The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-07-01
Spanish
Honduras
Conditions of Men Working on Rail-
roads in that Hot and Un-
sanitary Country.
Paper Read Before the Cha,tauqua Circle.

UVof ISouU I0Oo ue CHUutUuquU CuCte.
During the time from March to No
vember in 1906, az employment Office
in New Orleans was shipping men to
assist in the building of railroad in
Spanish Honduras. After paying this
Office from one to five dollars each,
these men were put in groups of twen-
tyfive or less and sent every Tuesday
on the steamboat Joseph Vaccaro to
the port of Sa'ado.
Most of these Fmen thought they
would have nice trip aud enjoy them
selves in the salon or in the smoking
room, but this was not the case; they
were simply placed between decks and
had to sleep on the floor without
blanket or mattress. On the follow
ing morning we did not receive any
breakfast for the Captain said: "If
those passengers don't work they ought
to be satisfied with two meals a day"
Consequently some of the men went
back to the Captain and asked him in
friendly way if they could have some
breakfast. But the answer he gave in
return was, that we should paint the
ship and he would give to each one so
doing a good drink of whiskey. Later
on when it came near noontime one of
the coiored walters brought us our din
ner to the forecastle in a waterpail, and
handing each of us knife, fork and
plate we all sat down on deck and soon
finished the stew and hardtack which
was given US.
Four days after leaving the Missis-
sippi the Vaccaro was dropping ler
anchor in the bay of Sslado. Here we
were transferred into another little
steam launch which was waiting for
us and brought US up the river for two
miles to the company's yards which are
located in the town of Salado. Being
too late for dinner we had look around
the town. The streets are narrow and
dirty, with small one-st0ry houses on
each side which are built chiefly of
palm aud banana leafs. In more than
Gambling, shouting and fighting go on
constantly. Here are also many negroes
who came to work for the company
from the British colonies Jamaica and
Barbados. They are all big husky fel
lows and will outwork white man ir
that country at least three to one.
Early next morning, after sleeping
all night in boat shanty we started il
a little launch up the river for tel
miles and then we had to walk foul
miles to camp number two, when it be
came known to US that there were al
ready some fifty men from the United
States working. ALI the way from Sa
Iado up to camp person could hardl,
see anything but bananas, and it wa
for these only that the company wa
building the railroad. Soon after ar
irving at the camp the timekeeper,
wild looking fellow carrying 48 OF
each side in his belt, allowed US to tax
four tents and for each man mattres
and blanket. After building our owl
bedsteads we got ready for dinner
The dining hall and cookhouse unite
in one was built of palm leaves. Their
was no stove to be found. Everythin
had to be cooked over fire on th
ground. The cook, q big Jamaic
negro and heavy drinker, had neve
stood iu q kitchen before, served Ou
dinner.
Indeed, it may interest you to kn0'
just how we had to suffer out there
the swamps of Honduras. 1 will Civ
you the bill of fare for one day: Fe
breakfast we were served with blac
coffee, plate of beans or rice and a
the hardtack we could eat. For dil
ner we would get the same as we ha
for breakfast except that each one r
ceived q piece of salt meat. And *
supper they would change the coift
for tea, but otherwise we would g
another breakfast.