Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-08-04
AFLoAT on THE sRINY
South Dakota Soldiers mt Last start
for the Philippines.

,hiAtNu s'attc VIZ aAo " ootitC ~
To- morrow reveille sounds at ) a. M,
the general at 6:15, and then tents
come down. and mt 8 the Second and
Third battalions, headed by the band.
march TO the Pacific Mail dock and
embark on their long ocean voyage.
Early this morning the work of pack
ing up and loading heavy luggage was
begun, n all the surplus property
was sent away as soon as possible.
Things are now in such shape that
there need be no delay In getting the
property all on board and in being in
readiness TO sail Saturday.
Everyone seems to be happy. Even
the dignitiad have ~unloosened and in
dulged in horse-play and general hilar-
ity.
Quartermaster Murray has been busy
issuing clothing TO the new recruits
to-day.
All the shoddy uniforms were turned
In this morning, and others of a much
better quality will be issued in the
Philippines.
Those who have seen the Rio Janeiro
and others who have sailed on her are
loud in her praises, and predict a fine
trip.
Ice is made on the ship every day.
and Will be an acceptable item in the
tropics.
The quarters of the men are said TO
be very comfortable indeed. COED beds
are provided, and their sleeping quar-
ters are well and scientifically yenti-
lated.
The Red Cross society will furnish
dinner to all who 60 on board to-mor-
row.
An unusual event took place in camp
to-day, and unique, also, I'm the history
Of the regiment, when Elmer G.. Oil
plant of Company NJ, and Miss Lizzie
Gardner OF San Francisco, were united
In marriage. The ceremony was per
formed by Chaplain Daley, and the adj
jutant's tent was used for the occasion.
A number of Private ELEPHANTS
friends were present TO offer their con-
CALCULATIONS and best wishes. Oliphant
enlisted from Rapid city, and is well
thought of In his company. Miss Gard
ner is a native of Frisco, and met her
husband nero after he came TO this.
camp with his regiment. And thus do
the gods of love and war sometimes
play together.
Quartermaster Sergeant Munger of
Company III has been made first ser
geant, and Corporal Mahoney a ser
geant.
On Board Transport Rio Janeiro,
July 23.-Out of the sand and on board
slip ut last.
The Second and Third battalions
struck their tents this morning prompt
ly at 6:13. and within half an hour
were ready to march. At 3 O'Clock the
battalions were formed and the long
march TO the dock began. The column
was headed by Brig. Gen. Otis and
Col. Frost, followed by the band, and
then the companies in order. The boys
were heartily cheered as they went
through the city. and found a large
crowd awaiting them at the dock.
The men were supplied by the Red
Cross society with a bountiful lunch
soon after they reached the dock, and
very soon began to get on board.
At about 2:30 the work OF loading
was nearly complete, and the usual
scenes incident to n departure OF troops
took place.
hF
friends were there to say a last good
bye. The men cheered and looked
happy. but many felt a lump rise in
their threats. Tears were shed,
handkerchiefs waved. the band played,
cheer after cheer went up from the
men, who had scrambled all over the
ship. and after the assembly was
blown the gongs began to beat thel
warning. the ships whistle made ev-
eryone shudder with its horrible din,
and, as the last gangway fell, we be-
gan to move, and realized that at last
we were off and away.
The Rio pulled out into the bay. ana
has stopped until she leaves In the
morning.
Several officers still on land will be
brought ont this evening in a tug boat.
Mail was brought on this afternoon,
and several officers went ashore for
the evening.
The officers quarters are very pleas
n though the second lieutenants are
slowed away three to II stateroom.
The non-commissiOned staff have quar-
ters similar to those OF the second heu-
tenants.
Each man has a spring bed and q
mattress, and each one provides his
own blankets. The quarters for the
men on this boat are said TO be superb
or TO those of any other transport tnat
has left thus far.
A guard OF twenty men. in charge OF
Lieut.. Huntington. was G TO the
dock early in the morning. and immedi'
ately took charge of the entrance TO IT,
Strict orders had been given TO allow
no n 10 enter except employees on tne
dock, a few Red Cross ladies. and ina
no others should enter without autnori
Nv from Gen. Otis or Col. Frost.
Relatives and friends of the men
soon began to mistakenly demand adj
n~,ittance, each one being sure that she
or he had a much better reason why
the orders should be broken. and each
n felt personally hurt when they
were refused.
The ladies of the Red Cross were al
mitted. and that seemed to many to be
a case Of unjust favoritism.
Pretty soon n squad Of police, In
charge tcf a loud-mouthcd, highly-im
portant captain, appeared and began
10 assume general charge of matters
Within a few minutes a clash occurred
when some people. who had beer
passed In by the police. were stopped
by the guards. The police captain Is
80 -~1 go ~