davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

from generation to generation for count
less thousands of years. In the long,
long ago. SO the tradition runs, there
lived in Natheva a seer and story-teller
who charmed the members of his tribe
with his accounts of wonderful adVen-
lures and picturesque Word-paAnting OF
things that, of course, never happened.
In this same connection. it is interesting
to note that even at this day there is in
almost every Fiian community man
who has an established reputation as
narrator of events that date far back
in the dim past.
The wise man of Natheva however,
grew old, and as the fact became more
and more apparent that the time would
soon come when his nearest relative
would be compelled. by custom that
strange him to death. he began casting
about for Il successor to his position as
story-teller for the tribe At his feet
there had sat during many long after
noon under the shade of the banyan tree
an apt pupil in the person of one of the
younger men of the community.
While the other people of the village
dozed away the hours of the reverend
ing summer. this young STORYTELLING en-
thusfast had received the words of Wis
dom from the wise man. Finally the
day came when the seer's physical weak
ness prevented him from leaving his hut
and taking his place under the wide
spreading branches of the mltitudinous-
rooted tree.
There was nothing else for his children
to do but prepare his grave and arrange
to put him to death. The established Gus
tom must be obeyed. The wise man called
the young candidate for the prospective
vacancy to him and told him he had only
one request to make of him before he was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
NATIVE LIFE. ONTHE IsTH11Us OF TEHUAMTEPEc

try to the great landlords perhaps there
would have been IL less formidable revo-
luton than that which unseated Diaz.
The town of Tehuantepec lies dozen
miles back from the sea. 1t presents
some ruins of the old TehUana architec-
ture side by side with a good deal of
medieval Spanish architecture. Some OF
the Spanish parts of it are Ike a corner
of old Havana. The town itself is sand
swept There is a public library in an
old convent building and some other evil
dences of civic spirit, but they are few.
Tehuanlepec celebrated its tercentenary
in 1901. 1t has changed very little with
centuries except possibly to become more
a rambling ruin. for the establishment of
the port of Salma Cruz took away the
commercial Importance which il once had.
The huts of adobe and of grass on the
scragSy hills which surround the town
are more characteristic of the Indian
than of the Spanish civilization. Cobbled
paved lanes lead up to them. The Span
lsh impress is seen in the more solid
masonry and in some shabby churches.
There is a municipal building with fine
front and dilapidated rear. The plaza
is a rather dismal place with little of
the attractiveness of the plaZas in other
iSh-American towns.
The Tehuana Indians who comprise the
bulk of the population are very Indifferent
to tine coming of modern civilization and
its ways. When the railroad was laid
and the whistle of the first engine was
heard it is said that many of them did
not have curiosity enough to so and look
at the strange thing. Lett to themselves.
they would let the grass grow over the
rails as it was growing when the DiaZ
government took hold and reconstructed
the line.
Some of the customs which survive
date back, not only to the Spanish
conquest but are said to be remnants
of Zapotec civilization, which preceded
the Mexican Indian race
Formerly travellers were attracted to
the river where the bathing was the
promiscuous sort that until recently
was observed in Japan. The civil au-
thority under the direction of the gov
eminent officials was strong enough to
change this custom slightly.
Mans place in Tehuantepec is that OF
a useful although inferior being. Wom-
en- till the fields. drive the bullock carts
and perform most of the other outdoor
labor The men carry water and act
as household porters.
The statement has been made that
the superior position of the Tehuana
Indian woman is due to the excess over
the male population, so many OF the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
TRAN ON TEHUANTEPEc RAhRoKb

