Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-04-04
The Mt. Carmel OF the Orient.
Another Very Interesting Letter Added the Banker Mooney
During His Travels the Holy

we passed there is a tax that amounts to
about twenty-five cents in our money
and this is levied annually by the govern
ment This keeps the condition of the
working class one of almost necessary
poverty, most of them barely making "a
living. AS for the train service it could
not be worse and it took us twelve dreary
hours to travel the ninety miles to
Damascus. This city has the name OF
being the oldest city in the world, has
population of 100000 people and lies in
valley surrounded by hills. Bible
readers will recall that it was near here
the Saul of Tarsus had his vision and
later was led blind into the city. The
house ofAnanias and the house of Judas
are still standing and in fairly good
state of preservation, being yearly visit
ed by thousands in their pilgrimage
through the Holy Land. Like othe,
cities here, Damascus is surrounded by
high wall and the place is pointed ou.
to you by the guide where Saint Paul
escaped over the wall from the city.
Damascus is noted for it's many beauti-
full shops and bazaars. Even the prin-
clpal business streets are narrow. many
not being more than ten feet in width
and all of them are without ANYTHING in
the way of sidewalk Men. women
asses, camels and horses strive with
one another for the right of way, the
streets being thronged during the mid
die of the day. The streets are rooted
or arcaded and you get so interested
with everything that you fail to tire or
become aware of the fact that they ara
miles in length. Some of the homes
here we we're allowed the privilege OF
visiting and the luxurious way in which
they are furnished is something tha.
will make one not familiar with the
Oriental customs marvel. Their courts
contain beautiful fountains and are
paved with beautiful coiored stones and
are bordered with trees and beautiful
flowers, such as are only to be found in
a climate like this, also pomegrante
plants and fruit of number of different
varieties. The inhabitants are very
fond of their city and appear to be quite
jealous of the number of foreigners that
lately have come here to reside. In fact
it is only within the last few Years that
strangers have been considered safe
within the walls Of this city 1t is un-
der the control of the Turkish govern
ment and large army corps is main
tanned all the time. Here YOU can pnr-
chase ice creams, lemonade. and other
cooling drinks that are cooled from TIE
snow and ice obtained from the peaks Ct
the Mountain of Lebanon The business.
of the city is divided INTO districts
For an instance the gold and silver
bazaars occupy one district or portion Of
the CITY, The silk bazaars another. the
shoes, the rugs, the cottons. the groee-
ries. ETC., all occupy separate quarters
The Greek bazaars are perhaps the.
most interesting of all and here it is
} that the ladies delight to do their shop
J ping. Antiquities, silks. satins shawls
} and the very finest fabrics that the world;
produces are sold. We also visited the
draper's bazaar, where you will see
thousands of native women. enveloped
inwhat looked to us like white sheets,
the face being covered with beautifully
) fiowered veil of gauze material. They
put IN the greater part of the day going
from shop to shop examining articles
!, they have not the slightest intention of
} buying. The street called straight is
} noted as being one of the most crooked
, in the world and along this street the
buildings are so close together that they
almost touch in places. The famous
mosque here contains the head of John
the Baptist and also the tomb Of SalaG-
} in Every part of the city is interest
ing, and one feels that in attempting to
give brief description great injustice
is done. The city abounds in spots Of
historic interest, and by many it is
claimed to be here that our old and dear
friends Adam and Eve lived and you all
know about their apple story. 1t is al
most with regret that we leave this city,
but as we have many other interesting
Continued to Eighth Page.)