August 27,18 o. OMAHA IMjTJSTBATED BEE.
Uncle Sam's Valuable
but Little Known Islands
( Copyrighted , 1S99 , by Prank G. Carpenter. )
ISABELLA SEGUNDA , Isle of Vieques ,
Aug. 8. ( Special Correspondence of The
Bee. ) I have spent the pnst week In
gathering Information about some of Undo
Sam's unknown islands. By our treaty with
Spain wo secured scores of Islands In addi
tion to Porto Klco. Some of these nro
points of rock built up by coral Insects ,
forming little more than spots on the face
of the sea. Others nro of considerable value
and , among them , those -which I describe In
this letter. I am writing now on Vieques ,
the Island of crabs , which lies thirteen
miles east of Porto nicd and not very far
from St. Thomas. It Is sixty-four mlli-s
from Sou Juan , and Is connected with the
mainland by the little government jtoaincr ,
the Sloctitn , which comes to It with supplies
- > for the soldiers and the mall once every
week. Through the kindness of the .inarter-
master at San Juan I was allowed to pass
on the Slocum during Its present voyage ,
and by it was landed in Isabella Segunda ,
Wo began to pass Islands which belong to
Uncle Sam as soon as wo left San Juan.
Wo sailed by several on our way out of the
harbor , and then turned to the east and
steamed for hours along the north coast of
Porto Rico , Just outside a reef of low coi.il
Islets upon which the blue waves lashed
themselves , casting up a line of white foam.
* * Behind this snowy fringe wo could see the
blue mountains rising In a rolling line of
beauty which was now and ithen lost In the
clouds. We saw more clouds as wo pro
ceeded. They hung about the Islands , wrap
ping the mountains with their nebulous
humidity. This region Is very moist and
* i clouds are one of the peculiar features of
all Porto Rlcon scenery. They are full of
rain which now and then drops down in a
needle-Ilko spray and at .times falls In
sheets and streams. There are clouds every
where. They hang so close to the moun-
. as to make you think that you could
by climbing the hills turn on the spigots
of itho heavens and have shower baths to
order.
Our Xew Iji'iior Ixliiml.
We saw Islands .1 , front of us shortly
ON THE PHOSPHATE ISLANDS.
after wo left the capital , and after steamIng -
Ing for several hours we passed Capo San
Juan at the northeastern end of Porto
Itlco proper and had the Culebra islands
almost directly in front of us. The Cule
bra Islands are quite large. Some contain
hundreds of acres of rolling iland rising
like mountains out of the sea. Ono of
them Is of especial Interest Just now , because -
cause It has been chosen as u homo for
the leper population of Porto Rico ,
There are a number of lepers scattered
throughout the country , and Uncle Sam
Is doing all he can to gather them together
"mid Isolate them. Th.o lepers are very ac
cretive and It Is difficult to find out Junt
who they are. The poor herd together to
such an extent that the danger of con
tamination Is great and so itho government
has chosen this island. At present there
'are eleven lepers In the hospital at San
Juan and four more have been reported ns
living in different parts of Porto Rico.
As wo passed the Culebra group I could
see the Island which has been chosen. It is
known as "Louis Pona. " It rises about -100
feet above sea level , contains 400 acres , Is
covered with a dense growth of tropical
vegetation. About one-half of It can bo
cultivated , and there nro now cattle and
goats upon it. It will ralso all kinds of
vegetables and the tropical fruits peculiar
to Porto Illco. There are plenty of fish In
the wpters about It. Us woods contain
parr/te and also game birds much like our
. JV-Serlcan pheasants. There are also turtles
and shell fish In the waters about the coast
and It Is believed that the leper colonies
will bo largely self-supporting. The govern
ment expects to build a ) hospital on the
Msland. It will give the lepers houses and
will supply them with seeds and farming
tools and will stimulate them In every way
lo form a society of their own ,
The government boats will visit the Island
at regular Intervals with supplies for the
lepers , but otherwise the colony will be
completely Isolated from the rest of the
world.
Down the Kant Count of I'orto Illco ,
Sailing by this Island , our little steamer
skirted the Island of Palominos , steaming
southward toward Vieques. Afar off In
front of the ship wo could see Vieques , a
hazy blue line of low mountains floating , ns
If were , upon the sea apparently about
twenty or thirty miles away. We did not
go direct , but first entered the harbor of
the town of Fajardo , on the nortbcaatorn
coast of Porto Rico , and then made our way
south to the harbor of Humacao. Wo were
so close to the mainland that wu could see
the sugar plantations which line the shores.
They were great squares of light green shinIng -
Ing out of the brown fields about them.
