The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-11-22

w. Q. Catherwood, a survivor OF
the famous Walker Nicaragua expedi-
tion Of 1866, is familiar with
Nicaragua and Central America, which
makes him an interesting conversa-
tionalist upon the present canal pro-
iects. Mr.. Catherwood is inclined to
think the Nicaragua route is prefera-
BILE. 1.-THE inhabitants Of the Panama
country" he says, "are an unstable
people and given to revolutions. Some
persons may object TO the Central
American route on account Of its
volcanoes. They are turbulent occa-
sionally, while the inhabitants Of
Panama are turbulent all the time.
The United States will have to choose
between revolutionary disturbances
aud volcanic disturbances. In one
case cities are peppered down, 10 the
other smothered with ashes Both
give the country shaking up"
Mr.. Catherwood, who is over six
feet tan, says that he is so years old,
but he does not look to be over 60.
He must have been a giant when in
his prime. and even now, with his
broad shoulders stopped, he looks like
powerful man. His face bears a
rugged look and his keen eye still
shows activity and intellectual
strength.
Mr.. Catherwood says that in no
part of the globe had he seen such
vegetable growth as in Nicaragua.
The forests are so dense with under
growth that none but thick-skinned
animals can penetrate them. Along
the banks of the river the branches
interlock SO that the denizens Of tue
forest can pass and repass from one
side to the other. Many lowering
trees and creeping vines entwine
themselves around anything 10 reach,
adding to the scene. Standing on
the slopes Of the Cordilleras below
you can see landscapes of surprising
beauty. Upon the slope Of the coast
range that skirts the lake would be-
come the dwelling place Of many
thousands providing the Nicaragua
route were chosen, as it is above the
fever line and the land of perpetual
spring Nature has covered all her
defects and upheavals with creeping
plants and vines.
"The natives are hybrids- deter
iorated and undeveloped, says Mr.
Catherwood. "The blood Of the
negro, Indian and Spaniard COURSES
their veins. Glass distinction is
almost unknown A few Of the higher
types are well formed, and IN theil
own land pronounced beautiful. Many
Of the lower classes come into the
world so Internally ugly that neither
nature nor time can do anything with
them. The toilers carry their burden:
upon their head. They walk erect
and are not bowed down by toll
They are light of limb, long OF stride
and can run up a mountain like q
goat. They are inveterate sruf
dippers and cigarette smokers; they
can pucker up their leathery lips ant
squirt into monkeys S eye eighteer
feet away. The natives seldom take
off their clothes to wash them-they
swim in the lakes or the rivers anC
have a bath and take wash at The
same time. The clothes dry in few
minutes. Their household goods arr
Of the simplest kinda buy Of meal, {
pudding stuck, skillet aud ham
mock. The floors Of their houser az,
Of mud There are no carpets unde
which a veuomous reptile or insec
can hide.
Humboldt op bis "trip through th,
tropics said that si.54 would b
sufficient TO clothe a young lady from
babyhood to maturity. Ny obserya
tion leads me to bslieve that he wa
54 cents too high. The garments Q
the natives are Of the lightest fabric
Lone can see their physical develop
ment without removing the harness
They are NOT indebted to the dentis
or dressmaker, ner do they have 4
lupholst to hide their physical de