The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-21
Ensign Doddridcc Writes.

EusISu DDuuFiuSc W TI'cs.
U. s. s. BOSTON. TAKU. China, Dec.
Is. lS9S.-In my last letter wrote YOU
that l intended TO take "trip UP coun-
try TO the Great Wall" There were
three OF Us in the party. We were gone
five days, and each day were busils en-
gagged in shooting or in sightseeing. We
!ef; the ship November 18Th and went
ashore TO the railway station at Tonsku,
which is about twelve miles from our
anchorage.
We took the train at ToasKu, and after
travelling all day arrived al Sdan Hal
Kuan at O'Clock In the evening. here
we were quartered In the Offices OF the
railway. which were not in use We had
our own provisions and q Chinese cook.
We had TO rough 1t, but having plenty
10 eat and verE. good cook we did not
mind a little inconvenience.
The next dag we were up with the sun
and two Of us went down 10 see the end
Of the Great Wall at the seashcce. II Is
really two and half miles TO the sea.
out we got lost and walked four miles
or more before reaching it.
The Great Wall is In a very diiapi-
dated condition near the sea, and al the
very end there is nothing but the ioun-
datioa. There is a large to!t close 10
the sea, from which we obtained a
splendid view Of the ocean and the sur
rounding country. have brick from
the end OF TIE wall which hope 20 take
home. l regretted tina, I could not Sc
cure photograph OF the wall at this
rlfl ht,s 7 ntt n fE.t 81
at other places.
Upon our return We INDUCED in n
hearty lunch. and then. accompanied by
genial Scotchman employed on the
railway. We boarded an engine and went
down the road 4 few miles. when Ne
stopped abreast OF some ponds which
looked as II ducks might be found there.
We hunted here all afternoon and urtil
long after dark. but had TO luck. and so
returned empty handed 10 Shan Hal
kuan. The weather was freezing cold.
and the next morning we found the
ponds were covered with an inch Of ice.
Nothing Gaunted. we went 10 some
ponds six miles away, but our exper-
fence was th=i same as on the previous
day. The railway officials We're very
kind. and knowing we had had a hard
day they sent a hand car out 10 meet
us and bring US back. for which we
were very thankful. We found It very
cold riding on the hand car (trolleg it Is
callsd). ard were obliged 10 thaw out
when We reached Shan Hal kuan.
TIE third day we rose at $50 q, m.
ard took a special train 10 the end OF the
railroad at q place named Chung Eo
So. We arrived there about { o'clock.
after run OF 30 miles. and Immediately
set out for our hunting ground. We
were after hare this time and were for
;ulate enough 10 secure three. We re-
turrsd to Chung FIo so and after !
hearty breakfast with some Australian
engineers. who vert kind enough 10 take
us in. we returned 10 Shan Hal kuan,
arriving there at 6 O'Clock.
The fourth day we spent looking
through this city. !; has no, more than
10000 inhabitants. ard wsr saw nothing
OF interest. or course the city Is walled.
the Great Wall forming one side OF the
citS' wall. The next dag We took the
tram for Tongku. reaching there about
) O'Clock y. m, and getting OFF 10 the
ship about 10 p. N. Thanksgiving Day.
Wills on this trip saw numerous
forts and five or six thousand soldiers.
One o. these soldiers had a great deal
OF curiosity and seemed very DESTROYS
10 fire my shotgun. l accommodated
him and I don't think he will forget it
very sooA. Instead Of pressing the butt
OF the gun firmly aCains; his shoulder
John Chiaaman held il lightly agains;
his chest. He sQuinted first one eye
and then the other. and finally pu!lsG
the trigger. He was very much sur
prissd individual, and when ne had SO
far recovered himself as 20 be able TO
speak he thanked me profoundly. His
curiosity was satisfied and shortly after
ward he disappeared.
We have heard that more troops are
being sent TO Manila and that We are
10 hold the Philippines. l an glad to
learn this, but we must have all or none.
hope our government will not offer q
moneT indemnity. We hear from Ma
Mia that two Of the Spanish cruisers
have been raised and are 10 be sent 10
Hong Kong FOR repairs. Also that the
Buffalo Is coming out 20 Manila from
Norfolk with officers and men 10 relieve
us important, Il true" II this proves
10 be correc; I may gst home in April
or May for a couple OF months.
We are still without mail The last
letter received from home was dated
August 18th. ! vii! be glad 10 90 "a
Shanghai Perhaps we shall ind let
tiers there. The English mails arrive
regularly. but the Amerlcan-never.
on: new captain Is fine fellow. and
l know that We are going 10 have 4
pleasant cruise.
ON having little let UP" In my
duties since the war. II is quite re-
lief 10 have few minutes 10 ones self.
The tide makes 1t impossible 10 send this
letter to-day. SO ! will not close for the
present.
December Al am glad I waited be-
fore closing this letter. Yesterday a
mall arrived bringing ME some letters,
among others yours % September 10Th.
We hope TO he in Shanghai shortly.
The weather is getting colder every day.
We will have guard OF thirty men
at TIentSien aad one OF eighteen men
nj Picking during the winter Ia protect
American interests. do not think ths re
will DC any trouble. but it is better to
take all precautions possible.
JOHN 5. DODDRIDGE.
With the lmmuncs.
Snrrtal f'OrrsgnoDiorcr of Intrllironcnr