The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-20
\ LAZARETTO FOR LEPERS.
MODEL COLONY NEAR SAN JUAN IN
PORTO RICO.
'heerfulness Reign Among the I'm
fortunate IncurnbIeS, Despite the
Awful PRthOs OF Their Lives.

IL the proper care of a limited number of
iepers, men and women. in Porto Rico
These are isolated on reservation in COM
parative comfort within walking distance
Of san Juan, but are soon to be removed
to a small island where they can have
greater = 'erty without eudangernE gen
eral health and at the same time can cui-
uVate the land ana earn a living for
themselves.
A New York woman who is an active
member of the Sunshine Society. and who
has just returned from Porto Rico tells
thus of the way she happened 10 pay a
Visi' 10 the lazaretto, and what she saw
there:
Il was standing on the sea wall at San
Juan near the Old chapel, watching the
senoras coming from service. Tim, the
army mule, who now does duty as a sad
die horse for Lieut.. Luis De Puy, was
near by. Tim had been taught to pick up
handkerchief One of the native beau
ties in passing dropped her handkerchief
accidentally. Tim picked II up, As she
took it from his teeth my attention was at
tracted to her sad face. She told me she
had been praying that she might he per
mitted 10 see her husband, who was one Of
the lepers in the lazaretto. She was
touched by my sympathy and begged me
to pray. too. l promised to do something
for her if possible.
Island for Lepcr Colony.
Il sought Capt Dawson. the sanitary
inspector, in his office at the consulate. I
found him in consultation with several of
his assistants. He exclaimed, when he
trip | made to select an island to he
used for my leper colony l have found
an ideal one. with trees foliage running
streams-a little paradise-and | am hap
py. / have been telling DR.. Glenon about
it. 1 hope to make the lepers as comfort
able and happy as 1t is possible for such
unfortunates to be. They will have gar
dens TO work in, and raise what they wish
in fruit and Vegetabl The work Will
be a godsend in occupying their minds.
Luis Peno is one of the prettiest ISL
ands on the west coast of Porto Rico,
and contains 400 acres. I will build com
Portable cottages for them. and hope 10
have model leper colony. l have sent
out word to the alcades all over the ISL
and to find all the lepers there may be and
send them 90 the lazaretto near here until
the island is ready for them
'Oh, captain! / said, that Is what l
have come for. l want to go out and visit
your lazaretto. Are there any women
there?
Yes. more than half are women, but
only a dozen in all
Please, may / go out to visit them?
Have you no fear? What is your OBJ
ject? l decidedly object to visitors who
go out for mere curiosity
NO, am not afraid and feel as If /
might comfort them. and some good may
come of my visit You know a woman
often sees things that a man does not
that might bring more comfort 20 women.
Have you a matron?'
Arranging for n visit.
NO; the keeper Is a man. The doctor
visits them daily, and | myself am a
constant caller. They have my sympathy.
l do not feel that the disease Is as CON
tagious as some people suppose l have
studied them carefully Some of them
have lived for years with their families
at home, sleeping In the same room, and
often In the same bed, without contagioD.
The women are of all ages
Then the captain knit his brows. and
presently asked: When do you wish to
go?
'Now-to-day-if l may
80 it was arranged At D. m we
took a carriage at the Plaza and drove
out past the historic Cristobal Colon
frowning down upon US from the hill
side, out past the settlements with the
little naked children playing in the sun.
while the older people lounged on the
verandas or In the doorways scantily clad:
past the haunted Fort Germo, with its
romantic walk of palms; then along a
stretch of country road and presently
a long white building came into sight.
back of which was a small low structure
surrounded by group of tropical plants
and palms. Before II stretched the waters
of the inner bay.
In front of the larger buildings were
several soldiers, one of whom stepped
forward and presented arms. This build
ing is the prison. A battery of artillery
(American) is stationed near, and a squad
Is selected daily from its members to
guard the prison.
Among the Lepers.
When Mr.. De Puy, who, as Capt. Da-
VISIONS first lieutenant had been appoint
ed my escort. and who speaks Spanish
huently, told the guard who we were we
were allowed to pass on down a winding
path to the rear where we were again
stopped by guard, who, on recognizing
my companion, allowed US to continue
We stood a moment on the embankment
and looked across the road, which divides
the prison from the lazaretto, when al
most instantly from every doorway there
appeared a leper. Men, women, girls and
boys looked over toward us, then con-
suited among themselves, and all pressed
forward TO the railing as they saw us de-
scend the embankment.
Now said Mr. De Puy, have you
seen enough? How near do you care to
go? viii you go into the house2 VIII
you go up to the balcony or will you look
at them and talk to them from speaking
distance only?"
For a moment gathered my skirts to-
gether and hestated. l had on a blue
linen lawn gown, and my companion
suit Of white duck. ! quickly asked: How
near do you care to go? oh, l go right
into their rooms and see that they are
clean and comfortable. I am not afraid
but your Come ] said, we will go. We
can destroy our clothes afterward'
"As we ascended the steps the women
ran into their rooms, but one man step
ped out and said Are you friends Then
he added, oh. 1t is the Americana Sc
nor
yes, we are friends. The sonora
wishes to visit you she would like to talk
to you and help you If she can. VIII you
not come out and see herY asked Mr. De