Back of the green rose the navy blue moun
tains of the Porto Rlcan backbone , with the
peak El Yunque , the highest mountain of
the island , towering above them. At the
port for Humacao we came to anchor In a
bay surrounded by cocoanut trees. Here
we landed a hogshead of ice for some of
our army officials , who are stationed about
six miles back from the coast , and then
turned and ' steamed eastward toward
Vieques.
It took us little more than an hour to
come from Porto Rico Into the harbor of
Isabella iSesunda. This Is on the north
coast of tbo island , about midway between
its two ends. Vieques consists of a moun
tain rldgo about twenty-one miles long and
six miles wJde. It Is beautifully ereen and
the low mountains rise and fall , forming a
rolling country. In which are some of the
most fertile lands of our West Indian pos
sessions. The soil ils such that it will grow
all kinds of vegetables and fruits. The
Island has a number of large sugar planta
tions and it raises the best cattle of the
West Indies.
The chief harbor Is that of Isabella Se-
gunda , although there is a port on the south
which gives a better landing place. The
liarbor here Is surrounded by chills and it is
unsafe at the time of the northerly winds.
As it was , our little steamer had to anchor
far out from shore and I climbed down a
rope ladder Into a boat , -which carried mete
to the wharf. It was a ride of perhaps two
miles and the landing ait the little pier which
runs out Into the ocean was by no means
easy.
Isabella Segunda nestles among the hills
right on the beach. At one side of it there
is a lilac-colored lighthouse and on the
1:111 back of the town Is a moss-grown fort ,
built by the Spaniards , which is now a bar
racks for our soldiers. The town has about
1,000 population. It Is made up of square
ono-story cottages with galvanized Iron
roofs. The houses are built along wide unpaved -
paved streets , which cross one another at
right ancles. The streets are shaded beau
tifully by great trees , Many of the homes
have pretty gardens about them. There are
benches on the sides of the front doors
and altogether ovoryithlng looks thrifty and
clean. In the center of the town there Is a
plara , with a public cistern for the poor.
The people of Vieques number , nil told ,
about 0,000 , They are not like the Porto
Rlcans. The Island during the seventeenth
nnd olEhteenth centuries belonged to the
English and French , and , although for the
last 100 years It has been under Spanish
rule , it still has English and French among
Its people. It has many negroes , who speak
English , most of whom have come from
the island of St. Thomas to labor on the
plantations. Tbo richest of the planters
are French , and the French language is
largely used throughout the island.
Vieques has several large horse ranches ,
The animals are allowed to run out all the
year round. The grass is good and no grain
Is required. It is the same with the Vieques
cattle , which are raised for export to Porto
Rico and Cuba , Those which I have seen
are much larger than the ordinary run of
cattle in the United States. Many of the
2-year-old steers will weigh 1,100 or 1,200
pounds. The prices of cattle * are lower
( Continued on Eighth Pngo. )
A SCENE NEAR LiARAMIE ON THE UNION PACIFIC.
Wyoming as a Vacation
Resort for Tourists
There Is no better district. In the llocky
Mountains for a holiday or camming tour
than Wyoming1. The stillness of the moun
tains soothes and quiets those who have be
come mentally exhausted from prolonged
strain and anxious cares or absoblng occupa
tions. Its summer Is cool and in the higher
parks the ullg'h.ts are cold. Autumn Is an
unbroken stretch of cool and sunshiny days.
Gome and fish are abundant. The Union
Pacific Railroad carries one to within a short
ride , by horse or wagon , through yet unbro
ken wilderness. From June to October is
the season for roughing it. With restoration
to health , Wyoming does not say , "Now re
turn to your home , " but rather welcomes the
restored invalid and holds out to him many
Inducements ito remain. The varlpd re
sources of the state are only beginning to
be appreciated. Agriculture , stock-raising
and mining offer a wide field for investment
end developement. Besides all these things ,
he does not expatriate himself , but Is at
homo lin his own land , surrounded bv his
own countrymen , observing the same laws
ami nractlclnjr the manners and customs of
the community In which he was reared.
Iiiml of SuiiMliliic.
There la no region of equal area that is
possessed of more abounding and diversified
richness of resurce and possibility. It Is
almost as limitless in undeveloped
opportunities as It was whea Bonnovllle first
broke his way Into Jackson Hole now the
wonderland of the United States. Much
more In praise of the richness of this young
commonwealth could be given without vain
repetition or exaggeration. The climate of
this region of mountains , plains , parks and
valleys , of this land of sunshine , azure sky
and bracing and tonic air , cal'ls for a more
wide-spread appreciation than now prevails.
