The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-12-28
Lawton's Last Letter.
From Durango (Col.) Democrat

LAWFUL > LoSt
From Durango (Col.) Democrat.
The Filipinos hated General Lawton
with an Intensity born of fear, and hated
the one man who, although unrelenting
and untiring in battle, was as kind ana
forgiving as girl. Lawton was always
quick to respond to the simplest act OF
kindness. He loved war and every step,
every promotion, was won by merit
superior merit. he had no political pull
10 or out OF Washington, hence when one
volunteered kind and encouraging mis-
sive at odd intervals 1t cheered and won
from him prompt response. The Dem
ocrats editor possibly knew General
Lawton more intimately than any citi-
zen of this section, and our admiration
for the man was won by a knowledge of
his courage when on duty and magnifi-
cent independence when not restrained
by ORDERS We publish his last letter. as
it shows the appreciative character OF the
dead soldier, and also that the Filipnos
erred in their judgment OF his feeling to-
ward them. The bravest are the ten
derest:
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION
EIGHTH ARMY Corps.
MANILA, 2. L., July 8, 1897
My Dear Colonel: Your very good
letter OF the 18th has just reached me.
You know always enjoy your letters.
You have the faculty of writing not only
in most interesting manner, notwith-
standing you possess the faculty of scor-
ing your friends when they deserve it in
manner and way that makes them wish
they never had opened discussion with
you, but you also possess the faculty of
saying pleasant things when you desire.
which makes a man exceedingly com.
Portable and conceited.
l am very glad that during the course
of our acquaintance have never stirred
you to the exercise OF the former OF your
great accomplishments and am equally
pleased that have elected from you
much of the latter.
thank you very heartily for your good
letter and for all the good and pleasant
things you say of and to me. | assure
you 1t not only does me good in my mind
but also in the accomplishment of my
work. 1t makes me feel that there are
at least few of my friends who can ap-
preciate something of the difficulties un.
der which we labor and are willing to
accord some need of credit to us.
We have had and are having difficult
proposition to wrestle with, but doubt
if the people Of the United States have
fully and thoroughly understood the sit
uation here. We are getting along now
very satisfactorily and think the end is
in sight.
This is beautiful country and the
possibilities are unlimited. The people
are not bad and are not the ignorant,
wild ssvages they are sometimes pic.
tured.
believe that peace will soon be as
sured and that before many years have
passed the Filipinos will be better Amer
leans than some who we're born in the
United States.
hope sometime to get back to the old
stamping grounds and meet my old
friends in the west, when assure you
we will have lots to talk about and many
things to celebrate.
Write me letter occasionally when
you feel like it. Your letters do me lots
of good and brace me up more than
you think.
Remember me very kindly to Mrs.
Day and to any Of my friends whom you
may meet.
Thanking you sincerely and heartily
for your good letter and kind wishes, be-
lieve me, sincerely and truly yours,
II. ". LAYTON,
Major General U. S. Vols.
Colonel Dave Day, Durango, Colo.
Thoaa onaI norty rata at the lanes