davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

crows from four to six feet in height
The leaves are much like d rose zeal OF
like our wintersreen. They are plcheo
green, dried and put up in packages pf
twenty-five pounds each. Such pack
age sells for $50. L bought ~ cents
worth today and took it home IN order
to try it. The senorita who managed
the store brought out pair of old brass
scales, balanced on the end of BEAM
and weighed me out full pound
chewed some, but it had no perceptinie
effect probably, because l had not the
ashes or lime to go with il. l then made
some into tea. 1t tasted like con-
coction of hay and made me feel good.
As see how the Indians live and work
on these cold highlands of the Andes. !
do not wonder that they are driven TO
coca and alcohol TO keep on the blues
Let me describe some of their houses
scattered over the pampas. They are
huts made of mud. so rude and squalid
that they would hardly be fit for hog
or as a stable for good American COW.
The typical dwell ing is about eight or ten
feet in width and perhaps ten or fifteen
feet long. 1t is so low that as you
stand outside it your head reaches above
where the matched roof begins. This
building has walls made of sod or mud
and its roof is of straw, tied to poles or
canes. 1t has no windows and the only
door is hole in the wal. so low that
you have to stoop down to go in. In
some of the huts there is a framework
at the back. upon which the family
sleep at night, but in the most OF them
both grown-ups and children lie down
on the ground and huddle together to
keep themselves warm. There is no fuE= /.
niture to be seen except a few llama
skins, which are spread on the moor
The people sleep in the same clothing
that they wear in the daytime. and they
cover themselves with their ponchos Or
with the coarse blankets. the women
weave for the purpose.
The cooking is done on a little clay
u,nntinlIed on Eighth Pagel
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

at Petersburg. With his command Mr..
Whitney performed gallant and valuable
service, and with it he shares the honor
of a proud record. During its first 100
days in the field, from Spotsylvania to
Reams station, the It'll New York lost an
appalling number Of men.
Mr. Whitney was stationed at Fort
Reno, D. c., in 1s62-63. and he can re-
late some interesting stories of the city
Of Washington during those days. He
is a member of Lincoln Post. No. 3. G.
A. R., Department Of the Potomac, and
has taken part in every reunion and
parade of the Grand Army. He is now
clerk in the pension office While old
in years he is young in spirit, and as
enthusiastic over the building of the
Veterans Daughter, the name of the
boat to be set adrift this Memorial day,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

interesting. This is Mr.. Whitneys own
account of that Memorial day in 1902.
I'm 1902 the national commander of the
Grand Army of the Republic, in his an
nual order for Memorial day. suggested
that flowers be strewn on the waters of
the rivers that flowed to the sea. A
member of Lincoln Post proposed to load
boat with the beautiful flowers of
spring and send it down the Potomac
river. and the plan was adopted, and has
been carried out every year since by the
Department of the Potomac.
''In 1907 the boat had an iron frame and
was loaded at one of the florists with
choice flowers, but after the cargo was
on board the President of the United
States sent a large box of flowers. At
II o'clock the boat and box of flowers
were taken to the 18th street wharf and
thence aboard the ferryboat Lackawanna
and the box was opened and the con-
tents strewn on the water as long as
they lasted. which was about three miles
below Washington.
THE flower boat, with her cargo, was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

touching letters, such as this one which
1 received from a mother up in Vermont
state. She waited for the return of her
sailor boy. He never came home, and
after many years she learned that he
went down with the Cumberland at
Hampton roads.
Here is one letter 1 received. which is
indeed typical:
- Dear Sir: / in the paper that you
launched boatload of flowers on Decoration day
on the Potomac river, and that 1t went down as
far Hampton roads, Va. l feel that l owe
you message of thanks. for my boy lies there
in Hampton roads. He went down with the Cum
herland How would love to have him home in
the cemetery. so that l could put Gods sweet
flowers his grave. l have always felt bitter
and envious on Memorial day. because other
mothers could decorate their sons graves, and
my son seemed to he forgotten Now I feel
different. I know that my dear boy is remem-
bered like the rest. l thank You. and l know
that every mother who has sailor boy lying
beneath the deep blue water of the sea thanks
you for the heart of all that gave their dear
ones to the Union must go out to you
II have also received letters from
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

