The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-23
WAR ADVENTURES OF A BOY.
VIII Dawson Ran Away from Home
Wounded in Cuba and Mad Money.


Wounded in Cuba and liads Money.
BUFFALO. oct. IA few days ago
Mrs. Dawson, wife of the army hospital
steward az Fort Porter, was made happJ
by the receipt OF a postal card bearing
the brief message. u VIII be nome IN d
few DAYS. | am WELL IL was signed
lust plain "WiL" The card was mailed
az New York. and was the first Mrs.
Dawson had received from her son in
weeks.
win is f6 years old. Until he reached
home he was looked upon as only an
ordinary boy. To-day he struts around
the military reservation, tho pride or his
parents and the envy Of his brothers and
sisters. as well as OF the other children
I'm the neighbornood. He IS a hero,
traveller and a wealthy man. Leaving
homo absolutely penniless. he returned
with 5000 cash, which he earned, and
dressed in new clothing Besides ne was
wounded by the Spaniards, suffered from
yellow fever and was bitten by taran-
tua.
When the Thirteenth Regiment left Fort
Porter for the South al the beginning OF
The war it went by a special train. Among
other bows and men going on this train
| as blind baggage" was VIII Dawson
and his older brother. both Of whom had
I rim away from home without cent.
/ They managed TO exist until the tram
/ reached Tampa. after which II was
/ smooth sailing for them as the soldiers
1 Of the regiment found them and saw 10
/ 81 that they had enough 70 eat But y
was not for this kind u life that Willie
( left home He looked the ground over
and tried 20 find something which the
! soldiers I'm the big camp wanted ana ne
| could supply. In that hot climate no De
cf1ed that II was something cold, and
! borrowing n quarter from ono or lis
friends a private I'm Company g, ne
| started lemonade stand. The first night
he repaid the money he borrowed ana "A
/ Jew DAYS later started two more stands
establishing his brother and another boy
/ I'm tine business when the orders came
Tor the regiment 10 move 20 Cuba, VIII
made I'D ais mind that Cuba was tne
country for him. Al this point his brother
went back on him. and the TWO boys sep
arated, the older one coming home. VIII
| secured a JOB as a cabinboy on the trans
port OrizaDa, receiving for his services
IS a month and mis- board. He made nm
self popular and was allowed % continue
/ the lemonade business. Business pros
| pered and in short time ha had accu-
INFLATED moro money than he had ever
3 sGtAA HNADAts
on the arrival Of the transport on san
/ tiago VIII went ashore. when the troops
moved he followed. and he was present az
/ the battle OF San Juan, and when II was
over the surgeons had 10 remove from
| his foot Mauser bullet which he proudly
wears as charm on his watch chaln'
| lie saw the destruction OF CerYera
/ squadron and collected souvenirs which
he brought home with him. IL was while
I in cuba that he had his experience with
yellow fever and the trarantula, neither OF
which seemed 20 do him much injury,
When the transport sailed Tor Porto
/ Rlca VIII decided 70 cast his lot with n
rather than with the regiment, and went
along At all times The boy kept busi-
ness uppermost IN his head and tried IN
/ every way 10 increase his wealth. once
| he tried his luck nj the gaming table,
| but VIXEN he counted up his loss and
J found Il amounted 10 so ne refused again
/ 20 risk a cent In that manner. In Porto
| Rico ne made some additions 10 his ward
| robe. paying prices several times more
than the goods were worth. From that
| island the transport went 20 Monauk,
| ana after staying there ;or some tine
| WIN had a longing Tor home lie brought
| with him a letter from tho Captain OF