The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-06-20

The world is fast grasp
ing the fact that in the
comparatively small space between Mexico
and the 1sthmus of Panama lies as it were
the Land of Promise-a promise of wealth in
calculable to the realm of commerce. through
the cultivation and development of marvel
ously rich and fertile countries which are be-
ing opened up with wonderful rapidity by the
network OF railroads that are spreading
throughout the five beautiful republics OF Cen
trail America. More than a land of promise
TO the Archaeological, who has here a vast
field for research wherein to unravel the mys-
terry which surrounds the history OF the an
clent American civilization and throw some
light upon the origin of the people whose won.
oertul works are evidenced in the ruins OF
prehistoric cities found hidden in dense trop.
ical forests land of beautiful realities to
even the ordinary tourist, who finds easily
accessible wealth of scenic beauty unsur
passed and q perfection OF climate rarely
cqualed.
This is particularly true OF Guatemala the
most northern Of the Central American repub.
lies and our nearest neighbor after Mexico
lt is reached by three days delightful sail
on the Gulf OF Mexico and along the coast NJ
BRUSH Honduras. The fine new ships of the
ohlteu FRUIT company give every luxury and
comfort OF ocean travel. and Guatemala. in
tne very near future, will become the Mecca
OF those desiring to escape the cold and gloon,
can be found more magnificent and varied
scenery IMAM that which greets the traveller
especially In the lake regions of this lovely
republic OF the four larger lakes-Petor
lying lar TO the north; Yzabal near the Ar
'lant1c coast; Amatitlan on tho Cuoto,
Central railroad not far from, ct,
CITY, and Atitlan, tucked away in the -
talhs near the Pacific coast-tbere &c 60,
choice Differing widely, each in tic rn-, -
perfect characteristic OF it's location ord oii
mate. ana Gil
opoh our arrival at Puerto Barrios We 90,
80 90 20 Nsit Lake fzabal before going nm
10 the city OF Guatemala. After ono ptat. up
rest therefore, we boarded the UttI VI
oeN "nich earned us out from the Iapdloo,.5
:. ', Snoit Instance across the Gulf NJ 49,
~ anu aiong the shore line, where grace,
pHIe s'nIed iazily in the perfumed brao.a
sjtuatad So ms town is picturesoneIv
situated on bluff at the mouth of ,ho n
Duice or Sweet river new 49, mo
Eoniiortaole rooms and excellent cuisin WIN
lateiy oeen opened here. and dav ~ naS
may De well spent enjoying the manv ,,,, Two
scenes IN this quaint little town uudi
from the porch of the Hotel Rio D,,,oo -
-ooA uo"n through a maze Of palm troos
s,,a1,"I, me matched roofs of the town IN the
Sparkling waters of the bay. where tbo W. IL
oart pack and forth in graceful canoo o''i 10
hheehng posture and with only the - -
q Pauule' they skim across the water with in
credible speed. The air is beavv ,,,,.h az. IN
seem OF jasmine and gardenias; the CLEAN
>,,,Na'.1 see ana the tiny golden balls of the
cumquat meet the eye at every turn and tow.
eTing~aooVe all the great spreading broroLo,
Oh the wonderful breadfruit tree
Lake izabaI lies about 80 miles inland and
iesuiar llne or steamers ply between IJv
lngston and Pansoz. in the interior nm Tho
oiochlc river. We did not, however. avail
ourselves OF this usual means Of trapsDorta
posal " Oui us
For the first ten miles we followed Tho
"ihuing course OF the Rio Dulce. the beautv
ol Whlch Is only comparable to that of tho
Iaiamed Saguenay. BY some terrible con
Vulslon OF nature, the mountains have been
rent asunder and through picturesque can
Sons ana gorges this lovely river wends its
majestic course to the sea- The shores grsdu.
ally draw nearer together and we Soon end
ourselves shut in between towering walls NJ
green rising to height of 400 to 500 feet
WIZ uense tropical vegetation and graceful
oFerhanging vines lazily swaying I'm the
breeze Here the water seems to be motion
less It's CLASSY surface rejecting I'm absolute
PeHecuon OF detail each leaf and flower and
not sound breaks the silence The only
signs or life are the hundreds OF beautifr1
wmte EaTza, the birds which furnish Dame
Fashion with the much-desired and ever-exnen
sNe algrette We passed occasionally a ma.
i've drifting downstream I'm his dugout. or
pitpan, as these canoes are called-his cargo
punch OF bananas or a string Of fish.
The shores again receded and we entered
the CUR OF Golfete, a pretty body of water
some ten miles in length and dotted with nu.
merous islands. Another narrow channel and
we hnally entered the lake proper A beauu
Tul picture is before us-the lovely expanse
OF water with its wooded shores rising gradu
ally TO the rugged Slerras de las Minas. TO
the south and the Santacruz mountains. to
the north Here stand the picturesque ruins
OF the old Spanish fort of San Feline. bput in
1913 by fernando Cortez during his march
from Mexico TO Honduras and erected TO pro-
tect the approach to the town of YzabaI. which