The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-07-12
Town and Aarbor Of Charlotte Amall..

II Charlotte Amale.
Under the Danish regime the
governor Of the colonies lived in
Charlotte Amalie from October l to
April l, and in Christiansted, on the
island Of st. Crolx, from April / TO
October /. He was assisted by q
colonial council consisting Of four
members nominated by the crown and
eleven elected by the people. How
well. the population was represented
may be judged by the statement that
out Of nearly 1000 inhabitants, in
1891, only 200 were voters. There was
no color line in ST. Thomas, or in
either Of the other islands for that
matter, and the larger part of the
population is OF mixed blood
The state church was Lutheran,
although all others were tolerated
The Catholic and Episcopal congrega-
tious are the largest. The former has
established a fine school for girls. The
Jews have a well-built synagogue while
the Morayians have long been doing
an important Wort, among the negroes
Of the island The Dutch Reformed
and Wesleyan churches have also been
engaged in like work.
May Be Second Gibraltar.
Naval officers declare that st.
Thomas possesses advantages ena-
bling it to be converted into a second
Gibraltar. The structure Of the island,
with its long central ridge. having
q general elevation OF about 1000 feet,
with some points 1900 feet is
especially fitted for the emplacemenr
Of fortifcations commanding both
shores at the same time, making IL
extremely difficult for an enemy to
approach or obtain a foothold on the
island. The elevated ground in the
immediate neighborhood Of the ex-
cellent roadsteads makes the question
OF harbOr defense comparatively
easy one. While being near other
Islands 81. Thomas is practically in
the open ocean and permits entrance
and egress Of fleet without being OBJ
served.
ST John, the smallest OF the three
islands with a good harbor In Coral
Bay, is only miles long aud !
miles wide in its broadest part. II
has a population Of less than 1000 4;
but It Is an island that has done great
service 10 America, for 1t is from here
that come the leaves Of the bay tree
(Pimenta acriS), from which that we'll
nigh Indispensable toilet article for
men, bay rum, is prepared While
most OF the bay rum Is made IN ST.
Thomas, 81. John produces most of
the raw materials from which It is
distilled
This island once had many logwood
trees On lt. but they have almost
entirely disappeared. Charcoal has
long been In demand and the natives
use logwOod In lis manufacture. All
Of the islands have q striking variety
OF vegetation. l.2JO species having
been counted on ST. Thomas, and O
proportionate number on ST. John and
81. Croix The plantain banana,
sapodilla, bell apple, orange, mango
and lemon thrive sugar-cane flourish
es when cultivated according to
tvpT.vv, lt.tH,-He
Communication between ST. Thomas
and ST. john Is maintained by several
S'oopS. one Of these has history
ot more than IA century 10 active ser.
vice. Il is the vigllant which has
been, iu turn, pirate slave trader and
man.o-war Then she became a pro.
sale dispatch boat. carrying mail and
cargo between he several Islands.
ST. crolS the Largest
S. Cro.x Is the largest, richest, and
most popu,ous OF the three islands. II
lies 40 miles south.southeast Of ST.
Thomas has an area OF S4.2j square
miles, and population OF approx.
imately 10000 Il has much rich
sugar land. more than 1000 acres
being devoted 10 the crop. Ii Is
purely agricultural. with a fne tropical
climate, excellent sccEery. good roads
and hosp.Jable people. Here. as In
the other Islands. one hears perhap,
more English spoken than any Other
tongue The Danes never attempted
90 interfere with the native prefererc,
for English and never made Daulsi
compulsory lu The schools.
The island Is perhaps more lik,
"UnItcd States" than any other terri
tory ln Me West Indian group. Be
fore The days n Bermudos oscendenc,
ne a winter resort and OF Palm Beach
the Riviera and other places. man,
fashionable Americans journeyed &,
ST. CroIx 10 escape the cold. Also th
children OF The prominent families O
81 Croix came TO The United State
to study. Tor the 81. Croix plante
admired America and her strnlrh,
from.the.shouldcr way Of doing thing