Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-04
LETTER FROM PONCE.
THE CITY PRESENTS FINE OPPOR.
TUNITIEs FOR YOUNG AMERICANS.
4 VERY PLEASANT CLIMATE
The Soldiers Hungry for Newspapers
md Tidings from HOmc-Fruits
IN High-WiIIinmsburg Notes.

was itNtiNtu uulthS the Ntth Ny rOui
well-known townsman, DR.. J. W. Raw
Inns. from his grandson. now stationed In
Porto Rico, from which we quote below.
The letter is postmarked Mistanci, Porto
Rico, August TO- 1885, and says: 1--WE are
now in camp about six squares from the
Plaza. or course the town is under heavy
guard, but otherwise everything is just
like it was before the landing. There are
many fine business houses here, and the
cafes and restaurants are not only nu-
merous, but good. Flour IS IL and Is
cents per pound here. and meats are ex-
pensive. Canned goods are as cheap as
| in the United States, and liquors, with the
exception of beer, are cheaper. Beer Is
| 30 cents per glass; lines cost cents per
| dozen; mangoes two for a cent; cocoa
nuts, 4 cents each. and there are other
fruits which cost in proportion.
THE CITY OF PONCE.
Ponce is a city which will be an ele-
| CANT place for q young American to start
| in any kind OF business. If ! had only
| enlisted a year earlier so j could DE dis
! charged next spring I'd like to stay here.
A news stand selling American periodi-
Gals and New York papers would be as
| good as a mint. When railroads are built
here it will be a fine place TO live in.
| The railroad here now is little narrow
| gauge affair, owned by some Frenchmen'
and the builders of a new road here Will
make grand money.
WEATHER NOT so BAD.
ut isn't much hotter here than in the
United States; not as hot as it is in
! Tampa. Although this Is the rainy sea-
| son. It doesn't rain nearly so much as II
| does in Wellsburg w. Va, and an hour
after the showers one could not tell IT
had rained.
Not one of our men, and there are
| sixty in camp, has been sick.
"There was a skirmish the other day,
and a few Of our troops were wounded.
If the war isn't ended yet, when the
army moves TO San Juan the artillery will
have some fun Smelling the block-houses
on the way there There are twenty-five
forts. and although it would be almost
impossible for infantry to take them
they will come out like bees if the artii-
lery gets after them.
THE papers made fun Of the block
house system, but they made a Dig mis-
take. for they are impregnable against
infantry. and with a little barbed wire,
are not pleasant buildings TO approach.
REPAIRING TELEGRAPH LINES.
"All the Signal Corps has done lately
is to repair telegraph lines and operate
them We have wall tents, two and three
men to a tent; good food, easy guaro
duty. and are getting as much credit as
the average soldier. We have not been
paid since going to the war, so I'll nave
to save money. l send you n Mauser
cartridge and silver watch-chain pick
ed up in Guanica. l thought perhaps you
might like them for souvenirs
The letter closes with the request That
he be sent some newspapers or clippings,
for nothing is known outside Of the camp.
EASTERN STATE HOSPITAL.
The Executive Committee Of the Hos
pitaI Board will meet Monday morning
AZ the Chamberlin Hotel, Old Point DR..
Moncure. superintendent and Mr. Mer-
Ger. clerk of the institution, will be In
attendance. leaving here on the Monday
(morning) train. The committee is now
made up as follows: Colonel Walter II.
TAYLOR. Norfolk, chairman; Captain Ter
renee McCracken, Fredericksburg, ana
DR.. j. T. Lewis Richmond.
Miss Mary Waller Mercer leaves the
first of the coming week for a visit 10
Virginia Beach. She will be guest at
the Marshall cottage.
Deputy-Sherim w. w. Ware and Mr..
r. l.. Geddy returned yesterday from
business and pleasure trip to the capital
city.
Mr.. ]. Penn Turner, who is connected
with the Old Dominion Steamship Com
many at Norfolk, has been spending his
vacation at his old home. in New Kent.
Mrs. John Grymes. who has been visit
ing the family Of Mr. Henley NJ. Sweeney,
ON Francis street, has returned TO her
home. near Smthfeld.
MR.. ARMISTEAD'S RETURN.
Mr.. Carey +. Armistead, after spend
ing seven weeks at the springs, Is at
home again. and yesterday was at his
desk. in the executive building OF the
Eastern State Hosuital. Mr.. Armistead
thinks he was benefited by his stay in
the mountains
Mr.. Spencer Lane leaves Tuesday eve
ming for the Virginia Military Institute,
where he spent last session.
Colonel j. V. Bidgood, from Richmond
WAS here last night en- route 10 York
county. He drove down this morning TO
Yorktown with Judge Smith. From there
he will take a conveyance some distance
down the county.
Miss Cora Smith who spent last month
on Little Johns Island, New England
coast. has gotten home, very much bene-
fitted by the trip.
Mrs. Beverly S. Scott and daughter
Miss Bessie, are spending the summer
with relatives at Woodvile, Nova Scotia
OFFICERS OF THE LANCASTER.
Among the recent arrivals here are
Lieutenant Scales and Chaplain Steele, or
the Lancaster, now in Hampton Roads
They were shown around by City-Ser-
geant William L. Spencer, and greatly
enjoyed the sights Of the ancient capital
Mr.. j. Il. McMurren, of Richmond. is
here to consult the officers of the Can
ming Company in regard to rates, &c.
Misses Mamie Stringer and Rose Myers.
of the Eastern Shore, are here visiting
relatives.
Misses Sadie and Annie Malone have
returned home from a charming visit to
the seashore.
Mrs Croft. with her little son, after a
pleasant visit 10 Mr.. and Mrs. Jean Nor
ris. East End. have returned to Staunton.
Randolph Macon has gotten home from
a visit to Hanover, accompanied by his
cousin, Master Edmund Ruffin.
Mrs. NJ. J. Bourran. OF Baltimore. who
has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Mil
lard Morris, has returned home.
Mr.. s. y. Bickford OF Hampton, the
southern agent of the Norwich Comm
Union Fire Association, was here to-day.
and called on Cashier II. y. Phillips ana
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