1890 - 1891 FASCINATING, SIGNIFICANT ORIGINAL DIARY WRITTEN BY A KEEN EYED AMERICAN ADVENTURER, BUSINESSMAN, AUTHOR AND EXPERT ON SOUTH AMERICA WHO GOES FROM THE CIVIL WAR IN CHILE TO THE RUINS OF A PYGMY CITY IN THE ANDES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE
On offer is an original, historically significant 1890 to 1891 manuscript diary handwritten by prominent New York businessman and author E.C. White [E.C. White was the son of Dr. E merson White, who was president of Purdue University. His brother was Albert Blakeslee ''A. B.'' White he was West Virginia's 11th governor, serving from 1901-05] who traveled, and lived in South America. The keen eyed and erudite diarist Mr. White does a superb job detailing his adventures by steamship, horseback, Alpaca and train. But his experiences and downright good fortune to be in the right place at the right time to witness and participate in some extraordinary events in South America most particularly the civil war in Chile. White was in Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Bolivia and points in between and among his experiences are the finding an Incan "ruined city" on top of a mountain in Peru, spies hiding on board a steamship, remains of a torpedoed ship and travel by train through the Andes. As noted on the cover of the diary is "South American Notes - E C White. Kal- Blanco" casual research finds E.C. White was a wealthy businessman he owned E.C. White Co, in New York City. White traveled the world, and spent most of his time in South America. In fact he spent so much time there that he was offered the appointment as Minster to Chile by President Harrison. He declined the offer due to business considerations. He had a close association with McKinley who at the time was his main supporter for the position. McKinley wrote of White to President Harrison "Mr. White has spent several years in Spanish- America. He is a gentleman of high character, education and refinement". The book contains about 150-165 typed and handwritten pages, sketches, mimeographed bulletins, business contacts in South America. He may have been in the pharmaceutical business there are lists of doctors, pharmacists, herbal medicines and cures are noted. [We note some pages are onion skin and faded but all can be read with patience.] As an expert on South America he periodically wrote articles in a number of publications. He wrote under his pen name "Kal- Blanco" and some of his original articles are on the web. There are several typed stories in this diary that appear to be rough drafts he later published. These stories are about his observations and travels and are nonfiction and include original corrections. There is even an original story he did for the Home Maker Magazine titled "Among the Venezuelans" with some hand written notations in the margins. This story includes photos. Entries begin in New York Oct 8, 1890 as White boards the Steamship Muriel in route the ship stops at St George St. Kitts, Dominca, Martinique, Granada and Trinidad. He would eventually reach Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Included are three mimeographed bulletins 2 titled" Manavi's Bulletins" and one titled "The Esk's Daily Bulletin". Historians and researchers will find a treasure trove of material. White writes about the socio political aspects of each country, and examines cultural traits with a keen eye for observation. His diary entries as well as his articles are extensive and in many cases fill the entire sheet. Other items found between the sheets are advertising, flyers, one photo negative and travel notes. Here are snippets: Note: interestingly White writes in the third person throughout the diary. Peru - March 8, 1891 We had our first earthquake this morning. The servants thought that it was quite severe, to M. It seemed quite a respectable shake. M.was tired and did not feel like going to church and Mr. W. Allowed his wife's indisposition to impose him, so both stayed at home and Mr. W. (bad man) printed blue prints. In the afternoon we studied a little Spanish and took a walk. Retired early as usual. Peru - March 10, 1891 Mr. W. Worked all day on the type- writer and M. extremely busy cleaning up everything after the journey to Huaca Puno, In the evening we went to the circus by Mr. Pacigalupi's invitation and found it very good and that the theatre was very pretty. Peru -March 26, 1891 Mr. W. Went to Callao in the morning to arrange to go on Saturday but found that there was no steamer left until the next week. In the afternoon there was a procession of 250 of the militia the army numbers 15,000 all Indians, & these Indians control the country. In the evening everybody promenading the streets: the ladies dressed their best. Children, men, woman all Going to church. Peru -March 27, 1891 Great feast day. The militia surrounded the plaza and expect a grand procession. The people devote themselves to fasting and prayer, what time they are not on the street and Mr. Basigalupi is very much put out about it, as it is a check to all business. Bolivia - April 14, 1891 Arrived at Chililaya - in Bolivia last night but on account of the Cana could not enter the port until daylight, The town has about 40 houses and the chief export is potatoes, silver and tin ore. The Grand Hotel where we stopped for the night is kept by a lady in high heeled shoes, short dress and log earrings. The Amiras wear lose under drawers from the knee down and pants with a slit in the back of each leg. They bundle up their heads and necks with knitted goods and go barefoot. The women wear skirt a little below the knee and never change their clothes from one years end to the other. They very rarely wash. All dress in bright colors. Bolivia - April 23, 1891 Left Puno for Arequipa early in the morning and arrived in the pm Mr. McCord has everything arranged for us to stay there. The ride was rather tedious as the scenery was the same as before except when we reached Arequipa- The moon rising between Mista- & Potosi was a beautiful sight. Bolivia April 24, 1891 Took the