The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-02-10
RHODES m CUBA.

The WHEELING Nan Talks Of HIS Re-
c,nt Tip 70 the Gem Of the AM
tiiIssIThs Havana Pawnahops
FiIied with JsWeied TREASURES.
Mr.. o. T. Rhodes. Of the brokerage
drm Of Rhodes & stamm. who has re-
turned from a business trip to Cuba
talks interestingly OF his experiences in
the Gem Of the Antilles, and Is enthu-
siastic over the possibilities for proht-
able investment there. He Is now form-
ing a company that win acquire a 5000
acre tract Of valuable hardwood timber
on the south codst The principal once
Of the company will be located in
wheeling, aud the work in Cuba win
be under the management Of men to be
sent out from here.
"The most interesting experience
ever went through" said Mr.. Rhodes.
twas my visit to the pawnshops In Ha-
-vana. Here ruined spaniarda have de-
posted and forfeited the most valuable
and antique collections of Jewels.
watches, fans and other articles on
which they could raise money During
the spanish regime planters were only
accorded protection through 'contribu-
tions Of money to the otncials, and to
raise this money the planters had re-
course to the pawnshops of Havana. I
have brought home some valuable jew
elry and fan got in these shops.
Taking the train to San Nicolas, we
mounted horses and rode over planta-
lions 5000 to 10000 acres in extent. on
which the grass is growing i've to nine
feet high, in a highly neglected state.
The soil is most productive; sugar corn.
when planted, will grow twenty to
twenty-five years without re-planting
or attention. Bananas, oranges and
plneapples grow in abundance all'bver
the Island.
~ was surprised at the cleanliness OF
the Cuban women; their clothes are
spotlessly white. At a place where I
stopped they didn't have cent Of mo-
ney in the house; they trade chickens,
potatoes and other product for grocer
les.
1--WE Inspected forest Of 5000 acres,
made up OF many varieties of hard
woods, including mahogany, cedar. oak.
aconite, etc. BY the way, saw railroad
ties Of mahogany; they use this valu-
able wood for this purpose because OF
its lasting qualities.
mo one In wheeling can form any
idea OF the business conditions in Cuba
The people are kind and generous. In
the old Spanish regime. when a planter
wanted to borrow $4,000 or $4,000. he
would write his request on a piece of
paper. send 1t to friend on an adjoin-
ing plantation. and the money would
come back In little while.
I'm Havana there are some fine
stores, especially those handling jew
elry or dry goods. Some 1 know Of car
ry stocks worth 100000 to 100000, and
in their safes would be found $4,000 to
100000 In Spanish gold.
II had several interviews with Gen
eral Wood, the governer-general. at
Havana, and found him very pleas
ant man, and very determined. While
1 was there, the Cuban official who con-
trolled the prisons was brought before
the general, charged with placing peo-
pie in jail for no cause, without trial.
and giving them from one to ten years
confinement. Investigation revealed
that all this had been for no offenses Of
consequence. General Wood immedi-
ately and without notice dispensed
with the officials services"