The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1890-06-19
From Cartagcna, :. a.
CAwrAGENA, Colombia, S. a

CARTAGENA, Colombia, S. a.
TO the Editor of The Times:
My last letter left us ut anchor
in the bay of Cartagcna, the most
beautiful, largest and best fortified
iii South America. Forts, castles
and bustions frown upon yon from
every point. AS seen from the sea,
the prospect is magnificent, bat
"distance lends cncllantment." AS
you enter the city you find the
streets very narrow and crooked.
The houses arc two and three stories
high, with Romeo and Juliet balco-
nies jutting from each upper WIN
dow, often separated from those
across the street by only Il few feet.
The entire city is built of stone
with thick walls and tiled roofs a
church or Il convent on nearly every
street, with barred windows and
iron doors, reminders of those lively
times when the sea robbers ruled
the Spanish Main. 1t was here the
Spaniards for centuries gathered
their countless wealth, in gold, sill
yer and spices, obtained by conquest
and trcachery from the Indians of
the interior. Here it was stored
and accumulated, and once year
Spain sent over her armed gallcons
and transported it to Europe. To
better protect these vast treasures
from rowing pirates and buccaneers
of those days, II wall was built
around the city, which for beauty.
solidity and us a specimen of fine
engineering, cannot be equalled in
the world, and is to-day in perfect
state of preservation. It's height is
from Is to so feet and from 25 to
IS feet thick. 1t is said to have
cost nearly S90,00O,0OO. At the
present time cannon and mortars
are still mounted and soldiers guard
and watch upon its ramparts, as in
days OF old. Even while l write,
the shrill call of the bugle and rat
tie of the drum are heard from the
walls in sight of my window. The
top OF the wall is paved with tiled
brick and us smooth and level as the
floor. Here is the city promenade
and here each evening finds me en-
joying the cool breeze from the
Caribbean, gazing upon the brilliant
constellation of the Southern Cross
and dreaming of home and friends.
Cartagena has a population of
Of 25,O0O, is the capital of the State
Of Bolivar the home of the presi-
dent of Colombia, who, as we'll us
the governor, resides here. Has
line of street railway, Il telephone
system AID ice plant, and conces-
sioEs have been granted for an elec-
trio plant. The people are particu-
larly hospitable and a foreigners
nationality is not thrown in his
face. The government of Colombia
is democratic and representative.
The reform it's institutions are at
present undergoing has for it's OBJ
ject the strengthening of the
National authority. In schools and
educational facilities and in the in
dustries of the country they are in a
very backward condition. Yet |
have not been here long enough to
write intelligehtly us to this.
Among the Industries which do
exist which have noticed in my
short residence here, are the extrac-
tion of it's rich natural productions,
such us quinine, India rubber, vege-
table ivory, coffee, tobacco, cocoa,
cattle and hides, mahogany, cedar
and ebony. Mining is self-sustain-
ing and is being developed, gold be-
ing produced in greater quantities
than any other metal. There being
no reduction works in the country
the ores are all shipped to Europe
and America for treatment. The
resources of this conntry are won-
derful, but capital, American energy
and railroad facilities are necessary
to develop them. Concession has
just been granted for the building
of Il railway ninety miles, and SUR
veyOrs and engineers are now on the
way from New York to at once
commence it.
l start tomorrow, by invitation,
on trip of eight days into the in
terror, among the mines and forests
of rubber, mahogany and quinine,
situated on the Sinue river. If l
am not devoured by boa (and they
are said to have been killed sixty
feet long) you will hear from me
again. Yours, G. L. Croft.