The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-09
PLEASANT PORTO EIC,,,
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Sh"w Ihri" lev. For lR--D lixhtfui
Rnnh 20 san .Jutu "tti u Flight from.
iSeu.

The city of Ponce. now in posses.
sion of tho American forces, and in
who's" surrender the Dixie, manned
by Maryland sailor boys. took Il
prominent part, is one of tho richest
and most interesting cities on thr
island of Porto Rico.
Augusta Ortiz, Il native Porto
Rican and now student uf tho Bal
timoro college of dental surgery,
Franklin aud Eutaw streets, SAWS of
tho town that it was Tho most likely
place in all Porto Rico for landing
Of American troops 'From Ponce,"
said air. Ortiz, "Generul Miles, with
his army, can sweep the island of all
opposition and proceed right along
the military road to the finest towns
thore. Ponce itself has about %, 900
inhabitants and the very finest har
Dor on tho coast. 1t is always filled
with ships and large business is
carried on. The custom hon-e and
big Wholesale stores frown down al.
most upon the water, placed con-
ven,ently for the shipping interests
"The city of Ponce is as different
from San Juan as you can imagine
and very much more beautiful. 1t
is really the richest, prett ost and
most delightful town in Porto Rico
to live in. All tho country about the
city is taken up with fine sugar aud
coffee plantations, and these two pro
ducts form the principal business
of the town. The people are much
better off than those in San Juan
aud live a jollirr and more whole
some life. There is no wall about
the city, no gates and no hills when
you get inside Instead, the whole
town is flat, with Il gentle roll and
wave to relieve tho monotouy, and
is filled with trees and plazas and
grass. Tho streets are little broad
er than Sun Jaun and tho houses are
made Of mingled wood and brick
that give quaint appearance.
"Iu Ponce is the only Protestant
church in Porto Rico, and it has n
staunch and loyal congregation, al.
though, Of course, almost the entire
town is Catholic. Tho finest fire de-
partment in the whole island is in
Ponce The men are we'll equipped,
well trained and have upto- date on
gines, and do some very good work.
Onco in while big fire will break
out along the wharyes. When the
firemen are called upon for help tho,
have always done so we'll that the
Ponce firemen have II big reputntioo
"The prettiest thing in Ponce is
tho Plaza Drlicias, acknowledged to
be the most beautiful plaza in Porto
Rico, and where tho gayest of scenes
take place. The people in Ponce
are mainly native Porto Ricians, and
while under Spanish rule arc not
Spaniards. They have diifc 'ent
clnbs, and the natives are very bitter
against the Spanish yoke. | have
lived with them and talked with
them and know thoir feelings. Ere
quent broiIs are happening between
natives and Spaniards there and gen
orally tho native gets the worst Of it,
which only makes matters wo So.
| The people Of Ponce arc very
'althy and their city is one of tho
best for invalds in tho island. In
tho first place, they have tho very
best drinking water and their reser.
vors are kept in tho finest kind Of
condition.
"The military road, which I see
General Miles will take with his
army, starts at tho harbor Of Ponce,
runs straight through tho heart Of
the town and out on tho other side.
1t then takes zigzag route clear
through tho island to San Juan, sev.
onty five miles to the north. 1t is n
fino road, as wide as my in Druid
Hill Park, and nothing but carriagos
can travel on it. 1t il graded so
finely that it is never muddy and
driving thore is always easy. Along
zach side tho scenery is us beautiful