davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

there are probably more than 100. 600 tons OF
valuable phosphates. They are of two
kinds. one is pure lime phosphate ana
the other a phosphate much like our South
Carolina rock. They are earth phosphates
which have been enriched by the manure
OF the millions of birds and bats which live
In the caves.
This island is now owned by a Porto Rican
who had a concession from the Spanish
government for working the phosphate, and
this has, am told, been confirmed by our
government. The property is said to be
valuable, its owners claiming that the phos-
pilates, after paying all expenses of mining
and shipment to Hamburg. will net 81 a ton
there and that there is demand for all
that can be exported.
The Island of Monn.
I saw something of the island of Mona
In going about the western end OF Porto
Rico to Ponce. Our government transports
land first at San Juan and thence steam
around the eastern end of Porto Rico
through the Mona passage. This is the
name of broad channel iii the ocean flow
ing between Porto Rico and Santo bomin-
go. 1t is one of the highways II travel,
but is not fcequented much as some OF
the other channels into the Caribbean sea-
Mona Island lies just west OF the city
OF MayagueZ. 1t is of volcanic origin. with
coasts rising perpendicularly to a great
height above sea level Some of its shores
are bounded with white cliffs in which are
numberless grottoes or caves This is es-
pecially along the east coast, where.
from map recently published by the War
Department. there are large cavernS
marked positively unknown. Other
parts of Mona Island are good for grazing,
and q small part of it is wooded.
Mona Island once contained large de-
posts of phosphates. which were mined and
sent to Hamburg. One OF the men inter-
ested in the industry was the same Porto
Rican, who now owns half the phosphates
of the Gaia de Niue rios. 1t may be that
re-exploration of Mona Island Will result
in additional discoveries of fertilizers The
island can be easily reached by small boats
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

Hill back of the town is mossgrown fort,
built by the Spaniards. which is now n
barracks for our soldiers. The town has
about 1at popula ton. 1t is made up Of
square one-story cottages with galvanized
iron roofs The houses are built along
wide unpaved streets. which cross one an
other at right angles. The streets are shad
ed beautifully by great trees. Many of the
homes have pretty gardens about them.
There are benches on the sides of the front
doors. and altogether everything looks
thrifty and clean. In the center of the
town there is plaza, with public els
tern for the poor.
The people of NiequeS number, all told.
about 5000 They are not like the Porto
RicanS. The island during the seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries belonged to the
English and French. and although for the
past 100 years it has been under Spanish
rule il still! has English and French among
its people. 1t has many negroes, who speak
English. most of whom have come from
the island OF St. Thomas to labor on the
plantations The richest of the planters
are French, and the French language is
largely used throughout the island
Cattle and Horses.
Vieques has several large horse ranches.
The animals afe allowed to run out all the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

other curiosities, which are said to equal
the famous caves of Luray in Virginia
The entrance to these caves is about five
feet high and nine feet in width; it Is now
covered with brambles.
Another remarkable cave is not far from
the center of the island, near Aguas Bue-
mas. L have not visited this cave, but some
soldiers who have been there describe 1t
as one of the wonders of the world 1t
may, indeed, be called the mammoth
cave of the West Indies. You go through
narrow passage about 800 feet long and
fifteen feet high. when you enter a series
of large chambers which fairly alive
with bats. 1t is necessary to use torches
to dispel the darkness, and the bats fly in
myriads this way and that, now striking
you in the face, and making a rushing
noise that is terrifying in the darkness.
Now and then you come to deep hole in
which you can cast stone and hear it
thump. thump thump. it goes down.
ward to unknown depths.
THESE cavernS go on and on, one opening
into another, for long distance. They
form, in fact, a natural catacomb, only q
part of which has ever been explored.
Enough is known, however, to be sure that
they are one of the greatest of natural
wonders and well worthy of a survey by
our government scientists.
FRANK G. CARPENTER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

