The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-05-25
IICHM0NDERS INVITED TO NICARAGUA
Iropricai Country ~ II APPEARS 20 Gen.
csai IL - Fly.

Invitations have been sent to a num-
Der of persons ia Richmond to 20 on
the steamer Bishop. which accompanies
the Alyenl through the narrOws to the
lower bay on Its way to Nicaragua, and
possib IDLE one or two here may accept the
invitation,
Among those who have been invited
are Governor LIE aud General b. ID.
Fry. The latter is vesy familiar with
the country through which the expedi-
tion will pass, and the TINES being
aware Of this fact, talked with General
Fry yesterday.
Il am pcrfectlys familiar with the
country, said General Fry. having
been in command OF a section of c0un-
Try there during tie war between the
Liberal and the Conservative parties at
Nicaragua when Pdtncio Rivas was
president of the republic. My head
quarters were at Virgin Bay, on the
west side of the lake. had five gar
risons along the line, one at San Jauan
def Sur, one at Virgin Bay. one at San
Clr!os. the head of the river. one at
Castillo Rapids, Tower down on the
river. and one on the river ut the
boundary line OF the Mosquito King
dom. At that tine there we're two fine
steamers on the lake and five
or six on tine San Jauan river
At that time / also frequently cOnsld-
cred the subject If a canal by That route
and frequently heard 1t discussed bY
engineers, aud may add, that su5se-
queDt,y crossed the lsthmus Of PIna-
ma in company with friend Of mine.
one of the most distinguished engineers
in this country, who had made the sub
jet Of canal across the isthmus a
careful study. ard had examined all
the surveys made of that route at that
time, reaching the conclusion that a
canal across the lslhmus Of Panama wac
imprs ciicable.
How long will it take 10 80 there
from New York
The trip ought to be made in five or
six days on good steamer. might
add here. said the Geueral, that the
best map was able 10 procure Of the
country was one made by engineers.
sent there by Louis Napoleon. who was
much interested on The subject of ca
nal.
Is it an interesting country
ANY one visiting The country cannot
fail TO lie impressed with its beauty and
richness. The country lying between
the lake and the Pacific ocean is won
derfu.ly fertile, producing everything
that eau be grown ina tropical country.
The island Of Omatepe. lying ia the
lake ON the line of the route Of
the EXPEDITION Is one Of the
most fertile spots in the world.
Ouce spent some weeks there. and a
German borticnlturist who had lived
there for years told ne that he believed
there was nothing which could not be
cultivated on that island. it rises in
the middle to an elevation OF six or
seven thousand feet. consequently one
can fiud upon it any climate desired.
What is the size OF that islandi
Fifteen to eighteen miles long. with
an average breadth Ct ten 10 twelve
miles. 1t is one of the most favored
spots in the world for navy yard,
aud in fact the openiugof the Nicaragua
Canal means the development of
fertile country"
To hear General Fey talk about Mica
aqua and its varied attractions msLes !
ne wish he cou'd join the expedition
y hich will soon set out To this favored I
'ountry, and doubtless all OF those in /
richmond who have been invited to
axe the voyage on the Bishop have /
more than oucc wished that they could 1
ccept the invitation.