The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-10-12
land, with her $1,000 cloak and her
$40. 600 collection of Jewels

land, with her $1,000 cloak and her
$40, 600 collection of jewels.
There are private clubs and casinos,
spacious market place, and last, but
by no means least, a cemetery just un-
der the northern wall, with sentry
turret jutting over the gate, which
gives entrance through the glacis Of the
Moro. In this cemetery may be observ-
ed peculiar methods of Ainhumation, BY
which the wealthy are placed in the
stone cells of vast "columbarium'
against the wall of the fort, and the
poorer classes merely buried in rented
graves, from which they are elected at
the expiration of a short term Of years.
The ef1uvia from this practically Ia
tramural cemetery, the emanations from
the sinks and sewage, the filthy streets
and crowded dwellings. make San Juan
(what nature never intended it should
be-, with it's elevated situation and soil
impervious to water, pure or foul)
possible plague center for the breeding
of tropical diseases. It is the only city
in the island in which yellow fever is
said to be endemic, and what with the
trade winds blowing strong across it
from the sea and the swift sea current
flowing out of the harbor there is no ex-
cuse whatever for these local conditions
SO favorable to contagious diseases.
The urban population is estimated at
about 80, 900, probably one-half being
negroes and people of mixed blood,
domiciled in about 1000 houses. Not
more than half Of these houses are over
two stories in height. They are plainly
but massively built, of "mamposteria, "
or stone and mortar, with fat roofs,
jutting balconies, and generally sur
round "patio," or inner court where
sometimes fountain or plat of flowers
makes an attractive spot for the gather
ing of the family. The architecture is
essentially Spanish, the streets are mar
row, and the sidewalks in places are
scarcely wide enough for two persons
walking abreast. The supply of water
is meager and is derived mainly from
the clouds and stored In cisterns. When
the city shall have become an American
winter resort, as doubtless it will IN
time, it is to be hoped that system Of
sanitation and sewage will be estab
lished, and that water will be brought
from the hills not far away, where the
supply is unlimited and of the purest
quality. During two-thirds of the year
the climate is mild and agreeable, yet
the most prevalent diseases among the
natives it is said, are consumption,
bronchitis and catarrh.
A railroad has been projected to con-
meet al the centers of population near
the coast, and Of the estimated 400
miles about 130 have been built, in
Guiding the line from San Juan to a
little beyond Arecibo, also on the north
coast. There are about $50 miles of ex-
cellent roads in the island, the chief
highway being that connecting San
Juan with Ponce on the south coast,
and thence extending around the west
coast to Aguadilla. \ cart road rms
inside the coast line, and there are per-
haps 1000 miles of trails and paths.
Few of tho streams are bridged, and
some of them are impossible in the
rainy season.
The scenery around San Juan as we'll
as Of the entire island is picturesque IN
the extreme and treat for tourists IS
"diligencia' ride over the magnificent
road connecting with Ponce, which
winds through gorges and over noun
tains, across vast sugar estates and past
puriing streams, revealing at each
turn bits of tropical scenery that are
worth going far to see, and glimpses OF
people peculiar to this mountainous is
land in the tropic seas.
FREDERICK A. OBER.