The Key West Citizen Newspaper, June 28, 1954, Page 8

What Is The By WILLIAM MEYERS Hotel La Concha Who dug them and for what purpose, these caves 24 feet below the streets of Key West? Com- plete mystery surrounds their ori- gin. Whose ghosts lurk in the shadows? Were they freebooters or brigands? How many Key West- ers know of the caves’ existence? Certainly very few have visited it. Sugar (W. C.) Sweeting and the writer cautiously walked across 30 feet of rotted timber in the back- yard of the home of Mrs. Carmen Cuesta, 617 Angela Street, to reach the only entrance, an opening 4 - feet square. Carefully we descend- ed a ladder to the first level, 10 feet. There we discovered two rooms, hewn from the solid coral lime- stone. Each room was approxi- mately 10 by 14 feet. We looked up and saw that huge mahogony beams, fully 6 x 6, supported the roof above us. We walked to the end of the furthest room and found 12 steps, each about 10 inches deep, hewn from the lime- stone. Not a piece of wood was in apy room. Caves Are Dry We descended the steps another 14 feet, where we were 24 feet be- low the sidewalk. Here we found a room 40 feet long, 12 feet wide. We walked to the far end and found an arch. Many spots showed indications of corrosion. The caves were bone dry, not the slightest moisture anywhere. Key West is on sea level and this cave is below tlie city’s high- est point, about 12 feet above that level. With’ flashlights we peered into a room at the arches entrance, 5 by 6 feet in length and width. In the very center of this room was a well opening, ten feet in cir- eumference. We entered and dis- covered three bottles and what looked like a crow bar with one end resembling a chisel, the lat- ter of solid iron. Who dug this cavern, when, and why? Mr. Howard Wilson, our tax col- lector who was brough up in the vicinity of the cave distinctly re- members heering his grandfather, Mr. Jacinto Solares, speak of it on numerous occasions. Solares Hill Mr. Solares was a merchant who originally came from Oviedo, Spain in the very early 1800’s. The sec- tion of land he purchased has al- ways been known as Solares Hill and still is. Key West at that time was a veritable wilderness, Mr. Today's NEW YORK —Business enters the hot weather slowdown season with a show of confidence. Stock prices rise as traders as- sess the chances of inflaton to out- weight deflation in the months ahead. i Leading businessmen express faith in the future of their own companies and industries. New plants are being opened, and still others planned, in spite of a year. of slackening ‘in general business activity. More new businesses dre being incorporated than at any time since 1947. Businessmen are setting their sights on fall. For many of them July will be a slow month. Whole plants will close for vacations. Peo- ple will stick close to the fans at home and make fewer trips to the stores. But there is an impressive list today of predictions of more pros- perity on the way and of indus- ‘(TOOL TIPS| “Cc? CLAMP when uniform slats - for blinds, screens of 's. The c! will hold e material firmly and prevent ining end —splinerig. bse a } MEDICINAL WATER—This is the label used on the mineral water bottled from the well found in the caves described by William Meyers. Several of the labels were found by Meyers ‘and W. C. Sweeting when they explored the caves, Solares bought quite a tract of land, built a home and remained on the island many years there- after. Mr. Wilson often heard his grandfather and his mother speak of the Indians who lurked in the nearby woods; and when the tom tom drums began beating grand- father Solares would rush _ his family to the dock and ship them to Shark River on the west coast of Florida. Mr. Wilson’s mother, Mrs. Corrine Solares Wilson pass- ed to her reward in 1950, but her son Howard, vividly recalls the stories of these Indian attacks. To quote Mr. Wilson’s opinion: “The very earliest settlers built these caves to hide from the In- dians”. Pirate Hide-Out? Possibly they were built by pir- ates who used this island as a ren- dezvous and hide-out after attack- ing ships at sea. They probably hid their loot in the caves. It is a Exe, fact that famous Bluebeard ind Captain Kidd used the island and that their crews lived here from time to time, where they rested after their sea voyages. In 1822 Commodore David Porter was sent to Key West by the United States Navy, to rid the island of the many pitates who infested the waters, He drove them far beyond Business Mirror By Sam Dawson try’s plans to grow so it can meet new demands. General. Electric’s chairman, Philip D. Reed, says his company expects to sell more in the next 10 years than it did in all the past 75. Ford’s vice president, Benson Ford, says his motor company is considering the “longest - range plan for expansion and moderni- zation we have ever undertaken.” Both of these companies are in the business of making and selling consumer goods. And in express- ing optimism both men are acting in their role of salesmen. But both the appliance and the’ motors in- dustry have been putting much of this optimistic talk into concrete form in the way of expansion of plant and equipment. There are many signs of indus- trial health right at the moment. Electric power production has been rising since the end of hot weather helping to boost power consumption for air conditioning systems and refrigeration. Power use is now six per cent higher than this time last year. Some 48,000 new businesses were formed in the first five months of