Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-11
PORTO R1co's MONTE CARLO.
Gambling for Small Stakes Universal
Under Spanish Rule.


is Coamo, one of the oldest towns upon
the island. Although memorable for
its connection with the American in
vasi0n in the summer Of 1898, the i'm
terest Of visitors centers not in the
typical little Spanish town, but in the
thermal springs two Or three miles dis
tant For more than three quarters %
a century Coamo Springs held its place
as the one. the only summer resort for
Porto Ricans. In addition to its repu-
tatiOn as a health resort. CoamO
Springs was widely known for the
facilities which it presented for Win
ming or losing perhaps a mere pittance,
possibly an entire fortune. In listen
ing to stories Of this Porto Rican
Monte Carlo. one lost sight entirely nc
the health-giving virtues Of the HOI
Springs. That gambling was popular
ana fashionable might perhaps he eX-
pectad in a country where the govern
ment issued licenses to gambling es-
adjustments legalized betting on the
respective merits of rival game cocks,
and not only conducted a lottery. but
had the drawings supervised by eccle-
siastics. In his book Cuba ana Porto
Rico Robert 7. Hill says: The
gambling habit is common to am class
IS, from the rich planter ana priest
down To the lowest beggar" In driv-
ing about the interior ] came frequent
~ upon wayside groups 50 intent upon
their game that not the least notice
was taken Of the passing stranger
Gambling is universal in all card
games in Porto RicO-n0t exactly
gambling as We consider il. but more
after the fashion Of our English
friends. who usually add zest 10 each
game of whist by small stake Monte
was the favorite game at Coamo. and
the old board IL still kept at the hotel
a reminder NJ the past regime Ii Is
said that no card sharps III profess
SIGNALS were known. the stakes not be-
ing large enough to tempt them. The
Spanish officers met here for their
games Of chance. the governor general
always coming for a season and setting
the example. 1t was not at all unc0m-
mon for a planter. upon arrival. ID de-
post in the hotel safe a certain sum.
which was To answer for his gambling
If he lost that he went home. AL that
was his initial he felt TIE could ar
ford tO loSe. Under such circum-
stances he can realize that the trag-
edies Of Monte Carlo were never wit
messed at COamO. Tradition has ii that
the ladies frequently exceeded the
limit, When-as their liege lords would
only supply a certain amOunt-there
was often an interchange Of rings and
bracelets. In those days gambling ana
driving We're the daytime diversions,
and the evenings We're given up to
dancing ana drifting facilities for both
the latter being afforded by the broad
verandahs.
Under Spanish management the
charge for board was three pesos or
$50 per day, but there We're extras for
everything, even peso a week for
drinking water. and twenty-five ceuta-
vos for taking ones temperatures ~
one was allowed to battle until his tenn
perature had been taken. even If he took
several baths daily. "A unique source Of
revenue was furnished byt hard sand
stone formation near the springs. Upon
the face Of tn. bluff "A lnvesick swain
could have his initials carven. inter-
tWincd with those OF mis- iair s.norita
for tn" modest sum of three pesos one
Of which went to the artist. and Two
snart several r,.,,,tI,. ~ +l,., .,,,.f,,,-. =.
,,,,-.,,,-I,.,i+,. =
ar+.r,,,i.i,o ,,,,..,.il,,, .r,.,,t..,. HIM.
ine tbar It'll r-,,rist,, III .,.,a,. ...n5
1il,a r,ir I..e,,i....t..45
made. ..,,,,, .I -'l fiji ''i'
ti,n or tra ll,,o, a,,1 /, i'ot
IN i... ,a,-,,,,... t'i LII "e'' II
~, ,,+l,', '''''''7
IA ,..,,,,..,,,. '-...si.' : - 1T -
,-isi+..,i - ',...,,. "a nv ''"'e
he - lle"
., -, - ''''"N S"H7 1Sl'''lS
IT,
o'e lahuihafk. suggestive oI former
uaS7' II round Just opposite The en-
trance ~ tht motel grounds, where are
pointed cut IN" ruins uf the barracks
where used to be sent aII Spanish SOL
Giprs v.bn v-pra r,rooir,u,. HI yy-t:I
, II "lS il'' y HI'e
tHtH remained Up take the benefit OF
the baths the government maid tba
hotel FIR tI,ai,, ,.,,., ana +,,,,,,.--
T,,llu; - an mann 'V''"l''T.
"""E I"S from 'he present outlook,
TINS old pleasure resort win lose none
of it's oldtime popuIaritv with the
t,.,, ,,,, ,,,-,,,l,, -. "
'''"''7' "'tel'u"ilJ upon american Occu-
pancN. Appearances all indicate that
pnrtD Pin, ic hound ~ l.--.,,,, . c
"ii' '' "''ollie II ldN-