The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-31
FUN AT CHICKEN FIGHTING.
Some Amusements of Utah Soldiers
at Manila.
Especial Correspondence.

Especial correspondence
Nephi, Utah, Dec. 3O.-The following let
ter has been received from A. Il. Lander.
former correspondent here of The Herald,
now with. Battery A: ,ooO
Manila, P. l., Nov. l6, 1888.
MY Dear Mother: Your dear letter
of Oct. ) at hand 1t came unexpected,
and was a pleasant surprise
The steamship China is due mere mere. a epua
the 10th; then we will get. another laTge
mail. VIII try and get this IN the once
by noon. so that it will leave Tor Hong7
Kong today. 1t may lie there 1or seVeLai
days before catching a steamer LOT the
United States. The continual doWnDour
OF rain that lasted four days has ceased
and the roads are nearly dry AGAIN.
The sight of tWenty-s1X large LurkeSS
h a We're brought into the barracks last
evening reminded the boys that a
giving day was near at hand.
Together with these and several Hgul-
ing cocks a pig hat cost the o y ooS
pesos; our mascot, 'BoZzere, a small
poodle dog that we purchased in FRISCO,
some twelve or fifteen ana not
less than fifty birds of nearly every spe-
cies that the island possesses, BESIDES
several Philippine ponies and one cardpo'
constitute our animal and fowl man
ageries.
1T became necessary to dispose of some
of the most unruly monkeys. They took
special delight in doing as much damage
TO articles lying loose, gong 50 Tar as 70
steal money that they succeeded IN md
ing.
1T is great fun to get the monkeys,
pig dog TO playing. But the greatest
walked the town over in an effort to ma
a fowl that would whip one owned by
some one of the other boys. Wagers
ranging from l to 80 pesos are common.
"A. steel spur, much resembling the
| shape of a saber and about three inches
Ions, is fastened to the leg of the fowl
takes more than two minutes for one of
the chickens to reach a vital spot, and
sometimes both make a hit about the
same time, and both die in the belief that
the cause was an honorable one. Every
fowl fights until he is fully conquered.
From all appearances, the United
States is determined to retain possession
of these islands. We are mostly of the
opinion that the Philippines would be a
Valuable acquisition. but don't like the
thoughts of remaining here the balance
OF our term.
"A novels being made by some of Bat
terry AS men to organize a small force
of men to make a prospecting tour of this
island. Numerous stories of rich placer
gold fields in the northern part of the ISL
and have been told us by Spaniards and
natives that have resided in the god re-
gions. This project is endorsed by the
! larger number of our officers. Considera-
BILE apprehension is felt as to securing the
| furlough.
Almost every evening [ AXE a walk
with some one of the boys over to the
Lueneta. This is where the elite spend
their evenings. They drive over in their
carriages and instruct their coachmen to
remain in some spot while they prone
made along the waterfront.
There is always a refreshing breeze
from the bay, besides the beautiful Span
ish senoritas and pretty little girls hat
remind one of home. But to continue in
this one would make you think hat [
am homesick.
Il nave learned through the papers
that Utah went Democratic. l was afraid
of Juab county, but hope it CAV d Demo-
cratic majority also.
"Remember me kindly to all my friends,
and, trusting you all enjoy good health, L
am, affectionately. your son,
ARTHUR l.. LOUDER"