Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-03-12
Had peep at some of the prisoners in
the upper story. They are three class

second Lne DAD, tnlrO the WORST. Inc
great part OF the soldiers duty seemed
to be guarding the prisoners, and |
should add sweeping the castle" for it
was "spick and span" clean. One sold
Ter was assigned to guide us over and
around the place. He was gentle
manly fellow and gave us all the infor
nation possible in the time. Then
went to Fort Cabanus, only about so
rods distant. Here age seems to have
set It's seal more than at Moro. There
is great deal of it, and here are the
Cuban soldiers. They are bright look
ing boys and many of them are very
fine looking, although dark. They were
greatly pleased with the two little girls,
and led them all the way while we saw
the sights. Went up and down steps
and inclines and across the moat bridges.
Saw where one political prisoner was
confined three years. Saw the side of
the fort where the Cubans were lined up
and shot without ceremony by the Span.
isrds, the wall yet showing the marks
of the balls. A kindred circumstance to
the wrecking of the Maine. Here we
saw some most beautiful trees, "The
Indian Laurel" so perfect IN shape and
affording SO much shade. By Eve
O'Clock we were very tired and ready to
return to the hotel. The guide thinks
we have walked five miles and thus 1t
must be, in order to see what you came
for. 1t has been warm day and hot
in the sun.
The morning of the sixth we went
down among the stores and shops. Here
all is as foreign as in Europe and all the
merchants are ON the lookout for bar
gains, believe all Americans have
plenty of money. Saw some very fine
stores, one in particulars china and
notion store and the toys for children
were fine indeed, and such vases none
need ever be finer, but such prices, we
bought very little.
Our hotel is where the streets are
very narrow and we believe the air
is not good and we have decided to 60
out in the suburbs. A gentleman from
Tampa has told us where he is stopping
and the men have been there and made
arrangements and we went. L must
tell you about it. for we were pleased
with the location. Name, Trotcha Hotel
Havana, Cuba, Vudado District, reached
by street car line from Havana proper
The hotel is out from the din, confus
ion and breathlessness of the city. AL
though only two story building We
must consider the height of the stories
immense, with deep walls to keep ou
the heat, for here they battle with thil
element, while in the north we are a
war with the cold. Verandas from
from both stories add to the graceful
ness of the architecture and comfor
of all concerned. Some of the larger
doors were OF solid maghogany, ant
the doors of the wardrobes were of thu
same material. -Four prettily bull
summer houses are given place, vim
covered and furnished with tables an
chairs for games and refreshments
Other tables and chairs are in the vel
andas and in different parts of tn
grounds. Two fountains lend thei
beauty and the trickling water is like
lullaby. The grounds are charmingl
laid out and roses and tropical plant
greet the eye at every turn, while from
the gulf near, health bearing breeze
are waited alike to the toil.worn labor
ers and idle tourist, and truly the spo
is almost magical.
A dining room extends through tn
center Of one portion of the first stor
of the hotel, and on either side are com
partments for families or small parties
One was assigned to us Elk. and her
we tried to eat part OF whatever the
gave US; at the same time being NOR
than glad that we had only distan
view of the kitchen.
Few of the dishes were relished, ex
cept, perhaps, the fish, and they wer
only fairly good. Our waiter was
bright Spanish boy, and had little CON
mand of English. Those that don
work in and about the kitchen wer
Cuban negroes, and believe they hav
few ideas of nestness, but for all tina
we ate what was necessary, and chattel
, of home and what we were seeing an
the work of Uncle Sam on the island. AT
yesl wherever he sets his foot none no,
dare to blot out his tracks, and his pow
er that has increased with the passin
years, is now being understood and tn
Cuban population that live, move an
have their being under the shadows Q
"Old Glory" ought to appreciate its civ
ilizing influence
On either side of the street, near GU
! hotel, are many good houses for this
! country. Some of them are two stor,
but mostly one, with pillard porches an
thick walls, grated windows throug
which dark eyes of Spanish beautie
and eyes of those long past that condi
8 ton gaze at the foreigners as they pas
9 Cuban nurses carry the little ones an
t look after those able to walk. Many {
t the little folks are pictures with the
t black eyes and hair and dark compile,
o ion and could we'll serve as models fl
!. al artist. The Spanish ladies are man
d of them handsome, or the glimpt
9 you get through the powder an
Q paint leads you to that conclusion
9 Most of them are dressed in blac
I without touch of color. Many of tt
!. colored women were well and clean
d dressed and strange to say had learne
!, the use OF cosmetics from their pail
!, sister, and i must say the sight WI
l. most ludicrous. We saw few beggar
It but many that could not be blame
y should they beg, but the climates kil
9 to them, and they "think the Isle tn,
n 0ayp than birth tho ouaatout foiror