The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-08-24


lating to what have seen when
travelling alone in the Pearl of the
Antilles" under the folds of the five
stripes and one star, SO different in
many respects from our own proud
banner filed with many stars.
| left Charleston by way Of the At
lan.ic Coast Line, which under the
ablest managements equipped with
the best and handsomcst of cars, con
Quoted by polite and attentive otil-
cials, is we'll termed, "the highway to
points of interest in Florida and the
tropics"
You could not desire greater com
forts in travel anywhere. Reaching
Port Tampa on time ! boarded the
handsome and staunch steamer Mas
cote, of the Peninsula and Occidcn-
tai Steamship Company, bound for
Havana, Cuba.
The first person l met on going
aboard was the purser, Mr.. Padden,
whom I found SO courteous that no
thought of discomfort on the trip
could "6nd loop or hinge on which
to hang" I was put at once at ease
and remained so until / badc him
adieu in the harbor Of IIavana--just
three hundred and thirty seven miles
from where I first met him, run of
thirty one and half hours.
A finer voyage was not possible.
The waters were entrancingly beauti-
full, with many shades Of blue, vary
ing with their depths, from the palest
turquoise to the deepest sapphire.
at the sunset hour, when all were
gathered to witness the departure of
the king of the day, we saw him 60
from canopy Of sapphire behind
clouds which formed an array Of gold
en- masses, with edges of burning
crimson, conhagrations Of splendor or
islands of loveliest hue set in opal seas.
This was thrilling experience of an
evening, where the waters of the Gulf
of Mexico meet those of the Atlantic
along the Florida Keys.
After the gorgeous sunset scene the
next most thrilling experience was
our smooth, swift, gliding entrance
into Havana harbor between grey old
MORO Castle and Cabanas Fortress, on
the one side, and Castle de la Punta
on the other, just as the rising sun
sent burst of glory over the "Gem
of the Antilles" Such feelings are
indesoribable; only the experience can
teach their meaning.
Once in Havana harbor the ship
casts anchor and large tug takes the
passengers to the Aduana, (custom
house,) where the baggage is inspect,
ed, and from which we go to the
hotels, and of which there are num-
Der, but the prices are all higher for
the same or inferior accommodations
than in our American hotels.
From o city Of squalor, sickness
and death of few years ago I find
that HAVANA he's been transformed
into one of the cleanest and health
lest cities of the world-a blessing
bestowed upon the world by the in
tervention Of the United States Gov
ernment.
Havana (or Habana, as I now heard
it called. and read on every side,) ia q
city Of 325, 900 people, situated on q
picturesque bay about three miles in
circumference, deep enough for the
largest ocean steamer to enter. There
are signs Of American thrift and in-
dustry on all sides. The electric
trolley system is an excellent in
vestmeut Of American capital, and
compares favorably with any system
in the States.
The principal streets for shopping
are very narrow, and are nearly always
covered from one side to the other
with canvas as q protection from the
sun. The climate, however, is per-
feet. There is q freshness about the
air wholly unexpected in this tropical
country.
It is not my intention 10 write of
the many features Of interest in the
cities. Others have repeatedly done
that, but there is monument here
which should not be overlooked. 1t
was erected to the memory Of fourteen
fremen who Lost their lives while try
ing to save burning building. Il
cost over $500, 900 and is one Of the
handsomest in the world. This sire.
mans monument" is always shown
with pride.
A v;o;t <n Tacon Markat ono of th a