wants to know what a tropical forest
wilderness is can learn by taking the
railway at Vera Cruz and then striking
across. the main Tehuantepec line.
After the rail line was reconstructed
and the harbor works finished President
Diaz and large party of officials went
to Tehuantepec for the opening. Mexican
national sentiment. which then had some
existence. was gratitied at this triumph
of isthmain transportation. and it was
felt that another vital chapter in Mexican
national development had been concluded.
The effect on international commerce was
especially in mind. But there was also
the feeling that much had been accom-
plished toward the physical unity of the
country itself which would have import
ant political consequences.
Without delay. the road was put in
shape for handling international traffic.
\ contract was made with the Hawaiian
sugar planters, and the bulk of the Ha-
waiian sugar crop for several years past
has been unloaded at Salina Cruz shipped
across to Port Mexico and then reloaded
Other internati onal traffic also has been
secured
One result of the opening of this line
was improved shipping service between
the gulf terminal of Gotta colcoS and
ports of New Orleans and New York.
On the Pacific side the shipping service
also was improved.
1t was figured that the Tehuantepec
route shortened the distance between San
Francisco and New York by l.2:t0 miles
as compared with Panama. Since trans
shipment of cargo was necessary over
both routes the saving in sea distance
was therefore important and undoubted-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

ly had much to do with the large traffic
which the Tehuantepec route secured.
When the Mexican government under
the direction of President Diaz decided
to make the Tehuantepec project a
tional enterprise both the Panama and
the Nicaragua canal prospects We're
clouded. The American company. which
had undertaken the Nicaraguan mari
time canal. had collapsed after losing the
millions of private capital that had been
invested. The French company under
De Iesseps had gone bankrupt in the
Panama project.
Before the Tehuantepec work had pro-
ceeded very far the situation had chang
ed. The United States Congress had de-
cided in favor of the Panama route as
against Nicaragua and Panama had Sc
ceded from Colombia and entered into
the treaty with the United States which
insured the construction of the canal.
Nevertheless. neither President DiaZ nor
any of his advisers, including Limantour,
the minister of finance. thought of turn
ing back. 1t was felt that the enterprise
was national one anyhow, and that
the railway would serve as a backbone
for valuable branch lines which would
develop lower Mexico.
Moreover. nobody then dreamed that
the Panama canal would he completed
in less than twenty years, and that period
pee route was confidently expected EN-
perenced engineers and others in the
United States had the same idea as to the
time required for building the canal, so
that the Mexican statesmen are not to be
blamed for their characterization.
The shipping men at the head of the
steamship line which was established to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
His Revenge.

A NEW YORK editor was condemning
\ certain type of politician.
These fellows" said he, instead Of
fighting for the people they represent.
act very much like Jones.
Jones sat in. a barroom one Saturday
night with party OF cronies when one OF
them. Billy Croft. was called away by
his wife. Billy rose hurriedly, leaving
his glass of beer on the table.
"A few minutes afterward Jones Illus
boy ran into the bar, crying:
Father. mothers bin a-jaw1n' with
Billy Croft's wife and Billy has hit
mother on the nose
Jones jumped up. but then, on second
thought, he resumed his seat ana NUT
tered savagely:
The coward. Hit mother on the nose,
did he? Then I'll drink his beer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
placed alive beneath the stones and the
fire lighted.

placed alive beneath the stones and the
fire lighted.
j
When the stones were lifted and the
population of the village We're gathered
around. ready 10 partake of the roasted
flesh. a wonderful sight met their gaze.
The supposed victim of the furnace heat
turned over upon his bed of rcdhot Goals
and. rising TO his full height. he walked
out of the pit. He Was unscathed.
He was taken before the wise man OF
the tribe and there promised that for
ever after the descendants of the youth
who had effected his capture should be
immune from harm by fire. Having re-
ccived this promise. the aged Fijian seer
was taken out and strangled to death by
his children, aud the wise man of the
sea returned 10 his watery kingdom.
The young man who had brought about
his capture assembled to the position OF
story-teller. and his descendants from
that day to this save been able TO tread
redhot stones without burning their feet.
Copyright, 1914, by Walter c Hcrnada!p
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
GROUP OF TYPICAL FIRE WALKERS.

