The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1918-01-02
Palace. MerIda.

~eh'hN' VA NtNthu WHICH lVFP .t-
quired riches In connection with the
great industry. the growing of the
unEuey aud the production Of henc-
quen. Merida. while not ns old ms the
port OF SieRi, dntcs from 1912, when n
settlement was founded by francisco
MonteJo on the site OF The ancient
Maya city OF TIhoo. Today one OF the
most Interesting buildings to he seen
In Merida is the casa MontcJo. stlll
well preserved after wenthcrIng the
sunshine and storms OF centuries. An
other ediiice which every visitor
should see is the cathedral which was
Htnrtcd In 1851 and not completed for
nearly 40 years.
For those fond OF seeing relies Of
bygone ages II visit to the museum
Will be full Of Interest. ind especially
so II some OF the ancient Yucainn
ruins are to he seen and explored. In
the former one may inspect articles
and curios TINT have been collected
from the ruins and rcnlly
link connecting the art and trade OF
pnst centuries with present peoples.
Merida, commercially, industrinlly.
and Hoclally hns greatly improved dur
ing recent ycnrs. Streets aud avenues
hive been paved with asphalt. clcc
tricity has been provided. lRhor-saving
machinery introduced, and otherwise
life and conditions have been modern
lied.
Dramatically. Merida Is hot. bu,
hcnlthfnl. During the hours OF midi
day the suns rays ARE extremely I'M.
pleasant nnd the stranger is told tn
keep In the shndc. Cool breczcs from
the surrounding peas. however. often
temper he neat OF the whole penln-
sula. The months OF March and April
nre regarded MS especially trying to
the newcomer In my part OF Yucatnn;
'lnter by fur Is the best season for
listing the country. and during these
months lie excursion To the famous
ruins existing In several different
parts of the peninsula can be made
With II FUR degree of comfort. Tho
temperature In Merida ranges from
about - degrees to 0S degrees Fnhren-
hcit
Volan the Popular Vehicle.
The visitor In Merida for the first
time Will he Interested In native We
hlclc known lis the "volnn." which
might BE- nptly termed half brother
OF the famous calash OF Quebec. The
volnn has two big wheels and is usual
~ drawn by threa ponies working
abreast II Is provided with casyrid-
Ing springs. II thick mattress floor GOV.
crlng offers soft seat on the floor Of
the vehicle. while top with side cur
tnlps protects the traveller from the
suns rnys. Highways In Yucntnn have
not greatly improved with the degree
of the prosperity of the land, md the
volnn seems tn be n popular method
of oss.country transportation. The
stranger out of curiosity, II for moth
Ing else, usually goes for ride In this
rather novel means OF travel.
Minellns with the business men OF
Merida provides excellent opportuni-
ties for studying the commercial side
OF affairs and found many of these
gentlemen Willing TO tnlk freely about
Sucntnn's future outlook. One OF the
first things which seems 10 have I'M
pressed itself upon the average resi-
dent is the improved condition provid'
cd for the laboring classes, such ~
higher wages for work and generally
more freedom OF action than I'm fer.
mcr years. Better wages out on the
hcncQucn plantation Is OF course re-
hcctci In the business activities OF
Merida. for the latter Is not only the
capital OF the state but place In
which everything ccnters, The work
Ing day has been reduced to eight
hours, and for this time the heneQuen
luhorer is pnid the equivalent $3.50 to
81: FIVE days tho Yucatecan works
and two days OF the week nre reserved
! for rest and recreation. On the lnrger
plantations schools have been opened
at the expense OF the landowner. and
numerous improved sanitary reguia-
tions nre in force.
II the stranger tsrries In Merida he
is likely to have opportunities for
! seeing something of tho home life OF
the people. Even during stroll along
the best residential streets glance
into open-door patios reveals charm.
ing flower gardens and degree OF
/ comfort and refinement not noticeable
from outward appearances OF the ay.
crnge private home. Many OF Merida's
/ citizens nre hospitable 10 marked
degree. and when the foreign visitor
hnds favor and is Invited 10 the family
circle he Is oa the road 20 many en-
II. e..