train for Mollendo- after bidding Mr. McCord goodbye. Had a crowded car and rather unpleasant journey as it was very dusty. Arrived at 3 pm and found Mr. Turner waiting for us at the station to tell is that the" Bolivia " would sail that night and that they could not tell when there would be another steamer. We went up the company house and rested for an hour and than went to the steamer. The Purser gave is his room as the S. Was full but it was small and uncomfortable when we got to the S. We found Mr. Allen A. Swimmingly awaiting us. Chile- May 1,1891 Stopped at Autofogasta- and went ashore with Mr.S. and Mr.W. and appointed agents for all parties.Had a good time.At all of these ports there have been officers of the Revolution on board to search the ship for Government officials and we carry spies with us. It is supposed that there is one man hidden in the ship who is an officer of Balmaceda's. His wife is very cool collected even sleeping in the same cabin with the woman spy.There have been several parties arrested on suspicion and brought back, but one was arrested and kept because he was known to have 50,000 dollars concealed in his cabin. We are now past the Congressionalist's District. Discovery of the Ruins of a Pygmy city in the Andes. On the 26th day of April 1885, I arranged with a friend of mine who lived in Callao, Peru to ascend Huaca Puno (Dead Point) and explore a ruined city said to be at its summit. The descendants of the Children of the Sun warned me against such an undertaking. Their superstitious ideas of Huaca Puno were not pleasant, I must admit. They informed me that this was the home of bad spirits and that wild beasts only were allowed to exist there prowling around the streets day and night. They told me that no white man or Indian had ever been in this city since it was depopulated during the pre - Inca times by the cannibalistic tribes who leagued themselves with Satan against these wicked people (who had rebelled from Satan) and exterminated them. As we ascended our guide seemed to gain courage and decided to accompany us to the city. We found it walled, egg shaped , about one mile in length and one eighth of a mile in width, and admirably fortified. Huaca Puno is in the Pacific range of the Andes, and about 15,000 ft. In elevation, the tropical ocean breeze melting white frost that comes in July. I heard my friend hallooing for me to come up the Citadel, Then it dawned upon us that it was a pygmy city. Columbia- Dec 1, & 2nd, 1890 I contracted with the following papers, viz. El Fonografo,Las Noticias, El Zulia, Illustrarado( M) , Los Escos del Zulla. All of which I send to C.H..Gould. On the evening of the 2nd I left for Curacoa by the steamer Maracaibo. The cost of a passage is $ 15.00. Dec, 3rd& 4th, - I arrived in Curaacoa on the 4th and went to the hotel De Leon. Paid $ 1.60 per day and the food was so poisoned could hardly stand it. The maggots crawled out of the warmed over beef when brought on the table. I watched to see how many partook of the same and saw them all eat it the same as if it had not been alive. I went on the Philadelphia as soon as the steamer arrived. Mrs. Chambers and Miss Randolph were with the Caption Chambers. I met a druggist from Cucuta , Gonzales Bona Hermanos, who gave me the following doctors: List of doctors in Cucuta, Columba. Among the Curacoans & The Maracaiboans ( excerpts from a 3 page story written in Venezuela) The poor of Curacoa live entirely by their commerce, as the Island produces only limited products. The island produces only a limited amount of agricultural products. The houses are constructed as in Holland roofed with red tile, and very quaint in appearance. The people of this country believe that all North Americans are wealthy they know that our people tip them freely, and from this they draw the rather erroneous conclusion that we are all millionaires. To them a little money means great luxury. For the lower classes are very destitute. Traveling is expensive in these countries, on account of the excessive rates on steamers, and the continual robbing of the boatmen and custom house officials. The later we might dispense without the former we must have, the steamers being compelled to anchor one to five miles from shore. What a contrast: This evening I am writing on a table in the hotel parlor which has an old brick floor and naked whitewashed walls but lighted with an excellent Edison Electric light the only mark of advanced civilization around me. In one corner are crickets singing joyful songs under the new Star in Maracaibo- In another corner the lovers of evening light, the lizards are blinking and twisting their heads to see if any person is intruding upon their possessions. Frequently these little innocent cold blooded vertebrates amuse themselves by running over your shoulders or the table where you are writing. However they are perfectly harmless and the larger species, the Iguanas, are eaten by the natives. In the early morning the market and the streets are full of Iguana vendors who are very persistent in their endeavors to sell you a string of live Iguana for the small sum of one real. There are 6 sketches. Two small sketches are executed in pencil: One mimeographed sketch titled "This Great Sea- Monster discovered by the Captain of the Muriel Oct 10, 1890 off St Kitt's Island". The diary is bound in a leather folio sized journal (10.5 x 8.5 inches) and overall G.; Typed Manuscript; 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, E.C. WHITE, CHILE, LOST INCA CITY, PERU, BOLIVIA, COLOMBIA, ESPIONAGE, STEALTH DIPLOMACY, LATIN AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, VENEZUELA, PYGMY CITY IN THE ANDES, INCA, INCAN, CHILEAN CIVIL WAR, PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICINE IN SOUTH AMERICA, PURDUE, DR. EMERSON WHITE, ALBERT BLAKESLEE, ARCHAEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY, EXPLORATION, KAL BLANCO, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNALS, PERSONAL HISTORY, SOCIAL HISTORY, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL