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| SS ZEALANDIA. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, July 28, 1899.
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
LETTER FROM HARLEY J. HUTCHINSON OF TAYLOR
To His Grandfather, Edmund Potter, of Cortland—Describes the Trip Out to the New Possessions and the Life of Soldiers in the Camp.
The following letter has been received by Mr. Edmund Potter of 234 Port Watson-st., from his grandson, Harley J. Hutchinson, formerly of Taylor, Cortland county, now a member of the Ninth infantry in the Philippine Islands. Since the letter was written the grandmother, Mrs. Potter, has died and a brother of the writer who was a member of the same regiment has been killed in battle there. It will be read with interest by many friends in this county:
PATEROS, P. I., May 26, 1899,
DEAR GRANDFATHER AND GRANDMOTHER
—I intended to write to you before, but haven't had time. You undoubtedly know that we are in the Philippines. I never expected to see as much of the world as I have and to have as much experience. We haven't seen much real fighting yet, though we are within three miles of the niggers (as they call the insurgents.) A regiment of First Washington Vols. just beyond us had a fight with them yesterday morning. There were thirteen niggers killed, eight wounded and one captured. No Americans hit at all.
And now I will endeavor to tell you briefly of our trip from Sackett's Harbor to this land of bullets and niggers. We left Sackett's Harbor March 17 (St. Patrick's day) and I tell you all the boys were glad to leave the place behind them. We didn't know then what we would have to go through. We went by way of Syracuse to Buffalo and Chicago. We left Buffalo at 8 o'clock P. M. and were out of New York state at 10. We passed through Ohio in the night and were passing through Indiana in the next forenoon. At 12 o'clock we were in Chicago, the second city in the United States. We stopped there about an hour and ate dinner at the Burlington & Quincy depot, one of the finest depots in the world. We left Chicago behind and passed through the fertile plains of Illinois. At Kearney, Ill., we crossed the Mississippi river into Clinton, Ia., the state of cattle ranches and grain fields. We passed miles and miles of corn and other grain. Sunday morning we reached Council Bluffs and crossed the Missouri river to Omaha, Neb. If we only could have left the train and seen the cities we passed through. I can't remember all we saw. At noon we passed through North Platte, Neb., the home of Col. Cody (Buffalo Bill). We passed his ranch about a mile this side of there. From there we passed through Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada. Through Wyoming and Nevada, it was the same endless miles of mountains alternated by sandy plains with sage brush.
Tuesday evening, March 21, we were passing through the narrow mountains of Western Nevada and passed through miles and miles of snow sheds. In the morning we were in the green clad hills of California. With a change from snow and mountains and dry plains to beautiful green valleys. We passed green fields and orchards in bloom. The fields were covered with wild flowers. It made me think of New York state in May. At 9 o'clock we were in Sacramento, Cal. We stood here quite a while. The next stop was Port Costa, where we crossed a ferry. I forget what water it was.
At 11 o'clock we reached Oakland, Cal., where we left the cars for good. We crossed the ferry to San Francisco. We were the second section to reach there. The first section, F, A and I companies, went right aboard the transport City of Puebla. We were marched four miles to the Presidio barracks. It was raining all the while. Our knapsacks were taken there by mule trains. We went into barracks and had to sleep on the floor. It rained for three days and then cleared up. Presidio is an elegant place. I would like to have stayed there. Two troops of the Fourth cavalry and one battery of the Third artillery were there. They have a large hospital there and are building six more large buildings for hospital use. They intend to have room for 8,000 men. They will need it too. We were here five days. On Friday the transport City of Puebla sailed with six companies of the Ninth on board. Four companies were left at Presidio and two at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. We were one of the companies left at Presidio and we all put in the best of our time to see the city and everything of importance.
The reservation of Presidio covers 2,000 acres. There are quarters for 1,000 cavalry troops and 1,000 infantry troops and 400 artillery; in all 2,400 men. It borders the shore of San Francisco harbor and is near the Golden Gate. Overlooking the Golden Gate are three large batteries of modern guns, one mortar battery, one battery of 12 and 16-inch guns, four dynamite guns and a number of others. No one is allowed to examine them, not even soldiers.
