Meade County news., 1916-07-13

/ seapOrts of Bluefields, Cabo Graclas a
Dios, Las Perlas and San Juan del
Norte, popularity known as Greytown,
Because of its inaccessiblllty froin
the Atlantic seaboard the trip to Mana
qua is most conveniently made from
CorintO. the principal port on the Pa.
citic. 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 splendid wharf, and as you de-
scend the gangplank you meet a good,
ly number Of the population who eager
ly look forward to boat days for acl
ti"ity and excitement. Men and won.
en- crowd the wharf with gay-coloret
birds, brilliantly plumaged 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 haE-
Dor is dotted with green islands AMI
the shores lined with tall graceful
palms. The streets are clean and well
laid out. Trees and flowers bloora
everywhere, the wooden-framed build
ings are tidily kept, while the many
well-stocked shops bespeak the coul-
merclal 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 q pleasant
revelation of the character of the coun.
try. Leaving the rolling waves OF the
Pacific, its shore bordered with the
towering coconut palms and man.
groves, you soon come upon the bank
i Of wide and deep inlet Of the se,l,
the Paso de Caballos. Crossing this,
areas of thriving sugar plantations
stretch before you.
About 35 miles from COrInto you
come to Leon, the largest city in the
republic-the distributing center for
the coffee and mining districts Of Mata-
galDa, Segovia and Jlnotega. There
Is considerable movement about the
station. You jump into one Of tho
coaches, and drive through the wide
and fairly level streets brings you to
the main hotel-large, airy, clean and
comfortable. En- route you observe the
many quaint low homes thrown into
contrast here and there by a larger
and more elaborate structure. Leon
is n busy city of G0,0O0 people. 1t has
a number Of fine public buildings, a
law and medical school, a number of
attractive clubs, and life I'm that city is
as enjoyable as 1t Is charming.
Leon, it will be remembered, was
time-honOred rival Of Granada for the
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 housing
the national government Of the repub-
lie fell to Managua. Leon boasts of one
Of the largest cathedrals in Latin
America. Great and massive, 1t fronts
one side of the plaza and either side
Of the entrance steps is guarded by
the lion of CASTLE. For over century
and q half this edIfice has witnessed
and withstood the historic trials Of the
nation.
Managua, the Capital.
After a pleasant stay at Leon you
| resume your journey to the capital.
Once more you pass through fiat grass
lands interspersed with charming
woodland. Here and there stretch be-
fore you expanses Of cultivated areas.
Presently Momotombo 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 Managua The drive to the hotel
takes you through large part Of the
city, and you get your first glimpses
of the various public buildings, parks,
homes, stores, and streets of the cap
ltal.
Managua lies on the south shore OF
the lake of the same name, a body of
water covering 16 miles In width and
over TWICE that In length. At some lit
tie distance away and connected by
River Tlpitapa is wonderful Lake
Nicaragua, sheet Of water nearly 100
miles long and 40 miles wide.
At Leon you are impressed with the
commercial activity of the city. In
Granada you will observe general
llveliness in the life in general. The
spirit of Managua is also distinctive.
There is more of the quiet and dig
nifty that BELTS a capital city. Among
the public buildings worthy of special
notice are the national palace, the
presidents palace, the Offices Of the
other departments, and the arsenal
| kkoG e,tordo. -, n htlI ovarIooirtne, fha