Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-04-12

with Mrs. Barnes, recently returned
from A visit to Porto Rico has pre-
pared an interesting account of their
impressions and observation while
travelling around and across our new
possessions He says:
A few incidents connected with the
trip around the coast and across the
great military road of our new posses
sion NAV not fall amiSs just at thlS
time when the island is commanding
the attention of the public on account
Of the tariff question.
Leaving New York in 4 blizzard,
and being numerically tossed about
by the severe storms which sweep the
Atlantic seaboard at this season of the
year, the sight OF land after six days
We; a feast for the eye indeed. Our
first impressions of this beautiful ISL
and could not help but be favorable in
the extreme for the landscape COM
posed of foreground of purple sea,
the city OF San Juan nesting III the
green coast line and Old MORO stand
ing out stately and frownng against
the blue background of mountains
formed picture not soon to be Tor
gotten.
The harbor of San Juan is an ideal
one, being formed by spur OF land
projecting in a northweSterly direction
and cuviug again near the point to-
wards the south. thus forming protec-
tion from the sea from all quarters.
rhe channel leading into it is very
narrow and somewhat winding. max
lug the services of pilot necessary.
On this projecting spur of land is sit
uated the city itself, which, viewed from
any quarter, is q mass OF colols, nu-
merous and varied in shades, This IS
due to the old Spanish custom of
painting the roofs and tinting the out
side walls of the houses and buildings,
also to the thing used for roofing which
is made from native clay and burned to
bright red color.
Immediately upon dropping anchor,
swarms Of native boats put out from
the wharf and surround the cOmpan-
conway in crowd some with fruit and
native novelties to sell, and others for
the purpose of landing passengers.
The boats are odd affairs but quite safe
and comfortable The fare is ten cen
tavos (SiX cents American money! oaCn
way for each person, and very reason
.thl Ia OF llnI .
spread out before you El Mariana or
Marine Park, which covers 4 whole
square. This is lined with natives at
small stands selling cake and various
CONNECTIONS of native manufacture
which we're anything but Appealing or
inviting to rs, although the natives
who INDUCED in these luXuries seemed
to consume them with great relish.
Our party called at the office of The
San Juan News and had pleasant talk
with Hobart S. Bird the editor, a
former Madison boy and 4 graduate Of
the university law school IN SO. rhe
writer is also member OF that class
and an alumni meeting on "A small
scale was held in which our old college
pipes played their usual role. Mr.. Bird
is nicely situated and Is meeting with
success, although he reports having
met good many obstacles in getting
his paper upon good foundation. His
perseverance is certainly very COM
mendable
h1 oil " Of 10 % Y M
pie of the Old Spanish towns. The
streets are all narrow and more or less
crooked, but finely paved and clean
The natives say that there Is a very
marked difference in this last respect
since the American occupation, and in
deed everywhere are evidences OF
system and a general renovation seems
TO have been in operation rle gov
ernor's palace is pleasantly situated
overlooking the harbor and is large
and airy in all its apartments and well
adapted to its office. A visit to Moro
castle cannot help suggesting u you
what has been in days gone by. Bar
barism and medieval times art every
when you turn and see the stars and
stripes floating high above from the
tower and one Of Uncle Sans soldier
boys in his trim blue uniform pacing
the sentry's beat you can hardly bring
Yourself to believe that you arc stand
ing on American soil and thar appear
ances are simply memories Of 4 past
existence The old dudgeon cells and
subways are still there but their Offices
and functions have all been changed
and the whole made into an ideal mill
tary post.
Every Thursday and Sunday even
ing the native band plays on the plaza
and II is at this time that you see the
elite Of the city. The senoritas come
dressed in becoming clothes OF light
material and display all their fnery.
Some Of them are really very hand