I saw the city—from the best part to Chinatown. In this place there are more Chinamen than in any other city in America. It is the most crowded part of the city. There are more people living below ground underneath the streets than above, and no white man knows what transpires in these dens. The Chinamen have stores and factories as much as the Americans, and laundries line the streets by blocks. The point of most interest to me was the docks where the vessels that enter this port were moored. There were ships of all kinds from a schooner to the best steamships. The battleship Iowa was lying in the harbor. She is a fine looking vessel, and then I thought I would like to be on her, but now I think differently. I don't think so much of the ocean.
On Tuesday, March 28, we were marched down to the docks and boarded the United States transport Zealandia. At 9 o'clock we sailed. We were paid on the boat just before she sailed, and were not allowed to leave her. At 6 o'clock we had passed through the Golden Gate and left America behind, and God only knows if we will ever see it again; some will not, but we can't tell who.
The first night and day out of 'Frisco we were all sea sick. I never was so sick in my life. After a few days we were all right. Seven days after we left 'Frisco we reached Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, April 5. The other transport with the other companies on board was in the harbor. She had been there three days. She left there the next day.
We had to have a pass to leave the ship. I went ashore the first day and saw the city. The place is more like an American city than anything else. The buildings are mostly all built of brick and stone and of American design. There are a good many Japanese and Chinese there. I saw everything, from the native kid swimming in the harbor to the queen's palace. The palace [is] the executive building of the Hawaiian government. It is a fine building. There was an old gentleman that showed us the palace and grounds and told us all about the revolution they had there when the white people took the government into their own hands. The grounds were beautiful and looked as only a tropical place could with palms and tropical shrubbery. Everything there, such as dry goods and manufactured goods, costs as much again as in the states. The bananas and other fruit are very cheap. We stayed there three days.
We left Honolulu on Friday afternoon, April 8. From there on we had a fine voyage. There was a minister on board. He was going to join the First Tennessee Vols. as chaplain. He held service every afternoon on the upper deck. Three or four men had musical instruments and we had music now and then. We had nothing to do but drill a quarter of an hour each morning; do guard duty once a week and inspection once a week. We had to take a bath every two days.
On the 21st we saw the first land since leaving Honolulu. I forgot the name of it; it was a volcano entirely covering the island. It was not in eruption, but smoke was rolling off from the top of it. After that we didn't see land till the evening of the 24th. Then we sighted the northern end of the Island of Luzon. We saw land off and on until we reached Manila.
On the morning of the 26th of April we steamed into Manila Bay, nearly a year from the time that Dewey won his famous battle of Manila bay. The city and bay was a beautiful sight that morning. The bay was full of vessels, gunboats and merchant ships and the city lying back near the hills. We reached there at 8 o'clock in the morning. We went ashore in the afternoon. Large vessels cannot dock at Manila and they unload about a quarter of a mile out in the bay. They unload then with lighters (long boats covered with bamboo.) They are run by Japs. They live right on the boats with their chickens, pigs and everything. We went ashore in these boats. They take six or eight boats to unload the vessels.
When we got ashore we left our knapsacks and they were taken to where the rest of the Ninth were camped at Luneta, a suburb of Manila. We reached there at just dark. We pitched our tents and didn't eat any supper. We didn't get anything to eat that night, and how it rained! We rested well, if it was damp lying on the ground, but the ground was solid, it wasn't rolling like a ship. The next morning we got a good breakfast. We were there in camp two days. We had a chance to bathe and clean up. We didn't have any time to see the city.
On Friday afternoon we got orders to fall in at 8 o'clock in light marching order. We got new campaign suits and left our knapsacks there and left the camp. The third battalion went one way; the Second United States went another and the First stayed in camp. We didn't know where we were going, but didn't think it far. We kept marching for hours, it seemed. After we left Manila we commenced to pass over ground where the volunteers had fought the niggers. All the way from there to this place the villages are all in ruins. We passed two camps of soldiers and about 2 o'clock we got the order to fall out and stay there till morning. The fellows dropped down anywhere and went to sleep.
In the morning we found that we were at Pateros, sixteen miles from Manila, and have been here ever since. We are in some bamboo huts and have some quite comfortable quarters.
