Epilogue

The epilogue describes the Cuban War of Independence, the Spanish-American War, including the U.S. occupation of Cuba, and the building of an independent Cuba.

Weyler Is Coming!

When the Spanish colonial government escalated the war with Cuban independence forces by sending Valeriano Weyler “the Butcher” to contain the conflict, many emigrated from Cuba to to join the community in Tampa. Gálvez describes the process to obtain a passport, the voyage to Port Tampa via the steamer Olivette, a stop in Key West, and arrival in Ybor City.

Ybor City

Gálvez dedicates this section of the book largely to descriptions of the emigrant community in Ybor City, with entries on outstanding personalities and their activities in support of the Cuban War of Independence. He also includes a discussion of the Italian community in Tampa. Most notable in this section are accounts of Gálvez’s employments: his audition and work as a lector (reader) in a cigar factory that illuminates many aspects of this legendary practice; and an account of his travails as a door-to-door salesman. Entries in this section include: Pachata, My Valise, The Mockingbirds, Bonifacio Byrne, Suna Echemendía, La Estrella Solitaria, The Volunteers, The Railroad Station, His Shadow, Barber Shop, Liceo Cubano, The Sanchez Sisters, Federico de la Torre Club, An Audition for Lector, Ramón Rivero, Ice, Cherokee Club, Carolina la Patriota, From the Countryside, Juan Arnao, Carbonell’s Bookstore, Carriages, The Reading, and The Café.

Biographical and Literary Note

This chapter gives context about Cuban culture and history during Wenceslao Gálvez y Delmonte’s lifetime, including information about his birthplace, Matanzas, slavery, the Cuban sugar industry, arts and music, and baseball, and traces his career as a baseball player, lawyer, and journalist in the costumbrismo style.

Tampa

Gálvez discusses many aspects of Tampa, with short descriptions titled Franklin Street, The First National Bank, Electric Streetcars, The City Hall, The Barroom, The Police, The Black Race, The Fruit Stand, Coffins, The Tampa Bay Hotel, Ballast Point, His Majesty the Milkman, Palmetto, The Mailman, The Oxen, and a Baptism in Hillsborough. Scattered among these are several entries referring to the emigrant community: Dr. Rafael Echeverría, My Flag, Benito Aranguren, and The Emigrants.

Historical Introduction

This chapter provides historical information about the Ten Years’ War in Cuba Cuban War of Independence. The history and culture of Tampa and Ybor City as immigrant cities are described, as well as the community’s response to and the immigration caused by the Cuban War of Independence.

West Tampa

In this shortest section of the book, Gálvez discusses West Tampa, a second settlement of Cuban exiles and cigar workers that was established on the west bank of the Hillsborough River. He describes the river in some detail, as well as Céspedes Hall, which was the center of the exile community in West Tampa. Gálvez devotes long entries to two important personalities, Martín Herrera and Fernando Figueredo. Titles are, The River, Bridge, Oysters and Boats; Martín Herrera; Céspedes Hall; and Fernando Figueredo.