The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-18

Following is another delayed letter
from Mr., Crews. written in Havana-I
Havana, Cuba, January 81
Editor Messenger:
Today I had a pleasant and interest
ing trip to pretty MatanZa I did not
have to get up as early as I did yester-
day morning hen I went out to Pinar
del Rio, owing to h train not leaving
till 1855 o'clock a m.
In making this trip 1 had to cross the
harbor to Regla and there take the
train. The distance to Matanzas Is
some ffty-fiye miles and the railway
Travelled on Is the United Railways Of
Havana. the track is broad gauge and
In good condition. being balasted all
the way. Mr.. ]. E. Wolfe is the general
manager of these lines.
1 had several hours in which to tour
e:3e o'clock D. m.
On reaching Matanzas I went to
where 1 saw the Stars and Stripes wav-
ing from a Flagstaff over the quarter
masters department.: for to get where
the soldiers were was about my only
hope Of finding out anything much
about the city.
There are about 300 troops still there.
One of the soldiers. a young man from
Philadelphia. kindly showed me around,
took dinner with me ard gave me much
information as to the town. etc. He
told me that there was a gentleman by
the name of Crews in business there.
I called on him and found that he was
from Florida. He was farming, raising
stock, bees, etc, as we'll as merchandise
Ing. and from what he told me. was
doing well.
/ found the city to be one of the pref
test and ~cleaneSt of all the Cuban
towns so far seen. Its location is beau
tifuI. Two rivers running through it,
a pretty bay and grand hill and noun
tain scenery near by, all combine to
make il a city to be admired by a strang
er on his first visit. My guide says
This beautiful city. situated SO miles
east of Havana, and called the city or
the two rivers. was founded in the
year 1693. 1t has about 5000 inhabi-
tants and is the capital Of the province
Of her name. The etymology uf the
bdII1e S1dldlZaS Is IluCl OISpulCu ny
~antiquarianS III Cuba Some, ascribing
it to the slaughter of Indians in 1911 at
the time of the conquest of the island,
contend that the supposed Indian name
YumUri, which is also that of one OF
the two rivers between which the city
stands. is synonymous, in poor Spanish,
with the Indian name of the locality
where the massacre took place. The
story goes on that an Indian spy Of the
conquerors. when pursued by them, ran
away shouting "Yumuri." which in poor
Spanish means II die" The rivers st.
John and Yumuri divide the city in
three parts. The northern part, on the
Yumuri, is called Versailles; the CEN
trail part, between the two rivers, is
known at the old town; and the south
ern part. on the ST. John. is called
Pueblo Nuevo. Many beautiful squares,
h San Carlos church, the Easteban
theatre. q beautiful new building. and
a fire department embellish the city.
1t has numerous hospitals and benev-
olent societies. The principal attrac-
lions for tourists are the Yumuri val
ley and the caves of Bellamar. In the
plaza de Amas, are the interesting
Spanish and Cuba Casino clubs.
1.-The province of MatanZas. is confin-
ed by the north. with the channel Of
Florida: by the east. with the province
Of Santa Clara; by the south. with the