Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-01-10
flRGCRACKERS on CHRISTMAS.
David HiIger Writes That Christmas Da,
in Honolulu Seemed Like lnde-
pendence Day.

The following interesting letter
from David Hilger, now in Honolulu,
we are permitted to publish thru the
courtesy OF Mr.. G. W. Cook:
HONOLULU, II. l., Dec. 2G, 1899.
Mr.. q. W. Cook,
Lewistown, Mont.
DEAR PARD: No doubt any newr
would be interesting from this place,
and having an abundance of leisure
time and sitting In the shade OF "A
massive banyan tree ut tempera-
ture OF 75o In the shade. and sur
rounded by every species OF palms
and Towering shrubs and plants and
the occasional humming Of the mos
quito, which has lost none NJ it's
characteristics in 1900 miles OF dis
tance. scribble this letter.
Honolulu in city Of 1000 inhabi-
tants, composed Of mixture Of Japs,
Chinese, Kanakas and their interme-
diate crosses. and last, but by no
means least I'm Importance to the fu-
ture of these islands-the whites.
Honolulu Ia city Of narrow streets,
one-horse vehicles and barefooted
population, excepting the whites and
well-to-do natives and Japs. 1t as
sumes strictly oriental aspect, ex-
cepting the new buildings going up
under American push, enterprise and
capital. The business done IN i'm
mense and there IL more money In
circulation per capita than any city
| ever saw or ever expect tn see. Ev-
erybody IL making money and the
sugar plantations are making money
at bonanza rates. Toillustrate, good
cane ground will yield annually ten
tons To the acre. This sells here at
the rate OF $50 per ton. netting 5000
per acre, and the cost OF production
will not exceed $500 per acrecomplete
In the sack, leaving net surplus OF
$500 per acre.
Christmas hat passed. and what IA
novelty! 1t seems more like the heat
ed term of July In Montana, and all
day yesterday was celebrated by IA
continuous cracking Of firecrnckers
and liberal fireworks display ut
night, making II seem more like a
Fourth Of July than Christmas.
The native ladies wear M n general
costume nothing more or less than n
Mother Hubbard, with strong pre-
sumptive evidence Of nothing else.
and l am Inclined to the belief that II
the habit Of cOrset-wearing becomes
general among the natives IL will be
necessary to make new model to
contain the enormous bust expansion
visible In any direction.
have been trying to find out where
we are ut as far n the season IL CON
cerned. Every shrub. plant and tree
IL green and remains SO during the
S'di. All IOTHiH WI NtBtlullOll UTe
growing-ln fact, it IL all spring and
not n chilly wind blows during the
year. The evenings and nights are
comfortable. You sleep well, and the
heat * not oppressive at any time.
The nights are clenr and clOndless,
but there IL no twilight. and as soon
az the sun goes down 1t IL dark.
The mountains rise to precipitous
heights and are covered with n dense
verdure wherever n root can find a
spot to cling To.
We have had but little rain since
our arrival ON the 10th, and the pco-
pie here inform me that the season
has been unusually dry.
My impression Of the natives il that
they far Outcloss any Of the oriental
people. as well ~ our American In
dians, In intelligence. They ure as n
class educated and occupy the most
responsible positions. This IL strik-
ingly 80 with hall and quarter whites.
Many OF them are wealthy and very
refined aud genteel. Many OF them