New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-18
SUNDAY EDITION.
AUGUST IS, 1895.
IN NICARAGUA LAND.
GENERAL II. I. ABBOT TELLS OF A TR0
THERE FORTY YEARS AGO.
AN ARMY OFFICERS HARD RIDE ON Null
THAT WAS NOT AMENABLE TO REASON OR
wHIP-DANGER TO THE CANAL


THAT WAS NOT AMENABLE TO REASON OR
wHrP-pANGER TO THE CANAL
FROM ENGLAND.
cor.ral Henry L. Abbot, whose retirement IRON
.,,vs .erv,ce last Tuesday has been reported. Wa
sitting in his private Office In the Army buiidins
the other day. He had been talking In that kiho'"
pleasant way Of his with Tribune reporter 70
eardns his long service and the various department.
with which ne has had to do In some way INV
Nicaragua Canal project was mentioned NO"
~. can.r,, remarked II have never had anything
% do With the Nicaragua Canal officially, but nav
been over the ground. That was many years ago
In fact II was right after we had competed oui S
vev Of the Northern Pacific Railroad and we were
on our way back to the East from Caiiorn'a' .
think that was the most interesting experience !
ever had and while at times II was ihtehseS
amusing yet 1t had It's serious side, too. captain
williamson with whom / had been associated On
the survey was with me- Before leaving san tA"'
cisco we had a good deal OF argument as 10 '"s
best route take. for at that time there were wv
lines one by way OF Panama and one by Nicaragua.
I shall never forget the flaming advertisements %
the attractions OF the lines and their faciues 'ot
transit across the Isthmus. According to the caro-
YOU could have a superb charger. when, as sho"h ~
the highly colored picture. was paving the ar WIN
neck proudly curved and eye flaming with eagerhess
To be off only waiting for his human charge. VI
a splendid four-in-hand. magnificent coach, driver
begoyed on the box. with whip in hand. the Ions
whiplash curling through the air and the UP JuS
touching the flank OF the off leader In the mos
artistic style imaginable. We were Impressed. -
who would not have been at the promise OK 20
much luxury This you must remember. was IL
1855 The fact that there had been some trouble
on the route and a good deal Of shooting, did NOT
disturb US greatly, and. despite the foreoodns re-
marks Of supporters OF the Panama line. we o.
cided to go by Nicaragua.
THE CHARGER WAS MULE.
THE travel in those days was very largely ~
these two routes and boats were crowded esp"
cially those running TO Panama. Well, we many
reached the entry port. which Is now brito a"o
were then disiusioniZed. The magnncent charger
proved to be a sleepy put untamed little mu'e
which. when you were once astride OF him, leu
YOUR feet dangling on the ground on either SIDE
The coach and four was an ordinary wagon ina.
looked comfortable enough. Williamson ana )
looked at each other and then at the two MODES OK
conveyance I had been sick In California ana
fought shy OF the mule transport. while Williamson
decided against the wagon and for the mule. Wen,
we started and he soon had the laugh on me, tof
the moment We started up the mountains we iouho
that we not only had to walk but 10 push the
wagon as we'll. Once at the top it was plain saini
for U.S. and II came my turn 70 laugh at captain
williamson and shall never forget the style IN
which he came into the hotel at Nicaragua LaKe
The mule broke and deliberately ran away and the
Captain, try as he might, could not stop the BEAST
lust as the danger seemed imminent he leaned over
and stuck his heel down, the same time swinging
clear OF the saddle and just let the mule run out
from under him He said to me: That is certainly
the most unruly brute have ever seen; IL IL q.
his head around till could look squarey nuo ~ ~
ugly face and IL would not swerve him from nv
course
DOWN THE SAN JUAN RIVER
at the foot OF the lake we had to take ooa'
down the San Juan River, which part OF the
wav ran through close forest, the foliage brushing
the sides of the boat oftentimes There were t"'
boats 7 remember one for steerage and the othei
for frst-class passengers. The cheaper boat go
of first for some unaccountable reason and thet
the efforts OF our captain TO pass In the Mario"
channel were amusing the fellow anead "ouio
shut him of at every attempt. But nnaiy ne o'c
hunt his way through. Part OF the river Is hieo
with rapids, making necessary an elaborate ssS'e"
of locks to make a canal effective
"As said. have never had anything 10 90 ON
clally with the plan for canal there Inc MATTER
as you know is now being dealt with by conn
mission which is sitting here In the Army Building
Without OF course. knowing, presume the report
this commission will make TO the President oeiore
Congress meets will deal with the canal question
from an almost purely commercial point of view,
az Colonel Ludlow is the only military man on the
Board There is point In connee.lon WIZ, 'ns me- ~
ter which have never seen dwelt upon 10 any eM
the canal after II has been completed 10 preveht ~
hostile occupancy in case OF war. 90 NOT pehevs
in taking the chance OF building cana LOT u. y.
other fellow to use and the nearness OF Engand te
the port OF entry with her coaling station az hns.
ston Is to me an indication tnat she is not oi'hu "
the possibilities OF the case.