The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-01
IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
How Col. Montgomery WINS Treated
in Honduras

| in Honduras.
Tampa Bay Hotel, Fla. February 60
Among the passengers who went on tn,
recent excursion of the steamship Mas.
cote to Honduras was Colonel A. A. Wi
ley of Montgomery. Ala. This was his first
| trip TO Central America, and he was very
| much impressed with the country and its
possibilities. The recent investment of
capital In that Republic by Americans
has created a very kind feeling toward
anyone coming from the United States. To
| illustrate the manner In which they were
| treated, the colonel enumerated the fol-
lowing incidents OF the trip to a number
of guests the other night:
The trip both ways was a very pleas
ant one on account of the little sea that
was running. / really don't believe thar
any one OF the passengers suffered the least
fIom mai de mer during the entire trip
| We left Port Tampa at o'clock Friday
night the 18th instant, and sighted the
light on Cape Antonio, the western point
OF Cuba. Sunday morning at $50. We then
passed through the leeward channel be-
tween Cuba and fucatap. arriving at
Puerto Cortez Monday at ! o'clock
Immediately upon our arrival we were
awaited upon by the health and custom
duras, United States and railway officials,
who rendered us the Inequalities OF the
place. Going ashore, the street car com
nany gave us n delightful ride on the
beach in one OF their cars. While on this
ride we visited the arsenal where we fouui
a company of Honduras soldiers on guard.
constant lockout is kept from the bal
cony Of the guardhouse, and the officers in
charge, no doubt perform their duty with
great deal of care.
Here we witnessed their arrangements
for promoting discipline, and although
rather peculiar, they were undoubtedly eff
hcient The apparatus used is nothing
more han an ordinary block and faul at
tached TO tall cocoa palm. Whenever any
of the soldiers neglect their duty they ale
promptly hoisted bodily upward until they
swing within a few feet of the top of the
soaring tree. In this perllous position they
are left over night. and Ii by morning 1t
has ont made sufficient impression upoa
them they are hoisted again. This aerial
position is not at all relished by the sold
iers, and consequently the punishment is
however. are always kept before them 80
that they may contemplate what awaits
them II they become lax in their duty.
I'VE were rendered the courtesles of the
railroad for ride up the mountains so,ue
GO miles, provided we could wait until
lWSiHy afternoon, nut as our arrange
mems were TO visit the city OF Ceiba, we
were compelled, with much regret, to de-
cline the profered courtesy. That night
tMcnday) Il large crowd gathered on the
shores of the bay and set off brilliant by
fotechnical display in our honor We
returned this pleasing salute by an eicc-
ti'al display from the ship.
The following morning at ! ! o'clock c
left Puerto Cortez for Ceiba, following th- |
shore the entire distance. about sixty |
miles, thus having a spIeiit IL view nr III. |
range of mountains which run from SD0 10 |
5000 feet. We anchored at ''eiha about . |
O'Clock that afternoon aud were agniu me,
by the customs and health officers of the
city, who extended it's hosp'tnities. Later
In the day we went ashore and met other
officials Of the town.
The next morning We were VISITED
aboard the ship by the governor o. ,ht
place. together with his staff and Il number
OF ladies. This official ban made 1t pleas
ant for us all day. We went ashore ard
took in the town. seeing every nook sai
corner Of that queer city rhat evening. the
ofhcial party and a nunbnr of quests frn,.
The city were given banquet aboard the
ship by President Plant. While this on
ioysble dinner was progreas,ng the sh
was receiving a load nj bananas, ana "a,
10 O'Clock, the guests having returned
ashore and tho cargo Of fru,t being sn, yl2
slowed away the ship safe for port Tam
pa amid blaro OF ,runpcls ind an alum.
nation of fireworks. -