The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-03-18
q b 4
a Letter From McssrS. EtutOt
and Wood Describing the
Gem or the Antilles

NUeIl u VuuO |
Havana, Cuba, March 3, 1904.
HERALp-ADvANCE, Milbank, S. D.:
Thinking of the old friends in their
snow bound Dakota homes, | was
impressed that they might appreciate
! q letter from the absent ones who are
enjoying conditions of midsummer
loneliness on this historic and battle
SCARED island of Cuba. Leaving
| Mlibank early in January | Joined
Mr.. Wood at Minneapolis, where we
took the evening train and enjoyed
| the luxury of a Pullman sleeper on
| the Pioneer Limited, over the Milwau-
kee to Chicago, where we enjoyed the
day visiting with friends. In the
evening we took sleeper for West
| Baden, Ind, arriving there the follow
ing morning for breakfast. This
health resort is fast becoming the
| Carlsbad of the United States. The
present hotel accomod ations are ex-
tensive, but numerous other buildings
are planned to be built in the spring.
We remained twelve days here, drink
ing of the unpalatable sulphur water,
and while the treatment is not classed
among the delightful beverages, it is
truely marvellous in its results. |
feel we'll paid for the time and money
spent. Before leaving we were given
| q taste of the harsh old winter that
has ever since held the States in icy
! grasp. Twelve inches of snow had
| fallen when the cold wave struck us,
and on getting up the following morn
ing we found the thermometer mark
ing twenty-six below. We bundled up
and took our usual morning walk.
and while out met another venturesome
fellow with his nose frozen white.
Leaving West Baden it is only a
short run to Louisville, KY, where we
we're joined by Mrs. Wood, daughter
and son. A fast ride over the Illinois
Central on the famous Cannon BALI
train brought us to the old city OF
New Orleans, where we enjoyed a day
sight seeing. AT 6 O'Clock Saturday
we went aboard the fine steamer
Louisiana, having previously engaged
state rooms we were pleasantly located,
but the boat was crowded and many
could only secure cots to sleep on.
We steamed down the old Mississippi
river one hundred and ten miles,
passing through the famous ~ietties
constructed by Capt. Eads; darkness
came on just as we we're passing out
into the Gulf of Mexico to bid fare
we'll to land for two days. Sunday
morning we found ourselves we'll out
on the briny deep. Mr.. Wood and my
self werethe only members of our party
able to report for breakfast. All day
we enjoyed the lonely soft salt breeze
and watched the porpoise and flying
J fish sporting on the restless waves.
Monday morning about 8 o'clock land
x,o cirhfal on6 fUn hncrc lotpr wp
steamed past the historic old MORO
Castle and the low, strong fortress
of Cabanas into the bay and anchored
not far from the twisted iron wreck of
the battleship Maine. 1t vas 2 o'clock
before the government inspection was
concluded and a lighter came along
side to take us to shore. After pass
ing the scrutinizing overhauling of
our trunks and grips by the custom
house officials we took cabs and drove
to the COngreg ~ational mission lodging
house and engaged rooms This
location is on the Prado. n of the
finest streets n.the city, but it proved
too noisy for a permanent home SO
we came out here to Verdado, which
is a new addition to Havana with a
beautiful view of the ocean This is
the finest location in the city. The
hotel Trotcha, atwhichwe are stopping,
is built to suit the conditions of this
climate; wide, open porches, with
ceilings twenty feet high, supported
by massive pillars made of concrete
to initiate marble. These porches
face lovely ~vine-covered arbors and
dripping water fountains, constructed
of peculiar fossil-like rocks and filled
around the center pillar-which rises
to a height of twelve feet-with aquatic
plants. while the circular base holds
water to the depth of some eighteen
or twenty inches, in which sport
various kinds of small fab. Sur
rounding the entire front and side of
the park is a hedge of hibiscus, Grim
son eye, which bears large, SNOWY
flowers. While along the gravel
walks are artistic small green lawns,
interspersed with foliage plants and
tropical flowers, and everywhere roses
walk is a row OF large shade trees
dense foliage. The whole effect is
, tropical, luxurious and delightfully."-
Intoxicating t O one accustomed to the
harsher conditions of the north. In
the morning we lunch out under the
vine-covered arbors on small. marble
top tables, while the song of birds
and the music of the dripping foun-
J tains mingle with the laughter OF
happy hearts. The air is fresh from
the salt waves, but soft and exhiler-
/, ating and laden with the perfume OF
roses and flowers, which sweetens your
every breath. Here amid these en-
chanting surroundings we are served
by attentive walters. The first course
consists Of oranges pealed deep. with
) the juice dripping into the serving
dish, pineapples, sweet, luscious and
tempting, also the email Cuban
banana. You view the tempting
viands and wonder to yourself wheth-
er angels fare better in Paradise.
, After fruit you may order almost
anything you wish, but coffee-black
J and strong-closes the morning lunch.
J At eleven or twelve we take the Cuban
breakfast, and at six dinner is served,
j you SCI there is no place for sup.
per. Almost every day we go Out