From what has been said of the physical
features of Wyoming , variety of climate
would bo expected. On the mountain peaks ,
13,000 feet above sea level , perpetual itnow
abounds. In the lower valleys apples ,
grapes and smaller fruits are grown. Three
things are common to nil of Wyoming dry
air , sunshine and blue sky. All over the
state except at high altitudes one may ,
oven in midwinter , sit in comfort In the
sunshine In any sheltered corner.
It Is the glory of perpetual sunshine which
has perhaps more to do with the cxllaiat-
ing effect of Wyoming climate , on both
sick and well , than anything else. It is the
sparkling , dry air which makes I'lto happier
and more satisfactory than It could bc <
under the clouded skies of the east and
south. Diminished barometric pressure ,
small rain-fall , low atmospheric humidity ,
Intense sunshine on account of the dry and
thin air , and absence of cloudiness , inako
this the Ideal abode of those suffering from
pulmonary troubles.
Climatic CoiiilltloiiM ,
The heat Is never Intense. In the hottest
summer weather It Is but a step from the
heat of the sunshine Into the shade , which
Is always cool. Sunstroke Is unknown. The
air In winter Is clear and sharp , but easily
borne and even pleasant. In the nil ado
there is the tingle of northern cold , and
heavy clothing IB none too warm. Its tonic
effect upon nutrition Is from Its coolness the
more marked. It Is the 'brilliant ' and con
tinuous sunshine which Is much praised by
mountain residents , and which Is misunder
stood to refer to air , The Invalid who goes
to Wyoming for a winter Is not going to a
climate of balmy warmth , but rather , and
better , to one where the bracing cold Is
flooded for more than three-fourths of the
day with bright sunshine , The sun in thi
region Is almost a constant equation , reachIng -
Ing about 82 per cent of the total days of
the year , The chief advantage In the eastern
belt of Wyoming Is the early moinlng sun ,
There are no high walU for Iho nun to climb ,
therefore the sun Is up and spreading his
genial rays before the Invalid Is awake ,
warming the atmosphere for his out-door ox-
crclso , without the long wait until midday
which Is required In other high altitudes.
Heie wo have the good , exhilarating effects
of nine hours of sunshine. And as Or.
M. C. Barkwell , member of the State Hoard
of Medical Examiners says :
"In describing a climate \\nlcli piesents
so many anomalies , the dryness of on Inliui 1
desert , the cool , bracing air of the far north ,
an atmosphere so clear that mountains 130
miles distant can be seen distinctly without
the aid of a glass , the sun of the tropics ,
a sky that surpasses that of Italy In iovo-
llness , and scenery which excels that of
Switzerland , ono may Justly stand In dread
of being charged with Indulging In language
of the imagination , yet It Is all true. From
September till the latter part of April little
or no rain falls ; there are no fogs , no mists.1
Ml ii i-rill Spring" .
Wyoming is pro-eminent for her mineral
springs. If wo take Into our estimate the
Yellowstone Park , this alone surpasses the
rest of the world In the number and mag
nificence of Its \\aters. The mineral springs
include hot , cold , sulphur , Iron and the
alkaline earths , and genuine mud springs.
Klxli Culture.
While most of the streams and lakes of
Wyoming had a natural supply of trout and
other food fishes , there were others entirely
devoid of fish of any description , and the
success attending the stocking of streams
containing native fish as well as the barren
waters of the state Ins ( been very gratifying.
Under the fostering care of the legislature ,
the fish hatchery at Laramle lias been en
abled to accomplish the most satlsfacton
results. The state is under obligation to
the United States fish commissioner for fre
quent donations of valuable varieties of flbh.
Over a half million fish have been annually
distributed In itho streams of Wyoming for
a number of vears and ( many streams Umt
wore barren have been stocked and found
well adapted to the raising of tiout and tthur
superior fish.
Among the streams already stocked is the
lllg Larainle , which runs through Albany
county and empties Into the Pintle near
old Fort Laramle. There are seventy-five
mill's of splendid trout fishing on this
stream , from Laramlo City southwest. The
Lltlio Laramie , fifteen miles from Larnmlo
City , Horse creek , Pale creek and the Chug-
water , all within easy distance , are fine
districts for fishermen. Twelve miles south
from Lnrnmfo are lakes Hullon and Crelgh-
ton , which are now open for black and rpck
bass flshlns , German carp and lake trout.
The fish commissioner has placed threi-
boals hero for public use. Lake Hat tie ,
twenty-five miles west from Laramle , con-
laliiB a gnmey variety of lake trout , weigh
ing from four to six pounds. The fishing
grows finer every year , it being the
aim of the fifth commissioner to keep
the streams and laktB thoroughly stocked.