from MayagueZ. although at present it is
inhabited only by stray fisherman
who come for time and then go back to
Porto Rico.
Fortunes in PhosI,hates.
This matter of phosphates is one that
will pay careful investigation l am told
that nearly ali of the numerous small is
lands about Porto Rico have phosphate
deposits. The most OF them have not been
worked and many have not been prospect
ed. Every now and then 1 hear of some
new place containing phosphates. One of
the most remarkable stories is concerning
an island which lies eleven miles south
of Guayama, and some distance east of
the GAIA de Muertos. This island has about
400 acres, which is underlaid with phos-
plate rock. The rock lies in veins, like the
phosphate rock of South Carolina. When
analysed it shows 81 per cent of phosphate
of lime; per cent of water and per cent
OF clay. 1t is easily mined. but a small
dock and tunnel will have to be made
before it can be gotten out to the ships
One of the army officials who is interest
ed In this property tells me that the COM
pany expects to ship the product to Ham,
burg. This same man says that he knows
OF another place where there are 100000
tons of phosphate in sight, which, when in
Hamburg, Will sell for SIT ton
| believe that there are also valuable fer
uliZers on the mainland of Porto Rico
Some parts of 1t contain phosphates and
III my flueS over the mountains | have
passed square miles of stone which seems
to be almost pure lime They have here
some kinds of limestone which are as solid
as marble, and which can be polished like
Italian marble. The marble crops out in
different places all over the island. 1t is
ragged on top. but further down il lies in
solid blocks, and could be made into fine
building material. Another kind of lime
stone is very soft. All you need to do is
to put 1t into oven and fire it, and you
have excellent lime.
There is a cement which might be OF
value which is found in many parts Of
Porto Rico 1t crops out much like lime
like Portland cement. 1t has great adj
has been used for building it stands up in
ridges after the bricks have worn away.
This is especially so in the parements
which are cemented with it. / asked the
secretary of state of Porto Rico about 1t.
He tells me that it is fairly good but not
as good foreign cement.
The Caves Of Porto Rico.
Porto Rico is full Of natural wonders.
Nearly all of the islands which have de-
scribed in this letter have caves which are
worth exploration. There are wonderful
caves in Porto Rico proper. On the north
coast, about seven miles southeast of Are
cibo, there is a rock over three hundred
feet high, which is almost perpendicular.
About one-third the way up from the Bot
tom is grotto, which has a number of
caverns and arches. 1t has stalactites and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26
Work On 1t Being Rapidly Pushed by
Col. Miller.
REPLACING TIE BAD WORKMANSHIP
A Star Reporter Makes a Trip
through Some Sections.
WORKING UNDER DIFFICULTY

Work CT the aQueduct tunnel is being
pushed rapidly $50 men working in eight
hour shifts night and day Prospects are
that the project will be completed inside of
a couple of years and within the estimated
limit of cost of $3.50 600 When the last lick
is struck notable addition will be made to
the city's water facilities. and the northern
and eastern sections of Washington will re-
ceive an increased flow of Potomac water.
Every Washingtontan remembers the
famous "Lydecker tunnel, that great cav
ern under the city, stretching from the res
ervoir west of Georgetown to the Howard
University reservoir just south of the Sol
diers Home, distance of four miles, and
which abandoned ten years ago, when
it was discovered that faulty construction
rendered it practically useless
For ten years the tunnel lay idle, filled
with water and muck, the timbering of the
shafts rottng and falling in. About two
years ago Congress directed an examina-
ton of the tunnel by board of experts to
determine whether it would be feasible to
complete the work and get some return
from the large expenditures originally
made.
a board was appointed, consisting of
Major William L. Marshall, Capt James L.
Iusk and Capt D. D. Gaillard of the corps
of engineers. Z. S. A. and A. FetIey and
Desmond Fitz Gerald, civil engineers. They
pumped the water from the tunnel, cleaned
out the muck and made a thorough exami-
nation, Win the result tlat they concluded
the tunnel could be utilized by the expendi-
ture of about SS6309o. Congress author
lied the work To commence and to proceed
under the direction OF the chief of engineers
of the army.
Col. MiiIer's work.
Col. y. NJ. Miller, corps Of engineers, L.
S. A, the officer in charge of the Washing
ton aqueduCt, was placed in charge of the
project He undertook the work with en-
thusiasr ard is IuShi.g it steadily. He
makes personal visits t. the tunnel several
times a week and receives daily reports
from his assistants q tie progress of the
operations Colonel Miller chose as his as
sistant and active director Mr.. r. G.
experience in tune. and mine construction
William Gain ard Harry Bolac were made
day and night sUperintendents and John
Green and Taylor Crunin, two young n
Eineers Of this city, were put in charge of
the instrument and surveying work.
The laboierS on the project hired by
the day and directly under supervision
of the office. no contractors CT SubcC ntrac-
tors being permitted to take Z hand The
stout husky fellows, who dc the arduous
and dangerous work $50 feet below ground.
Colonel Miller commenced the job 4 year
ago last July. The first thing to be done
was to pump out the tunnel. which had
filled again since the examination by the
board. They pumped out 21,o00.o0 gallons
of water in three weeks, 16.GoD.o00 gallons
coming from the section under Rock creek.
The creek had broken through the parti-
ton of earth and through assures in the
rock had poured into the tunnel Most of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

