Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-06-01

for the loading and unloading OF
freight. for II was what we call In
Utah. an accommodation train 10
did not so very fast after II was start
ed, but for the first time In my life |
found myself desiring that the train
should 20 slower, We were travelling
through a beautiful country From the
very first we were in the prmeyal
forest. continuous but for the few
clearngs made BY the natives around
their little villages.
In little while we entered the Los
Andes track of land, the land that we
had heard so much about, and which
we desired very much 70 see. This
tract contains about 100000 acres. II
borders on Lake label on one side, and
on the Honduras line on the other. taxi
ing In the whole Of the river valley
between. Most OF II Is level, some roll
ing, while part is mountainous. Almost
the whole OF II In one way or another
can be cultivated At present II IL
covered with n heavy forest In which
there is much valuable woods, such as
mahogany and cedar, On the noun
tains there Is pine. much OF which would
make good saw timber. The valley
and lower lands raise good corn, ba-
nanas, rubber trees. cacao beans, etc.
rubber, cacao and bananas being the
most profitable crops Bananas for the
man OF limited capital Is the most prof
liable crop grown. They begin 10
Weld ten months from planting. and
with proper management the fruit can
be taken and shipment made every
week In the year. They grow readily,
require but little cultivation, aud but
little skill in handling,
INDICTMENT TO SETTLERS,
This tract of land Is now in the con-
troll OF the railway company or 90 be
more accurate the Central American
Improvement Co., and II offered TO set
tiers and investors on the following
terms: person or n set OF persons
may have what land he wants for ten
years, at the end of which time he must
pay for II at the rate OF $500 a cabal-
leria about 100 acres) in the money OF
the country. At present one dollar gold
Is worth about six dollars Guatemalan
money, which would bring the land to
less than eighty cents per acre: but OF
the amount purchased he must have at
least one-half into a crop Of some kind,
such 30 bananas, corn, beans, cacao,
etc. The object here Is TO have the
land produce freight for the railroad.
The prices at which freight Is TO be
moved from the tract to the various
places OF destination are IN contract,
so there Is no danger OF an Increase in
freight rates. The company reserves
the right TO cut all mahogany now
standing on the land. Other woods
win belong 70 the purchaser.
The government also has lands equal
to the Los Andes lands, which It gives
under certain conditions TO bona fide
settlers. Ii invites investigations Pub
lie lands sell now for 800 to $500 a
cavallerla, but not 10 exceed $500 in
the money Of the country, which al the
low price OF money. makes the land
very cheap for when planted TO ban
anas yield an annual crop worth 5000 or
more per acre. al present prices.
must call attention, too, while
speaking OF the richness Of the valley
to the fact that I'm this valley. and the
mountains bordering Il, are some very
rich placer mines. Many Of these mines
are already yielding handsome returns.
and yet the cOncensus NJ opinion is
that not the tenth has been discovered
FOR there has been but little prospect
ing done.
A question that arises Is, II this val
| ley Is so rich both IN mineral and in
agricultural possibilities. II Il has once
been the home OF hundreds OF thou
sands. as the ruins would indicate, why
Is IT not now settled? Why has It been
permitted 90 grow up to virgin forests7
TO this question I have not been able
To obtain a satisfactory answer. a sug-
| gestiOn that II is unhealthy. that fever
| and ague abound Is answered by the
| fact that mahogany cutters have lived
here In perfect health. aud also that
| there are a few little native villages
| hourshing as they used 20 flourish
when Quirigua was a great city The
| most satisfactory explanation is found
| I'm the fact that there are not nearly
| enough people in Guatemala 10 occupy
all its beautiful valleys. and that an
| GENTLY Il was necessary for safety
! from enemies TO live In the mountains.
| Even after the conquest. many bnc-
cancers OF the ocean frequently visited
and ravished the coast cities and towns
and this danger may have driven the
| last remnant inland But whatever the
EXPLANATION. here are the facts. n rich
and fertile valley containing hundreds
OF thousands OF acres of land. and the
ruins of three large and once populous
| cities
Not only the government. but the
| Genital American Investment company
| invites settlers and investors, DO
| ueve myself. that fortunes could be
made here IN a proper selection ~ these
| lands. and n 50. why not Utah people
| invest as well a. any one else?
should any desire further lntorma,
iion. they could write 10 Consul General
McNaly. Guatemala city, or 10 Mr.
Icon Lowe. Gualan Guatemala, or 10
7. Alfred snyder 2l9 Barrone street
| New orleans Better still, should any
one feel 50 inclined IL 70 come down
| and see Tor ones self.
TRAVEL RESUMED.
Fl, Ats %. m, we reached the port. To
| the question as to when we were due
al the port, the conductor remarked,
| "When we arrive" In other words.
| we we're not running on time. But we
arrived early and had plenty Of time