Cuba and they never returned. In that same year the United States Naval Station was established in Key West because Commodore Porter found the harbors natural- ly deep enough for naval ships. At that time, 1822, Commodore Porter called Key West the “Gibralter of the Caribbean”. , Today that Naval Station is a city within itself. One wonders what tools the dig- gers used, and what utensils to carry the limestone from such depths. Medicinal Well Mrs. Raul Alfonso de la Cuesta who now owns this property said the well was originally 80 feet deep, and that in olden days it contained water of great medicin- al qualities. So very pure was the water the bottles were especially made to be laid on their sides only. The bot- tom was round so it could not stand upright. Its label read, “‘Na- turalaris Natural Mineral Water” and was registered. These labels were found near the well entrance. In 1846 the United States Army (Coast Artillery) came to Key West and soon thereafter the caves became a popular hangout for the soldiers. It did not take the own- ers of the caves long to learn to make and bottle beer in special By HAROLD K. MILKS NEW DELHI, India — Red China’s Chou En-lai flew to Bur- ma today for the second phase of his campaign to enlist south Asian neutrals into a Peiping-organized “alliance for peace.” The Chinese Premier plans to spend two days in Rangoon for talks with Prime Minister U. Nu before pushing on to Peiping. His three-day visit to India left stern-faced Chou well entrenched with Prime Minister Nehru’s gov- ernment. Chou climaxed his stay here by suggesting that Asian chiefs of state get together periodically to work for peace and to evolve “‘mu- tual respect” pacts similar to the one India had signed with China April 29 to govern relations with Communist-occupied Tibet. Chou’s proposal for an Asian get-together drew no distinctions between Communist and non-Com- munist nations. He said it applied the year, by six per cent. Business failures taken its toll of marginal firms. in at least 48,000 corporate breasts. The food industry is listed among the optimists. Grocery store sales are topping even last year’s rec- ord volume. Food processors say their sales should continue to grow —a rising population and fairly lers of vittles. The farm outlook seems better, too. The department of agriculture says the demand for farm pro- ducts is holding high. And makers of farm machinery say sales vol- ume is healthier now and helping them to work out of the slump that bothered them in former months. . So confidence in the days ahead is strong. Everyone seems to ex- Dun & Bradstreet re-| ports. This topped the 1953 figure | have been higher this year than! last, too, The general slump has| But faith in the future burns bright | prosperous one cheers the hand- | pect an upturn — the question being when? Porcelain bottles. It was sold to the soldiers for‘ 10 cents a quart. Think of it, a quart of real good beer made from medicinal waters for 10 cents—so potent a quart could put a man to sleep. Today we're lucky if we pay 50 cents for a quart of a concoction called beer made without healing waters. Army Work Here The Army eventually had five bases on the island and stayed for 102 years, (1846 to 1948), They have gone but the splendid Forts they built in 1846 and 1861 still remain. Osceola Fort in Fort Taylor brings thought of that great Seminole In- dian Chief, and Zachary Taylor, President in 1849. The East and West Martello Towers speak elo- quehtly for the Army’s handiwork, OLD BOTTLES FOUND—William Meyers holds two of the bot- tles which he found in the caves. In his left hand is a porcelain bottle which was used for the beer, made from the medicinal waters, which sold for 10 cents a quart. The bottle on the right is one in which the water itself was sold. Note the round bot- tom, so made that the bottles had to be placed on their sides. and though they are crumbling § from age, the Key West Historical * Society has opened Art Galleries in each of them. Once there was a house above the caves, but time and the elements destroyed it, .All that remains is the flooring which now acts as a roof and entrance. Counting the 80- foot well, the bottom of it is 104 feet below the city streets, almost 100 feet below sea level. The ori- ginal grocery store owned by Mr. Jacinto Solares still caters to the to the “principal Asian: countries.” He told newsmen in a press con- ference statement: “It is my view that, in order to seek common measures for the maintenance of peace and security in Asia, it is desirable for the appropriate per- sons of the principal Asian coun- tries to meet occasionally and to consult with one another.” Both Chou and Nehru intimated that their declarations of mutual friendship and cooperation were only a beginning in closer rela- tions. Sources close to Chou’s tight- mouthed delegation arrived at this estimate of the Chinese leader’s plan: Chou hopes with India’s active assistance to build a stout Asian wall both politically and economi- cally and thus oust Western in- terests. The keystone of his. program is “Asia for the Asians” and its aim is to. combat so-called: colonialism. World Workshop for Peace On the bank of the East River in New York City, the world’s work. shop for peace—the headquarters of the United Nations—adds modern lines to the mid-Manhattan skyline. The glass and structure on the left, rising 39 stories from the international Secretariat of the United Nations. Nestling at its base is the Conference Building where the council chambers and. rooms