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

iNDlitt CUSTOM Win Inc nv,
erngc sea captain. and the occa-
sion to which we write WIS no cxcct,
lion. For several hours our shlp'a
course had been guided by flashes SroIn
the friendly lighthouse, and tho Inter
we knew stood on the Yucatnn shore
nj Progreso. The morning broke calm
ana peacefully over the tropical wa.
tors of the gulf. md soon the move
ment of anchor chnins automatically
announced TINT the limit had been
rcnchcd-the limit OF deep watcr-and
five miles awny lny Progreso, one of
the worlds most Important shipping
ccntcrs Of hcnenucn or hemp.
Going nshore ut progrcso Is rather
mn exciting novelty II not dangerous
experience, writes William A. Reid In
the Bulletin OF the pan-American
Union. The sea Is nlive with sharks,
anu they nrc dartlng here and there
nbout the biz ship. to the constcrna-
ton of the stranger. The ciear waters
which bnthe this shore seem to accen.
tuntc the Rize OF these monsters. md
while the visitor shud,icrs tho boat-
men on the ships tender, ms we are
'Nuhhihk tlol tNNihs ulltuUCt lUuk
arrangements may then ind there be
nndc for II shark fishing excursion
later In the day.
Progrcso from the sen presents long
rows of houses thanked on either end
by miles OF sandy benches, while
tall lighthouse nbout the center of the
port dominates the surroundings. The
general appearance IL attractive, and
even more SO when we notice tidy
buildings und the clcnnly clothing OF
even the laborins class. The time was
August when we arrived In Progreso-
nbout the very worst season OF the
year for the foreign visitor In Yucca.
tan: but business matters do not walt
for the most propitlous occasions. As
II natter OF fact, the winter season In
the United Stntes furnishes the best
time dramatically fol visiting Yucotan.
Few Sights TO Sec In prooreso.
Sightseeing In rrogreso does not
dctaiu the visitor. But the port with
It's 5000 people Is usually Il busy one
ns the bulk OF the vnst hcneQucn crop
passes via Progrcso 10 world mnrkets
The smaller ships calling for cargo
manage To draw much closer to port
Than the big ocean vessels; but when
the long-tnlkcd.of piers nre construct
cd several miles out iuto the roadstcad
the handling OF the country's COM
tncrcc will be greatly facilitated.
In the shipping season the town
presents unusually active scenes With
its trucks, mules, and men. One might
Imagine himself amid the cotton bales
nj New Orleans. So much do hcncQuen
and cotton resemble each other IN tho
method Of shipment ind slzo OF bales
BY and by the day grows warmer.
and one Is glad to bou-d tho train for
Merida, 80 miles southwark. Travel
Ing on thls ,hrce-foot gauge rond Ia
cheap. being only about two cents q
fcrcd. Slowly through the suburbs OF
progrcso our trim steatns, but soon
we are moving repidiy over level
country with II dry and parched ap.
ncarancc. Astounding In shrubs. cacti,
and coarse grasses, but 70 this condi-
ton Yucatan owes Its vast revenue de-
rived from the marvellous little inagucy
plant and It's product Here and there
are breaks in the harrenness and we
catch sight OF swamps with lilies and
other water plants. a relief to look
upon.
AS our train proceeds, with stops
NJ little stations On route. the cars
are better filled. and at the same time
opportunities are afforded for getting
close sllmpscs OF the heneQucn work
crs md thcir fields Of mnXuey plants
that lie IN view from the car window.
Long before sighting Merida the land
scapc becomes dotted with wlndmills.
and when finally the capital city Ia
reached one can almost Imagine him
self in old Holland or barbados, about
tile only difference being thst Yuntan
has the modcrn-styie mill. Thcse wind
mills explain that Merida. like other
regions OF the country. must pump wa.
Ter from beneath the surface. SO few
nrc the lakes and streama
Driving About Merida.
After being made comfortable In one
OF Mcrida's hotels we start out TO view
the city. There is 10 lack of vehicles
and the strnngcr Is literally swamped
with proEers of delightful drive
Most OF these small carriages. gener-
lly drnwn by q single pony, have rub
tires. and many nrc kept ccnspicu
~ clean and inviting looking
spite the dust OF the suburban sec.
.ors Of the city.