power of resisting heat was shown by the
presence at this exhibition of nearly all
of the inhabitants of the village. few
of the old men of the tribe whose days
of fire-walking had passed, directed the
operations of preparing the furnace.
The men who We're to perform the
daring feat did not put in an appear
ance upon the scene until everything was
in readiness for them At signal in the
form OF tattoo upon an old war drum
that lay close by. ten young men came
running into the opening amid the trees
and headed straight for the burning pit.
from which the heat was ascending in
waves.
They were all naked except for hreech-
clout of sinnet fiber which was tied
around their bodies. and a scarf of grass
around their shoulders. In their long,
brushlke hair were twined bright colored
flowers. Without a moments hesitation
they stepped upon the STEALING stones,
each man of the group walking in
STOPPING attitude the whole length of the
pit and then back again.
These trips across the fiery furnace
were made several times in quick success
sion The performance lasted about IF
teen minutes. Upon the faces of the per-
formers were to be seen no evidence that
they felt the terrific heat in the slightest
degree. They smiled all the while and
chanted in a weird way as they walked
back and forth across the top of the in
ferno In order to test the fiercenesS of
the heat the writer threw handkerchief
upon the stones The piece of fabric
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

Tehuantepec has other worries than the
what cause the disquiet over the future
and give shadowy basis to the rumors
of a separatist movement. The cause is
economic. and relates to the question of
transportation.
The Panama canal may put the costly
Tehuantepec railway practically out of
business. and render almost raiUeless the
expensive fort works at Salina, Cruz. on
the Pacific. and at Cotzacoalcos or Port
Mexico on the Atlantic. Ii is a possibility
luicting. That the canal will materially
reduce the ans-Tehuantepec traffic is
certainty
Tehuantepec was rival of Panama al
most from the time of Cortez. In the
middle of the last century when Amer
leans built the railway across the 18th
mus of Panama another group of Amer
leans obtained concessions from the Mex
lean government for a line across the
IsthmuS of Tehuantepec. Important en-
ploratious were made for the American
Navy Department under the direction of
admiral Schufeldt. and for a time the
question was whether canal rail-
way was the more feasible. Ultimately
the concession was annulled.
Capt. James b. Eads. after his success
N building the Mississippi levees. became
interested in the Tehuantepec route and
worked out his plans for a ship railway.
Eads had many supporters among public
men who had faith in him an engi
neer and some capitalists were enlisted
in the project. \ good many years ago
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

The isthmus is SO far disconnected from
the main current of revolutionary events
that until recently its geographical exist
ence has been ignored. Now there are
signs that it expects to be heard from
whenever peace comes to Mexico and the
reconstruction of the country begins.
President Wilson's theories of constitu-
tional government will find no suffragette
bar in Tehuantepec such as may develop
with the Indian women of other parts of
Mexico. Womens rights have prevailed
immemorially there. and when it comes
10 laying the foundation for permanent
peace the Tehuana Indian women will
he of more account than the men. as they
have been under the tribal customs for
centuries.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
PREPARING THE FURNACE OF FIRE.

formally elevated to the position of honor,
and that was that he go to a certain deep
hole just off a neighboring coral reef and
there catch and bring to him the largest
living thing he could find.
*
enthusiasm He soon reached the desiS-
mated spot in his boat. 1t is still the
practice among F'ijians to capture iSh
with the bare hands. and the young SAY
age started to explore the deep hole tor
the purpose of discovering just what 1t
contained before he set about bringing
any of the sea-dwellers to the surface.
Like other men of his race. he was an
expert diver. He could remain under
water several minutes, and swift llideea
had to be the deniZens of the deep 10 get
aWay from his quick-movinS hands. He
made several deep dives into the hole be
fore he discovered anything OF momehtous
size. Finally he caught the glimpse OF
what appeared to be gigantic eel.
..Ah,' he thought. here - the thing
will capture this eel and take it nome anu
prepare genuine feast
Diving still further into the blue deep.
he reached out a hand and grabbed at
the object that he had taken TO be an
eel. Instead of his fingers taking hoid
of the Shiny body of a. giant eel he felt a
bunch of coarse hair within his grasp.
He resolved to haul the object to the sur
face at any rate and see what it was.
To his establishment, it proved to be
man of giant size and Drawn 1t was
the hair of the strange beings head that
he held.
Dragging his captive into the boat, the
youth demanded to know who he was.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

