Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1912-05-25

during the rainy season. often rising
thirty feet in one night, and sweeping
away the small villages In its path. We
passed through eighteen stations, each
having many pleasant homes for the Of
ficials or 'fGold Men" and smaller ones
for the "Silver Men" or laborers. Each
one is crowded with Canal Zone Police
men who are mostly American boys and
men.
The most important sight of all is the
Culebra Cut. which is supposed to be
the most gigantic cut ever attempted by
engineering science. The great ditch is
being dug down through the solid rock
In places to depth of more than three
hundred feet.
Culebra is a neat, well-built town of
five thousand people. Each of the eigh-
teen towns along the line, has its own
electric light plant water works, sewer
age system, library and club houses.
Golonel Goethals, Chairr,an aof the Ca
nal Commission lives there The PAN
anna railroad over which We passed, Is
built over what is called the Black
Swamp, and it will be foodsd-we could
see the new line off at some distance to
the side.
We reached the city of Panama in
about three hours and our friends who
understood Spanish took us to the fine
American Hotel which is in front of the
Independence Plaza and old Cathedral
of Panama. There are no street cars In
Panama yet, so the streets are almost
filled with cabs as they are very narrow.
Independence Plaza is the center about
which the town is built and the most
interesting and historical part of the
city.
We took the train to Balboa, the pier
which is about three miles from PAN
anna, where we went on board the
Guatemala" another fine ship but not
quite so large. We spent the next day
walking and riding around Balboa, sail
ing late that evening on the Pacific
which is much calmer than the Atlantic.
This was the most tiresome part of the
trip as the coast of Ecuador and Peru is
very bleak and barren. We were in
sight of land much of the way and so
near the rocky coast for days that We
could easily see and hear the angry
waves beating against the rocks. We
stopped at almost every port all along
this Coast but did not 60 ashore as there
are no piers in this part of the country,
and one has to descend the steps at the
side of the ship and get into small row
boats in order to go ashore. 1twas very
hot for a day before and after We cross
ed the Equator and for three nights it
was impossible to rest on account of the
intense heat.
At Paita, Peru, the natives crowded
on board with fine Panama hats; this is
where they are made and at first their
prices are very high, but just before the
ship sails one can buy them for his own
price.
We reached Callao, Peru, February
nineteenth, where We changed to the
"Oriana," a fine large England steamer.
The ride in a small row boat on the
ocean for almost mile, from one ship
to the other, was slightly different from
ride on Sylvan Lake. The waves were
so high that the boats would disappear
from view and dipped water, so that We
were very much relieved when we final
y reached the steps of the Oriana. This
is very dangerous as one has to jump
from the lower step at just the proper
time when the waves lift the boat.
The weeks voyage from Callao was
very interesting as the southern ports
are larger and the hills are covered with
many varieties of trees. We spent sew.
oral hours in africa and lquique where
they loaded copper bars onto the ship,
and in Coquimbo many loads of wool
and dried fruits we're added to the ships
cargo. Most of the passengers were
Spanish and we could not understand
them as they talked so rapidly.
We anchored in the Valparaiso Har.
Dor early in the morning of February
twenty sixth, just twenty-three days
| from the day we sailed. We received a
card from my aunt on shore saying that
the family awaited us at the landing
place. 1t took us some time to attend to
our baggage, so when we were halfway
in to shore we met our people in an.
other small boat coming to meet US. We
climbed from our boat into theirs and
went on into the Custom House where
We were not long delayed with our bag
gage. We spent the morning with rela'
tives in Valparaiso, then took the train
for six hours ride to Santiago where
my grandmother and other relatives
awaited us. We found all the relatives
well, and although the voyage had beer
a pleasant one, we were very glad when
it was over.
Some other time I will write abou
the customs of the country, the people
the schools and our home here. There
is a mail steamer from the North only
every two weeks so We anxiously avail
mail day, and are always so glad to heal
from our friends at home.
You will notice the change In my
name, but everyone is compelledcto US,
their mothers family name after thei
fathers, the boys and men often use jus
the initial. .'.
| With best wishes to all the dea
friends, and hoping to hear from yo,
soon and often, remain
Very sincerely yours,
| RUBERTA OLDs PETTIJoHN.
| Casilla 4t2, -