The first day we were here we saw our first campaigning. We went out in the afternoon. They thought the niggers were going to attack us. We were to cross the river. There was a rope strung across the river; [they] went to get a raft to cross on. The company commander swam across by the help of the rope; several followed him. I swam across. When the raft got there about twenty-five men got on. They had their rifles, belts and 100 rounds of ammunition. When the raft got in the middle it tipped over and they all went in, guns and all. Several rifles and belts were lost. Two men were drowned. No more went across. They found the niggers were not anywhere around. Those that went out came in just at dusk that evening.
We were called out again and stayed all night. It rained the hardest I ever saw it. About 9 o'clock they thought the niggers were coming. It was raining and lightning and by the lightning I could see the other fellows. A good many looked pretty pale. A squad of men that had been sent ahead was fired on they thought by the enemy, and they fired back and then the whole company opened on them. In a few minutes they stopped and found it was another company firing at us. No one killed. I didn't feel very comfortable when the bullets were flying over our heads. We stayed there all night and the cause of the whole thing was a picket shooting a pig.
Since then we have had to go out about every two days. Three days ago a detachment of the Ninth artillery and one field gun was brought up here and taken above us. They are firing at the niggers' trenches this morning.
Our camp is right near the Pasig river. They have to boil all the water we use to drink and filter it. Each company has a filter. We have pretty good feed here. They don't give us much meat; it isn't good for our health. We get mostly oatmeal, rice, apple sauce. We don't get any of that canned beef and but little bacon. We could have more to eat, but our captain, the company commander, before we reached here had got $700, that belong to the company. He is a major now and was in command of the Third battalion. He went out with his men and got captured by the niggers and hasn't been heard from since. The company commander has bought stuff here and sold it to us; the profit goes to the company fund, and he has bought some things for us. We had canned pineapple and such stuff some times. There are a good many bananas around here, but we haven't had many to eat. We have to be careful about eating such stuff. There are a good many pigs, hens and dogs here; they are a nuisance. I wanted to go gunning for them.
Well I wanted to come here and here I am. Anybody would do differently if they knew what they would have to go through. We shall probably have to stay here a year or two anyway. You will get this letter about the middle of July, six weeks from now. We have not had any mail in quite a few days. There aren't many horses here. They use water buffaloes to draw the provisions and other things. When we get to Manila, I will write again. Yours in remembrance,
Your grandson,
HARLEY J. HUTCHINSON, Co. B, Ninth U. S. Inf., Manila, Isle of Luzon, P. I.
ADVICES BY STEAMER.
Oriental News Brought by the Kimshia Maru.
OUR TRANSPORTS AT YOKOHAMA.
Captain Bradley of the Tenth Kansas Regiment Returning Home Mortally Wounded—He Confirms Report of Filipinos Buying Arms In Japan.
VICTORIA, B. C, July 28.—The steamer Kimshia Maru has just arrived here after a record-breaking trip across from China. She had a few white passengers, among them being Dr. Eastlake of New York, who is introducing an electric trolley system into Japan.
The officers of the ship report that the plague has been almost stamped out so far as ships are concerned.
Elaborate arrangements are being made for the celebration of the revised treaties coming into force on the 17th. This will not apply to France, Austria, Italy, with whom the treaty does not apply till Aug. 4.
The United States minister, B. McKee, has issued a proclamation calling on all United States citizens to loyally observe the new arrangements and Dr. Eastlake says the general impression is that the foreigners will be more leniently treated than the natives.
A terrible hurricane swept Japanese coast from the 8th to the 11th of July. In Ushijimamura, Oyie district, Tokshima prefecture, 70 houses were washed away and 50 persons were killed and 30 are missing. In Saijo-Mura, Itano district, the same prefecture, over 40 houses were demolished and many people are missing.
At Aiga Mura, Kitamuro district, Miye prefecture, a land slide occurred on the night of the 10th, owing to the heavy rains. Five houses were crushed under the debris and 28 persons were either killed or injured. Railway traffic east of the Yanagi on the Sanyo railway is still interrupted in consequence of damage done to the track.