which had been blasted through the solid
rock, was lined by the original contractors
with a brick arch. The unfinished portions
will now be lined with brick, and an inVert
or floor of the same material will be laid.
1t will be necessary in many places to trim
the foundation of the present arch, where
it rests on muck or soft rock, and bring the
side walls down to solid rock connecting
with the invert.
The Greatest Work.
The greatest labor, of course, will be on
the backing. Holes have been cut in the
roof of the arch at every few feet, leading
into the open spaces back of the arch,
ranging from small crevices to great cav
ems. Bubble masonry will be hoisted
through the holes and laid until a solid
mass extends from the brick lining to the
rock.
1t is estimated that 100000 brick will
be required in the construction Colonel
Miller has found superior quality of brick
which is almost as good as vitrified brick,
and it is being laid by expert masons.
At a point directly beneath Rock creek
the lining of the tunnel will be of iron,
instead of brick, on account of the ire
mendous pressure exerted there and the
treacherous nature of the ground. An iron
cylinder 500 feet long, of a size uniform
with the brick tunnel, is being put into po-
siton. This will be lined with cement and
is expected to stand the required strain.
A good sized stream of water, evidently
from Ine GREER, now pouFS through dn
aperture in the cylinder, but this will be
stopped by an ingenious method when the
time comes. A force pump of great power
will be attached to the aperture and
stream of grout will be pumped upward
into the earth until the leak stops. Grout
is a mixture of sand and cement, of
flowing consistency. 1t will spread through
the earth, and being of greater density
than water will force the water back, the
grout hardening as the water recedes.
A Star reporter was taken through the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star.
copyrighted, 1899 by Frank G. Carpentcr)
ISABELLA SEGUNDA,
Isle of Viequcs, August s. 1923.
I have spent the past week in gathering
information about some of Uncle Sans
unknown islands BY treaty with Spain
We secured scores of islands in addition
to Porto Rico. Some of these points of
rock built up by coral insects, forming lit
tie mole than spots on the face of the sea.
Others of considerable value and,
among them, those which I describe in this
letter I am writing now on Vieques, the
island of crabs. which lies thirteen miles
east of Porto Rico and not very far from
ST. Thomas. 1t is sixty-four miles from
San Juan. and is connected with the main
land by the little government steamer, the
Slocum, which comes to 1t with supplies for
the soldiers and the mail once every week.
Through the kindness of the Quartermaster
at San Juan I was allowed a pass on the
Slocum during its present voyage and by it
was landed in Isabella Segunda.
Some Islands North of Porto Rico.
We began to pass islands which belong to
Uncle Sam soon we left San Juan.
We sailed by several on our way out of the
harbor, and then turned to the east and
Sled1ueu IOT 1lbuIS tiit llOl III coast VI
Porto Rico, just outside reef of low coral
islets upon which the blue waves dashed
themselve~, casting up line Of white foam.
Behind this snowy fringe We could see the
blue mountains rising in a rolling line Of
beauty which was now and then lost in the
clouds. We saw more clouds we pro-
ceeded. They hung about the islands, wrap
ping the mountains with their ncbulous
humidity. This region is very moist. and
clouds one of the peculiar features of
all Porto Rican scenery. They are full of
rain which and then drops down in a
needle-ike spray. and at times falls in
sheets and streams. There are clouds
everywhere. They hang so close to the
mountains to make you think that YOU
could by climbing the hills turn on the
spigots of the heavens and have shower
baths to order.
Our New Leper Island.
We saw islands in front of US shortly
after left the capital, and after steam
ing for several hours We passed Cape San
Juan at the northeastern end of Porto
Rico proper and had the Culebra Islands
almost directly in front of US. The Guile
bra Islands are quite large. Some contain
hundreds Of acres of rolling land rising
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

