The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-04
FROM A TEXAN IN HAVANA.

Havana, Cuba December 27-(Special
Correspondence of The Post.) This is the
time that the average American wishes
he was in any old place except Cuba.
How different 1t is here. There is none
Of the Christmas activity that is always
so manifest in the big cities. None of
the stores with their show windows in
gay attire, None of the busy shopping
crowds that one sees in metropolitan
city Nothing, nothing. absolutely moth
ing to tell one the time is approaching
when you are expected TO be of good
cheer" and at the same time to go deep
down in your trousers, dig up coin. and
so on a still hunt for Christmas presents
tor the loved ones at home The Amerl
cans have been Blowing themselves in a
way, nut as q rune this is the hardest
place in the world to find anything that
one thinks suitable as a Christmas gift.
The renowned Fan Store" OF Senior Car
rama on Obispo street has been hocked
as the collections of fans he has for sale
Is enough to excite the envy of a queen.
They range in price from anywhere to
5000 and some OF them are OF the most
exquisite designs that | ever laid my eyes
on. A postofhce official told me last
cans were sending fans TO the States as
remembrauces and that in his opinion II
the exodus kept on for a few days longer
a corner must occur in the tan market
There are great many Chinese stores
here which have many pretty souvenirs,
put they are extremely high, especially in
dealing with an American. Christmas
trees are hardly known here, and as for
santa Claus among the younger generation
ne Is an object that they have never heard
tell of. What would the average little
I American girl think Il she thought of the
thousands Of little girls in Cuba who
viii go to he'd Christmas Eve night
without ever hanging up their stocking2
instead of celebrating Christmas here as
Americans are wont to do high mass is
held in all the churches at midnight
CHRISTMAS Eve where thousands congre-
gate and then adjourn to their homes
where midnight banquet Is held of the
best that the home larder can AFFORD I
went to one of these banquets last Christ
mas Eve and had jolly time OF 1t and
am invited TO another this year. This Is
one time that the average Cuban imbibes.
lie drinks wine until he Is forced to alb
stain and then his home. his farm, his
( country and anything that ne possesses
is at your disposal. His nature is nat
urally GENEROUS to a degree and tine
Turing wines soon bring out the better in
|
~
This has heen quite week OF events
the removal of the bodies Of the Maine
heroes began Monday upon the arrival
of the Texas. The bodies were all found.
with the exception of two, which Father
Chadwick claims have not been turned
over As rule the cofins were in
lair state OF preservation, considering
mat they were beneath the ground. There
were several OF the remains that but a
lew bones and tuft OF hair remained to
ten the tale OF that awful night in Ha-
Nana harbor when so many brave sailor
lads went down. The bodies were all
ioaded on the pattleship by Wednesday
hlghi and yesterday the Texas sailed away
Tor Arlington cemetery where they viii
De inferred in a soldiers grave and whera
a handsome monument viii be erected To
tell the future generations of one of the
most cruel acts in history
General Leonard Wood. the new gov.
ernor general OF the island, arrived on the
Nlty OF Mexico Wednesday morning His
reception was aattering one. despite all
me asitation that his appointment has
caused He was heralded from Cabanas
WIN the boom OF twenty zone guns as he
entered the harhor about in the morn
ing At the wharf many bands of music
VIZ All lhe CIVIC societies and all the
prominent army officers had assembled
TO bid him welcome. He was received amid
the cheers OF the enormous crowd and
escorted to tho Hotel Inglaterra. GEN
eral Brooke at IL m. turned over his Of
nee 10 him at the palace and at o'clock
Yesterday the new governor was signing
othelal documents as the commander in
chief OF the island General Brooke AZ
busy making preparations to depart sat
urday and the demonstration both civic
and military will be a momentous one and
Wen worth witnessing. The army offcers
| with the Eighth Infantry band from Camn
Columbia gave him delightful serenaae
tuesday night at the palace.
Great preparations are being made n
Almendares park for next weeks fiesta in
eommemoration Of Cuban liberty. great
fair and bazaar is to De held there that
viii be The greatest thing Of its kind ever
ATTEMPTED in Cuba, Rooths. stands. m
yilions. etc, are being erected ON M.
grounds In every direction and the nlacs
negins TO look like young exposition
sioycle racing horse racing. ali nina ~
sports will continue for seven asys ans !
good time Is expected
Captain Sigshee Of the Texss "a. =.
'sllalned nt General lie. Taesasv a,