Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-08-16
Scenes in Bolivia Described by Mr..
Seibert.

Scenes In BOLIVIA Described by Mr.
Seibert
Percy A. Seibert, who is manager of
a mining supply house in Oruro, Bo-
livia, which he organized, is home on
a short visit to his parents, eX-Sherilf
and Mrs. NJ. Findley Seibert. He came
to the States for the purpose of pur-
chasing supplies for his house, and af-
ter few days stay here with his peo-
pie, will go to San Francisco, where he
will superintend the shipping of a
] quantity of supplies to Bolivia. From
there he will 60 to Bolivia. From there
he will go to Boston and sail for Lon
don and Paris, where he will purchase
more supplies. he expects to return to
Hagerstown in three or four months
and will then return to Bolivia.
Mr.. Selbert left Oruro for this coun-
try on June 10. To get to the seacoast
he was compelled to take an electric
| line to La Paz, then steam road to
Lake riticaca and across the Lake
to Puno, then on steam road to Mol
Iendo and there take a steamer to Pan
anna, After crossing the iSthmus Dir.
Seibert boarded boat for New York,
arriving there July II, the trip taking
little over one month.
Oruro, where Mr.. Seibert is now To-
Gated. is $50 miles south of La Paz. \
coach line runsbetween the two cities.
Six mules draw the coach and the trip
is madein two days. A mail wagon
runs between the two places twice
week.
Pictures of the locality around Oruro
were brought along by Mr.Seibert. The
land is barren and desolate, not a tree
or blade of grass being seen. OF course
as one would expect, mining is the
only industry of such locality. In
the section where Mr.. Seibert resides
great quantities of tin are mined and
some copper. Coco leaves, from which
the cocaine is extracted, are also sent
to the seacoast from the lowlands. All
ore and any other products that are
sent out of the country are transported
on the ks of mules, burros and
lamas.
| All labor is done by the native In
dams and they are paid about forty
cents per day and are compelled TO
hoard themselves. The Indians are de-
scendents of the famous Incss and
many monuments and bui dings erect
ed by these noted people before their
discovery by Picard yet remain. The
descendants Of the Spaniards, who SET
tied the country, own the stores and
all Industries and rule the country.
They comprise about ene-fourth OF the
population. Spanish is the language
spoken in the country, although many
of the In dams can only speak in their
native tongue. The country has a con-
stltution similar to that of the United
states and its ruler and officers are
elected by the vote of the people.
During the day. the weather is CON-
paratively warm. The nights are very
cold and one is compelled to uee blank
cts and other heavy coverings. Oruro
is II 800 feet above the sea- At this al
titude coal is worth $50 TO 500 per ton
and wood sells in like proportion. On
| account of this Mr.. Seibert SAYS fire is
never used for heating purposes, but
only for cooking. Oftentimes one is
compelled to wear an overcoat in the
house in order to keep warm. The
bouses are made Of mud and are usual
" one story and are matched with a
kind Of straw.
AT this great altitude the air is very
rare and only the sturdiest can with
stand the hardships to be endured. A
nerson with heart trouble is readily al
fected.
\ mining supply house, such as Mr..
Seihert is now at the head, handles
everything that can be thought of per
tanning 10 nine land even down o
provisios The machinery, etc., to he
carried, requires considerable capital
All kinds of supplies cost several times
what they sell for in this country.
Mr. Seihert likes the country and
feels that for him it has great future.
He is one, who has gone there with &
determination to stick and succeed
and it would seem that be is now on
fair road 10 amass considerable wealth.
Mr.. Seibert married French lady
residing at Oruro and she is now visit
ing at her home in France, while he is
in this country He has changed but
little in the three years he ha been
waay and was readily recognized IL
his TRENDS many of whom called 10 see