The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-06-24
LETTER FROM MJAPAN.
A Hand County Citizen Aboard a Man
of War.

DiOihCi 10 puDiiouVu W 'Vi hiiooiSh VI
B. X. Purkey. Mr.. Breiner is resi-
dent OF Alpha township, where he
still owns land, but his penchant
for travel has taken him in many
parts of the world He is now on
the U. S. war ship "Boston," and his
letter is dated Nagasaki, Japan, May
%, 1897:
"As we were at Shanghai, China,
the last letter wrote, will try to
tell you the different points we have
visited since. The Boston left Shang-
hal, the 14th of Sept. for Chefoo,
China, go mics north. THIS is a
small port OF littleimportance except
being near the scene OF the naval bat
tie of the late war between China and
Japan. We met the OLYMPIA, flag
ship there, and had admiral's inspec-
tion and target practice.
After Il stay of six weeks we got
orders to proceed TO Chemulpo, Corea
where we lay all winter We left
Chefoo Nov. 4th, and heard there
that Bryan was elected president.
| told the boys il such was the case
! was good for another cruise, but
we learned different at Chermulpo.
Corea is small country, her peo-
pie being the same as Chinese, but do
not wear the que. They are also
clean compared to some of the Chi
nese, and wear white clothes. both
the men and women. Their dress
resembles our "mother hubbard"
style for both sexes. Corea was the
cause of the late war between China
and Japan, but it will benefit neither
now, for Russia is gradually taking
possession OF the coantry. We got
orders to leave Chermulpo the 9th
of March for Chefoo again. At the
latter port we met the old L. S. gun
boat Monocacy, which has been out
on this station since 1866. She is
an old timer, and has helped to bonn
bard several ports in Japan and
Corea. She has a peddle wheel, and
is queer looking craft compared
to the Boston. We conveyed her to
Shanghai where she was going forre-
pairs. We lost her one night during
Jog, but when it lifted the next
morning she was rolling along about
one mile off our starboard beam.
The Boston gave her a parting whis
tie at outer light ship Off Shanghai,
where she was going for repairs.
We lost her one night during fog,
but when it lifted the next morning
she was rolling along about one mile
off our starboard beam. The Boston
gave her parting whistle at outer
light ship off Shanghai, and we pro-
ceeded on to Annoy 800 miles further
south. This was port OF little i'm
portance except it's tea shipping.
Two weeks later we steamed on to
Hong Kong, in much warmer eli
mate,-a move from 80 latitude
north to 81. Hong Kong is a Brit
ish port, and is the best build city
we have been in, having many fine
business blocks and residences. 1t is
the chief commercial city OF eastern
Asia. Many steamship lines connect
it with all parts o. the world. Head
quarters OF the British army and ma
w are located herein fact, the
town is full OF soldiers and sailors,
there being near 0,000 OF the former,
We went to dry dock there Gnd had
the ships bottom cleaned and paint
ed and necessary repairing done.
After lay OF iour weeks we We're
ordered on to Nagaski, atwhich port
we arrived the 4th OF May, the trip
being LOGO miles. We made the
run in So hours. We have had eX-
cellent weather on the entire Cruise,
except twice when we ran into blows,
which lasted for short time only.
This is q lively little port and u
good place to lay. Expect to stay
this month and most OF next. The
program now is to meet the flag
L.; l.; XoEnhnma Inly lth ,vhere