The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-03
KEY WEST TIE SLEEPY
Galvanized Into Life By the
Naval Rendezvous.
ITS TRREE-PART POPULACE
Not a Wholesome Place For
SpaniardS Just Now.
ITS TRREE-PART POPULACE

Key West, Fla, May 1.-Two months age
Key West was small dot on the map
Today it is the mOa't important naval sta
ton in the United States. with fleet OF
twenty-five war ships rendezvousing IN
the harbor.
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 facx, Key West people
themselves are apparently just beginning
to realize the fact that they are United
States people.
The feet has been a godsend in more
ways than one, for II has given such life
TO the sleepy old town as never before
reused it from the dead past-and inspired
1t with the hope of a future. One would
have to search the north. STAKE by state,
20 find a town so lacking in enterprise and
on the whole so unattractive as this here
tofore drowsy oul place.
SHORT ON ENERGY,
1t has been said that almost everything
could be raised in Key West except en-
ergy, and there is good ground for that
a desert could blossom as the rose if the
population desired it. But the population
is Indifferent, and nature struggles on
alone, though not wholly discouraged, but
showing here and there IN poisoning
trees and vines what shemight accomplish
under more favorable 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 low coast line-so low that the
spring tides food the streets nearest the
sea-affording annual diversion to the PEG
pie in the novelty of small boat naviga-
ton about town.
Key West is an old place and more than
looks its actual age. The struggling. IN
paved streets, with all sorts and condl-
tions Of architecture are in striking con-
trast to up-to-date towns in the north and
also in some of the southern states.
NO BUSINESS CENTER.
Key West has population of $1,000, but
It has no business center. Shops Of every
description are scattered among private
residences from one end of a street to the
other While there are neat private houses
with broad plazzas, all look deserted dur
ing che day. From sunrise until sunset
every door blind and window is closed,
and no sign Of life or occupation is visible.
And why? Oh, simply to keep out the dust
Dust is the only thing that flourishes in
Key West, and may be depended on. for
st Is here every day in the week and al
ways in 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 a town Of
10000 people there would be sufficient pub
lie spirit to cope with a water cart street
sprinkler. But up tothe present time no
step has been taken in this direction, and
the annual sprinkler is the rainy season,
for whic hthe Key West population is
now praying. This coral dust is like fine
wood ashes. It penetrates every crevice
and invisible crack, covers everything in
the house and out, makes every leaf and
flower look dingy and djsheartened. There
is no scarcity Of water for all cleaning and
sanitary uses-the whole sea and wells.
But there is no sewerage, no modern sani-
tary methods to keep a town of 70 900 clean
and healthy
WATER FROM CISTERNS.
The water supply for household or liv-
Ing purposes is from csterns. and els
terms are now running low. making it uec-
essary to exercise much economy, for in
the event of war a water famine IS more
probable than scarcity Of food. unless the
PRAYERS for rain are soon answered. II
would offend Key West people TO hint that
they show a general dissemination to any
eXtravaEant use of water for bathing pur-
poses. And yet there can be no other con-
clusion. Very few houses have bathrooms.
Not to have bathrooms is the rule. and
on the whole island there is not public
bathing beach-absolutely no proper ac-
commodadons or facilities for sea-bath-
ing
As have already said. nature does her
part and more. But the odds are aCains.
nature. Here is water for the finest sea
bathing. and almost the year round. for
the mercury seldom falls below 60 degrees
even in the winter months. But so far as
sea bathing contributes to the health.
comfort and cleanliness Of the population.
Key Yves; might as well he in the center
of abig western prairie rather than an is
land in the sea The dusty streets are the
play ground for children, and the only
promenade for the people. There is not
spot anywhere With a tree, brush or fewer
afording an open air resort for the people
no shade trees along the streets-thouyh
1t need not be added that trees and AL
Towering shrubs and vines would grow
here with tropical force and Iuxurlence.
The courthouse stands in a large square