The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-05-30

La Guaira was the scene OF the In
generation of many of the conspir-
ators of the various movements be-
tween 1896 and the final throwing on
OF Spanish dominion, In 1910. and the
principal dungeons where these prfs-
oners were kept under the streets
near the sea wall. They have been
destroyed in later years. although the
outlines of some of the entrances may
be seen In the walls which keep Ia
Guaira creek within its bed
Among the old historic points In
teresting to the modern student and
traveller. nothing seems to me quite
so worthy Of attention as the house
which now occupies the site In the
gardens where lived the Spanish gov
ernor, 30 aptly described In Kingsieys
| famous book, westward Ho. Inc
old house was partially destroyed BY
| the terrible earthquake which caused
almost the total destruction OF La
Guaira. Caracas, and other cities OF
Venezuela on Holy Thursday, March
26, 1872, but the present structure. re-
built on the old foundations, Is ev1-
IDENTIFY similar in construction and
form to the other.
The gardens, the nag pavements'
and the graveled walk leading from
the seashore, are more or less As they
must have been when the Amyas
Leigh of the story came with his
brother Frank. who sought his lady
here. only to find the Rose OF Tor
ridge" In possession OF his enemy
Don Guxman Maria Magdaleno Soto
MAYOR de Soto. The house stands tc
the eastward CT La Guaira proper. OF
an eminence overlooking much OF tn
town and commanding an excellen
. view of the harbor The Macuto steam
tramway and the electric lights Ar
about the only things one nnds ne4
It suficiently bizarre to destroy tn
!. conceit of barking back to that earle
) time, for in little else Il the imme
] diate scene changed.
There are three trails over tn
!. mountains leading from La Guaira I
! Caracas by which one may reach tn
:, capital on horseback in four or nv
i. hours. presenting vistas OF exqulsit
: beauty. The most picturesque prof.
o ably is via Galipan. a small village
. an elevation Of about 5000 feet. frol
. which Caracas on the one side an
= the Caribbean Sea on the other ~
p visible.
' The Caracas railway offers also
most delightful trip, rising to An ell
% walton of 5000 feet in 81 miles OF d
" lance. 1t Is a succession OF snAf
curves and steep grades, and as
r. climbs the mountain side one encou
in tiers scenery rare In Its variety
70 sea the harbor. the towns OF l
n Guaira and Maiquetia, and the n
Mains of Gao Blanco are far belo
v. Coffee plantations are passed. al
!. groves OF banana trees wave IN u
a. breeze. The line creeps around q
10 precipitous cliffs of Ell Boqueron. vi
the homes of goatherds and Cana
nd Island truck farmers IN the guliies
=. below. The majestic mountains tow
A.. high above, and canyons stretch Q
:, beneath with thread-like rivulets 20
~ ing along their sandy beds There
M much that reminds one Of the seer
"A. changes of the Rio Grande In VI
n. and Colorado. but the low English
no zines. the short train of small coach
he little resemble the enormous Ia'
of that road
he After a two-hour climb the sunni
nd is passed. and the train deooocI
de- into the rich valley OF the 9ui'
g. wherein lies Caracas. but that u
other story.