Pioneering in Cuba

My excuse for writing and publishing this book is a threefold one. For some time I have strongly felt that the true story of the La Gloria colony should be told, without bias and with an accurate, first-hand knowledge of all the facts. My close relations with the colony and the colonists, and an actual personal residence in La Gloria for nearly half a year, have made me entirely familiar with the conditions there, and I have endeavored to present them to the reader clearly, correctly, and honestly. Secondly, I have been imbued with the belief that many of the daily happenings in the colony, particularly those of the earlier months, are of sufficient general interest to justify their narration; and if I am wrong in this, I am quite sure that these incidents, anecdotes, and recollections will find an attentive audience among the colonists and their friends. It is one of the author's chief regrets that the size and scope of this book does not admit of the mention by name of all of the colonists who were prominent and active in the life of the colony. Thirdly, while in La Gloria, in his capacity as a member of the Pioneer Association, the author had the honor to be the chairman of the committee on History of the Colony. This committee was not officially or outwardly active, but in a quiet way its members stored up history as fast as it was made. The author does not dignify the present work by the name of history, but prefers to call it a narrative of the first year of the colony. He believes, however, that it contains many facts and incidents which will be found useful material to draw upon when in later years a complete history of the first American colony in Cuba may be written.

I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. V. K. Van De Venter, a professional photographer of Dundee, Michigan, for some of the best pictures in the book. The other photographs were taken, and in several cases kindly furnished gratuitously, by Robin H. Ford, John H. Rising, L. E. Mayo, and W. G. Spiker. I am also under obligation to Mr. Spiker for the loan of the cut of the lake on the Laguna Grande tract, and to Dr. W. P. Peirce for the use of the cut of his pineapple garden in La Gloria. All of the pictures in the book are scenes in the province of Puerto Principe, and with two or three exceptions, in or around La Gloria.

J. M. A.

North Weare, N. H., December, 1900.]

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE COLONISTS IN NUEVITAS HARBOR.

PAGE A New Sight for Old Nuevitas--The Yarmouth drops Anchor in the Harbor--The Vanguard of the First American Colony Planted in Cuba--The Beautiful Cuban Coast--Picturesque Appearance of Nuevitas--"Distance Lends Enchantment to the View"--Character of the Colonists--Gen. Paul Van der Voort--Nearly all the States Represented--"The Only Canuck on Board"--The Voyage from New York 17

CHAPTER II.

THE JOURNEY TO PORT LA GLORIA

An Irritating Delay--Ashore at Nuevitas--Midnight Row at the Pier--Convivial Colonists Clash With Cubans--Ex-Soldier Takes an Involuntary Bath--The Cuban Police--Hon. Peter E. Park--The Start for La Gloria--Some Intending Colonists Back Out--The Man With the Long, Red Face--The Only Woman--The Fleet Anchors--"To-morrow, Four O'clock, Wind Right, Go!"--An Uncomfortable Night--Cuban Captain Falls Overboard--Port La Gloria Sighted 32

CHAPTER III.

A TOUGH TRAMP TO LA GLORIA CITY.

Arrival at the Port--A Discouraging Scene--Mud, Water, and Sand Flies--The Memorable Walk to La Gloria "City"--An Awful Road--Battle With Water, Mud, Stumps, Roots, Logs, Briers and Branches--Lawyer Park Leads the Strange Procession--La Gloria at Last--The Royal Palm--Women in Masculine Garb--Col. Thos. H. Maginniss--First Night in La Gloria--The Survey Corps--Chief Engineer Kelly--Experiences of the Lowells and Spikers 44

CHAPTER IV.

FIRST DAYS IN THE NEW COLONY.

Isolation of La Gloria--The Camp at Night--Strange Sounds in the Forest--The Colonists Happy--Their Excellent Health--Remarkable Cures Effected by the Climate--The Agreeable Temperature--Prolonged Rainy Season--The "Hotel"--The Log Foundation--A Favorite Joke--The Company's Spring--Small Variety of Food--My First Supper in La Gloria--Eating Flamingo and Aged Goat--A Commissary With Nothing to Sell--A Fluctuating Population 59