Evening star., 1898-12-03
PONCE DE Icons HOt sE.
One Of the Most Interesting objects
i'm Porto Rico.
From the Phtledelphia Times.

From the Philadelphia Times.
Perhaps the most interesting object in The
capital of our new possession j. La casa
Blanca Ghe white housed. which Juan
Ponce de Leon built for himself 39o years
ago, and where he lived during his long
term of governor of the island. 1t stands
in a narrow. roughly-paved street, about
half way between the Castillo del Moro and
the present government palace, and, al
though in its unsightly old age Il looks lit
tie like the one-time abode Of 50 great a
potentate, nobody can mistake il on 3C-
count of the double line OF splendid palms
in front.
The water side is guarded by very an
cient and picturesque wall. with queer little
openings on top for crossbowmen TO shoot
through, and within the wall is 4 charming
garden full of pepper and cinnamon trees,
with passion vines running not around
mossy fountain in the center.
The view from the upper window is uD-
surpassed. Immediately below, ON the sea-
ward side. is the great gray wall Of the line
of defense, with its massive battlements,
antiquated cannon and little sentry turrets;
beyond, the sparkling waters Of the hay.
and on either hand the palm-fringed coast
of the mainland. Tier above tier rise the
hills Between them lie some of the rich
est lands on the globe, capable of producing
astonishing crops four times a year.
1t is in this Casa Blanca that Leon
planned his famous march for the illusory
fountain of youth, which led to the dis
covery of Florida. Upon a second trip he
was attacked by the Indians and Sc
Yerely wounded that ne died. His body
was brought back to the island and de-
posted beneath the altar of the Dominican
Church of San Juan, just fourteen years
after the beginning of his administration in
Porto Rico and the building of Casa Blanca
There ii rested for more than ;9o years
but in 1863 the lead casket that contained
the remains of the conqueror was disir-
ss,sa 4
did monument and to place the coffin be
meath il, but the monument was never COM
pleted. and after thirty-fiVe years above
ground the remains of the discoVerer of
Florida and the subjugator of Porto Rico
yet lie unburied.
The Dominican Church of San Juan lie
Baptiste de Porto Rico Is a fine old pile
though greatly the worse for the wear and
tear of nearly four centuries. In a corner
of the musty little chapel attached to the
church you may any day see the lead case
which contains the dust of Ponce de Leon.
The casket is only about three feet square,
bound with leathern straps, sealed i'm the
center with the great municipal seal. On
the monument against which it rests the
inscription-in Spanish, Of course-reads
follows:
This narrow grave contains the remains
of man who was lion by name and
much more by his deeds"
The old church is fun OF curious decora-
tions, rags of antique paintings and moldy
TtlCs Ol DyBOHe ana IL is earn
estly to be hoped that the ponderous KEY
will be turned in the rusty latch and the
whole thing burned to ashes before care
less alien hands are allowed to disturb
them.
Among the most picturesque sights here
are the massive arched gateways in the
old wall that surrounds the city, built FOX
defense nearly 400 years ago. When the
gates fronting the sea are closed the only
way TO get out of San Juan into the cOun-
try or into the city from any part of the
island is through an arched entrance in
the lower wall. by the one narrow street
which communicates with the outer world.
This is the beginning of the old GAMING
Real (royal road)-the magnificent highway
constructed by the early Spaniards, which
leads to Ponce, on the other side of the
island