The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-05


Williamson left town some five years
ago, and being good cornetist. enlist
ed at Fort Adams, Newport, r. /, as
first cornetist, in the Second United
States artillery band. His enlistment
of five years expires next April /.
From the state of Rhode Island he
went to Camp Onward, Savannah, Ca,
where he stayed a short time. He was
subsequently sent to Cuba with his reg
iment when the late Spanish war
broke out
In his letter he states that he would
write more had he more paper, but as
there was considerable red tape at
tached to securing writing material, it
was almost impossible to secure any,
but he would steal a few moments from
his duties to write a few lines. He
writes that Cuba is grand place. He
is enjoying good health, and likes the
place pretty we'll.
His camp is on the beach, and the
members of the band go in bathing
every day. He adds that it is simply
fine. e.g -sr
The ground that ne is camping on IS
the best in Havana. 1t is only sltua-
ted three miles from the city, and for
ten cents the steam cars will carry one
there The prices there for goods are
very high.
He states that the natives are set
of poor looking creatures, but, now
ever, some of them are very kind.
AS there is no water in TIE camp,
Mr.. Williamson is obliged to go to
Spaniards home a short distance away
to fill his canteen with water. lie goes
there three times a day.
He has reasons for it, FOR in that
ft1rE lrlfr -
tia lass He is teaching her to read
English. while she is teaching him
her native language. He states that ne
has got on the right of the girls father
and mother, but adds that no matrl-
monial idea has yet entered his mead,
for he says that the Spaniards are tco
quick tempered to suit him. Gibbs
He says that it is sad sight to see
so many poor Cuban creatures at meal
times they come to the camp and the
soldiers share with them their frag-
ment of food. They do the band
washing, at IS cents a wash"
Whenever any of the boys wish to
leave camp they have to get pass.
He adds that it is all red tape there.
Mr.. Williamson and mis- reglmental
band played at a private social in non
OF, of General Butler, the other night,
and that they made a big hit, being
applauded several times for their ar
tistic music. It was something out Of
the ordinary for the band and they
enjoyed it,
At the dance he noticed that the hIgh
class Spanish people grow their finger
nails very long, and have them poorly
trimmed. They grow them IL inch long,
and cut them to a point.
There are no newspapers there, and
when the cornetist receives The SPY
which Mrs. Clapp intends to send him,
the paper will indeed be welcome VS.
itor. 1t will be eagerly read by the
members Of the band anxious for home
news In closing his letter, Mr.. Will
hanson inquiries about the local bands.
He is interested in them, as formerly
he played in one here.
AT the expiration of his enlistment,
April LIST, he will start at once for
Webster, and it is now only a question
of a few weeks when he will be renew
ing acquaintance in town. He sent a
large collection of Cuban buttons to
Miss Annie, daughter of Mrs Clapp
and they are priced very highly by the
family.