Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-14

were held in obscure, often deserted. build
lngs but rarely twice consecutively in the
same place, md this was the procedure also
| In some OF the other cities. In many cases
however, 1t was found necessary to hold the
sessions outside the towns; not infrequently
tne Nasons Were obliged to find gathering
places in the woods and even then they
Were sometimes broken up, so thoroughly
nti-Masonic were the sentiments of those
in power.
The building of the Yauco temple created
much excitement in Porto Rico, and there
ism the slightest doubt that 1t would have
been destroyed. either by order Of the gov
eminent or at least with its knowledge and
acquieScence. had it not been for the efforts
70 preserve 1t put forth by the French and
German coasuls stationed at Ponce. They
repeatedly made representa- tions to the eff
Ieci mat the Masons were in high favor
with their home governments and that
While official tolera ton of the order Womb
not De asked in the circumstances they felt
tnat they must protest against destruction
OF the building. Several of the coffee plant
ers or foreign birth Joined in the protest
ana thus the building was preserved Not
Withstandfng the difficulties with which
masonry was confronted under the Spanish
iesLihe pretty lair organization, includ-
ing grand lodge, was kept up in both
Porto Rico and Cuba. The order is now re-
ported to be in very fiourishing condition in
both islands.
The Civil Guard
An interesting feature of life in Porto
Rico is furnished by the civil guard. 1t
was organized Immediately after the Amer
lean occupation, and most of its members
Were drawn from the ranks of those who
had formerly been in the service of Spain.
in the volunteer force, in the insular police
and in the army itself. Some of them
We're of nearly pure negro blood, others
were of mixed descent but some were
pure Spaniards and of pcninsu!ar nativity
FOR long time after the transfer they
wore the same uniforms they had worn in
the Spanish service, but United States army
hats were supplied to them at the very
hrst They were organized by Gen Henry
at the beginning OF his Porto Rican se--
vice, with headquarters at San Juan. un-
Ger a general chief. and carbohydrates
a. other cities, each under captain
Ihough they were thoroughly loyaI 20
Spain while in the employ of its govern
ment' they have been loyal to the United
States since the occupation, and have done
excellent service in the main.
Wealthy Porto Ricnns
The richest young man in all Porto Rico
is Senior Para of Ponce. He is under thirty.
slender and unusually tall for a Porto Ri
can. Curiously enough. in personal appear
ance he resembles John Jacob Astor not Il
little. Senior Para, with his father who
is still living, is interested in many BUSH
ness enterprises in Ponce and elsewhere
The bulk of the family investments, like
those of the Astors, is in city real estate:
ir fact, they are understood to be the mosf
extensive landlords in Ponce. Naturally.
the Para family, which includes several
daughters, is prominent in Ponce society
and the Para residence, a large and hand
some structure, is familiar to many Ameri-
cans.
Like the sons of most wealthy Porto Ri
cars the younger Para was educated large
ly in the United States. and has spent much
time in New York. Thus he has ACQUIRED
many American tastes and might readily
pass for a citizen OF this country though
he would doubtless be thought of foreign
descent. He speaks English fiuently, with
just the slightest accent: he is democratic
In his friendships, and he is devoted to
manly sports. especially racing and shoot
ing. He Is very fond of dogs. and he owns
the best stocked kennels on the island. He