San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-17


Central America, Feb, 8, lSSo.
Daily LIGHT:
As | mentioned In my last communl-
cation, dated New Orleans, January, Is,
that would write you upon our arrival
at Port LImon. Central America, refer
enee being made to the party which LETT
San Antonio on the 9th ultlmO, In
charge Of Mr.. Owen SinnOtt, do so nov
with pleasure, to the best OF my ability,
In the brief time | have before the
steamer returns to New Orleans.
We left the Crescent City on the fol-
lowing morning Sunday January the
29th) by steamship "FOxhall," Captain
Doane master. After about a seven
hours run down the Mississippi he
brought US to the celebrated jetties,
constructed by the late Captain Eads, 3
feat In engineering which will last as a
monument to that distinguished engin-
eer, for many years 10 come.
After clearing the jetties. which was
about 8 p. m, II WAS not long before all
sight Of land was lost and we at once
realized that we were sailing on the
deep blue sea, enjoying "llte on the
ocean wave" and leaving the land
behind US at rate OF about
twelve knots (miles) an hour. We did
not sight any more land until on Tues
day afternoon when we sighted the
leland OF Cuba, which lay on our left or
port side, or IN other words to the east
ward and YucStan on the right or
starboard side, which latter place can
not be seen, but this | ascertsined by
referring to the map which Indicates
those two places are very nearly oppo-
site each other, probably at q distance
apart OF about 100 miles.
The next places met with on the fol-
lowing day, are the swan Islands, where
large quantities Of guaDo are obtained.
and was informed that those Islands
are Inhabited by about three hundred
people who gather this valuable ma
nure. Occasionally a vessel comes 10
anchor, u couple OF miles of. and the
guano is lightered out and loaded for
different paris OF Europe, the bulk OF IL
going to England.
forgot to mention that shortly after
passing the Island OF Cuba we leave the
Gulf OF Mexico and enter the Caribbean
Sea, and that 1t Is IN this sea that the
swan Islands are situated. To whom
those Islands belong | could not proper
ly lind out, but one thing | did learn
was that they belonged TO some nation
other than America, and that the same
we're rented out to certain companies or
speculstOrs for a number OF years at an
enormous rental.
Several other islands, capes, etc, are
met with, OF more or less import
snce, and which would occupy
too much space at this
writing TO describe, so | will
change the subject by stating
that on the vessel were two San AntO-
mans, vending their way 10 this land Of
fruit and flowers, with a view of en-
barking In business, viz: Photography,
icwelry, etc. Their names are Messrs
jacobson and Schmidt. Among those
with whom had the pleasure OF meet
Ing on board the steamer, "Foxhali,"
was Mr.. r. J. O'Snea. q young man from
Tipperary, in the Emerald Isle, and
brother Of Mr.. John Augustus O'Shea.
the we'll known journalist and author,
who is at prt sent sub editor OF Mr.. Will
liam O'Brien's paper, United Ireland"
Mr.. p. j O'Shea says he has travelled
much in both Central and South Ameri-
ca, and that he has spent three years In
the Republic OF Mexico, having
lived seven months in the state
Of Guerrero in (IierTe CsiPnte)
amongst the Aztec, OtOmLe. and Pinta
Indians, where but few white pIOpie
travel. He speaks 10 the highest terms
OF the natives, and says they are the
kIndest, most polite ard most hOspit8ble
people he has ever lived amongst.
They work but little, for nature supplies
these, her children, in abundance with
everything they require, without much
eXeTtiOn on their part. They are brave,
courageous, and seemingly happy,
knowing hut little OF the great world
outside.
Education Ia in backw state. for
MIR. 0'Shes says he passed hundreds OF
villages where he found nOi one able to
read or write, except the venerable
padre or the proprietor of come rich
hacienda or gold mine. Mexico City,
Vera Cruz, PueblR, ST. Louis PotOsi
and the many other large towns and
villages In the republic are well supplied
with good schools, where pupils receive
a first class education and qualify them
selves to take part In the great battle OF
life.
To return to my former subject; SUI
flee 1t to say that we all arrived, well
and hearty at our destination. Port
LimOn, Costa RiOa. on Friday morning
the 3rd inst, thus making the voyage
from the wharf at New Orleans to this
place In five days.
Upon our arrival here, Mr.. Sinnott
who was In charge Of the party, spared
no trouble or expense In making ample
provisions for us at hotel, and after
resting there several hours. train WAS
made up TO distribute the men along the
line In various capacities as conductors,
foremen, etc, while your humble ser
want was detained here to await further
Instructions.
Mr.. II. Frisbie, the irrepressibe, COM
monty known on the AraDsss Pass
railroad, as the dude and masher. was at
once made conductor, while MIR. Charley
Ross, mot the missing Charley Ross be-
cause he could not be mIssed,) was also
assigned a similar position. Mr.. Michael
Hines was appointed assistant to Mr..
Sinnott. The remainder of the men
were well pleased, satisfied. and found
everything just rs IL was represented to
them before leaving San Antonio.
To a stranger coming here this seems
q strange place, the first thing which at
tracts the. attention. no matter which
way you look, are the cocoanut, banana,
bread fruit, and various other kind of
fruit trees. loaded down with fruit
Monkeys, parrots and birds OF beautiful
plumage, are also to be seen in nearly
every house.
1t seems to be the impression among
us Texans and others that tobacco and
liquors are very cheap, but this is An
error as these are the most expensive
articles In the republic, the government
reserving the right to control this par
ticular trade with a view to bringing In
big revenue TO pay its expenses and
help to pay of a debt which still bangs
over 1t.
Some idea can be formed as to what