The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1919-01-09

~ ANINtahs lfALfN l~lflN tllIL
IS but 40 miles from the
northern coast Of Venezuela and only
a little more than 100 miles from La
Guayra port town FOR Caracas. capital
Of Venezuela. 10 other island 81 the
West Indies 50 nearly represents, by
It's physical appearance and its peO-
pie. the country OF the Zuyder Zee as
does this quaint, pretty and very hos
pitable little island. chief possession
of the Dutch in the Caribbean.
The sea comes into Wiliemstad,
port city Of Curacao, 10 form a land
locked harbor. unlike any other lu the
West indies. This harhor. which is
nearly half q mile long. very deep and
laree. forms q spacious port ~ eall for
many ships ar one time. Two Dutch
FORTS which are none tar formidable
81 looks. hut which auUeal to ONE he-
cause Of rhrir elulrfv. s0u.her,
"Dutchy' appearance. guard the en-
france 10 the harhor. A bridge spans
the narrow channel just above the
forts, and is swung back for ships
coming iR or going out, 10 leave the
way clear.
About the town Of Willemstad itself
there Is a charming influence which
Immediately wins the stranger. so
much Ike the mother country Is this
little port. The architecture Is Dutch
the buildings themselves might have
been brought bodily from Amsterdam,
SO much do they resemble the physical
features Of that Dutch city. The town
Is built down 70 the water front on
both sides OF the main inlet OF the har-
Dor as wei as along the lagoon
just above the forts and on the
right side as a ship enters. stands
the governors home and the general
government buildings. a pleasing sight
Extending along the same side and
also running along the opposite shore
are the business houses. which stand
but a few feet bLck from the water
itself.
Entering the Harbor.
As the ship drifts toward its dock
a passenger may get a good view OF
the town. The architecture fas-
cinates: the busy condition OF the dock
and adjoining streets. where hundreds
of people seem TO swarm at their work.
gives an impression OF hustling. and
much alive tropical town As the
ship goes on past a break in the line
OF buildings the lagoon is observed TO
the right. and down TO its edge hun
dreds Of homes whose tile roofs appear
I'm varied contrast under the sun. These
homes. the passenger Will soon learn.
II he chooses TO hire an automobile at
So an hour to ride about the town, are
ideal In cleanliness.
Many ships are always TO be found
In the WIllemstad harbor. Even dur
ing the war there usually are three or
four steamers at dock In addition to
many one, two and three-masted sail
ing schooners, which ply between Gu
racao and ports OF Venezuela Be
cause OF these ships and for the ren-
son that many business houses are
down at the edge OF the water, Willem-
stad gives an immediate impression OF
much hustle and activity.
The business places themselves. even
with ships absent. would contribute
much toward making this same impress
sion. And. due 10 these scenes nj the
dock. during the hours Of regular BUSH
ness. the passenger. even though he
never leaves his ship. always carries
away picture OF this little town that
he never win forget.
Back among the homes that border
upon the water OF the lagoon is 10 be
found "Spotless Town." If anywhere
In the world outside of Holland such
q town exists These homes, with their
Dutch architecture. are as free from
dirt and other things that detract
from good looks and comfort as any
homes can be.
The Kitchens are spick and span.
With floors scrubbed white and corners /
ontirely free from dirt The living /
rooms. the bedrooms, the dining rooms
ali are ideal In cleanliness.
Most Of the Population coIored.
Curacao has q population OF nearly