The sun., 1897-05-16
HIS HOUSE IN A TREETOP.
Tho Aerial Homo OF American scttier In
Nicaragua ana ITS ADVANTAGES.

Tho Aerial Home OF an American sottler In
Nicaragua ana ITS ADVANTAGES.
"I had heard of old man wildeson's house in
a tree almost from the day 1 set foot in Mica
ragua," said T. r. Drew. who recently returned
from Central America. Later when business
took me TO Rama, on the Rama River. l not only
saw 1t, but was guest in it for day and n
night, besides taking several pleasant informal
dinners and breakfasts there during my stay at
Rama. That II. wildeson is a good deal Of q
mechanical genius is shown in the construct ction
Of his strange aerial home. 1t is q three-story
house. built In an ebo tree sixty feet from the
ground. The wood Of the ebo tree Is like iron
for strength and soidity, the branches
make safe and sufficient support for the struc-
ture. The house is built about the trunk. which
stands in tho centre as the mizzenmast Of ship
rises through the cabin. recall q dinner thero
to which was invited and unexpected guests
arrived, SO that the table ordinarily used was
not large enough to accommodate US all. and
specially constructed table set completely
round the tree trunk. 1t answered the purpose
very well, except that no guest could see the one
opposite to him; but we had a very enjoyable
dinner all the same.
tains kitchen. dining room. sleeping rooms,
and bathroom. supplied with water from tho
tank The furniture is good. though simple
hammocks. after the fashion Of the country. TAX
ing the place or beds. 10 get up and down be-
tween the ground and the house an elevator is
used, SO constructed with blocks and tackle that
the person using II raises himself or controls his
descent by means OF n rope. The house is built
OF jointed boards, firmly bound by a wire cable
and further secured by wire strands passing
about the structure.
Mr.. Wildeson's idea in building this lofty
and novel house was to get above the malaria.
1t seems to answer this purpose and has other
advantages. Mosquitoes and flies will seldom
rise to such a height and the house Is practi-
cnlly free from those forms OF insect and reptile
life that in this country nfest houses built upon
the ground. 1t is cool in summer and the view
old Louisiana planter, camo TO Rama many
Ing OF bananas fo this he has since added the
planting and culture of tho rubber tree. and
from this industry he bids fair to realize n for
tune He has prospered from the first and al
ice plant, from which he supplies buyers with
ice all up and down the river.
Below his house, suspended from a limb. Is
his chicken house. The chickens run about on
the ground through the day. picking up their
living: at the end OF the day they come to the
ling house. A thing that struck me curiouslv
WAS the sight Of twelve-foot boa constructor
gliding about on the ground at the foot Of the
tree. climbing over the roofs OF the laborers'
cabins, even enter ing them, and in general
making himself perfectly at home on the planta-
Nobody d think Of harming him. said the
old man to me when / spoke to him about tho
big snake. Hes perfectly harmless to any one,
and he keeps the place clear Of mice and moles
that eat the roots OF my young banana and
chocolate s &c late trees Eat chickens! Never knew him
don't put temptation in his way. but keep them
in snako-t tight COOP OF wire nottinS,,'"