The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-10-14

Mr.. S. n. Steele has received letter
from Mr. Luther Wiley, of this city, now
at Preside with the regiments about to
depart for Manila, from which we take
the following:
PREsrpio, Cal., Oct. 5, 1898.
We are ordered to leave on the first
transport but what it will be and when
it will sail is not yet known.
We are we'll fixed and plenty TO eat.
Nothing whatever of which to complain.
As you perhaps know am what the
volunteers call company quartermaster
sergeant, but in the regular service there
is no Co. q. NJ. Sgt. However / look
after the provisions, answer no roll-calls,
am excused from drill and guard-duty so
YOU see ! have the soitest snap on the
works.
have been nearly all over the city
and made one trip to Oakland. l come
and go when please but am careful not
to abuse my privileges. have visited
the Cliff House, Chutes. Golden Gate
Park, Fort Point, Fl. Mason, U. >. Mint,
Call, Chronicle and Examiner buildings,
several of the large churches and stores,
notably the Central NJ. f., Calvary Pres.
LIST Pres. 1st Christian and Emmanuel
Baptist, (where the Lamont, Williams,
Durrant murder was conlmittedl church
es and the Golden Rule Bazaar or En-
poreum, one of the finest stores IN the
world, where at the present time about
500 clerks are employed. This number
will, however, soon be doubled as the
Nmas season approaches.
DIR. Lock, of the Central NJ. +. church,
is the best preacher | have heard in the
city and their music is grand, bass,
tenor, q soprano and 5 altos and large
pipe organ. Ali their singers are hrst
class and the house which Is similar in
shape and structure on the inside TO the
old Albany Opera House, and about as
large, is always crowded
l have found lots of friends among the
young folks of the city. The soldiers
who behave themselves are well looked
after by the good people Of the city.
Ii we are in the city at meal time we
go to the Red Cross Lunch Counter AZ
the Ferries and get free lunch.
| have my Y. NJ G. A. button with
ME and receive cordial welcome there.
/ get baths two for cents or free II /
take nv own towel and free access TO
the reading room.
! tell you il pays 10 be man where
ever YOU are aud no place IN lie IS
honesty, integrity and ability SO quickly
recognized and rewarded as IN the army.
/ called on Col. Funston and present.
ed your compliments. He said: Yes,
/ remember MIA. Il has been long
time since | saw him. When you write
tell him send him best wishes and am
glad TO hear from him"
Perhaps YOU know he Travelled 800
miles on foot and alone through Alaska.
Was n Col, think, in the Cuban army,
was twice wounded and taken prisoner
by the Spaniards and was released by
agreeing TO never take up arms with tie
Insurgents.
have heard mnch Of him from the
Kansas boys who are drilling our com
pany.
Ii. Hamilton. OF Co. N, Goth Kan,
who was o,sr first acting Cap = gave me
one of the finest letters of rccommenda-
ion ever read. am very proud OF IT.
have IA good $25 Eastman Kodak
which bought for $3.50 and viii hope
to get some good views in Manila.
] also have - string, bar autoharp
which bought for 81 and one OF the
BOYS offers me 50 for il and the case,
which cost me so cents, ! made II myself
and covered il with black oil-clOih.
Hundreds OF dollars are loaned among
tie boys every month at an interest OF
80 cents on the dollar payable on the
first pay day An unreasonable interest
but we ali receive the same salary and II
some squander their money and want 10
pay it guess It is all right. l loaned
some but had some trouble in collecting
as some OF the boys owe more than their
wages.
Thanking you for your kind words and
hoping ever TO bc ionnd faithful | beg TO
remain Yours Most Truly
LUTHER 4. WILEY,
Co. l., Ore. Recruits,
Prcsidio. Cal.