Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-07-27


Dios, Las Perlas and San JuaNld
Norte, popularity known as Greyto@n.
Because of its inaccessibility from
the Atlantic seaboard the trip to Mama
qua is most conveniently made from
Gorinto. the principal port on the Pa
cific. On this coast there is also the
port of San Juan del Sur, an outlet
for the department of Rivas.
AT Corinto your vessel docks along.
side q splendid wharf, and as you de-
scend the gangplank you meet a good
ly number Of the population who eager
~ look forward to boat days for dc
tivity and excitement. Men and wet{.i
en- crowd the wharf with gay-coIored
birds, brilliantly plumagcd macaws.
verdant parrots and parrakeets, tiger
and puma skins, panama hats, offer
ing them for sale, and there are lively
scenes along the dock throughout the
stay of the ship. Corinto itself Is
pretty port. The entrance to the bar
Dor is dotted with green islands Ia
the shores lined with tall graceful
palms. The streets are clean and well
laid out. Trees and flowers bloom
everywhere, the wooden-framed build
ings are tidily kept, while the many
well-stccked shops bespeak the COM
lpercial importance of this place. Along
the main street to within few min
utes' walk from the water front runs
the railroad, and here you entrain for
the capital city.
Leon the Largest City.
The trip to the capital is a pleasant
revelation of the character CT the coun-
try Leaving the rolling waves of She
Pacific, its shore bordered with hhe
towering coconut palms and MAN
groves, You soon come upon the bank
Of wide and deep inlet Of the sea,
the Paso de Caballos. Crossing this.
areas Of thriving sugar plantations
stretch before you.
About So miles from Corinto you
come to Leon, the largest city in the
republic-the distributing center for
the coffee and mining districts of Mata-
gapa, Segoyia and Jinotega. There
is considerable movement about the
station. You jump into one of the
coaches, and drive through the wide
and fairly level streets brings you toll
the main hotel-large, airy, clean and
comfortable. En- route you observe thel
many quaint low homes thrown intol
contrast here and there by a larger
and more elaborate structure. LeonI
is busy city of 10000 people. It hasI
q number Of fine public buildings, al
law and medical school, a numAer oil
attractive clubs, and life in that city isl
as enjoyable as 1t is charming.
Leon, it will be remembered was al
time-honCred rival of Granada for thet
site of the capital, and so spirited did
the contest for this honor frequently
become that compromise city had TO
be chosen, and the privilege of housinos
the national government Of the repub-
lie fell to Managua. Leon boasts of one
OF the largest cathedrals in Latin
America. Great and massive, it fronts
one side of the plaza and either side
OF the entrance steps is guarded by
the lion of CASTLE. For over a century
and half this edifice has witnessed
and withstood the historic trials of the
nation.
Managua, the Capital.
Alter pleasant stay at Leon you
resume your journey to the capital.
oEce more you pass through fiat grass
lands interspersed with charming
woodland. Here and there stretch be-
Iore you expenses CT cultivated areAs.
presently Molnetonbo greets you}a
beautiful volcano, erect, Imposing, and
constantly sending forth little volumes
OF smoke that pass Off into white
clouds as they ascend the skies. And
then Manag.lal The drive to the hotel
takes you through large part of the
oty, aad You get your first glimpses.
OF the various pubic buildings M
horlcs, stores, and streets of the can
itai.
Maflagua lies on the south shore Of
the lake OF the same name. body DC
water covering is miles in width and0
over twice that in length. At some lit-
ne distance away and connected by
River Tipitapa is wonderful Lake
Nicaragua, a sheet of water nearly 100
miles long aud 40 miles wide.
AT Leon you are impressed with the
commercial activity Of tie city. In
u''hiada Won will observe a general
hveljness in the life in general. TLA
spirit OF Managua is also distinctiyAA
mere IS more of the quiet and dig
nity That BELTS capital city. Among
lie public buildings worthy of special
ho'ice are the national palace. the
presidents palace the Offices of the
ofh T departments, and the a kal
fhat stands on hill overlooking the
ri.ln street.