The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-17

centsge Of the men left behind her,
Ole. Apparently this large death rate
Is, In a measure. due to the bad condi.
tion IN which the men arrive here. Ow-
ing 10 the horrible manner in which the
troop ships leaving San Francisco have
been over-crowded the men are moi
soned by foul air and poor food and
insufficient fresh water. II il a fac,
very generally commented upon by the
people here that the men from Mon
tana arrived here in better physical
conditio nthan any regiment that has
touched these shores. They are a hardy
lot OF men. and no mistake.
Private Smith Of Company c from
Bozeman was taken to the hospital a
day or two ago. suffering with pneu-
monia. He Is a very sick man. but the
doctors report him as improving. He
will be left behind.
When the Pennsylvania arrived in
port Colonel Kessler Immediately re-
ported TO General Otis. who Is stlll here.
The condition Of the men on board the
Pennsylvania was presented to the
general, and he ordered General
Hughes to make an inspection Of the
boat. General Hughes went into the
hold and walked through the dark pas
sageways. In ten minutes he reap
peared on deck. wiped the sweat from
his face and took a drink of water to
get rid of a bad taste.
oh" said he, you're not so bad
on. It's a little crowded below. but
people who go TO war can't live in par
Tors always"
And in spite Of the fact that the
Pennsylvania has more men aboard than
any other transport in the service, the
command was given to proceed to Ma
Mia with the men as now arranged.
To-day, however. concession was made
in so far as enabled Colonel Kessler to
get rid of IS of his command. Twenty
v men from each OF the three ALI
fornia companies have been ordered TO
quarters ABOARD the Rio de Janeiro.
That boat arrived here this morning
amid the usual scenes OF welcome. She
had a pleasant trip out and arrived in
good shape. One man. a private be-
longing TO a South Dakota
died on the way over and was buried
at sea. He bad the measles while In
San Francisco. Anxious TO accompany
his command across the Pacific, he got
out too soon. When the Rio was leav-
ing San Francisco ne climbed up into
the rigging and remained there for sew
eral hours. He caught cold. took pneu-
monia and died. His comrades
wrapped his body in his uniform and
blankets, placed the body on a plank,
tied 200 pounds OF old scrap iron
around the legs, and lowered the body
into the sea. 1t was an inexpressibly
sad ordeal. Lieut.. Lou p. Sanders. the
Montana man who came over on
he Rio, says IL was the saddest sight
he ever witnessed, and he was very
delighted to learn upon his arriv-
here that the men from his native
state had all arrived here.
The Rio is a very large boat. capa-
of holding nearly 500 more men
han the Pennsylvania: and yet. while
The last named has 1900 men aboard.
he Rio has less than 1000 all together.
While the officers aboard the Pennsyl-
Fania have been compelled TO give up
the deck room and their smoking
Dom and every inch of available space.
he main guy In charge of the expedi-
ion on the Rio has three or four state
'ooms and n whole desk for himself.
.he comment runs that some people
re getting somewhat the best Of
hings, but the testimony does not go
o show that the men from Montana
re getting more than their share OF
he comforts OF war.
Our boys discarded their under
lothes a few days before they reached
when they leave here they
I'LL discard the rest of their clothes. A
nan does not need much clothing on
he seas south of here. While ashore
ere many Of the officers purchased
'hite linen suits and white shoes. and
hey look as cool and as comfortable
5 possible. Men and officers are near
? all broke. They expected to be paid
ere but were disappointed. They will i
ave two months wages coming from
'ncle Sam by the time they reach Ma
liza. q,
There Is a great kick by the officers .
the Pennsylvania because of
ne poor service. They pay $3.50 per Z
ny for table board and the stuff fur
is abominably bad. The officers 4
a some of the other boats only pay f,
a day, and the meals are said to be ,
49, -Aa