The seaton In Wyoming wherein It Is lawful
to fish with hook and line 1 * from Juno 1
to October 15.
The Union Pacific railroad travcmes Wyo
ming Its entire length , from ea * > t to west ,
and those contemplating a trip to this Btnto
should not fall to ask ticket agents about
the magnificent train service offered by the
Union Pacific. There are Pullman palace
sleepers , buffet smoking and library cars ,
dining cars , with meals served a la carte ,
and Pullman tourist sleepers , etc , , etc ,
For time tables , or any Information , apply
to your local agent , who can sell you a
ticket via the Union Pacific , the great Over
land route- ,
Skillful Swindling
The latest schema of imposition Invented
by the Ingenious Frenchman Is that of
artificial eggs ; and high prices are paid
for them , They manufacture penguin eggs
tliat cannot bo distinguished from the
genuine out of nothing but plaster of V > arls.
Ono that came from these forgers had
been ordered by i woman who wished to
present It to her betrothed for his collec-
faetured , and with such skill that It requires
an export to prove their falsity. The
of the common gnat-snapper , which uPL-
very cheap , aru chemically coloied a bril
liant bluish-green and sold at high price ? ,
as are eggs of the rare chatterer. Common
duck eggs are metamorphosed Into falcon
rggs by dyeing tliom a silvery green. Out
of pigeon and ring-dove eggs- rare eggs are
also manufactured. Especially high prices
arc paid for nightingale eggs , \\hlch are H >
haul to get ; those are nothing but lark
eggs dyed dark brown. The originator of
this kind of forgery was formouy an as
sistant In a natural history miiHuuni In
Provence , where iho learned all about the
rarest eggs and their peculiarities. The In
dustry pays very handsomely , and as most
of the eggs are not bought for hatching ,
but merely to complete collections , the
danger of detection ds reduced to a mlnl-
'mum.
Story of Veretschagin
The famous painter of battle sconca ,
Vcretschagln , tells a story of when ho was
in Paris some years ago and what happened
to him and Skobeleff. General Skoboloff ,
who wanted to pass a few days In the
French capital with his Adjutant Ushakow
and the artists of that city , wont with thorn
to the "Hotel des Invnlides" to see the
tomb of Napoleon I. A worthy old warrior.
. - . pensioner of the house , acted as guide to
the Kussinn party. TJiey stood before the
monument ; Skobeleff looked nt It long In
sllenco and then turned to the old soldier ,
asking : "Did you know him , my son ? " "I
was with him nt Moscow. " answered tho.
veteran. Skobeleff put his Ivnnrt into hid
prelect and gave the old man a piece , sayIng -
Ing : "Hero , my man , Is a memento of the
Russian general , Skobeleff ! " "I was at
Jena , nt Mnrengo , " began the veteran. "At
( \ustorlitz I saw the Pyramids. " Skobelolf
looked at the old man In astonishment and
reached in his pocket for another piece of
gold but hero Verotschagin interrupted.
"You nro a fine fellow , old man ! You wore
with Napoleon In Egypt that was In 1708.
and now It is 1SS1 , so you are 102 years old
if you wore 20 at that time. You have cer
tainly taken good care of yourself , for you
don't look over CO. " Skobeluff turned ns red
as a peony and walked away without a word.
Time from the Station
Chicago Post : Ho showed plainly that ho
was disgusted.
"You tol'd mo , " ho Bald to the real estate
dealer , "that this house was only live
minutes' walk from the station. "
"On the contrary , " replied the real estate
man , "I was careful to say nothing about
'walk' In olthor my advertisements or my
conversation. I sold It was only flvo
minutes from the station , but I meant with
a bicycle. "
II. L. Burket for Coroner
Howard L. Iliirkct
is n mcmhur of the
firm of Uiirkul * Dod
der , undertaken ) , 2.1rd
and Ciimlng street.
Ho has been a resi
dent of Omaha and
the Eighth ward for
about eight ycara and
has always been an
active worker In the
republican party. Ho
Howard L. Burket , has been n delegate to
tor Coroner. nenrly ovcrjr collnty
or city convention during his residence in
the city and ho IB now a member of the
Republican City Central Committee. Ho
has given much time to further the success
of the republican party , but has never held ,
an ofilco In the county. Ho Is sometimes
confused with his brother , Henry K. Ilurkot ,
who was a county official about two years
ngo. Mr. Howard L. Burket Is a candidate
for coroner , subject to the action of the
Ilppubllcun Convention , and Invites all his
friends to call" on him nt the above addrc-BH ,