The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-03-15
THE QUEER ISLAND OF CURACAO.
Dependent Upon Rain for its Fresh
Water Supply
Old Customs Of The African Spanish Dutch and Indian
Inhahranl.-S00e Dwellings and Narrow Streets

Curacao is one of the queerest little is
lands of the Caribbean sea. 1t lies 90
miles north Of Venezuela, is about 60
miles long and ~ or IA wide, and it has
population Of more than $4,000
There is no means of procuring fresh
water on the island except by saving
rainwater in reservoirs. A number of
wells have been bored under the super
vision Of the Dutch government, to which
It belongs, but each ended in failure.
A curious statement regarding these
borings is made by the inhabitants OF
the island. They say that in each and
every case after certain depth was
reached the tools dropped out Of sight,
Indicating that there is no solid founda-
ton to the island. The borings were
made in low places and through hills,
and in about 30 different places, each
with the same ultimate result. A few
wells have been dug to a lesser depth
and brackish, unpleasant tasting water
is obtained from them, fit only for man
ufacturing purposes.
The approach of the rainy season Is
always an interesting time there. The
water in the reservoir is low at this
time. and the natives eagerly await the
opportunity to gather a fresh supply.
| Clothing is never washed there in fresh
water, but at all hours Of the day the
beach is alive with women beating the
! clothes with clubs on the rocks.
The houses are all built in the Dutct
style, and are mostly Of stone, with tile
roofs. The streets are very narrow, IL
some places so narrow that it is possible
to shake hands with the occupant of {
room across the street simply by leaning
out of the window.
There is u scarcity of young women il
the island, but an overplenty of old an(
wrinkled danes. 1t is said the yOun!
women leave home as soon as they are o
manageable age and seek husbands il
Caracas, Venezuela, or some other Soutl
American city. Yet there are some O
the prettiest girls there a traveller eve
set eyes upon They are the daughter
of Dutch fathers and Spanish mothers
and the mingling Of the two bloods ha
, produced a beautiful race, which is grow
ing quite numerous there.
, Three-quarters Of the population is o
, African descent, or mixed African, Spar
ish, Dutch and Indian. A few Indians
said to be descendants of the Caribs, ar
still to be found on the island living i
huts of straw.
, Their sole business in these days seem
J to be the peddling of lottery tickets. Ely
, erybody invests in the lottery there, an
as there are drawings each day the pee
ding of tickets forms quite payin
business.
D Some of the Africans there are ma!
a nifcently formed, especially those ell
e ployed along the lagoon in loading an
V unloading steamers and ships. They al
at home in the water and will dive IL
> der steamer for a real or 10 Gel
\ piece.
!, OF late years they are forced to WEI
II suits while sporting in the lagoon ne
# the settlements, but as the lagoon e
y tends in the center Of the island sever
8 miles each way they may be seen eve,
" evening making their way in punts to
II point beyond observation where tn
can enjoy themselves untrammeled
y clothing.
e The Maca pruen, or monkey plum,
!" the favorite fruit, and the parrot is t
e favorite bird. For 81 a young parr
1t that can talk in Spanish may be pr
e chased, and mocking bird can be b
At for 80 cents.
None of the liquor which obtains
. name from the island is made there no
y The Dutch have taken hold of the man
Is facture of the liquor and have tral
ST ferred the business to Holland
n York Herald.