The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-07-20
WGIf0Ot Soldiers Give Great
Praise to Honolulu.
ACCOUNT OF THE RECEPTION HERE
Portland Men Now in Hawaii Are
Remembere d-Feast-Music.
Letter Writing.

Ed Dekum has Portland Oregon
ian" of the 29th of June which contains
an excellent account of the visit here of
| the Second Oregon Regiment of L. S.
Volunteers Col. Summers. The OR
| egonian's" account is illustrated with
fine view of Fort street and a fac-sim-
ilie of the original Boys in Blue badge.
Following are extracts from the cor
| respOndence:
Following the Peking was the Aus
tralia. AS she approached her dock at
which she was wont to land while on
the run between San Francisco and Ho-
nolulu, the crowd recognized her. A
few Oregonians, probably a score, who
have taken their residence in Homo
lulu, led the rush to the Australias
dock where a scene of widest enthus-
iasm prevailed These few men from
the WebfOOt state were a host in
themselves. The boys on the Austria
liza never thought that they would come
in for even a small portion of the at
tentiOn that might be bestowed, as
Oregon is not in such close touch with
the Islands as California is. High over
the thrOng soon appeared a dozen
black umbrellas with the word Ore
gOn' painted in great white letters
This was a surprise, which was in
creased when a few minutes later
there were cheers for Oregon. AS the
Australia drew nearer, the familiar
face of Edward Dekum was discerned
in the front. He sent up the MultnO-
nah Club yell, which created pande-
mOnium on board. The yell was taken
up from bow to stern, and Mr.. Dekum
was given cheer after cheer. Then c.
F. Schermerhorn and A. ST. M Mack
intOsh, old Portlanders, were made out
and cheered. A. w. Pearson, formerly
with Staver & Walker; e. r. Adams,
r. 9. Geer, cousin of Hon. T. T. Geer;
c. E. Smith recently from Eugene; p.
r. Helm, formerly with the Golden
Rule Bazaar; Otto Bierbach, formerly
with Woodward, Clarke & Co., and
hospital steward in the o. n. G.; John
Efinger, an old K company man; Pro
fessOr Cook, Arthur Macintosh and F.
G. Wells were in turn picked from the
crowd. On the Peking such strict dis
cipline was maintained that the greet
ing was comparatively cold. 1t was
soon announced that the commissioned
officers would be permitted to leave the
Australia and Sydney during the even
ing, and the next day the privilege
would be granted the troops. The en-
thusiastic Oregonians had established
headquarters for the Oregon soldiers
at the store of A. w. Pearson and the
office of Ned Adams There cigars
stored and every convenience provided
For two weeks Honolulu had been
waiting for the troops. Chickens and
meats had been stored in cold-storage
rooms, fruit brought from the sur
rounding country and committees
formed for the work. A subscription
fluid started was soon raised to 1000,
while contributions of other kinds
flowed in. Soda water fountains were
rented by the day, and the owners in
structed to supply every man in blue
uniform Fruit was heaped at conven-
lent places. Cigars (Manila brand)
were given out by the dozen. Flowers
were strewn in garlands, or 'leis," as
the natives call them. BARRIERS were
told TO do Whatever was asked of them,
without charge. In many stores pur-
chases made by the troops. were donat-
ed. Soldiers were met on the street
by strangers and invited to fine meals.
where much-needed fruit of every kind
known to the tropics were plentiful.
Honolulu was given to the soldiers,
and no return whatever was permitted.
This was accomplished by general
committees and subcommittee The
Oregon men directed their attention
particularly to Oregon soldiers. The
officers were dined and wined the first
evening. The next day, when the men
went ashore. the Oregon boys found
themselves favOrites wherever the in
huence of the little ring Of OregOnians
was felt, and it must be admitted that
| it stretched over Honolulu. Mr.. Pear
son, who runs a cyclery, gave every
Oregonian free use of a bicycle at any
time during the stay. Mr.. Dekum and
some of his friends hired rigs, and
drove the boys through the beautiful
streets of the city. pointing out the
finer attractions. Enough was never
reached by the ardent former resi-
dents of Oregon. Night and day they