The Island of Bangha rises abruptly
out of the sea. and its more altitudinous
peaks nearly 200 feet high. The
Island itself possesses an interest that
Is extraordinary in several respects, and
particularly SO with regard to what ap-
pears to be the almost superhuman quail
ties or practices of many of its native
population. The area of the island is
small embracing, all told only about
400 acres. There are three small native
villages. the largest one being Natheva,
near which place the fire-walkers are
wont to conduct their wonderful display
of endurance.
The trip to Natheva is only reached by
small trading boats. which BRING to the
contented and peaceful inhabitants here
what outside supplies they may need, and
take away cargoes of dried cocoanut meat
and perhaps few dozen punches of
bananas.
The natives are hospitable and on the
occasion OF the writer's visit he was ac-
corded a cordial welcome by the chief and
the other men of more or less prominence
in the district. AS is usual. when a white
man is visitor to native village. he
was placed in temporary possession of
the chiefs own house. Food and viands
in rich abundance were placed before him.
and through the medium of the Fijian in
terpTeter who accompanied him he was
told to make himself at home.
AS his stay upon the island was to be
of short duration il was arranged that he
should be given an exhibition of fire
walking the next day. There are several
pits or furnaces where the stones are heat
ID, but the principal one upon the island
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

rubber plantations proved financial sue
cesses. and the title to most of them
passed out of the hands of the Ameri-
cans. 1t is doubtful now whether there is
much American money tied up in rubber
plantations.
Large tracts of timber lands were held
few years ago by northwestern CAPT
talists who had made money out of lum-
Der. Some of these Investments may still
be in the hands OF the original owners
At one time some American money was
invested in the railway line known as
the Pan-American. which branches OH
from the Tehuantepec railway at san
Geronimo and runs down to the border OF
Guatemala. The. money was in the bonds
which were turned over to the American
contractors as the different sections We're
completed. These bonds were guaranteed
by the Mexican government. Later me
government took over the railway ana
made it part of the Mexican system.
Two American capitalists who had held
official positions in Washington and IN
Mexico were the Intermediates.
They were supposed TO have made a
good deal of money by the transaction
In view of later Developments this may
be doubted. They got control OF the IN
ternational bridge. across the such,ate
river to Guatemala. But since President
Cabrera of Guatemala was in no hurry
to ioin up the Guatemalan lines with the
bridge the expected profits from the tolls
on traffic across the river did rot mate
rialize.
Life OH the isthniuS is one OF picturesque
contrasts The lustrous tropical splen-
dor is enhancing, but there are dreary
places also.
The cankcr of land monopoly which was
eating the life out of the poorer classes
is perhaps less felt than III other parts
of Mexico but it exists, and absentee
landlordism is prevalent When the rail-
road from Vera; Cruz to the Tehuantepec
line was built the company wanted to ac-
u,1jre a few acres for station and yards
at one point The owner lived in Mexico
CITY. He refused all offers and was de-
termined that there should be no station
on his property. The railway company
appealed to Diaz-
Build your station was the message
received. This was enough for the COM
pany 1t went ahead and built the sta
tio. and laid ont the yards. Then 1t sent
the money to its representative at the
capital. In a few days the deed to the
land was received from, the owner.
The president sent him word that he
ought not to refuse good bargain was
the explanation given of the owners
change of mind. If this policy had been
applied generally throughout the coun-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

President Wilson's
Theories of Consti-
tutional Government
Will Find No Sufra-
sette Bar in Tehuante-
pee, Says Charles NJ.
Pepper-Panama Canal
May Put Railroad That
Cost S35,ooo,ooo Out
of Business-May Also
Render Almost Value
less Valuable Port
Works A Tehuante-
pee Poet.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
RAlLWAY STATION
IEHUANTE

