Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-29

II1E HEALIt1 III he I'll /.
Mr. Andrew H. Patterson. who is
now resident of Havana, where he has
been engaged in the real estate businss
for IL months past, is back home on
visit of month or so, intending to
return to the Cuban capital about the
first of December Mr.. Patterson was
seen yesterday, and in reply to ques-
tons as to his impression of the isl
and at present and the future outlook,
he said:
My business has been mainly in the
city of Havana, but I have been more
or less through the interior of the ISL
and, and note a rapid improvement in
conditions, both as to the people and in
regard to the recovery from the effects
OF the war. The city of Havana itself
has been wonderfully changed The
streets are now far cleaner than those of
Wheeling, and you would have a hard
time finding a shovelful of dirt. The
drainage has been rapidly changed, and
the old customs regarding the disposal
OF garbage, ETC., completely revolution
lied, and as result the usual epidemic
of yellow fever has been absent. Of
course, few cases have occurred, but
| personally know OF but one man dy-
ing from the disease, and no one pays
any attention to it. The real estate
market is in good condition. business
generally good, and the outlook in all
directions is bright. Many Americans
are arriving. There has been great
progress toward the rehabilitation Of
the plantations, wrecked by the war,
and much machinery is being put in to
take the place of that destroyed, while
plantations not actually wrecked have
been put in running order, Agricul-
ture is getting back to its old condi-
ton rapidly, and in a short time the
island will be in better condition than
ever before. The Spanish are a fine
class Of people, and they and the
Americans set along well together.
They are the rich and business class,
understand the conditions thoroughly.
and nave always made money rapidly
The colored population is a good one,
being very orderly and Industrious As
class, the colored people do not drink
Living in Havana is cheaper than
here in many regards. An exception is
the increased cost of meat. Cuba be-
forethe war had muh of the finest stock
to be found anywhere, but this was
largely killed off. What remains, how
ever, is exceptionally good. Large ship
ments of horses and cattle are coming
in to fill up the depleted stock Of ami
mails. Fruit is very cheap, as a matter
of course, and many other articles cost
much less than here. Fancy drinks,
brandy, ETC., for example, cost but five
cents Spanish, or four cents in Ameri-
can money, and excellent tobacco and
cigars are very cheap. The railroads
are running in good shape, but are very
different from ours. There is no such
thing as a sleeping car On the island,
and the day coaches are divided into
three classes, the best having rattan
seats, and the cheaper plain wooden
benches without backs Many well-to-
do people travel third class for short
distances, as the fare is very cheap.
"As to the climate, it does not get as
warm as here in Wheeling. In Hava-
ma the highest temperature the past
summer was about IS degrees, while
here | understand you had 49, In the
winter the mercury never falls below
60, and generally not below S. |
should say the range, as a usual hing.
would be about % degrees. The highs
are always pleasant, and a good breeze
is always blowing. Going along the
streets, one has to step into a store or
seek some shelter from the wind to
light match. and yet the city is shell
tered from storms, and they are rarely
felt In the evening the streets OF the
city are very lively, bands playing, the
people sitting about the sidewalks at
little tables. drinking, smoking and
talking. There is no drunkenness. for
there is no treating as we understand
it. At first. after the occupancy of the
city by the Americans, there was some
trouble between the Spanish and the
native police, who were armed with re-
volvers for the first time, after the
American plan. They were little
free with their guns, and number Of
men were shot, say six or seven. Now
this trouble has been rectified, and the
city is free from disorder.
THE possibilities of the island are
great. The climate is simply delight
full; anything will grow without espe-
cial effort, and Americans are appre-
ciating the opportunity, and there is a
very general hope that cur government
will keep string to the country in
some manner new American paper
has just been started in Havana"
Mr.. Patterson looks the picture Of
health, and appears to have thoroughly
enjoyed his long stay in Cuba.
Grand China Opening.
We invite our friends and all lovers