The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-11
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
! A Wheeling Woman
J In Cuba.
BY Mrs. Dora II. Patterson.
For the Intclllecnccr.
Special corresponaence Of 1n1ellicencer.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

sheetat Correspondence OF fntciiGencer
HAVANA, Cuba, Feb. Elm a little
street in the eastern part Of Havana
is a vehicle stored away from the pub
lie eye. A vehicle that carried In It's
richly upholstered seats the royal fam
lily of Spain. but destined now to be car
ried to the states, the property Of an
energetic American, who will either
exhibit it, in the principal cities of the
north, or sell it to some enterprslng
museum manager.
Pursuing their unfailing system OF
making hay while the sun shone, and
turning everything into gold be-
lore departing for their home, across
the seas, Captain General Casteilanos,
The last Spanish officer to represent the
Castilion government, as the command
ing officer of Cuba, offered for sale the
magnificent carriage that has been in
use In Havana for state occasions, and
was presented to Count de Riela, then
captain general of Cuba by the crown
OF spain, in the seventeenth century.
This handsome carriage. now stored
ieel its humiliation in its new and
strange home. SO different from the
SumptuouS quarters occupied by It in
The royal stables for six generations.
The running gear is Of a bright red,
the dphofsterfns Is the most expensive
that could be manufactured by the
Skilled artisans of the old world, and
the costly trimmings Of gold, with the
coat OF arms of Spain upon its sides,
give II an appearance of richness which
Its cost Of $4,000 entities 1t to.
The drivers seat is a gorgeous affair,
ana amply large enough to hold four
men. andupon the rear Is room for four
lackeys to stand. Despite its great
age 1t Is still in excellent repair. As
have said before. everything Cuba Is
built for the passing of centuries. The
last time it WAS seen in Cuba in public,
the last time it will ever be seen in
Cuba. was at the opening of the SUI
preme court. last April, when Governor
General Blanco had the distinction Of
riding in 1t down the Prado. The pres
Ont owner, Mr.. Israel, of New York,
also bought the expensive and elabor-
2tely mounted harness and the gay uni
forms of the coachmcn and lackeys.
With the single exception of the car
riagc which Is owned by lAlphonse. the
boy king of Spain, no like vehicle exists
in the world. and this coach Is one OF the
most interesting and valuable relics of
Spanish sovereignty on the western
continent.
To mark the child-liko love Of play
and Of display to be found in the Cuban
nature. as well as the Unborn patriotism
and love OF hero. living or dead, l have
but to dwell for Il moment upon the
street scenes In Havana last Sunday 1t
was the anniversary OF the birth of
Martl. the patriot and general. who was
killed early in the war. But the pass
ing OF events has not served to wash
away his memory or to grow moss upon
his tomb
On Sunday afternoon, at 1 O'Clock,
there formed on the Prado n monster
procession of twenty thousand people.
all in varied uniforms of orders and
clubs. 1t contained hundreds Of girls.
who, notwithstanding the light rain
which fell most inopportuncly. walked
all through the parade. clad in gar
ments of gossamer texture, fluttering
ribbons and French slippers. Hundreds
of costly painted satin banners were
carried. intcrSpersed with numerous
silken Cuban flags, and an occasional
American flag of cotton. Numbers OF
pretty girls were dressed as Cuba
Librc." and We're drawn upon chariots.
Preceding the procession, a bowling
mob OF boys cleared the streets by
compelling ali the hack drivers to give
the marching clubs 4 free path. Among
the organizations participating were
Cuban soldiers. medical societies, law
societies, cigar makers, cfIiidren's
schools. and tircmen. In gay uniforms,
which are never defled. because there
are no fires. The procession marched
through all the principal streets OF the
city, to the birthplace of Marti. on
Paula street. where impressive ccre-
monies were held. and the marble slab
was unveiled, containing the following
inerrin,ion.