about five thousand. We went
beyond the iorts and entered an Indian
camp; were very well received, and asked
for tobacco and whisky, with which
articles we very thoughtnlly provided
ourselves, and were Immediately voted
"Busn Amigos" We were invited to 90
on hunt with them which We accented
and had a splendid time for three days
Returned to Angol aud at Naclemento
look steamer down the Bio Bio for Con.
Gepcion. The river is very wide but moi
deep, Our boat was n small Stern.whcelel
aud enjoyed the scenery which is mag,
nldcent. Arrived at Talcsmavlda at I
p. NJ, and took the train Tor Concencion
and started again for ChillIar, and Talca
taking OF two evils what l considered tc
be the least. The road from Concepcior
10 Chillian or the one from Naciemento
Los Angeles and Chillian. Arrived Il
Talca worn out with two days and twl
nights rough staging.
Talca Is the third city in Chill, has
population Of $4,000, Is substantial
built and very pleasantly located. Limi
ed stay prevent my getting much infol
nation about the city. Staged 1t to Cur
co where I took the train on the souther
Railroad for this city tsantiago.)
start this evening for Santa Rosa D
Les Andos to cross the Andes to BuenC
AyFes' NJ. +. A.
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