launched to go on her mission down the
river, carrying its tribute to the sailors
and soldiers buried beneath the waters.
The name of this boat was the Essie,
after a nurse who lives at Rochester,
n. Y. on the banks of the Genesee
river
Each year since 1902 Mr. Whitney has
built and launched on the Potomac river
the boat loaded with flowers. Among
other boats were the Clara Barton, the
Ida Chase, the Potomac and the Oregon.
The Oregon, launched at the Long bridge,
was patterned after the famous battle
ship Oregon. 1t had small guns showing
on its decks through banks of flowers.
The launching of this boat was marked
by the first definite ceremony. but now
the launching has taken it's place among
the regular ceremonies observed on Me-
mortal day. Mr. Whitney says that he
is sure that the custom will become ma
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

mowers.
by the folks at home 1 mean those
wives. mothers. fathers and sweethearts
who waited in vain for the homecoming
of their beloved sailor boys They have
never had the consolation of placing
wreath of flowers the grave where
rests all that is near and dear to them.
The homecoming of a soldier even
though he was but bullet-ridden, lifeless
clay. was some consolation to those who
waited for that homecoming. The fact
that the dear one was buried with love
and honor was something. and the as
surance that the spot where he rests will
never be forgotten. that loving hands,
prompted by grateful hearts, will strew
flowers over his grave on each succeed
ing Memorial day-that say in a meas
ure brings consolation
But what of those who waited in
grief-stricken suspense for the sailor boys
who never returned? All that they ever
knew was through a brief message from
the Navy Department. telling them that
their dear ones fought bravely to the
last, then. quietly and unafraid they
went down beneath the waves which were
crlmsoned by the life blood of themselves
and their comrades
In my own home town nearly every
nome contains some token of their SOL
der dead-a sword a faded suit of blue
canteen or haversack-and such re-
membranes are exhibited proudly to
the second and third generation. On ev-
cry Decoration day they are wreath
covered, wept over and reverenced In
some degree this brings its own solace
but the faded letter from the Navy De-
partment is all that the home folks of
the sailor dead have to commemorate
n
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24


OR the past month
| have spent the
greater part of my
time on this high
plateau of the An
des. a mighty val
ley which in places
is 100 miles wide.
running north and
south from Ecua-
dor to Bolivia. The
valley is walled by
snow-caDped noun
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

tom of making chicha still prevails In
that case the fermentation IS started hrst
in the mouth. The girls come together
and have chewing matches. They shell
off the ripe grains. and grind them to
powder between their teeth. working
their Jaws until the saliva flows freely.
In the midst of the party is a great
wooden trough, into which from time TO
time each girl spits out her mixture OF
saliva-soaked meal The spittle brings
about fermentation, and after short
time the mush with some water added
has turned to a beer that Will make the
drunk come. l am told this is the best
form of chicha vet known, and that its
manufacture dates back to the days of
the 1ncas.
\
The use of the coca leaf, which con-
tains the active principal of cocaine. IS
universal. 1t is chewed every day ana
there are certain fixed times during the
laboring hours when all stop for re-
cess. during which they chew coca.
1bs farmer gives his Indians handfui
of coca leaves every morning, and ms
mine owner has TO supply a nxeo ainour,.
of coca in addition to the ORDINARY
wages The coca takes away munger
and it keeps out the cold. II ehapies
one to breathe better in the nlen anu
tudes of the Andes and II is ciaih.eo INA.
its use enables the Indians TO WORK
ionetr and endure more fatigue. 1t also
deadens the brain, destroys the Will
power and takes away all forms OF IN
tellec.Ual activity.
The Indian not only chews the coca,
but he makes a tea OF IT. II is saio "
he good for the stomach and the chew
ing of it keeps the teeth white. and l
am told it preserves them. Nearly all
of the Indians L see have white teeth,
and it is said they seldom have tooth
Coca leaves are sold in all of the
stores here in Cuzco. They come from
a shrub which is cultivated and which
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

