The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-03-10
a MESSAGE FROM CUBA.
Miss Laura Yeamans, Hospital Nurse,
Tells Something of that Much
Talked About Island.
CIENFUEaos, CUBA, Feb. l, 90.

Uue Ouly buluR NlSlDle was Su1dll pOT
tion of her smokestack, and near the
coast, lying on her side and Ia t under
water, was the Reina Mercedes. Or
the hill-tops were many tents ant
huts occupied by U. s. troops. A lit
tie further on we saw the Almirante
Oquendo in sadly demolished condi
tion, and few miles beyond lay the
Vizcaya, the erstwhile pride of the
Spanish navy, now nothing but Il
charred pile of debris. 1t seems hard
to realize that such old rusty remains
were once such splendid vessles that
sailed so proudly from their Spanish
ports.
Late in the evening we passed with
in a few miles Of the wreck of the
Cristobal Colon. BY the aid of a spy
glass we could see small piece of
smokestack rising out of the water.
AS we neared the Cuban shore we be-
came interested in the jelly fish, which
formed in great white patches on
either side of the ship and floated like
streaks of moonlight on the water.
The porpoises also seemed very friend
ly to us all through our voyage. In
the evening they seemed to be racing
and chasing each other through the
water, now leaping into the air and
then diving quick as a flash under
meath.
Wednesday, Jan Sd, at about 2 p.
m, we entered the harbor of Cienfue-
gos, and were impressed with the
grand scenery that met our eyes on all
sides. Forts protected the entrance
on both sides Of the bay. The Span
iards were all out to loUk at rs, and
some waved their hats in welcome.
There were few Cuban women pres
ent, who seemed overjoyed at our ar
rival; some jumped up and down, and
one OF them lowered a Spanish flag,
while another found an American
flag and waved it at us. When we en-
tered the bay and neared the city we
were more than charmed with the
beautiful scenery. The little islands
behind and the mountains to our
right loomed up in the distance, and
the city looked so quaint and beauti-
full with its red tinted roofs and so
many blue and yellow houses, with
many palm trees scattered around.
This is said to be one of the finest
harbors in the world; and certainly
it's beauty could hardly he surpassed,
till one enters the city-then the dis
enchantment begins. But as yet we
were in blisstul ignorance and were
anxious to put our feet upon ground
again. However, we waited patiently
till the following day. Our Governor
went ashore with his staff that even
ing for a short visit, and several
Cuban officers came out to meet US.
Three large lighters came out and the
unloading began. Each brought with
them a crew Of Cubans to help, and
they were quite curiosity 10 US
little short, black-eyed things, clad
only from the waist line down. They
we're willing TO work, but wanted SIS a
lay, though they finally received but
p. The soldiers went ashore about |
noon aud marched through town and
lbout four miles in tke country to
bitch camp. After dinner we nurses
we're escorted ashore, going in steam
aunch, After landing we went in five
carriages to view the city. We caught |
Up with the soldiers, but as the road |
vas not passable for carriages we had
% return to the city, where we were
erved with Lemonade; then we re-
turned by launch to the Minnewaska. |
We were anxious to see the city, but |
,ur first visit, while a pleasure, was a
disappointment. At the wharf we
we're met by multitude of Spanish |
Cubans, and dirty, balf-clad |
children. and they were out in full |
Jrce all along the way, as we were as
,reat curiosity to them as they to
IS. The streets and houses were all
exceedingly dirty and the odor was
'ery bad. The buildings seemed odd,
having iron bars instead of window
)anes. The main place Uf interest in
he city is the Plaza, sort of park
With walks, trees, flowers, etc. On |
he east OF 1t there are some quite
lice buildings. To the west is the
Governors palace, with its show of |
arge pillars, etc, which is now occu
pied by General Bates and staff and is |
our headquarters. Wenurses remain
I'd on board the transport for about a
week. In the meantime we took
few trips to the city to do some shop
ping, and also had a few boat rides
4 I'd watched the vessels coming in.
Some of them were dreadfully crowd
ed and it is reported many died on the
way.
There were $1,000 Spanish soldiers