Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-03-12

tnauklul Thai my aDOQe is IN tne N OTtn,
where, If the climate brings wants pc
culiar to itself, it also gives ambition to
meet those wants. Yes, long live the
North, with her ice manteled fields, her
homes of comfort, her brave boys, her
rosy checked maidens, her statesmen,
poets philosophers, her women's clubs
with their uplifting character.
February 18th, we decided to take a
drive into the country, to the tune of
Sl5, for the half day. The roads were
fine. Indian Laurel and tall palms
border the way. Passed some nice
houses in the suburbs. Saw the homes |
of the peasantry, nearly all of these
have the banana patch, and goat or
two as help to live. Called at one of
these homes, a poor little place, stone
| floor and few articles of furniture,
but large family. One bed and moth
| ing else that might serve for one; box |
elevated ana filled with dirt served as
fire place where the cooking was done,
an old kettle and few old tins was
about all they had to cook with. They
wereiroaing and "tlats"were being he u
ed by fire built, in the dirt. The cloth
ing they had ironed was good and well
done, but could not have been for them
selves. They seemed very kind, but We
could not exchange words, but their
signs and gestures were sufficient One
of the girls was very handsome, and al
though poorly dressed, her hair was
doae up in iiue style. l have u little
branch of shrub that grew in their
| yard.
Ifyou ask anyone on the island their
nationality almost invariably they reply
| Spanish, SO much do they still cling to
that race.
| Passed some good farms, most of
these had large, high gates that looked
locked, leading far back through shaded
road ways towards the house mostly
hidden by high tropical plants and gar
dens We saw growing corn, cane,
pine apples, bananas, oranges, veget-
ables and tobacco. The soil is redish
color and yields abundant crops.
We halted at Columbus Station, where
is detachment of Uncle Sans cavalry;
called at the head quarters of Col. Bald
win and was cordially received. His
home is one story, tiled roof cottage.
1t was furnished in the oriental style,
and the American flag had its place in
various rooms. Servants quarters out
side, kitchen inside, all the buildings of
this station make quite village where
neatness and order seemed to prevail.
Passed the old fort opposite Moro
where proudly floats the red, white and
/ blue with its silver stars, and every day
promises protection to the Cubans.
Much of the teaming in this country
is done with oxen, and we saw many a
3 fine pair, and their pace is in harmony
5 with their drivers. Saw no women in
t the fields, they seemed busy with cares
5 at home, and still we saw many idle.
t Many of the little ones wore only one
i garment and some even less, thus less.
: ening the labor of the mother, and here
t | will say that there does not seem to be
r such gulf between the colored people
| and the other population as in the Uni
. ted States.
t We passed several brick kilns and
g quarries of white stone, and in the dis
d lance sugar mills were pointed out
J. Some of the farm houses looked com
: Portable in way, but not our kind o.
g comfort. Passed through two or three
+ villages and what queer customs, Otter
q shop and home occupy just one room
y where cats, children and chickens seem
8 to have equal rights. Ale, wine and
q beer shops frequent, but no one intoxi
g Gated that we saw. We saw mules lad
: en- numerically with green corn stalks
It or cane as occasion demanded / often
wonder if mules have any souls, hope
e they have, for their owners do not seen
y to have, and little in the family would
l. be good thing. We passed the resi-
). dence of Gen. Gomez, grand place il
g the midst of tropical gardens. The da!
y was as hot as almost any summer do,
9 in Manchester, and after a time tn,
It guide was silent, the weary horses KEEP
up better pace than one could expect
!. The little girls gszed and enjoyed tn,
a sights until lulled by our varied CONVEX
a sstion they both slept. We were al
!. very weary wien our hotel was agai1
reached; yet we felt well paid by VIVA
q we had seen and learned of some of tn
a people of Cuba. After lunch in com
i pany with guide we visited the gar
d den of Gen. Trochen Spanish general
4 and owner of the hotel where we ar,
stopping. This garden is the moB
y charming yet seen. Such variety O
). tropical plants, shrubs and roses al
n shades of all colors greet the eye ant
q each turn through the sanded walk
a gives us new views, each with its own
f. beauty and excelling those passed. I
,. seems veritable corner of fairy Ian,
of which words fail. From there to tn
II fort of the second battery, where ar
# more United States soldiers. We wer
shown some of their noted guns, read
a ing room and mess room.
b Then walked to the beach, desolat
IS looking place, covered by rugged, blsc
i rock said to be the work of coral insects
s. found just few shells.
d Here were bathing places for the me-
If (sOldiers); tanks built of stones wher
ir the water passes to and from the sea /
< an opening for that purpose. The morn
or ing of the Sth, r.. w. decided to 60 l.
" Mantansas, but none of the rest care
20 togo. After dinner Mr.. and Mr.,
ID Fairchild and the little girls and mysel
u. took street cars and visited the Gene
TX terry. This covers many acres. Her