The National tribune., 1898-06-23
KEY WEST. Ella.

KEY WEST, FLA.
Three months ago Key West was g
small dot on the map; to-day it is thu
most important naval station in tht
United States-the rendezvous of Ameri
can warships, and, to give variety, any
number of Spanish prize craft.
Key West is the one small bit of Uncle
Sans territory nearest Cuba-the one
town that does not seem to belong to the
United States. In part. Key West people
themselves are apparently Just beginning
to realize that they are United States
people. The feet has been Godsend in
more ways than one, for it has given such
life to the sleepy old town as never before
reused it from the dead past and inspired
il with the hope of live future.
One would have to search the North to
find a town SO lacking in ENTERPRISE and
on the whole so unattractive as this here
tofore drowSy old place. 1t has been said
that almost everything could be raised in
Key West except energy and there is
good ground for the statement. In this
semi-tropical climate desert would bios
som as the rose If the population desired
it. But the population is Indifferent, and
Nature struggles on alone, though not
wholly discouraged. Here and there bios :
sOming trees and vines show what Nature
might accomplish under more favorab BILE
auspices.
The key or island on which the City of
Key West is situated is about six miles in
greatest length and two miles wide, with
a low coast line-so low that the Spring
tides flood the streets nearest the sea
affording annual diversion TO the people in
the novelty of small-boat navigation about
the town.
II is an old place, and more than looks
Its age; The struggling, unpaved streets,
vrttH cnrfC Of arrl,t
ture, are in striking contrast to up-to-date
towns in the North, and also in some of
the Southern States. Key West has
population of q, 900, but it has no business
center. Shops of every description are
scattered among private residences, from
one end of a street to the other. Many
houses are neat, and have broad piazzas,
but all look deserted during the day.
From sunrise until sunset every door,
window and blind is closed, and no sign
of life or occupation is visible. And why?
Simply to keep out the dust, which IS
about the only thing that fiourishes in
Key West, and may be depended on, for it
Is here every day in the week, and always
I'm unlimited quantity.
The town makes no attempt to interfere
with the dust or check it, though it would
be an easy public enterprise to use water
on the streets. One would suppose that
IN town of 20, 600 people there would be
sufficient public spirit to cope with q
water cart street sprinkler.
But up to the present time there has
been no step in this direction and the
annual sprinkler is the rainy season.
This coral dust is like fine, white ashes.
1t penetrates every crack and lnvlSl bl e
crevice, covers everything in the house
and out, makes every leaf and flower look
dingy and disheartened There is no
scarcity of water for all sanitary uses-the
whole sea and wells-but there is no
sewerage and no modern sanitary methods
20 keep a town of 20, 900 clean and healthy.
The water supply for household or living
purposes is from cisterns, and in the dry
SPELL il is necessary to exercise great
economy in the use of water. 1t would
offend Key West people to hint that they
show general disinclination to any ex-
travagant use of water for bathing pur-
poses. And yet there can be no Other
conclusion. Few houses have bath
rooms. Not to have bath rooms is the
rule, and on the whole island there is
neither public nor private bathing beach
with proper facilities for sea bathing.
As | have already said, Nature does hel
part, and more, but the odds are against
Nature. Here is water for the finest sea
bathing, almost the year round, for the
mercury seldom falls below 90 degrees
even ia the Winter months. But SO fal
as sea bathing contributes to the health
comfort and cleanliness of the population
Key West might as well be in the cente
of a big Western prairie rather than ar
island in the sea. The dusty streets are
the playground for children, and the only
promenade for the people. There is not
spot anywhere with a tree, bush or flower
affording an open-air resort-nO shade
trees along the streets, though trees al
Towering shrubs and vines would grow
here with tropical force and luxuriance.
There is an electric light plant in Ke,
West, but quite inadequate to light tn,
town; therefore. no pretenSe is made
except to light streets about the docks
There is also dilapidated carriage ser
vice, butinexpensive, and the most easy
going street car lines. with mules that ii il
possible to imagine fourishing within tn,
jurisdiction of the United States. Th'
stranger, however, says, unconsciously
"Over in the United States" as if OF
foreign soil. Neither the carriage no
etreet-car service has yet been affected b,
"war prices"
One may ride almost around the islant
by street car for five cents and make
single trip TO any part of town by carriag
for 10 cents. The question of speed is no
involved, but safety may be counted OF
rs pretty certain.
/ went out the other day I'm the stree
car, and for some distance was the onI,
passenger. The conductor sat on the rea
eeat-conductors here have much time I
occupy the rear seat; the driver sa
down on the front seat, threw the rein
around the crank OF the brake, and sool
fell asleep. The little mules-they ar
very ittle-iogged on at a gentle trot
turned out on the switch, walked slowl
70 the end Of it, stopped, and waited for
passing car close at hand. l thought tn
passing car would disturb the driver
slumbers, but il did not. The car rum
bled by, the mules started promptly
crossed over on the main track, resume
their former gentle trot, and the drive
slept On peacefully as ever. / turned to th