Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-23
Uncle Sam in The Caribbean
5--Tke Town That Was
BIZ Frederic J. Haskin

Charlotte Anlale, St noras, H. w. H. marc
12-Painted pale blue and green and pink bright
and fat in the tropical sunlight, Charlotte Amalie
hangs gracefully upon three hills like gay but
faded and dropping tapestry. Behind it is a
mountain stripped almost bare by hurricanes. At
its feet lies a round harbor of deep Caribbean
blue, tapping gently at the roots OF storm-bat-
tered palm groves.
Everywhere are relics of the towns long and
stored past. The hilltops are crowned by ruined
forts and towers, some Of them three centuries
old, forgotten Of history but rich in legend The
waterfront is Uttered with the old brass and iron
cannon that have been used to fortify the island
in times long gone, or salvaged from the war
ships Of another age. There is nothing really
new about the place, and indeed its appearance
is said to have scarcely changed in hundred
years, save that ships no longer throng the har-
Dor and men the streets as they did in the olden
times.
This has probably been the richest town and
the gayest OF its size in the world Dutch plant
ers have made their fortunes here out of the toll
of slaves; here pirates have come to bury their
spoil, and court their creole sweethearts; here
merchants in the old wind-jammer days have
made millions in few years, and carried them
away, as everyone has carried wealth away from
Charlotte Amalie The people Of Chrlotte ANA
lie who have helped to make so many fortunes,
are poor, and even hungry.
The story of this island begins with the story
of the new world, for Columbus touched here on
his second voyage. Although Dutch English and
Spanish all held the island at times, it was Dan
ish almost continuously from the early seven
tenth century. At first, like St. Croix, it was a
sugar island, and always it was the home of pi-
rates and smugglers. 1t is said that the pirates
never molested the little island, but came there
to be good and get married, and that the plant
ers supplied them with beef and sugar and fruit.
The agricultural career of ST. Thomas came to
a sudden and complete end with the abolition
OF slavery in 1913; for Charlotte Amalie had been
made free port and had become port of call
for the whole Caribbean world. The harbor Of
fered work at high wages to all Corners; the plant
ers could get no labor; everyone became mer-
chant, smuggler, or in some other way got
share OF the money that came to St. Thomas from
all over the world.
Those were the great days of Charlotte ANA
lie. Often the little round harbor was so filled
with ships that man could walk across it upon
their decks. Charlotte Amalie not only offered
safe anchorage and all necessary supplies at
duty-free prices, but she offered royal entertain
ment. At the hotels and the government house
there was one ball after another, and they were
undoubtedly among the most cosmopolitan So
cal affairs that ever were held. Feasts were
given, too, that are said to have rivaled Roman
banquets in their .splendor and variety, for the
choice wines and foods of all the world came to
Charlotte Amalie.
The passing Of the sailing vessel was the great
est blow to the prestige of ST. Thomas port
Of call. The faster and surer steamers had no
such pressing need of halfway harbor But
the Hamburg-American and Leyland lines, to-
gether with tramps, still sent several hundred
ships a year to Charlotte Amalie, and large
part of all the goods shipped to the West Indies
passed through the port.
The names of nearly all the great figures that
made the romance of the Spanish Main are asso-
ciated with the story of Charlotte Amalie. Drake
and Morgan and Captain Kidd and every other
fam and cal he hnr IS
st. Thomas, and legends of buried treasure are
as common around here as rumors at political
convention. On hill north of the town there
is high tower supposed to have been built by
pirate known as Blackboard and to the east is
another known as Bluebeard's tower. Both of
these structures have been thoroughly ransacked
for buried doubloons and pieces of eight without
finding any, but nevertheless they look the part
which legend assigns them. In connection with
the Bluebeard castle there is story which seems
to be sort of St. Thomas version of the Orien-
tai Bluebeard legend, and ought to be of peculiar
interest to students of folk lore.
According to this yarn, Bluebeard was a hand
some pirate with remarkable aptitude for win
ming the feminine heart. He finally himself fell
deeply in love with pretty young Creole girl
named Mercedita, married her and took her to
his tower to live After short honeymoon he
sailed away on a freebooting expedition, leaving
Mercedita to keep tower alone He also en-
trusted her with certain casket which she was
on no account to open
Needless to say, Mercedta opened the casket
as soon as Bluebeard was out of the harbor. She
found therein tender missives addressed to her
husband by no less than seven other pretty young
Creoles of her own set and acquaintance, reveal
ing the shocking fact that Bluebeard was on
terms of intimacy with them all.
In this emergency there was nothing for Mer-
cedita to do but go to an Obeah woman 1t is
said that Obeah women are still consulted about
love affairs in St. Thomas. At any rate, this
Obeah woman gave Mercedita powder which
was to be administered to the other seven women
in order to put an end to their love for Blue
beard. That afternoon Mercedita had a tea
party, invited her seven rivals and gave them all
the Obeah dope in their tea. Thereupon they all
went home, lay down upon their several beds,
and most Economically expired.
Mercedita was tried for witchcraft and murder
and sentenced to be burned on the beach. While
she was being tied to the stake and the faggots
piled around her, Bluebeard returned, made
secret landing and distributed his men in the
crowd. When the penal fire was lit, he chased
the popuace home, whipped the police and car
ried Mercedita triumphantly aboard his sloop. 1t
is said that she subsequently divorced him.
The island is full of such legends, most of them
fanciful no doubt, but made vivid and real to the
visitor by the unspoiled quaintness of the place
and the people.