like mountains out of the sea. One of
them is of especial interest just now, be-
cause it has been chosen as a home for
the leper population of Porto Rico.
There are number of leoers scattered
throughout TIE country, and Uncle Sam
is doing all he can to gather them together
and Isolate them. The leDers are very Sc
cretive, and it is difficult to find just
who they are. The poor herd together to
such an extent that the danger of con-
tamination Is great and so the government
has chosen this island as the exclusive
home of the lepers At present there are
eleven lepers in the hospital at San Juan,
and four more have been reported as liy-
ing in different parts of Porto Rico
AS we passed the Culebra group l could
see the island which has been chosen. 1t is
known as Louis Pena." 1t rises about 400
feet above sea level, contains 400 acres is
covered with dense growth of tropical
vegetation. About one-half OF it can be
cultivated, and there are now cattle and
goats upon it, 1t will raise all kinds of
vegetables and the tropical fruits peculiar
to Porto Rico. There plenty of fish in
parrots and also game birds much like our
American pheasants. There are also tur-
ties and shell fish in the waters about the
coast and it is believed that the leper
colonies will be largely self supporting.
The government expects to build a hos
pital on the island. 1t will give the lepers
houses and will supply them with seeds
and farming tools, and will stimulate them
in every way to form society of their
own.
The government boats will visit the
island at regular intervals with supplies
for the lepers. but otherwise the colony
will be completely isolated from the rest
of the world.
Down the East Coast of Porto Rico.
Sailing by this island, our little steamer
skirted the Island of Palominos. steaming
southwark toward Vieques. Afar off in
front of the ship we could see vieques,
hazy blue line of low mountains floating.
it were, upon the sea apparently about
twenty or thirty miles away. We did not
go direct. but first entered the harbor of
the town of Fajardo, on the northeastern
coast of Porto Rico, and then made our
way south to the harbor of Humacao. We
were SO close to the mainland that we
could see the sugar plantations which line
the shores. They were great squares of
light green shining out of the brown fields
about them Back of the green rose the
navy blue mountains Of the Porto Rican
backbone, with the peak FL Yunque, the
highest mountain of the island, towering
above them. At the port for Humacao we
came to anchor in a bay surrounded by
cocoanut trees. Here we landed a hogs
head of ice for some of our army officials,
who are stationed about six miles back
from the coast. and then turned and
steamed eastward toward vieques.
1t took US little more than an hour to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

year round. The grass is good and no
grain is required. 1t is the same with the
Nieques cattle which are raised for eX-
port to Porto Rico and Cuba. Those which
| have seen are much larger than the or
binary run Of cattle in the United States
Many of the tWo-year-old steers will weigh
eleven or twelve hundred pounds. The
prices of cattle are lower than with US, a
fairly good animal costing about $18 The
Vieques stock growers are more enterpris-
ing than those of Porto Rico. They have
some imported stock, Durhams and Here
fords being not uncommon. A few weeks
ago several cows were given to the SOL
diers Of Company [ of the 18th Infantry
They proved to be very good, producing
rich milk and cream.
No Land for Sale.
I have made inquiries as to prices of land
here, but am told there is none for sale.
The island is owned by few people, who
are well satisfied with their condition.
Among the largest owners are the sugar
planters, some of whom make as high as
1900 bags of sugar year Their planta-
tons are scattered over the lowlan dS
There is but little good timber on Vieques,
most Of it having been cut off. The climate
is said to be excellent. There is no sick
ness whatever, and such epidemics as at
tack Porto Rico do not seem to come here
At present the only Americans on the
Island of Crabs are the postmaster, Phil
adelphian named Lancaster; the soldiers
anu tie SlSlldi service men, VINO monograph
messages from this city to the mainland.
The distance is not far and the Photograph
works quite as well as the telegraph, and
all orders can be sent by the flashes of
the sun upon mirrors from one point to the
other
There are quite a number of Professionals
in Vieques, and among them hind
preacher who lived for long time in South
Carolina. He is a negro who went from
South Carolina to St. Thomas and then
came here He has been a resident of Vie
ques for many years.
The Dead Mans Chest.
Next to Vieques, the two most valuable
of Uncle Sans new islands about Porto
Rico are Mona Island and the Gaia de
Muertos, or "Chest of the Dead" 1 will
treat of the Dead Mans Chest first
The Gaia de Muertos lies south of Porto
Rico. 1t was at one time hospital island
to which incurables were transported to die
and from this fact came its name 1t lies
about four miles from Ponce. 1t Is about
a mile long and half mile wide. You can
see it from the Ponce harbor, for it rises
abruptly from the sea and has light mousse
upon it. 1t has some good pasture lands,
but this is small part of its value.
The treasures of the Dead Mans Chest
are in the phosphates which are found in
its caves and in the soil little back from
the shore. In one Of the caves I am told
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

