The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-03-28
Che Bahamas
YiYidly Described
Isl a clarksburg Citizen, whose
Family is There Seeking
Health. Very Interesting

"
The Bahamas, group OF West In
dia islands, contain 500 islands and
sislets and 3s7 rocks. The total area Of
the colony is 5000 square miles. The
most southerly island can be seen
SSfsom the mountains Of Cuba.
The Islands are reached by steam
ships only four times a year. The
Richmond goes out on a round ofln-
spection quarterly. The schooners
run daily from island to island carry.
Ing passengers and merchandise.
The paying industries are sponges,
hemp, cocoanut, pine apples aud grape
fsait. Other fruits are so cheap that
sheEe Is!nc profit in shipping
1t Nassau, though not the best island
ii largest, is the capital. 1t is q
miles long least and vest and ! miles
vide. Its advantages for fertilization
Sfe superior. The harbor for ships
lies on the north. There are four
Il f6ris situated half a mile from the sea
0u elevated ground, covering an area
If 8 mics In length, $50 feet above the
Eea.
Fort Charlotte is said to be the
most mastery piece of mechanism Of
its kind. The island is said to be the
first discovered by Columbus and set
tlsd by the Buckeneers and held by
them over 100 years. The Spanish
disputed their rights; blood-thirsty
war ensued: the Spanish loss was
heavy. A dungeon beneath the fort,
inwhich prisoners were held, is hewn
Out OF solid rock. The steps, As in
number, are worn almost OF in some
places. The history is broken chain.
SIT ii not known how long the Spanish
held possession. The English finally
took possession after bloody war and
today the island is subject to their
viii. Nassau is a beautiful city Of
1900 Inhabitants. The streets are
titteen miles long and are of coral
formation running from the beach
south about ) miles. Most of the
street corners have an old Spanish
cannon, with large end planted in rock
to keep wagons from striking the
buildings. Some OF them bear the
date, 1902. Most buildings are old,
built OF white lime stone, two stories
high, with single roof and no Chin
newI with kitchen built out ten feet
from dwelliag with old fashioned oven.
Soma business houses on front streets
nave never had sash or pane of glass
kndhaye baton shutters to doors and
windows, have large iron strap hinges
sndlarRe pad locks. Some have odd
English locksS by II inches. Business
loses here at shutdown. OIL lamps,
ne hundred yards apart. light the
ftyand 1t seems to US city of dark
esS. The Inhabitants are church
ding people. Churches are dotted ael
verthe city 6 every denomination.
ZINE tenths OF the population are col
red. Most colored churches have
,hite ministers, from England. All
1urches have mixed congregations.
the blacks generally have good schools
nd are well educated, except few
x-slayes. The police force are black
en-. The chief is a white man from
ucland. receiving 5000 per year.
he other police get So per week.
Nftypolice In all, dressed In fine
tied Uniform, not allowed to carry
e arms but clubs hanging to their
IL innice scabbard. The chief or
aIur has military sword hanging to
Side. The police who are not on
" % to church la a body with
iiteployes and hats, blowing bugles
notify the people OF church time.
nave never seen one arrest or heard
oath sworn. Its a violation Of law
use profaae language in the city.
ailaw be good, bad. OF indifferent,
enforced. You never hear one
the law is not enforced.
hecItisens take pride In their pub
htlt,itIons. The asylum and poor
nv Z good buildings with large
abound them. The governors
isio1 is Surrounded by is acres Of
rossd park, inclosed with stone
penitentiary and police bar
y ale situated in the same way,
jCIn the governors mansion. The
Dnis not large but is fine and well
Ii Ii three stories high. Each
contains one hundred square feet,
outside wall has broken whiskey
beer bottles cemented on top,
il would tear one to pieces.
Iuorl is sold under high license