The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-28
Forty Two Volunteers at Topeka.


This list is Wichita's contribution to the
war with Spain. The list of those who
haev seen service and achieved some dis
tinction is greater than forany other
city in the west. The latest word is from
Bert Kline who was several years ago en-
ployed in the Eagle Cornice Works here.
He went from Wichita TO san Francisco,
and enlisted in the navy on the Charles
ton but was afterwards transferred to the
Concord Of which vessel he is now head
gunner. a letter from him is given be-
low.
MED Larimer is a graduate from Anna
polls Navay academy and is now on the
battleship Indiana.
Lieutenant Chauncey Humphrey was
through the siege Of Santiago with the
Second infantry from Ft. Smelling, Min
nesota.
Arthur Phillips, a graduate from Fair
mount, is with the Tenth Pennsylvania
beyond Honolulu.
Corporal M. L. DAILY is with the Third
Missouri at Camp Alger.
c. B. Campbell is enroute to Manila
with the Second Colorado, as is also Joe
Campbell with the First California.
Colonel Tom Fitch, Captain Everett and
Beard and Sergeant Mahaney are with the
Twenty-First Kansas at Chickamauga
Captain Sam Jones, Lieutenants Belts
and Green are al Topeka with Wichita's
colored company.
Fred Beale went with the Rough Riders.
J. r. Houston is with the Second Texas
at Mama, Fla.
Sixteen Wichita boys who have won
some distinction besides the 1856 volunteers
at Chickamauga and Topeka are anxious
10 get to the front. This is Wichita's
contribution TO the war with Spain.
The Wabash, Ind, Plaindealer prints
the following concerning Bert Kline in
which is a letter from Kline saying that
they went in at Manila 10 do the Span
iards or die. and did them in due form:
The Plaindealer is permitted to take
few extracts from a letter written by
Bert Kline, a Wabash boy on board the
L. s. snip Concord. which took an i'm
portant part in the grand naval duel be-
tween Admiral Dewey's magnificent feet
and nearly double its number of Spanish
ships in Manila bay, May l. Bert Kline,
as is well known to most Of Wabash peo-
- a
citizen who is now al the soldiers home
a. Marion He is head gunner on the
Concord, the highest position volunteer
can reach in the navy.
The letter was written May 4, mailed at
Hong Kong. China, May Z, and reached
San Francisco. Cal, June 3. and arrived
at Wabash June Il. The epistle is en-
closed in an envelope made of paper thin
as Chinese napkins and is open ar both
ends. Al the upper left hand corner of
the envelope is written ship Letter." and
underneath this are the words II. s. S.
Concord" The envelope bears a Hong
Kong 10 cent stamp and is addressed to
Bert's sister, Mrs. Inez Hutchens. Bert
says:
Il write you this to assure You that
en- alive and well. We came in here last
Sunday and at 1920 a. m. the first shot
was fired by the Spanish. and az dawn OF
day they fired on Us again from the feet
and three forts. At sos a. m. we began
firing and never stopped Till 7:42 a. m
Then We drew out 10 get something 10 eat.
Before we drew out we had sunk four
Spanish ships and two torpedo boats.
After breakfast we came back and
bombarded the forts. siienced the bat
teries and killed about 2i7 men in about
minutes. Not one of our men was keued
or hurt by the enemy.
The estimated loss Of life on the Span
lsh side is 500 and not one Of the Yam
kee side
We are lying in front Of their forts
now. I was ashore today and was all
through their forts and WAS up in their
hospitals. Il was a terrible sight TO wit
ness But suppose You have heard about
that before this.
we gave the Spanish the largest sur
prise they ever had. I, was the hottest
May day picnic I was ever fortunate
enough 70 attend and there is no doubt
but it was the most disastrous bull fight
the Spauiards ever had.
There were but SIX ships in our fleet
against i Of The Spanish. huc they fired
20 fast that they went down one by one
till they were all gone. When We went in
we were determined 20 Go them or die
on tn spot. and W did them in due form.
Write and tell me al the news of the
feet ST Havana for am anxious 20 know
what is going on there"