The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-21
ALL BACK FROM CUBA.
THE FOUR RfCHMONDERs At HOME
AFTER 4 PLEASANT VISIT.
Mr. Epps Had Hard Attack of sea-sick-
ness and Lots Of Cold Comfort from HIS
Ffiends-Thcir Experiences.

A party consisting OF Messrs II. NJ
Smith. Jr.. l.. .. WendenbUrs. Claiborne
Epps. and r. II. Fox, have just
returned from Il pleasant trip TO
the Island % Cuba, bearing on their
countenances the tan OF the ocean breezes
and a slight pallor induced By sea~sick-
ness, from which they all suffered more
or less. Their trip was made Oh the
steamship Braganza, OF the Hart Line
Of steamers. under command OF Captain
Samuel West, who. by the way, the voy-
ayers report TO be the prince OF good
fellows All went well with the party
until they We're well out into the ocean,
when Ny Epps began to feel that qlzzy
feeling which Is 50 dreaded by mex
perienCed travellers. He Fought against
Il manfully for some hours. put hnaily
took to his bunk and spent the reil'li ~
der of the voyage IN secIuSlOn As ne
lay deathly sick on his cot ne heard thc
cheerful voice of Mr.. S'nifn tnrnriNe OF
the steward whether deaths from sea-
SICKNESS occurred very Citvu on tie ocean
10 which that official answered that IL
was very common thing. Mr.. crith
then wished TO know what disposition
was made of the bodies Of the deceased,
and was told that they were put IN
salt-sack, weighted. and thrown over
board. Mir. Smith expressed some doubt
as 20 whether a sack large enough could
be procured for his friend who he told
the steward was in a very bad CONDITION.
\ deep groan from Mr.. Epps' state room
broke up the conference.
IN CUBA.
Despite these little inconvenience, they
arrived with recovered health and spir-
It's at the Island Of Cuba, and anchorinB
a short distance off shore. We're taken TO
land I'm small boats, as there are no
rth or nfgrs there intro
ductiOn given them by Mr.. John =. Hart.
Of the Hart Steamship Line, procured
them warm welcome and 4 bid 70 the
hest that the country afforded; i'm fact.
they were not allowed TO spend any
money while there.
Their host during their two days stay
was Raphael Arrue, owner of large
plantation near the town Of Baracoa,
Provided with a guide Henry Matos by
name. they made tour through the
surrounding country, ana visited four
accorded hearty welcome. and refresh
ments. both liquid and solid, rendered
them. The whole country over which
they passed had the appearance Of being
cast ny Tn the midst Of the sea by vol
canic action. II is completely covered
with groves of banana and cocOauut
trees, which grow up from creyices in
the rocks. very little earth appearing on
the surface. In one grove alone We're
ltS,Wp banana trees. CCcOanut trees also
abound. and the nuts are shipped in
great quantities. The party brought back
with them one Of the nuts just as #
was pulled from the tree. It is encased
III a nun. which IS "A provision Of nature
both To keep the milk OF the nut from
sR,UI,lhs rom the neat In that tropical
cine ana 10 prevent the inner shell
from being cracked when ii is gathered
ana thrown TO the ground.
SMOKE PM CIGARS.
The travellers were much struck by the
TACT that all the inhabitants OK the island,
fine cigars, such as cost here I'm Rich
mond about fifteen cents apiece. The
price there IS about two and IL half cents.
! ne hedvy duty lai! ON them is RESPONSE
bic Tor this great difference
In this journey the thermometers passed
ever a great deal Of rocky and precipitous
country. ana i'm riding up a hill on one
SIDE OF which was precipice, Mr. Epps
came near losing his lie His horse
stepped too near 10 the side OF the rayinr.
which gave way beneath his foot, and
Alr. Epps was only saved by the presence
OF mind OF the guide, who quickly pulled
him from his horse.
They passed through waving groves Of
banana trees, laden with fruit Each of
these trees bears only one bunch Of
bananas. From the side OF the tree. near
the ground, a shoot or sucker puts up,
and as soon as the bananas are gathered
the Old tree is cut down. The shoot grows
up. and I'm eight months time bears Il
bunch Of the fruit. and 80 on every eight
4ltbA4Ntt1. MI D-AltNA bfhAbHN bsNch NttAt
him a banana-knife. which IS a kind of
cross between a sword and a knife.
These are worn, encased in a neat leather
ccabbard. by most Of the natives.
TnlIH G'vFBNNEHr
This island IS under the rule OF the
Spanish Government, and they keep de-
tachments of soldiers at every town. as
we'll as Il small mau-Of-War i'm the harbOr
of BaracOa. The Cubaus despse the
Spaniards. and the dearest wish Of their
hearts is to be under the dominion Of
the United States. The Spanish Govern
10000 from this island. and no capitalist
will go there 10 attempt 10 develop its re-
sources on account Of the excessive tax
on industries.
Among those who helped 10 make the
stay Of the party pleasant were Captain
scott. agent Of the Hart Company M
Baracoa, and Franco Arrue who was
their companion and guide.
As the Braganza steamed out Of the
harbOr on her return voyage bands Of
music were playing and salutes were
hred. which the Richmond party at first
thought was in their honor, but found
United States Consul, who had tust been
succeeded by a Democrat He was great
" beloved ana much grief was caused
in the island by his departure.
The trip of the party to Cuba was
pleasant by the presence on board the
steamer Of the Misses SprOule and
brother, of Philadelphia, and Miss Rachael
Christian. OF Boston.
They are all anxious 10 repeat their
experience (mal dc mer eXceptedD at the
first opportunity.