Daylight always brought blessed actyi-
ties; guns Numbered across the waters
and each man fought Loyalty and well =. -.
There is one paragraph in the history
of sea fighting which contains enough
of worlds mourn.
1t is this:
The Cumberland with all on board
went down. The crew continued to work
their guns until the vessel plunged be-
meath the sea. Her flag was never
struck, but floated above the water from
her masthead after she had gone down:
This looks uneventful enough in cold
type, but what it meant to the hundreds
who waited at home only they knew.
If, as Mr.. Whitney says, lit brings con-
ISOLATION to the folks at home, then the
placing of flowers on a fiag-covered boat
launched on the waters ceases to %
mere sentiment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

The custom Of launching boat loaded
with flowers on Memorial day had its
origin in Washington in 1902. Stephen r.
Whitney, a veteran Of the civil war,
built, in that year. the first boat of the
kind. He decorated it with flowers and
flags, and launched it on Memorial day
on the Potomac river 1t seems fitting
that Washington should have been the
birthplace of such token of gratitude
toward the men who SO ably defended the
capital against invaders during the sew
eral wars. The origin OF the custom is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

others who lost no relatives in the war.
but who generously appreciate the fact
that not a single soul who left home
with the fire of youth and patriotism
burning in his heart, and who passed on
through the red-blood of war, has been
forgotten
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

AS thinking Of
the folks at home,
and what Memo
rial day means to
them.' said Mr..
Stephen r. Whit
ney when asked
what prompted him
to build and launch.
nine years ago on
the Potomac river.
a boat loaded with
flowers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

Origin of Custom
Brought About by
Necessity of Memorial
Services for the Sailor
Dead-How the First
Flower Laden Boat
w as Built and
Launched-A Tribute
From the Presidents.
Other Cities and Com
munities Take Up the
Plan-The Fate of the
Cumberland.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

Continued on Eighth Page)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

animals. and that there is no possibility
of improving Them
THAT is a mistake The Aymara In
dams, who form the majority of the pop
ulation. are much like the Japanese in
their aptitude for new things. The older
men and women. whose brains have been
deadened by overwork and by alcohol,
may be dull and sodden.
1t is far different with the young men.
They are bright and quick to learn. You
will see them working upon the buildings
here in La Paz Everything is done by
Indian labor We have a large shoe fac
tory in Oruro. The shoemaking machines
are American. and they are all operated
by Indians. We have Indians who are
experts in handling mining machinery.
Some of the Aymaras are learning to
read. and l can see that a radical inn
provement has begun. The most of our
Indians are landowners. They are inter-
ested in the country by owning part
of it, and as they become more enlight-
ened they will he fairly good citizens.
The new American minister is doing
what he can to push our trade with a
view to the opening of the canal. The
minister comes from the Mississippi val
ley. His name is John Davis O'Rear.
He was practicing law at Mexico. Mo-.
when Secretary Bryan elevated him to
the diplomatic corps and to the tops of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12
GROUP OF oHo1os. Or THEHAIF bREEDs Of BOLIVIA

scarce and high all over the world.
The government is making some
changes in its financial arrange
ments. 1t has recently given one bank
the exclusive right to issue notes.
and the rate of interest has been
raised. We have a number of banks
in the country and the most of them
are prosperous"
Glow about the opportunities for the
investment of American capital?"
''They are good replied Mr.. Zalles.
Bolivia is at the beginning of it's de-
velopment. and it has vast resources in
lands, mines and petroleum. The most
valuable part of our country lies east
of the Andes. In that region we have an
area bigger than Texas, consisting of high
plains that will raise wheat. corn and
cattle. Those lands are between the
River Pilcamayo and the Paraguay. and
they extend northward into the plateau
of Matte Crosse. The climate is fine
and well suited to white men That
region will some day have a large popu-
lation. AS to mines, Bolivia has pro-
duced quantities of silver. copper and tin
but it is still on the edge of it's mineral
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