this flow has been stopped. but up TO a little
while ago they were still pumping 5o0.00o
gallons day from the tunnel.
The next step was to repair the shafts.
five in number and put in hoisting appara-
tbs The repairing very difficult and
dangerous work. The shaft timber had
bulgei inward nearly a foot, and when the
men were at work they never knew what
minute the whole mass would fall in This
task was accomplished with safety, how
ever and the engineers set to work TO clean
out the tunnel
An Awful Mess,
They found an awful mess. They took
out about 10000 tons of muck and stone
and seventy-two cords of timber which had
been used by the contractors as backing
to the brick tunnel, instead of rubble ma
sonry as stipulated. There were chambers
back Of the lining. thirty feet high and fifty
feet long. into which cord wood and pine
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

tunnel the other day by one of the Off
GERS in charge. and witnessed the men at
labor in the different sections. Entrance
to the tunnel was made at the Foundry
branch shaft, west of Georgetown, and exit
at Champlain avenue, the sections ira
versed being those where work is being ac-
lively carried on.
visitor to the tunnel is equipped with
a pair of high rubber boots, suit of old
clothes and miners hat A hand-lamp.
such as used in the coal mines. is provided,
and thus fitted out the visitor steps into
the cage and is lowered down the shaft
to the tunnel opening many feet below the
surface.
A rush of cold, damp air greets you as
the tunnel Is reached One sees the roof
the side walls and then two feet away Is
nothing but pitchy darkness, out Of which
comes the sound of falling water as it drips
from the roof. Two chairs on a hand car
which is to be propelled by a couple of
workmen, furnish the means of transporta-
ton. The lamps are lighted, the car is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26
No JurisdictiOn.

From the Atlanta Constitution.
A couple applied to rural Justice Of the
peace for total divorce. The Justice called
the bailiff aside and asked in a whisper:
Whats the law on that pint?
You can't do it," replied the bailiff, at
don't come under yer Jurisdiction"
Were willin to pay cash fer it, replied
the husband. not understanding the nature
of the consultation. i've got the money in
this here stockin'
The justice looked grave. Then, adjusting
his spectaces and addressing the man.
said:
You knowed fore you came here that
'twarn't fer me ter separate husband an
wife, an yet you not only take up the time
o this here valuable court with yer :alkin'.
but ackchulIy perpose ter bride me with
money Now. how much has you got in
that stockin'?"
g Bout six dollars an a half. yer honor -
All right then. l fine you s. fer bribery
an a dollar am half fer takn' up my
time with a case what my jurisdiction is
out of. an may the Lord have mercy on yer
Soul!' mo-,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

started, making rumble like a freight
train the echoes go rolling down the
cavern, and the journey through the tunnel
is commenced.
The first group Of wor.men reached are
engaged in tiliing Up one cf the caverns
back of the tunnel lining. BY means of a
step ladder You climb through the aperture
in the roof of the arch and stand upright
in the space between the arci, and the rock
roof. Several gas Jets, made by a rubber
tube connection with the gas main, furnish
brilliant white light. The rubble ma
sCnry is being laid from the rear of the
cavern toward the manhole, and one
side the workmen have found cleft in the