The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-05-14

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with the inevitable machets, led the
way, dry palm leaves served for
torches and after scramble up and
a scramble down we found ourselves
right in the bowels of the mountain
There were great irregular rocks and
just as you thought you were at the
end there was turn and an opening
and you found before you another
great chamber in the rocks. One OF
the palm leaf torches nearly set fire
| to the linen trousers of one OF the
party and this rather scared us all
out so we did not explore the cave to
it's limits. The flaring torches dis
turbed the millions of little bats that
chung to the roof of the cave and the
whirring of their wings and the dart
ing of the black forms gave such an
eerie effect that we were glad to get
out into the open once more. The
cave is mined for the guano which
sells, for fertilizer, at good price.
1t was with real regret that we left
the Isle of Pines after a stay of eight
days. We found Santa Fee the most
desirable place of residence, with
Nueva Corona the best business point
as yet There is considerable friend
ly rivalry between these towns and
Santa Fe would not admit for a mo-
ment that it is not to become the real
center Of. the island. 1t is growing
rapidly, many new homes, a fine new
Masonic hall, an exposition building,
where the yearly island fair is held,
an artificial ice plant, wholesale
candy factory, a steam laundry, new
bank building are among its 1928
improvements. 1t also boasts some
wonderful mineral springs; these min
eral waters are highly priced in Cuba
and the bottled waters find ready
market in Havana. About one spring
pretty bath house has been erected,
another is being improved into a beau
on the airdome plan with fine out
of-doors plunge, protected by canvass
walls. This spring rejoices in the
dubious reputation of having been a
favorite of Gen. Weyler, the Infamous
Spanish general, who ruled Cuba with
such an iron hand. The other spring,
Santa Rita, has been we'll known
health resort in Cuba for century.
The waters and the air make the isle
and a specific for rheumatism and for
nervous disorders.
We do not wish to detain you long
err with eulogies of the Isle OF Pines.
The climate is wonderful, almost per-
feet, the soil is good and especially
adapted for citrous fruits and it's many
advantages are bound to make it not
only famous winter and health re.
sort, but a great garden, producing
vast amount of wealth. 1t is our sin
cere hope that the United States will
heed the urgings of the thousands of
Americans interested in the island,
and will restore to the Isle of Pines
it's rightful status as part OF the
United States.
If these letters prove of interest, we
have two more in mind, one concern
ing visit to Spanish home in Ha-
vana and another telling of an eX-
cursion to the gruesome Moro castle,
where thousands of Cuban patriots
were imprisoned and killed.
The foregoing letters have told
something of the wonderful isle, but
not half has been told. If any reader
of the Review has any question to
ask concerning the island line adj
dressed to me at Denison will bring a
quick response. Let me say, however,
that have no land to sell, simply that
was delighted with the island, am
glad to tell of it's beauties and its op-
portunities and to give any informa-
ton possible to interested readers.
F. w. Meyers.