Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-02-02

About five O'Clock in the afternoon
we came out upon a bluff overlooking
the Atlantic. Soon our way led down
ward to sea level and we turned down
a rough and narrow road to the beach.
The young people went in bathing.
Mrs. Brewer and l spread our picnic
supper. 1t was dark before we finish
eJ eating and we put things in shape
fer starting on again by the fash
light. About a uozen natives, mostly
children were hanging around and
gladly ate all left overs.
For miles and miles before reach
ing Mayagues we rode through an
avenue OF beautiful trees-an ave-
nge of dreams it seemed, too exqui-
sitely wonderful to be true. Maya
CUES, one of the principal cities of the
island, came into existence in 1853.
Its commodious harbor which affords
a safe anchorage for large vessels is
frequently visited by steamers from
various parts of the world The
American railroad has two stations
within the city.
We stopped at a clean and fairly
comfortable hotel which occupies a
whole city block and keeps its large
patronage chiefly by advertising. In
addition to the customary stationery
they give guests a collection of post
cards-all various views Of the hotel
On Tuesday morning, we drove
through the grounds of the Agricul-
tural Experiment Station. The prin-
cipal buildings of the College are high
up on a table land over looking fine
valleys.
AS we left Mayagues we were hin
dered more than usual by the ever
bothersome OK teams. 1t takes as long
to wait for OK teams to side track, or
! if there be several, to wind out and
in among them, as it does to travel
the distance you are going.
We turned off from the main road
on to one Of the roughest roads ever
saw to visit the little town of Horma-
gueros noted for its very old church
and the wonderful cures performed
! there. We were shown through the
church and spent some time in it's de-
| hcious GOODNESS. The man in charge
took US into a small room where are
kept the vestments, the incense, and
| the wonderful robes of the Priest.
These were the most costly and gor-
geous pieces of apparel l ever saw.
We ate dinner in Hormagueros in
a Porto Rican home, walking over the
! horse shoe planted in the floor of the
doorway.
| We passed through San Germau a
very old city but not so large as May
agues. San Germau was founded in
/ the year 1912 and was named by Die
GO Columbus, son of the great dis
! css erer. The first municipal council
was authorized by Royal Decree of
February 4th, 1915. The town was
many times attacked and destroyed by
Carib Indians and pirates. There was
built in 1888, by the Dominican Friars
a church which is still standing and
is the oldest church on the Island. We
drove by this church and also by part
of the old city wall.
! Further on we again left the home
ward road to visit Guanica the larg-
est sugar cane center in the world.
We crossed the mountains between
Guanica and Ponce in that best hour
of the day-the one just before the
sun is gone. The mountain scenery
OverWhelms you-you can feel it but
cannot give your feeling expression
! The wonderful mystic light of the
golden sunset glow upon the noun.
tains simply takes ones breath away
Every turn of the road brought to oul
view a new vision beautiful. We ar.
rived in Ponce at $3.50 and had sup
per there.
The home stretch-the evening ride
of thirty-six miles with the star dust
ed sky over the musical silence Of
beautiful tropical trees, vines, and al
plant life between, was enjoyed b!
: every one, but the brilliant lights o.
Guayama (Guayama is the best light
ed city on the Island), did look goot
, to US.
E We were thankful for safe re
5 turn after the beautiful, interesting
a and wonderful four days trip aroun'
the Island.