Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-13
JOPLIN WRITES FROM MANILA
Former Omaha Railroad Man Now in the
Quartermaster's Department.
MOSQUITOES AN IRREPREsSIBLE ENEMY
He Finds Life lin the PhiIippincs
Mixed with Pleasures as
Well as Annoying In
cODyGstescea.

General Freight Agent Wood Of the Union
Pacific railroad has received an interesting
letter from Joseph S. Joplin. connected with
the general freight offices OF the company
in this city for the last eleven years, and
now stationed at Manila with Quartermas-
ter Samuel II. Jones. The following are a
few extracts from the letter:
Cavite we had good quarters, with
many of the comforts of home and conven-
fences that make life worth living. Later
we were transferred to Camp Dewey, some
seven miles distant, and about five miles
from Manila. There our luxurious quarters
Of Cavite changed into tents, and our cane
bottomed beds were exchanged for bamboo
hunks. Instead Of admiring the rainfall
from a seoond-story window, we found our
selves floating about in a foot of water. 1t
had been my belief that I had seen what is
termed rain, but since our arrival here I
have become convinced they were but show
ers. Rain coats were useless, and dusty
streets In a moment became running streams.
The mosquitoes in Cavite were terrible, not
only at night, but during the day, and
while we did not have them to worry us in
camp they were replaced by frogs. which
seemed to hold services around my tent
every night.
THE change Of location made necessary
~N ~ y IN vain I'LL
tied facilities. gave us n difficult proposition.
We had not the Union Pacific railroad, but
had to resort to cascos for transportation
across the bay, and to burl carts and CARO-
matas by land. We were also confronted
with obstacles In the way OF high seas and
poor landings, finally being forced to land
supplies at Bacor and Paranaquestowns,
south of camp by two and eight miles re-
spectively, and to haul for those distances
over roads the like Of which l never saw
before, rather l should say in roads for
the mud rarely was less than hub deep.
With all the dlscomforts, we value the ex-
p%erience, and have enjoyed it. There was
ever a certain anticipation and excitement
that made one forget the hardships.
Have COmmandants Quarters.
1--WE now occupy the house vacated by the
commandant Of Malate on the Passed de Ia
Calsado, which has all the modern con-
veniences, and Is surrounded by beautiful
grounds Astounding in trees, shrubbery and
flowers. I must not forget to mention a very
pretty fountain. 1t Is a very attractive
place, but Is not to be considered In con-
nection with the governors palace and
many of the homes Of foreign representa-
tives here. The street cars run directly in
front and the street is lighted with cleo
tricity, as is also the whole city. The
Luneta is a beautiful driveway along the
water front, and every evening at sunset
the aristocracy in their fine turnouts can
be seen here In all their glory. Even we,
behind what we, Of course, consider the
finest team on the island, have been guilty
Of mingling with the swell people. The
sunsets are grand and the breezes from the
bay always fresh and delightful. While 1t
is warm, and l reckon always Is, yet /
hapra nftan fhnttuht ~ un,t oil Il nvnnha Anr
ing the heated months just passed and.
wished you might enjoy with us the GOODNESS
of the nights.
with greater signs of civilization Manila
and this island would be good places In
which to live, and l presume 1t will now
become the duty OF the American people
to enlighten this ignoran. and down-trodden
race.
I'm my rambles a few days since l ran
across a railroad station that was as silent
as death. The insurgents will not permit
the trains to run after reaching territory In
their possession, so the affair, which, from
appearances, did not amount to a great deal,
has shut down. Shortly / expect to be
elected president OF the corporation. but as
yet / have not secured the necessary votes.
while under some circumstances one
could be very contented here, l feel as
though the United States Of America is u
pretty good place after all, and would not
weep many tears were we ordered back on
the Newport tomorrow. The vacation I
thought would be OF short duration has
heightened into a few days Of four months.
and | am wondering II my friends have not
forgotten me. One OF our gentle showers.
where a barrel OF water comes down In a
drop, has just struck US. but, as ] am
under cover. let her pour"
It Is said that the sultan OF Turkey has
lust confpleted at Mecca the biggest house