are located. The sloping white structure to the by a copper dome, contains the auditorium where the General Assembly holds its sessions. The aerial view also shows the exten- sive landscape area which surrounds United Nations IN THE CAVES—Meyers took this picture of one of the old handhewn doorways deep within the caves. Ask your grandparents if they Forts at St. Augustine, Florida, is wants of neighbors. What.a fasci- know of this! We'll appreciate any also anxious to learn more about nating mystery these caves are! information. The Superintendent of the Key West mystical caves. Red China Premier Goes To Rangoon Economic. cooperation will play an equal part with political under- standing, because Chou is under orders to find through Asian sources a substitute for China’s needs blocked by Western embar- goes. The informants said that was why Chou brought a group of econ- omie experts here to, sound out the possibilities of expanded economic relatios between the two countries. Truman Passes Critical Stage KANSAS. CITY (# (A — Former Presdent Harry S. Truman was reported somewhat better today after passing through a critical phase in his post-operation con- alescence. vi . 4 His condition, however, remained serious, A hospital spokesman said the ‘year-old former President went through the critical stage Satur- day night but showed improvement yesterday and “had a satisfactory day.” He underwent surgery eight days ago for removal of his gall blad- and appendix. Robert Adams, acting adminis- trator at Research Hospital, said ‘Truman’s complications over the were secondary and not ithe direct result of the emergency operation. Adams said his recovery had been hampered by secondary in- and hypersensitivity to drugs needed in the treatment. Several specialists were called into the case to assist Truman’s personal physician, Dr. Wallace (Graham, and two other doctors. Adams said that Truman con- tinued to. show remarkable spirit. Mrs. Truman visited her husband again last night after spending ‘much of the day at the hospital. Their daughter Margaret is acting jin a play at Binghamton, N.Y., and are no plans at present for to return home. The hospital said that after going the. critical phase, Tru- ’s temperature “‘greatly re- ” from about 102 degrees. festerday- morning, the bulletin the former President was “more alert and most cooperative” that he was “receiving medi- ation by mouth and taking tea and foods -by mouth.” Vic Vet says IT'S EASY 10 IDENTIPEY YOUR CLAIM WHEN YOu ARE WRITING To VA ABOUT IT. ALWAYS. GIVE YOUR"C’ OR CLAIMS NUMBER. THAT WILL ENABLE VATO “. «+ And thi sis the man- “.«. And this is the man- pany — one of the best friends I've ever had.” of Key West 2-0681 524 Southard St. THE KEY WEST CITIZEN Real History Bebind The Man-Made Caves On Solares Hill? Monday, June 28, 195¢ Hollywood HOLLYWOOD # — It will be a quiet wedding for Arlene Dahl and Fernando Lamas. That’s what they claim.* I saw the two lovebirds in the commissary at 20th Century-Fox, where she was finishing up ‘A Woman’s World.” The redhead was ravishing in a low-cut dress, and the Latin lover looked dashing with his graying locks. After a brief sep- aration, they decided they couldn’t live without each other and an- nounced plans to wed. When will it be? “We aren’t saying,” replied Miss Dahl. “It’s our secret.” “Everybody expects us to have a big wedding,” he said, “becai what they say. It doesn’t occur to them that I have never had my own press agent. So how could I be a publicity hound? “When we get married, it’s going to be done very quietly. I think 'Bob Taylor and Ursula Theiss did it very wisely.” It seems to me that Lamas and the Dahl are talking sense. If they really yen for a quiet wedding, it can be done with little ‘fuss. All Notes By Bob Thomas fourth? She complained bitterly in her memoirs that the press made a mockery of the affair, turning it into a carnival. They recall the dozen strolling fiddlers who played Lana’s favorite tunes and the sumptuous spread, which included a glazed ham on which “I love you” was spelled in pimientoes, It would have been very simple for Lana and her husband—I think it was Bob Topping— to have had a quiet wedding. All they had to do was leave town. It was the same with Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. If they really wanted privacy, they could have wed in some hamlet, not in the heart of San Francisco. Sadie ay ich, brings us to. this issue: movie stars to be alone? paarshrs Or, as it has been observed, why do actors strive most of their lives eee then wear dark es so they won't Tecog- nized? : a Or, if they don’t want to be stared at by the public, why do they drive Ted convertibles? I think it is safe to say that those stars who really cherish their Privacy can achieve it. The others they have to do is go somewhere out of town and retain some ele- ment of secrecy. That is, don’t call’ very columnist before they leave. This reminds me of Lana Turn- er’s third wedding—or was it the may complain about the glare of Public scrutiny, but you'd hear them squawk # it were turned off, Falconry, the capture of game birds by trained hawks was known in China by 2,000 B.C. GET - ACQUAINTED SALE While They Last! MOTOROLA ZENITH RCA _ TELEVISION and ANTENNA INSTALLATION @ No Down Payment @ +- TERMS Poinciana Television and Radio COMMERCIAL CENTER. POINCIANA, KEY WEST For Home or Dial- 2-6831 2-8667 REAL ICE Is Guaranteed PURE Commercial Use... We Are Prepared To Furnish You With Clean, Pure Cube » Crushed ICE (Ice Division) Key West, Florids