Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1919 — TRIP TO THE ISLE OF PINES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TRIP TO THE ISLE OF PINES

By EDITH C. CAMERON. WHEN a doctor pronounced the edict, "four months of rest and change of climate, with plenty of fresh air and sunshine,” the question arose, where to? The time was December, with all the cold and disagreeableness of a northern climate. Someone suggested* “Why not go to the Isle of Pines? There you could rest and have all the sunshine and fresh air that you need.” So when I learned that it Is one of the mpst beautiful and interesting spots to be found in the world, and situated almost at our very door, less than two hundred miles south of Key West and not as far distant from New York as the Mississippi, I decided to visit' It. I found there were many routes to choose from, but I selected the quickest one, most commonly used, by way of Jacksonville, Fla., Miami, and the delightful sea-rail route to Key West. From there a sea trip of six hours brings one to Havana, Cuba, and another by rail or auto, 35 miles, to Batabano, now the most important seaport on the south side of Cuba. The trains run to the dock, where one can take a comfortable boat making the trip to the Isle of Pines in a few hours. - * On reaching Jucaro, a port of entry, we have our choice of a number of automobiles for a ride over a government turnpike road, called here a calzada, to Santa Fe, a distance of five miles. We cannot help being surprised at the fine road, almost equaling any boulevard found in our northern cities. Our obliging chauffeur tells us that there are about one hundred miles of these calzada roads built and maintained by the government. All Comforts in Santa Fe. In the picturesque little town of Santa Fe, about five hundred feet above sea level, is a hotel meeting every requirement of the most exacting traveler. There are other less expensive establishments. Here are small American churches of almost every denomination, a bank, schools, clubs for both men and women, a chamber of commerce, a large Masonic temple and other institutions found in average American COmmUmtlftff - ' ’ /' - ----- 11 : After resting and bathing in the Santa Rita thermal springs—the privi T lege of guests of our hotel —one feels like a new being. All the tiredness of the long trip vanishes. The wealthy Spanish military and government classes came here from Havana to spend the summer for generations, as the Isle of Pines is much cooler than Cuba. The baths are marvelous for curing rheumatism, nervous troubles and obesity. The water comes from iron and magnesia springs. The history of the isle is replete with romance. How many of us know, I wonder, that Christopher Columbus, in his second trip to the new world, was lost in the keys, or small Islands, surrounding the Isle of Pines for a number of days, finally landing on the isle, upon which, after inspection and replenishing his supply of water, he bestowed the name of La Evangelista (the Evangel), later reaching the harbor of Batabano, Cuba. Pineapples and Pines. It is questionable whether the Isle of Pines gets its name from the wonderful pineapples, weighing from seven to fifteen pounds, growing so profusely there, or to the pine trees, the odor of which, when the wind is 1 ’ blowing in the right direction, can be noticed several miles from shore. In early days the Isle of Pines, like many other islands of the Caribbean ’was a rendezvous for pirates, and the south part of the island is often regarded as the “Treasure Island” of Stevenson’s tale. As recently as some thirty years ago a Spaniard who had lived a long: time on the Isle of Pines, as poor as the proverbial church mouse, suddenly blossomed oat) as a gentleman of great affluence? He moved with his family to Havana, the “Paris of the West Indies,” and to blftn was traced, as the source of circulation, a" large amount of old Spanish doubloons, “pieces of eight,” and other gold coins of the pirate days. It was generally believed he had discovered the cache

of -the hidden treasures of some pirate crew who were unable to return and claim their ill-gotten wealth. Even now there is more or less desultory search made from time to time by some of the natives for pirate treasures supposed to be buried in the caves and along the shores of the island; In 1776 the Spanish crown made a grant of the entire isle to a retired Spanish .naval officer, who at his death left seven sons, among whom the Isle of Pines was divided. From the original grant down to the Span-ish-American war the isle was the home of Spanish aristocrats who had large interests in Cuba. When Cuba and Porto Rico were lost to Spain, the leading inhabitants of the Isle of Pines, being pure Spanish, regarding the Cubans as inferiors, were very desirous, as the lesser of two evils, that the sovereignty of the isle pass to the United States. There was inserted in the treaty of Paris, negotiated with Spain, a clatfse which President McKinley interpreted as ceding the Isle of Pines to the United States. sSent Many Men to the War. The Isle of Pines is extremely patriotic, and has done its full share toward winning the war. While the American population is less than five thousand, and the percentage of the men who are over the draft age has been above normal, owing to the fact that many were originally attracted by its climatic and health advantages, nevertheless it boasts a service flag of over two hundred stars. Many bright young men have enlisted in various branches of the service. The women of the isle in their Red Cross work have raised thousands of dollars. In fact', more actual money to date has been raised here than has been secured and contributed by the American women in all Cuba. While all the wealthy Spaniards originally inhabiting the isle have sold their properties to the Americans and returned to Spain or Cuba, the working natives, “pineros,” as they are termed, remain to the number of probably twenty-five hundred or three thousand. These pineros are pure Spanish. They are industrious, working faithfully ten or twelve hours a day for the small wage of $1 to $1.50 per day and boarding themselves. As workers they are regarded as superior to the Mexican peons, Cubans or Jamaican negroes. They are a quiet, inoffensive people, fond of the Americans, and cases qf theft or bodily assault are rare. They are of a domestic temperament, marrying early and rearing large families. There are diversified amusements for tourists. Automobiling over good roads to all parts of the isle, deepsea fishing, tennis, golf and horseback riding are especial favorites, as well as sea bathing In the warm salt waters of -the Caribbean. As to the climate, I will not attempt a description, as I found it perfect.

Native Homestead in Isle of Pines.