Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-11-23

abundant water supply provided hy
the ever-flowinE and llfe-prOduclng riv-
er Baada. the Ahana 81 the Bible.
Rising some miles northwest OF the
city. the river Is conducted TO an parts
~ Damascus through thousands II
channels. IL IS also tapped to irri-
gate the gardens, orchards. and fields
outside the city that are constantly
under cultivation 10 supply the needs
~ the inhabitants.
There are many pleasant spots by
she rivers side. whittier the Da-
mascenes resort after the work and
business Of the day TO pass an hour
over the coffee cup or the ever-accept.
able water pipe as they talk over the
news ~ the day or the doings OF the
outer world as revealed TO them
through the Arabic or Turkish papers
Would you investigate closer some
Of the most primitive and interesting
d0Ings II the Damaseene. turn aside
10 the place where the famous Damas
Gus curtains are made. and there In
semldarkneSs you will find dozens OF
lads and men engaged In weaving
these requisites of the home on the
most primitive 81 looms. and yet they
are able 20 produce an article that
viii compete with anything from the
most complete aud up-to-date factory
In Europe.
or. would you see how thousands
u bushels of -four and measures OF
oh are produced. you have only to turn
aside into one Of the many mills "a
see that instead OF steam the patient
camel Is used % turn the mill whose
stones crush the grain or bruise the
berries or seeds from which different
oils are extracted. Some will say,
primitive. indeed; hut the Damas-
Genes reply would be that Il is ef'
fective and inexpensive: and, where
time Is OF little object, these are Inn
portant items.
Views From a Minaret.
But the sights II Damascus are not
an un the streets. For good view
II the city itself one must get the IA
vor OF a minmuet keeper. and have his
PERMISSION TO climb 10 the gallery OF
the miuaret and from there look out
over the roofs. courts. towers. and
streets az the city below. BE il said
a. the credit 81 the Damascene that,
although be j. a faithful follower Of
the desert prophet" the fanaticism
~o often exhibited by MOhammedans
Is absent Ia him.
An interesting outlook ~ the city Is
obtained from minaret near the wes'
end of -the street called Straight
Prom this position one Immediately
auurerIates how well that ancient
thorourhfare deserves its name, for
Ia runs ia direct line across the
city from west 10 east for about one
ana half miles. This street which
is rnofed i'm. stim bears the same name
as In the DAYS Of the Apostle Paul.
The principal attraction Of the city
Is the great mosque. which Is located
In the heart of the busy capital and
can only be reached through one 81
it, many pOpulous streets. This spa
cious resort for worship was rebuilt
early in the Twentieth century the
fuudS being contributed from all parts
~ the Moslem world. for Ina 1888 The
.fi6ce had been almost entirely de-
stroyed by fire.
The mosque has had a varied ex'
nerience. being at one time a heather
remple. then q Christian church. then
held Jointly by the Mohammedans and
Christians and used as church and
moSoue az the same time; but since
the Eighth century the Mohammedans
have had the sole use OF Il Tor thei'
own purposes.
In the mosque is the reputed tcsnu
~ John the Baptist's head. shrine
respected alike by Mohammedans and
CHRISTIANS. The local tradition says
mat after the execution % the Mes
slah,s forerunner his head was sent
- Damascus. then the capital OF the
district over which Herod had juris
airtion. so that his superior Officer
might see thar the deed had really
n.sn soDe and one supposed inciter "a
rebellion disposed Of. When the Sar'
areB con0ueror KhsiId captured Da'
r,.srus ana was searching the church
for treasure. he came across thls
revered relic and caused Il 10 be IN
TERED and covered by nne structure