The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-19
A Word About Honduras.
San Pedro. Honduras. March 10.

San Pedro, Honduras. March 10
To the Editor Of the Eagle.
Having now been some time In Hon.
duras and having received many letters
from friends in Wichita asking for descrip-
tons of this country. I take this oppor-
| tunity of answering them through the col
umns Of the Eagle.
After rather rough voyage OF seven
days on the Gulf Of Mexico, we were, az
day-break, landed at the wharf in Purto
Cortez, Honduras My first impressions
were ones of disappointment There is no
town at the port-only wharf customs
house, railroad station and few Offices.
all more or less in need OF paint The only
street or road is that made by the railroad
track. each side of the grade in most places
being swamp. We followed the track to
the custom house where our trunks and
baggage passed under the ever-watchful
eye OF the custom-house officer.
Starting on tour of inspection we soon
found hotel built upon piles driven in
the mud where we proceeded to refresh
the inner man. The railroad track is also
used as street car line as far as La
Lagunt, a distance of about two miles, a
string OF stores and dwellings connecting
the two places. The Laguna is an inlet
OF water from the bay and nearly cuts
Purto Cortez off from the main land. II is
crossed by a very primitive ferry, also by
the railroad. From there the railroad runs
in southern direction fifty-six miles to a
small place called Pinienta, situated on the
Clua river, one of the largest IL Central
America.
Thirty-seven miles from Puerto Cortez
is San Pedro-Sula, the largest city and
center of business for this part of Hon.
duras, it having several business houses
carrying a stock of from fifty to one hum
dred thousand dollars. 1t is here that IN
terror merchants purchase their supplies
and form their pack trains. One would
naturally suppose this to be an active, bust
Ing place but on the contrary, II is slow
and Sleepy like the inhabitants of this
queer land. One old saying is here rever.-
ed: Never do today what can as well be
done tomorrow"
The natives are mostly "Mestizos"
mixture of the Indian and Spanish. The
language being Spanish. Anyone coming
here should have some knowledge of it or
apply themselves Immediately to its study.
There are as yet but few foreigners in this
country, and those only in the business
centers. A few engaged in business in the
towns but more are engaged in agricul.
ture. Quite a variety of products being
cultivated such as coffee, bananas, cocoa
(chocolate), sugar cane, pine apples, rub
Der, vanilla and cocoanuts being among the
most important.
A great source Of disappointment to
Americans visiting here is that they are
expecting a highly civilized country filled
with fruits and f1owers-a California-and
when they find only tropical climate and
a country as yet in very primitive state
they are ready to take the first steamer
home. declaring the whole country to be
only a wilderness, when in reality they
were not ten miles into the interior in any
direction.
Those who do conclude to stay usually
rush Immediately into some business OF
which they know little or nothing at all.
Especially is this so in the banana branch
which is one of the leading products of
the country and requires delicate handling
in order not to be throwing away good
money. the tenderfoot upon inquiring will
be told land truthfully too that fifty
manzanas Zone hundred acres can be had
of the government by simply announcing
it and paying cost of survey. That to plant
this in bananas will cost about twenty-five
dollars per manzanas. That one manzana
of good bananas in about one year from
planting will produce forty punches every
two weeks at an average price OF thirty
one cents per bunch. This though is the
bright side, as many know TO their cost,
there being many drawbacks. A Kansas
breeze of a few moments duration may
ruin the entire plantation, as the stalks are |
Of quick growth and easily blown down; !
or the steamers may stop taking fruit |
when one is reaping his richest harvest, or.
again, a revolution may break out (Which |
is very common occurrence here, and ne |
finds himself without labor. The mode OF |
cultivation in all branches of agriculture |
is as yet very primitive. The only tool |
used being the machette, large knife re- |
sembling the Kansas cornknife.
This also is the land Of free silver and |
no banks. where If wishing TO pay man |
a few miles away a few hundred dollars. |
one has to load a mule with it. There is no |
danger of theft an enough cannot be car |
ried to pay ones expenses, for a dollar be-
ng now worth forty-fve cents in Uncle |
Sans money. c. R. WATSON.
JnttiEgs by Ed Howe.