When the Kimshia Maru left Yokohama the Boston had arrived from Manila on her way to San Francisco, also the Arizona, transferred into the Hancock transport. She had Utah's men on board. The transport Relief left the same day as the Rio Jun (13th) for America with 300 sick on board from Manila, mostly Kansas men. Of these, Captain Bradley of the Tenth Kansas has a bullet in the rear of his heart, and Dr. Eastlake says he cannot recover. His signal man is with him with a shattered jaw, having been wounded three times before dropping out.
Captain Bradley eulogizes General Otis' management of the campaign, but says he is overworked. He recommends pouring ample troops in to suppress the rebels. He speaks in terms of the warmest admiration of the American troops who, he says, displayed the utmost coolness and bravery.
Captain Bradley brings a sensational report in reference to the army of the Philippines. He says that the range of the Filipino rifles and the character of the wounds show that they were not inflicted by Mausers. In the same connection he gives currency to the rumor that before the outbreak of the trouble a Japanese firm in Tokio filled a large order for the Filipinos for the deadly murata rifle which has a much longer range than the American weapon. The sale was consummated secretly and without the knowledge of the Japanese government.
Strong indignation is expressed at Hong Kong over the reported withdrawal of the British from Shamchim. The conduct of the Chinese in opposing the taking over new territories is such that the occupation of Shamchim is deemed a light punishment. It is said the indemnity of $95,000 has been accepted by Britain.
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| Sir Julian Pauncefote and family. |
WINDING UP WORK.
Last Few Acts of the Peace Conference at The Hague.
THE HAGUE, July 28.—The committee engaged in drafting the definite acts spent the entire day in attempting to reconcile the demand of Sir Julian Pauncefote that non-signatory powers be entitled to adhere to the arbitration convention only by the unanimous consent of the signatory powers, and the amendment of Count Nigra, head of the Italian delegation, permitting such adhesion, if no power opposes. The attempts, however, were without result.
The plenary conference adopted the preamble dealing with the laws and customs of war, and the adaptation of the Geneva convention to naval war. The articles of the two conventions were definitely adopted. The arbitration scheme still awaits Great Britain's acceptance of and accession to the plan.
CORTLAND COUNTY FAIR
To be Held Aug. 30 to Sept. 1—Promises to be the Best in Years.
The annual fair of the Cortland Agricultural society will this year be held Aug. 29, 30 and 31 and Sept. 1. The officers of the society are this year as follows:
President—George H. Hyde.
Secretary and General Manager—W. J. Greenman.
Treasurer—C. F. Brown.
The officers have been for some time at work upon a list of attractions that promises to be among the best ever brought before the people of this county and vicinity. The premiums have been increased about $1,000 and will this year aggregate about $5,000. All the premiums in stock and agricultural produce have been increased. The work of publishing the premium list and catalogue has been begun in The STANDARD job rooms, and the book will be ready for distribution in about two weeks. It will contain a valuable amount of information. The business men have responded handsomely to the solicitations of Mr. George W. Fisher to take space in the book, and are already making plans for space in the building and are preparing generally to make large exhibits. Details regarding the further attractions will be given from time to time as plans are matured. But remember the dates—Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 and plan to attend.
Take note of the handsome window hangers in many of the business places all giving the dates of the fair. There is a large variety of them.
BATES-WRIGHT.
A Cortland Young Man Wins a Bride from Homer.
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis C. Wright of James-st., Homer, was last evening the scene of a wedding of a popular young man of Cortland and a popular young lady of Homer, when their daughter, Miss Anna M. Wright, became the wife of F. Albert Bates, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene W. Bates of Cortland.
About sixty relatives and friends were in attendance and the ceremony was performed by Rev. A. P. Palmer of Camden, uncle of the groom. Miss Ethel Mott of Cortland played the wedding march, and the bride and groom were unattended. Decorations of ferns, sweet peas and cut flowers adorned the parlors, and after congratulations a wedding feast was served. Mr. Bates is one of the most upright and thoroughly respected of Cortland's young men and is an expert piano tuner in the employ of A. Mahan, while the bride is not unknown in Cortland, having been at one time a clerk with Mr. Mahan. The bridal journey includes Syracuse and other places and upon the return Mr. and Mrs. Bates will reside in Homer. They were handsomely and liberally remembered with wedding gifts.
