The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-19
WHAT AN INDIANA WOMAN IN CHILE
SAYS OK THAT COUNTRY.
Native Farmers and other workmen
Follow Primitive Meihods-san-
tiaGO n beautiful city.


Incas. Hancock's very interesting History
of Chile" is the only extensive account I
have seen, and it treats principally Of her
colonial period, her wars and revolutions.
Mr.. Frank Carpenters letters have awak-
ened some interest, for reporters rush in
where angels fear to tread, and he found
much that was new, but even he labored
under the disadvantage of little or no ac-
quaintance with the Spanish language, and
it is remarkable how much he got out Of
these countries in so short a time.
Geographically, Chile is fortunate in her
situation. Having a coast line of 1900 miles,
with breadth varying from 40 to go miles
she nestles under the shadow of the mighty
Andes, enjoying every variety of climate
and producing fruits and grains Of all zones.
She possesses islands near the coast, among
them Juan Fernandez, of Robson Crusoe
fame. Chile is also rich in mineral wealth
several of her silver mines are considered
among the richest in the world Notwith-
standing these advantages her progress has
been slow. Magellan passed the straits in
1920, just one hundred years before the
landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth rock,
and although Chile is far in advance of her
sister republics of South America in all that
indicates progress and success, she is at
least fifty years behind the United States.
, If one-half the expense of her military es
Establishment could be employed in manufac-
lures she would soon become a flourishing
country. The building of railroads and ali
important enterprises is carried on by Eng
lish Scotch and German people who have
settled in various parts of the country in
large colonies. Agriculture is more extern
sively pursued than any other business by
the Chileans and their manner of filling the
soil is primitive. Oxen are used altogether
and they arc attached to the
pillow as they were, am sure,
when Joseph was carried into Egypt. Some
OF the very large estates import farming
implements from the United States but the
laborer will not use the plows if he can get
one of the rude wooden ones used in the
aforesaid time of Joseph. He is averse to
all innovations, and if left to himself laughs
at an American reaper or thresher. Many
of the farms, or haciendas, comprise from
five to forty thousand acres and require
several hundred laborers TO operate them,
many OF whom are born and spend their lives
on the estate. These plantations realize
immense incomes. and / am told that
100000 profit yearly is only a fair business
Chile has an extensive system of irliga-
ton. Almagro when he invaded this eoun-
try, found aqueducts, some of which are
said to be in a fair state of preservation ct
the present time, Most of the rivers flow
from the mountains to the sea, and rs Chile
is naturally terraced from the coast to the
mountains irrigation is neither difficult nor
expensive when compared with the systems
OF other countries. Every residence, park
and garden in Santiago is supplied with
running water. IN fact. the supply is UNI
limited, and when the sewers are flooded at
night the flow comes with such force as to
sometimes break the pipes. Santiago, Chiles
beautiful capital. has a poulation Of over
100000. 1t is divided by the Mapocho river,
which is walled forty feet on either side to
prevent the inundations which at one time
destroyed a large portion of the city, and
ds spanned by five handsome stone bridges
The city is ornamented with many lovely
parks and plaZas. Santa Lucia is the finest
hanging garden In the world. 1t IS natural
Tock-a spur of the AndeS-riSing over 300
feet almost in the center Of the city, and
is beautified with statuary, fountains, walks,
drives and almost every known variety Of
tree and flower. Here is the tomb and
statue of Pedro de Valdives, the founder Of
Santiago. A chapel and small theater are
picturesquely located near the summit. Ger
tainly Eden not more beautiful, nor can
Paradise be more splendid than this garden.
A WEALTHY CITY.
Santiago is said to be the wealthiest city on
the South American continent, but a large
portion of this wealth belongs to the Cath
Ole Church 1t owns whole blocks in the
best business part of the city. The law of
entailment is in operation, and estates re-
main for long period in the hands of one
person. A wealthy widow holds the prop
erty in her own right, no matter how many
children she may have, but she supports
them all. She lives in a great hotel of a
house, perhaps has two or three of them,
and when the sons marry they bring their
wives home, and there is always a retinue
of servants il soon becomes a Yer1table bee
hive.
cuss them continually in their clubs and
elsewhere. They have little taste or desire
for travel. but spend their time and money
in splendid living The women in going To
church, riding in elegant carriages, and on
moonlight nights promenading in the Ave-
nida de las Delicious, They are always
Catholics. Other Municipalities may be re-
epected as Protestants, but the Chilean loses
caste If he is anything but a Roman Cath
Ollie. Among the educated and advanced
thinkers there are liberal Catholics who OPP
pose the clergy In legislative halls and favor
popular education This class, however see
Ing the absurdities of the church, are lapsing
into inhdelity. They seldom or never attend
church, although their wives and daughters
must go. and are devout churchgoers. Every
day and almost every nour the Chilean
woman may be seen, always in black
adorned with the manta and rosary hurrylng
to mass, she alone sustains the church.
There is said TO be 400 priests in San
tiago and Il church on almost every corner.
Fhey are large ana elaborate and expensive
liAGI lAtAGi uetuttAtibllH.
PROTESTANT MISSIONS.
Among all these lofty edifices there is one
small Protestant church where union serv-
Ices are held every Sunday. The officiating
clergyman is a Presbyterian, but the con-
gregaton is composed of several denomna-
lions which contribute towards its support.
DR.. Allen, at one time pastor of the Second
Presbyterian Church of Lafayette, Ind. has
been engaged in missionary work in Chile
ell classes. DR.. j. IT. and Mrs La Fetra
have been for many years successfully en-
gagged in educational work in Santiago
They are associated with several other we'll
equipped teachers from the United States.
There are many fine public buildings ia
Santiago. The Capitol is large and notable
edlnCe, ana Its grounds are beautiful A
splendid monument has been erected near
the building concentrating q terrible fire
which occurred in a Jesuit church in 1863 by
which 2O00 people, nearly all womer lost
their lives Santiago Is subject to greater
degrees OF heat and cold than ValDa 50
owing 10 its high elevation. During the hot
nonths-Decembor January and February
the wealthy classes retire to their haclendaS
and all who can seek cooler quarters on
the seashore or in the mountains Sunstrolye
is unknown. as there is no humidity of az
mosphere No matter how hot the sun NAV
be II IS always pleasant in the shade Few
the rainy season we suffered until Stoves
We're put up. running the pipes through tho
wall 10 the roof. The natives usa Ire
pfasero' a brass pan On three legs filed
WIN chaFcoal ana lighted in the open air
0nd brought into the room when well
burned. 4i
Mems social clubs in Santiago are nun,er-
Gus, put know of but one woman's club