The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03
ING FOURTH OF JULY.

West Indies 10 this port and not an in
considerable portion OF tho trade or Gem
tral America and the countries Of that
part of South America which Is washed
by the caribbean Sea. IL was the east
ern outpost Of the West Indies and the
first American port (and and I'm many
cases the only one) OF many European
trading vessels. The European mer-
chants and manufacturers and the West
indian merchants and consumers met
in st. Thomas at one time for their COM
mon benefit. 1t was the market for a
certain section of the Western world.
Men OF talent and men of means were
attracted 10 the market and some were
induced to settle TO take advantage Of
the growing volume OF trade that came
and went in both directions. Fortunes
were made and fortunes were lost at St
Thomas IN those days. There are three
hills that rise into a charming back
ground beyond the hay as one enters the
harboT from the south Che only en-
trance for boats Of any size), and on
these three hills are some handsome and
commodious houses built at great ex-
pense In the good old times. A house
that was built then for $1,000 was sold
In recent years for 50 go. That one in
stance gives fair suggestion Of how
ST. Thomas has lost n good deal of its
glory ana its prosperity.
IN the old DAYS the trading vessels
from Europe and the United States fire.
Quentiy did not have TO 20 further than
st. Thomas 10 dispose OF their entire
cargoes, reload and return, having made
highly profitable voyages. In these days
New York steamers are known 70 pass
right by the island to Santa cruz. turn
ing up their noses (Gguratlvely sreak-
ing) az ST. Thomas although thew can
actually be seen with the naked eve from
the Hill at the mouth OF the harbo-
No one cause can be said TO explain
this backward movement. A number OF
circumstances and events combined to
bring 70 an end the progress Of st. Tho
mas.
Immediately following the civil war
the United States negotiated with Dem
mark for 81. Thomas ST. John. and 81.
Croix Cor Santa CRUZ. the three islands
constituting Denmark's territorial Dosses-
sions in the West Indies. The history
OF these negotiations has been too fire.
quently recalled OF late TO be referred TO
In detail here. but the combination OF
hurricanes, earthquakes. and tidal waves
which was so fatal 10 the islands I'm the
important matter OF T. change OF flag
was equally disastrous I'm other respects.
The Compagnie Bcnerale TransatlantiQue.
the Hamburg American Packet Company.
and the line OF English royal mail
steamers, have each Its own piers In the
harbor to-day. and their steamers put
in here on their regular trips and coal
and provision here. but there would be
many more like them II IL had not been
for the disturbances OF nature in 1861
just referred to. At that time another
English company had just completed
building a fine pier and others We're in
contemplation. The tidal wave which
swept with terrific havoc across the bay
and town on October %. 1867. carried this
dock away so completely that there was
hardly enough left 10 show where II
stood. parts being left up In the town
and other parts being washed out TO
sea. II was IN this tidal wave that
seventy-seven vessels were stranded or
wrecked and more than 200 people drown