PONIES, DOGS AND MONKEYS.
Everything New at Prof. Gentry's Show on Aug. 3.
The twelfth year of Prof. Gentry's famous dog and pony show finds everything new. The entire company including dogs, ponies and monkeys, have all been trained to a new performance and will exhibit under canvas on the baseball grounds in Cortland on Thursday, Aug. 3, at 2:30 and 8 P. M. A large number of animal celebrities have been added to the show this season: Satin and an entire troupe of monkey actors and many other novel and interesting features. The prices of admission are, children 15 cents, and adults 25 cents.
In New Quarters.
Mr. E. R. Wright, who recently purchased the Johnson property just west of the Opera House, has been making extensive changes in the barn, and has removed his livery from Hubbard-st. He is now established in his new quarters. Mr. Wright has in addition to his handsome line of hacks, a complete outfit of livery rigs of all kinds, both single and double, rubber tired buggies, new surries, etc. Orders may be left at Mr. Wright's office, 11 Clinton-ave., or the stable, 16 Groton-ave. [Paid ad.]
JAMES Z. PETRlE
Formerly or This County, Died in Plainfield, N. J., Last Week.
The Plainfield, N. J., Courier-News of Monday contained the following account of the funeral of James Z. Petrie, who will be remembered by a large number of people in Cortland county.
Many friends of the late James Z. Petrie, who died Saturday morning, gathered together yesterday afternoon to listen to the funeral services held at the home of Mrs. Harris on Fourth-st., over his remains. Dr. Richards, of the Crescent Avenue church, spoke very feelingly of the great peace that is to be derived from the words of God in time of such sorrow. Charles Lewis sang two hymns, "One Sweetly Solemn Thought," and "Forever with the Lord," in a very touching manner, after which the sorrowing friends looked their last on the calm features of the deceased.
The flowers that covered the casket were beautiful, and showed well the esteem in which Mr. Petrie was held by his many friends. The violin, on which Mr. Petrie had played for so many years, lay on the casket half covered by the entwining smilax, and brought to the memory of all present his great fondness for all music. Mr. Petrie has played at many of the leading concerts held in Plainfield during the past few years, and his musical friends were many, all of whom never tired of hearing him bring forth the soul-stirring strains of music from his favorite violin.
After the services at the house in this city, the body was shipped on the evening train to Truxton, N. Y., Mr. Petrie's boyhood home, where services were held in the church at that place at 2 o'clock this afternoon, interment, being in the family plot at that place.
BREVITIES.
—Regular conclave Cortland commandery, No. 50, this evening at 8 o'clock. The order of Temple will be conferred.
—New display advertisements to-day are—F. Daehler, Children's and boys' suits, page 6; M. A. Case, Bath towels, page 6.
—The Presbyterian church at Oneonta has extended a call to Rev. James C. Russell, D. D., of Camden, N. J., to become its pastor.
—Mr. Alvin House of Cuyler died at his home at an early hour this morning. His age was 59 years. No further particulars are yet known.
—There will be a private dancing party at the park to-night in honor of Miss Nina Crandall of Binghamton, who is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald of Port Watson-st.
—The young ladles taught by Mr. R. J. Lucas in the First M. E. Sunday-school will hold their monthly social at the home of Miss Lillian Hayes, 192 Main-st., this evening.
—Mr. Jefferson B. Sliter received official notice this morning of his appointment as a deputy factory inspector, and was directed to report for duty Tuesday to Factory Inspector John Williams at Albany.
—Brodgen, the druggist, has kindly offered to furnish free to the winning team soda water for each member at the close of the game. This is appreciated, highly, and the team that is successful will be sure of getting something fine.
—All of Erie county is terrified over an epidemic of rabies which is now raging among people, dogs, horses and cows. It all proceeded from a St. Bernard dog which went mad and which ran forty miles through the country biting people and animals before being shot.
—Chauncey D. Hyde of the firm of Hayes &
Hyde, cabinet makers in the Hitchcock
building on Port Watson-st., got the third finger of his left hand so close to
a ripsaw this morning that a portion was clipped off and will prevent him from
working for a few days.
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