The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-03-17
q ,11essase from Cuba.
Miss Laura Yeamans, a Hospital Nurse,
Tells Something Of that Much
Talked About Island.
CIENFUEaos, CUBA, Feb. l, 80.
Continued from last week.

CONTINUED from last week.
We average about thirty patients
day, mostly malarial fever patients.
Our first soldier died last week, and
was sent to his home in Toledo, Ohio
So far we nurses have had very light
work, as there are enough of us To
change work So that we all have
rest; and we have had time f.
many long rambles and exploring ex-
petitions which have been profitable
and pleasant, though hard, for, which
we start out we always underrate the
distance. We have always been &C
companied by several regimental Of
ficers as escorts, for there are still so
many Spaniards In the neighborhood.
So far they have treated us very
friendly, yet we cannot trust them.
They are fast leaving the island, but
until they are gone the country and
cities cannot be thoroughly cleaned
and renovated.
There is an old fort here that was
used in the war. and blcck-houses are
scattered all over the country. They
have iron doors and apertures In the
walls large enough to put rifles
through. On one expedition we visited
the Spanish garrison at small town
about five miles away, and were treat
ed very kindly. As we passed by a
stream we saw. many Spanish soldiers
doing their washing, using stones for
washboards. The town was fright
fully unclean, so we did not tarry
long. On another trip we went to
sugar plantation and refinery which
was very interesting and the interior
clean for this country.
There are banana, orange and cocoa
nut groves all within walking dis
lance from us, and many pretty flow
ers in different hues and shapes. The
Cubans have warned US against pick
ing many Of them, so we are little
9th to pick any. One morning we
came across an old villa which at one
Time must have been fine house and
plantation. Ii WAS surrounded by
many tropical plants and large groves,
md great punches of bananas hung
but quite green. There
we're several Cuban families living in
,he house, and some Of them invited
Is in. The house was once very fine
me, as was evident by the tiled floors
Ind elegantly finished walls.
We passed great fields Of tobacco,
which is an important product here
Ind is almost the only reasonably |
cheap one. Prices are exhorbitant; a
rood cow would bring 5000, and a
,orse from $500 to $500; chickens and
,ggs are tout of sight," and butter
ellis at $1.55 per pound. One soldier
vas asked $12 for pair of shoes. We
lave DO table luxuries, as they are too
There is quite difference
n the Spanish and American money.
IS of our money is worth So. go in Span
sh money. Railroad fare is IA cents
,er mile. We have been. charged
20 to ride distance OF seven miles.
Now we walk or 60 in an ambulance.
Our camp Is fast breakingup. The
oldlers are being sent away for garri-
on duty to different places. One
,atallion was sent to Santa Clara
With hospital corps, another to a
Joint across the island. There is con-
family a forming Of new friendships |
D the army, but only t. be interrupt
d by frequent separation, though 1t
8 an advantage to the soldiers in one
way to be transferred occasionally, as
hey can see the country SO much bet
er.
II you like you shall hear from me
gain, as l have a score OF friends
here. Very truly yours,
LAURA YEAMANs.