q large nlOQel OF MS snip
way was on exhibition at the Capitol and
Capt. Eads himself usually was ON hand
to explain it. Senator John a. Logan.
who had been impressed with Ead& en-
cheering success on the Mississippi gave
the use of his committee room. Congress.
however. did not respond enthusiasts tically
to the desire for an American charter
and for the financial support of this
government, and after while the ac-
tivity of Capt. Eads and his friends sub
sided.
Along in the eighties some rails We're
laid both from the Atlantic and the Pa
cific side and a few years later the ends
were united, and there was actually
railway across the sthmus. But it was
of the jerkwater sort, and did not meet
the needs of real transportation line.
When President DiaZ had pushed
through various railway enterprises in
central and northern Mexico he turned
to Tehuantepec and put the government
back of that project. The governments
experience with previous concessionaries
and contractors had been a harsh one.
\ contract was made with the firm
of Sir Weetman Pearson, the present
Lord Cowdrey who had successfully car
ried through the drainage project for the
City of Mexico.
Under the terms of the Pearson con-
tract a working ca pital of SI.otOHto was
provided and the government went into
partnership with the Pearson firm on
conditions which would make it the sole
owner of the line and the terminals in
fifty-one years
A large element in the total cost which
is said to have been approximately thirty
five million dollars, was for the harbor
works at Salina Cruz and Cotzacolcos.
1t was realized that without good harbor
facilities interoceanic traffic could not
be obtained.
Salina Cruz is hardly more than an
open roadstead with the northeast trade
winds from the Atlantic constantly churn
ing the surf, and some serious engineering
problems. including a refuge harbor and
an inner harbor, had to be solved. The
difficulties We're overcome and Salina
Cruz was made hospitabe to traffic.
When the road was completed its total
length was a little under 200 miles The
birds flight from ocean to ocean across
Tehuantepec is about 125 miles. The
route is through tropical jungle of most
eXuberant vegetation. Any one who
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

~ aA ! ~ ~. A'i v
i the many strange
rites and customs
of the Fijians, none
IS more wonderful
a d ineXplicable
than that of the
fire walkers of
Baugha. as the
men who accom-
plish the remark
able feat of walk
ing upon red-hot
stones are called.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

L. II y X T l. PES
isthmuS is a for.
gotten section in
the present Next
can troubles. Word
occasionally. how
ever, comes from
there. 1t shows that
the isthnlus. while
overlooked in the
general melee, is
not forgotten by
Iapata and Huerta
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29
Native Fijians Tread
Upon Redhot Stones,
but Do Not Burn Their
Bare Feet-Legend of
How the Rite Origi-
mated - Scientists IN
able to Explain the
Strange Immunity
From Fire.

Social Correspondence of Tue Star.
NATHEVA, Bangha Island
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-23
A Store Which Can Grow
and Prosper and Increase
It's Business

in times such as these, shows
that its organization must be
right.
The great stress placed upon
world happenings during the
past few weeks, applies the sew
crest test to a stores ability to
gather it's merchandise from all
sources in abundant quantities.
The question of supplying the
demand with foreign articles and
of domestic productions where
foreign materials form a part, has
become a serious problem, and
only is accomplished by those
mercantile establishments show
ing the highest efficiency.
We feel safe in saying, that at
no time in the history of this
business have we been so we'll
prepared with so complete and
varied assortments of all the
wanted articles of merchandise
and with very few exceptions
the prices are no more than they
were before the troubles in Eur
ope began.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-23
the city yesterday on business.

the city yesterday on business.
Mr.. and Mrs. o. B. Caylor of Center
vile, Iowa, are visiting at the home o.
II. Bateman. SIG Thirtieth street.
Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Flanagan, 2404
Fifth-and-a-half avenue, left today fol
Chicago to visit their daughter. Mrs
Bert Capman.
Mrs. J. Sommers returned yesterday
to her home in Auburn, n. Y, after
spending two weeks with friends and
relatives in the city.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. H. Studer, formerly
of Chicago, now residing at 627 Thir-
ty-fifth street. are the parents of son,
born this morning at the Moline City
hospital.
J. W. Caldwell returned to the city
this morning after spending five days
with relatives in Cedar Rapids. His
son, Ray. who accompanied him. will
remain another week.
Mr. and Mrs L. B. Robinson, Mr..
and Mrs l.. B. Driffill and Mrs. Anna
B. Steele have gone to Peoria for a
short visit, and will then go to Spring
field to attend the state fair.
Mrs. A. Watkins ana son Thomas,
who have been visiting with her broth
er. Daniel Thomas, $50 Fourteenth
street, returned last evening to their
home in Philadelphia. This is the first