Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-05-10
Correspondence.
Letter from snn DOMINGO.
Eetter frum SIN OOfHiHEU'
On BOARD q. S. $. PRAIRIE,
PUERTO PLATA, SAN DOMINGO,
April "a. 1905.

On BOARD q. S. s. PRAIRIE,
PUERTO PLATA, SAN DOMINGO,
April p, 1905. J
| To the Editor of The Americdn:
Puerto Plata, situated ON the western
coast of the island of Santo Domingo,
West Indies, has mixed population Of
$500, is one of the principal seaports, and
has the reputation of being the cleanest
and most healthful West Indian port.
We were ordered here from Gusnta-
namo Bay, Cuba, April 10, and upon ar
irving found the Brooklyn and Detroit,
the former under command of Rear
Admiral Sigsbee. As the harbor is shall
low and very dangerous, we anchored
about one mile outside. Our mission here
was 10 relieve the Detroit while she went
to st. Thomas TO give liberty and coal up.
Puerto Plata is an old Spanish town
built at the foot of single mountain
which rises 1900 feet above the sea level.
1t was discovered and named by Columbus
port of Silver, it is said, from the
silvery appearance OF cloud which COW
cred the top of the mountain when he
came here. He lived forty miles east of
here in place called Isabella over year.
The customs of the people are very
peculiar. They carry large knives, and
dress in f1ashy colors. Their milk-teams
consist of a burro or mule, large woven
saddle with four baskets holding as many
cans, which are about the size of our
largest railroad cans.
Sugar-cane and fruit are very cheap
here, and 1t is coalmon scene among the
poorer classes to see five or six men,
women and children (the latter naked1
or eating fruit
In tine centre of the town, as in all Span
ish towns and cities Of any size, is the
plaza, surrounded by large iron fence,
numerous shade-trees, in the ce0tre fine
band-stand where the native band gi-es
concerts. Inside the fence is the prone
made, or should say common sidewalk,
ten feet wide, where the society folk prom
enade while the band plays. Inside
the sidewalk and around the stand are ali
kinds of native flowers of the most beau
tiful colors. The peculiarities of the
shade-trees are that they have lungs (long
roots) and if cut off the tree dies.
A railroad runs from here to Santiago, a
small town which lies inland about forty
miles. 1t is owned by Americans and is a
prosperous road. They pay no attention
to the passenger trade, and have only nine
small engines. The tracks are not over
two and one-haif feet in width, the cars
small, and take it altogether it looks more
like toy road than one which carries all
the tobacco, sugar, cocoa, fruit, etc, from
Santiago to Puerto Plata, and besides
takes SIS, 600 out OF the San Domingo gov
eminent every month. 1t takes day to
make the round trip of eighty miles.
The Dominican money is valued with
ours five to one, that is, it takes Ave of
their dollars to make one OF ours, and for
one of our dimes you get twenty of their
two-and- one-half eentavos (cent) pieces.
We have not had mail for three weeks,
and hardly know when this will go, but
hoping when it reaches you 1t will be
interesting to my relatives, friends, the
friends OF the boys ON the Prairie, and
readers of THE AMERICAN, l am
Yours truly, q. a. EAgLs.