Evening journal., 1898-06-24
IJ1lFE AT KEY WEST.

Al ANlAli 0u1OIs
II it were merely question of the
thermometer, life at the barracks here
would be a continual distress most OF
the year. But the winds are kind, and
rob the heat OF much of its terror. OF
course there are many stiflng days
here, but not so many as there would
be If the sun had undisputed power
for discomfort. Just now Key West
has an unwonted naval prominence, but
It has been also an important military
station for many years. The fortifca-
tions had grown obsolete, but are now
being replaced with modern works and
guns.
There is a row Of houses in the bar
racks occupied by officers, which have
proved Of an ideal architecture for the
climate They were building at the
time Of the blow OF 1916, which tore
them asunder but were finished some
two years later. The story is that they
were designed by an officer who mar
rowly escaped court-martial for ex-
.travagance. Tie conspicuous feature
of them Is their piazzas'-they seem
more piazza than house. Apparently
the piazzas have more ground space
than the house proper, for they extend
along all four sides both on the first
and second floors. The third story IS
little none than an attic, being cut on
by the slanting roof The military
architect builded we'll, however, for the
houses are pleasantly cool, when the
more modern officers quarters are
swelterlng The joke OF it is that the
veranda structures are the homes OF
lieutenants, while the captain has one
OF the recently built houses. which Is
far from being as cool and airy.
Sixty is the usual minimum temper
ature of Key West Winter. and Al
degrees is an extraordinary phenome-
non. One night toward the end oI
April there was a cold snap. One officer
at the barracks complained that hi
nearly froze until he lighted a CRATE
fire. Yet the Thermometer registered
G. degrees.
The show thing Of the barracks IL
the banyan tree, the only one on the
island. Key Westers are proud OF it
not so much for what It is, but fol
what 1t might be. The branches tha.
seek root on the side nearest the hous'
are cut, lest the tree spread too much
and public spirited citizens spend hourl
wondering what that banyan tre'
would be now II its growth had no
been interfered with.
Key West being merely a coral reef
it is surprising how trees grow at all
but some OF The cocoanut palms reacl
a considerable helght. In general, th'
gardens about the residences are no
beautiful The white dust settles Oi
the plants and makes them look parch
ed and dry. Some Of the wealthy resi-
dents, however, by care have nurtureI
splendid masses OF green about thei
homes. The flowers are strong in color
and the straight stemmed palms to-
OF a scene that is as tropical as coul
be wished.
Key West is evidently to be the prln
oipal place for the care Of the sick an
wounded in this war. It's nearness 0
the field Of action and its importanc
as a naval base combine in making
desirable for the purpose. The Fed
eral authorities have already mad
preparations for the reception Of
large number Of patients The Ma
rine Hospital was, Of course, first cor
sidered. An attractive hospital ha
also been fitted up in the Convent {
Mary Immaculate, situated in a pleas
ant grove on the outskirts OF the cit.
The sisters have lent it for the pui
I pose, having closed the school the
conducted there. In addition, wv
, schools and several tobacco factori'
are to be supplied with cots and med
cal appliances.