development. We have petroleum fields
that promise to revolutionize the fuel
problem in South America. These are
east of the Andes. They are said to be
very rich
But is capital so invested safe?" /
asked.
Yes, just as safe as in Europe or the
United States. You people should realize
that conditions in the great countries of
South America are far different from
those of Central America and Mexico.
Investments in Chile. Argentina and Bo-
livia are on a firm basis, as far as the
governments are concerned. We have
not had revolution in Bolivia for more
than thirty years. and We are in good
financial condition. Capital is protected.
and | venture that a mans life is safer
at any hour of the night here in La
Paz than in New York or Chicago.
How about YOUR new railroads."
Our railroad era is at its beginning.
Within the nast decade the chief cities
have been connected by iron tracks. and
we are building extensions that will COM
plete the basis of the system. Our rail-
ways are now within about one hundred
miles of those of the Argentine. and
within short time we shall have direct
railroad connection with Buenos Aires.
Indeed, we can today go to Buenos Aires
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

overland within less than seven days by
staging the space between the roads.
What we especially want continued
Mr. Zalles, lis railroads to open up east
ern Bolivia. That part of the country
is well fitted for immigration. but it
cannot be developed until it has better
transportation. The region is rich beyond
conception. 1t is one of the largest blocks
of good, undeveloped land that vet re-
mains to the world. 1t is far different
from the high Andean plateau. which is.
to a large extent. mineral proposition.
Eastern Bolivia is agricultural. 1t is like
Argentina. Here on the pI.--eau cities
are increasing in size, and steady
growth is apparent. If you look about
in La Paz you Will find that new con-
struction work is going on in every part
of the city Why we start a new build
ing almost every day. Settlements are
also springing up along the lines of the
railroads. and even the Indians are in
craasing their wants.
Tell me something about the Indians. |"
Mr. Zalles Many of the foreigners l
have met say they are little more than
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

the Votiak tribesmen of Muktansk. and
the Bells case. The Scrothinsk peasants
were fiogged and tortured by order of
the governor. Korolenko raised all Rus<
ST, in their defense.
During the Bells proceedings korolen-
ko visited kieff. In stirring series Of
articles h. defended the Jews against
tie ritual nurder charge. The case OF
Notiak triu.smen also dealt with a ritual
murder charge. The Votiaks are a tribe
of mostly nop-Christian. half-savase
peasants in Niatka and in the neighbor-
ing east Russian provinces. Fantical mis-
sionaries. backed by police intriguers
charged them with perpetrating human
sacrifices. All the fanatics in Russia de-
manded their eNtirpation.
Korolenko knew the Votiaks. for he
lived as an exile in their cabins, and
with his passion for the Inundated
and offended" he held them in affec-
ton. At sensational trial the lead
ing Notiaks were condemned koro-
lenko played the part of Zola. He in
vestigated the charge. and he proved
its untruth. His exposure Of the
superstition of the prosecutors and of
the judicial blunders committed so i'm
pressed the senate that on appeal the
innocent tribesmen were acquitted :
korolenko Is RUSSIA greatest Jour
nalist. Since 1909 he has been editor
of monthly review. In this he was
associated for many years with the
great critic, Michailovsky. now dead.
He is also practically the creator of
the provincial press of Russia. While
an exile and outcast. dividing his time
between selling shoes and writing ar
ticleS at so cents a column, korolenko
saw that the cause Of Russian prog
ress depends upon the growth of
healthy and honest local newspapers.
He preached that it is the duty of the
successful journalists In the great
cities to write for and help gratis the
poor newspapers in remote provinces
Now that he is Russias greatest
journalist and editor Korolenko prac-
tees what he preached. His articles
and social sermons may be read in the
obscurcst newspaper of the empire.
Copyright. 1919. by Gurus Brown.l
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

