The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-08-28
ON THE WIDE PACIFIC.
Frank Lazier Again Sends Word
to Friends.
Still Remembers His Old Home and Old
Friends-His Life on Ship Board
will be Absent Five or Six Years.

HONOLULU, II. l., Aug. Z.
DEAR CoUsfS.-Your letter at hand
and you may know / was very glad to
hear from YOU. We have been here
now for over four months and will prob
ably stay three or four months more,
as we still expect trouble from the Japs.
The navy department has ordered the
battle-ship "Oregon" down here for we
soon expect several more Japanese men
Of war, for there is serious trouble ex-
pected from that quarter. The Gore
gon" will probably be here before this
letter reaches you; they were ordered
down here as soon as they could coal up
and get ready for sea. The Oregon" is
first-class battle ship of 1900 tons dis
placement and one of the largest in
Uncle Sans navy. The Admiral has
orders to land the marines in case the
Japs get ugly, TO protect the American
Minister and all American citizens.
We will in all probability land here
and hoist the Stars and Stripes before
we return to the States. In case the
laps attempt to land we Sil land inn
mediately and hoist the American flag
over the capitol building. We cele-
brated the Fourth here the same as they
would in the States, on the Sd, Satur-
day night. They had magnificent
water carnival in the harbor, all the
ships were highly decorated with flags,
Japanese lanterns and many other col
ored electric lights. The "Philadel-
phia" had large flag made OF electric
lights and many other things. The
docks were crowded with people and
there were hundreds Of dollars worth of
fire works sent up. Every ship had a
beautiful flag representing different
things and all the small boats and steam
launches were very pretty. Monday
was the day OF the big parade ashore.
The procession was led by the eelebrat-
ed Hawaiian band. followed by four
companies of government infantry, two
Of artillery and four OF cavalry. Next
came the mounted police and U. S. S.
Phil. Band with two companies of
marines and eight OF blue jackets. All
the lodges we're out in full force and the
fire departments were in line, all deco
rated with flowers; also many wagons be-
sides. We passed in review before the
president and admiral in from. OF the
palace. After the parade was over we
went back to the ship to prepare to re-
ceiye visitors. Altogether the program
was a decided success.
A blue jacket was drowned on the U.
S. 5. "Marion' last week while in bath
ing and was found day before yesterday
out on the reef. He was buried with all
military honors.
The admiral and wife have just re-
turned from the Island OF Hawaii where
they have been to see the volcano which
is now in eruption.
Several others and myself were out to
the leper colony, short distance out Of
town to see the lepers but were only al
lowed to see them through fence, for
they could not trust us near them for
they always want to shake hands which
is very dangerous, if you have no gloves
on. | tell you they were queer looking
sights. The largest colony of lepers is
on the island Of Molaria, 30 miles south
of here.
Next week we will have Admiral's in.
spection which consists OF the various
drills, namely: Fire quarters, collision
quarters, clear ship for action, general
quarters, arm and away, cutting out
drill, beat drill and battalion drill.
will some time explain all the drills We
have on board ship.
| will be glad when we once more
reach San Francisco so we can see ar
opera or something going on. When
we leave here we will 90 straight to
Mares Island and this ship will go Out
of commission, We will either be sent
to the barracks or transferred to another
ship, in all probability the Baltimore
which is to be made flagship of the Pa
cific Station. The Baltimore" is a sis
ter to the "Phil idelphia.n We expect
lots of news on the next steamer, which
is due on the 29th.
wrote a long letter to sister Matte
and also to Jessie Turner. l am very
glad to know the old town is getting {
move on. l don't suppose | will know
it when get back, for won't be bacl
for five or six years. The next time you
see Percy tell him to write to me and
will answer and tell him all my travels
am very thankful for the papers
You must answer this and tell me al
the news for will have lots of news tc
write about in my next. Give my love
to all your family, to Aunt Sis and Myr
tie, to James and Aunt Emma. Same
address as before.
Yours,
FRANK LATER.