The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-10

for White Men Rare Relics Brought
Home by the Travellers.
| Messrs. F B. Garcelon, the Colwich
banker, and John Mahan, Of this city,
have returned from Guatemala, 10
which country they went some three or
four weeks ago. The gentlemen above
named were accompanied by Messers.
Lewis Woodman Of Denver and D. E.
Garst and \. A. Hilton OF Wichita The
three last named gentlemen remained in
the sunny land TO attend 10 important
mining matters.
Messrs. Mahan and Garcelon were seen
| by m Eagle reporter at Mr.. Ms resi-
/ dence on North Emporia avenue. and
the curiosities they brought and the
interesting.
They sailed from New Orleans for
| Livingston, Guatemala. on the 23rd Of
January and were five days crossing the
Gulf, portion OF which time was occu-
pied in skiriing the Yucatan coast TO
what is known as the Yueatan channel
to Belieze. British Honduras. Here the
travellers saw many American negroes
struggling for half wages 10 get money
with which 70 pay their way home.
Everybody, however. dotes on Uncle
Sans money.
The president Of Guatemala is Senior
Don Jose Maria Reina Barrios. with ex-
ecutive residence at Guatemala City.
The valley land is dank and malarisl
and white men locating there have to
run the gauntlet of deadly diseases. Up
IL the mountain ranges. however. the
atmosphere is more rarified and health
full.
The town clock at Livingston IS a
great curiosity. 1t consists of a piece Of
raiIraod iron suspended in the air. and
the time of day or night IS struck upon
II by a policeman detailed for that pur
pose. This time-striker uses bludgeon
to make the iron resound. and what was
still more iudicrous to the travellers was
the fact that the time-strlker seemed 10
mark his hours just whenever he hap
pened 20 think OF il. For instance, IL he
should become engrossed In a game of
cards he might forget all about the
clock" End let il run" an hour and
half between strikes.
Policemen and soldiers all go bare
footed. and their drills are the evolutions
OF an awkward squad.
The tourists brought home a great
variety of curiosities. such az pottery,
most of II unique and beautiful: orna-
mental gourd cup, a red winged parrot
oil n hot
would puzzle the Oldest expert in this
country, and various kinds of the beau
tiful woods which form the forests and
jungles OF that counJry-rose wood
heavy as lead. sappirilla. mulatto wood
$50 called because it is streaked with
white and black mahogany and nesparo.
The latter is the hardest wood and the
grain is as fine as marble. The rail-
road ties in that country are mostly of
rose wood. and some of them weigh 500
pounds. When thoroughly seasoned
this wood will turn the point Of the
hardest steel drill .
The natives use a long running vine
wind it around some hoops. plaster it
with clay and make a handsome vessel
which is carried upon the heads of wo-
men.
The Sidewalks in the cities are mar
row and the streets are laid off with
painful irreSularty. and as 10 the build
ings stranger cannot tell which is
church, a bank or residence.
The travellers brought hack many sill
yer coins. ranging from 3is cents up 10
ten. Paper money is called monkey"
money, and silver is called tin money"
by the natives.
Everybody in this country must pay
their debts. A man might as well be
accused OF murder "a lodging a debt,
and he might as well hide out In the
jungle. The law prohibits the transfer
of real estate until the stipulated price
is paid spot cash.
As 70 mining The returned parties
seem well pleased. and the reporter was
shown an envelope half full OF the pref
test gold dust he ever saw. Professor
woodman OF Colorado. who remained in
Guatemala, said ne never saw anything
as rich in his life.