Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-03-08

these evermoist depths. The coral holds the rain
water in the many cup-Iike openings and acts as
a mulch that favors the development of the
trees and underbrnsh. Hardwood is the wealth
of this section of the Isle OF Pines. The people
engaged in cutting the trees and marketing the
logs are for the most part "caimaneros West
Indian English Of various shades, from Great and
Little Cayman Islands. British possessions lying
about $50 miles south Tobacco poles diversified
hardwood bean poles they seem to the Kansas
farmer are exported in quantities across to Pinar
del Rio province. in Cuba where they find ready
sale among the planters.
The "caimaneros' are picturesque lot upon
whom has descended the glamor OF the romance
with which tradition overlays these shores since
the days Of pirates and wreckers. CT course they
are fishermen and besides adding variety to their
daily bill OF fare, they increase their income by
hunting tortoise here valuable for his she'll
voyage in one of the featherKeight canoes
in which they ride the breakers whitening the
turquoise at the entrance of ledge protected
cove is thrilling experience and calculated to
ill one with respect for the seamanship of these
halfbreeds Let us leave the South Coast for
the north. the real island. Here conditions are
essentially Different rolling country with in
terspersing hills and rivers in appearance remind
ing one OF the fertile parts of Florida, resem-
blance much heightened by the pine trees that
cover much of a sandy soil area. These pine
trees strikingly visible from distance. gave the
island its name. Isla de Pinos. from which
have the English translation. Isle Of Pines. Isle
of Pines, There is that something in the words
which seems redolent of the soft, sweet winds
that blow caressingly it's vernal valleys.
The smoothness of the name is all opposed to the
idea Of rapine and murder. And vet for years this
beautiful island was pirate rendezvous. Drake
came first four years before the end of the six
teenth century. when he massacred the few col
onists he found and from that date the fame of
the island as a convenient and suitable base
spread the freeb0otfng fraternity.
The most ferocious of the pack Of sea wolves
that hunted the seas in the late sixteenth and
early seventeenth centuries English. Dutch or
French. all found security and shelter on the
Isle OF Pines, From Morgan the knight who won
his spurs by successful robbery rapine, and MUIR
der to Mansfield who waged war single-handed
against the throne Of Spain all the heterogeneous
crews of the sea roveTs knew the shoals and
the sheltered bays behind which their ships could
lie In safety under the lee Of the island. From
here they sailed forth to attack the numbering
Spanish galleons heavy laden with loot from,
Peru and back they came again to divide the
spoils and reft for another raid
These facts have left heritage of bured-treas
IRE tales but while many have dug in just those
spots that seem ideal for the concealment OF HI
gotten riches yet there is no authoritative evf
dence 70 the effect OF buried treasure being recov-
cred There is runor thai once someone IN
earthed brass bound chest ~ douboons near the
shore and went home TO Buffalo tc live in luxury
ever after on the wealth so discovered. II you
doubt the tale the chest can stin be seen lying
open on the sand to prove It.
The Isle of Pines was presentedfby royal grant
from the crown of Spain 10 Capt. D. fernando
Pedroso in 1880 with the understanding that he
transform the pirates lair into a "fourishing
coieny"-to use two common descriptive phrases.
The island passed to the Duarte brothers by iu-
heritance in 1906 and 10 these joint owners all
title should be traced. Not the least interesting