Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-11-22
GR'EAT HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS
In Puerto Plata Impetus to Christians
g ity and Commerce Alike.

For the first time since Christo-
pher Columbus landed on the Island
Of Santo Domingo a road has been
opened from Santo Domingo city on
the south to puerto Plata. on the
northern side Of the island, thus con-
nectinglthe two principal seaports Of
the republic and opening to cultiva-
tion some Of the richest agricultural
lands In the island. Incidentally the
new highway cuts off from ten to
twelve days Of the long and tortuous
journey from Santo Domingo city to
New York.
American marines, in the times
when they We're not busy maintain
ing order in the disturbed republic,
have built this highway, which holds
out rtch promise for the future de-
velopment Of the island. About $50
miles long, 1t puts Puerto Plata on
the north and San.o Domingo city
on the south in close touch with the
coastwise shipping on both the At
lantic and the Caribbean. Freight
and passenger traffic from Santo Do
mingo city, on the Caribbean, which
heretofore had 20 be carried around
the south, east and northern ends of
the island to Puerto Plata before
going north-Ia journey Of from ten
to twelve days-may now, in a few
hours, proceed over the new road to
Puerto plata for shipment.
When Columbus landed on the site
Of Santo Domingo city in 1909 he
founded the Church Of San Nikolo,
which is still in existence Now the
missionaries Of the Episcopal church
in the Dominican Republic, in COM
memoration Of the completion Of the
new highway, are establishing an
other church at Puerto Plata. Land
has been secured, and in a few more
months the new edidce will he dedi-
Gated by way Of completing the link
between the two sections of the Re-
public.
Under Rt.Rev. Charles B. Colmore.
D. D., Episcopal Missionary Bishop
Of Porto Rico and the Dominican Re
public, Archdeacon William Wyllie
and wife have been the leaders in
the movement to establish the new
church, and Mrs. Wyllie enjoys the
distinction of being the first woman
to take the journey over the new
highway from Santo Domingo city to
Puerto Plata. Mrs. Wyllie, who has
just passed through New York on
her way back to Dominica, having
made the journey from the Island to
Portland, Oregon, and back to attend
the Episcopal General Convention, Is
one Of the busiest individuals IN The
little West Indian Republic. In ad-
dition to her missionary duties she
manages the United States Govern
mont Hospital in Dominica, and, in
manner Of speaking, has presided
as master Of ceremonies at the birth
of all the many children who have
been born in Dominica since the be-
ginning Of the American occupation
She was the only nurse on the island
when the influenza epidemic broke
out there, and has endeared herself
to the entire population, native and
foreign alike, by her ministrations.
Archdeacon Wyllie, her husband,
is similarly busily employed. He is
one OF those who have carried prac-
tical experience With life into the
missionary service. At one time In
his career he was an engineer on a
Scotch tramp ship in West Indian
waters. He Is credited with know
ing moro about The Dominican coast
than any other man south of the
Florida Straits, and on frequent oc-
casions, when he is coasting about
on missionary trips, he is called from
his bunk during the late and early