cannot sell goods here by letter. You
need good men on the ground, and estab
lishments that will come to stay. AS it is.
much of the business is in the hands of
their trade that they supply nearly one
third of all the goods imported into Bo
Mvia."
What kind of goods do we sell In
this country"
We sell 30 per cent of all the -four
that comes in replied Mr.. zalles. '.and
80 per cent of all the lumber. Flour
comes from the Pacific coast and
nearly all the lumber. consumed is
Oregon pine. We are also selling
great deal of mining machinery and
of galvanized steel sheets for roofing.
American shoes are worn by the mid
die and upper classes. and they are
the best shoes in the market. We are
also selling cotton sheeting. American
typewriters and American hardware.
In all of these branches the trade
might be greatly increased. but only
by having men on the ground who
can drum up the business
But how about credits in Bolivia .
Do the merchants pay for what they
order?"
Yes. They are as honest as we are.
and there is no more trouble in MAX
ing collections. The national credit
is also good. and it has greatly i'm
proved since the contract was made
through w R. Grace & Co. with
Speyers and the National City Bank
for the building of new railroads.
Before that time it was almost i'm
possible for us to get money from
Europe. ] remember that ! went to
London about ten years ago to borrow
a million dollars to build the railroad
from Lake Titicaca to La Paz l could
not get any one to listen to me After
the loan was made by the Speyers the
financial powers of Europe began to
wake up They decided that if the
credit Of Bolivia was good enough for
the Americans it ought to be good
enough for them. and since then we
have had no trouble in borrowing.
There is today a great deal of Eng
lish. French and German money in
vested in Bolivia. and we can get a
loan at any time for any reasonable
amount. Our public debt is not large
considering our population and our re-
sources
What kind of interest rates does
money bring here?'
The rates are much higher than in
the United States. Ordinary loans yield
10 per cent. and for special loans II
per cent and more are received Our
money rises and falls. according to the
demand and supply. just as it does
everywhere At present money is
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

system. giving the country the improv-
ed transportation service which 1t mas
today. Later on the tarquhar Syndi-
cate. incorporated in the United states
with a capital of S25,000.00o, received
concessions for the building of roads
in eastern Bolivia. and. although as
yet nothing has been done on account
of the hard financial conditions through
out the world. this concession may be
revived as times improve.
Associated with the Speyers and the Ma
tional City Bank in the first railroad
building was the firm of W. r. Grace &
co. of New York. II was through this
company. which has long been a power
in South America. that the great railroad
loan was contracted. and through it
came large importations of American ma
chinery. rails and rolling stock, and also
the American civil engineers who laid out
the lines and superintended the construc-
ton.
At about the same time the firm of w.
r. Grace &; Co. established an American
house in La Paz. 1t had long been known
for its work in all the countries along the
west coast. but until then had not paid
much attention to Bolivia and the inte-
rior. Since then it has established selling
agencies in every part of the republic, and
il is now pushing American goods every
where throughout the high Andes. 1t has
divided up Bolivia just as our great
wholesale firms map out their respective
territories, and it has it's commercial
statesmen drumming and pushing Ameri-
can goods in every part of the country
The La PaZ establishment of Grace & Co
is the biggest wholesale house in Bolivia
1t has a business corner that covers
about One-tenth of an acre and its count
ing room lookv like a government depart
ment. 1t has scores of clerks seated at
score of American typewriters fills the
air. Business is done just as in the states.
and the success shows that American
methods will work as well south Of the
equator as they do north of 1t.
During my stay here l have had a chat
with Mr. Jorge Zalles. the local director
of this American firm. He was born in
Bolivia, and thoroughly understands the
people and their trade. He is also well
posted as to our American interests, hav-
ing had some experience in the United
States in a diplomatic capacity. and also
as to the Importation and expectation of
goods from this country to the United
States and Europe. Said he:
There should be great increase in the
business done between the United States
and Bolivia AS it is now, the most of
the trade goes on through Grace & Co..
but there is plenty of room for others
We have to fight the English. the French
and the Germans, and the only way to do
business is to go after it and get it. You