The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-06-26
CROWD HEARSPEARSON
<@
Lieutenant Delivers Talk In the
Tabernacle.
TOLD STORY OF HIS LIFE
HARD STRUGGLE TO ACQUIRE
AN EDUCATION.
Experiences at Annapolis and Voy-
ages With the Navy-Tells of the
Battle of Manila and the Events
That Immediately Preceded That
Memorable Victory.

, At the services in the tabernacle yes
: terday Lieutenant Henry Pearson was
the principle speaker. President Au-
gus NJ. Cannon introduced the lieuten-
ant, who expressed his pleasure at hav-
ing the privilege of meeting with the
people of Salt Lake once more in the
tabernacle. He said that he had been
absent from the city for ten long years,
with the exception of two short vaca-
tons, and he was now in a position to
appreciate the words, There's no place
like home
Lieutenant Pearson spoke feelingly of
his humble birth in the little town of
Draper, and told of his battling his
way through the public schools and
into the university. He said that hav-
ing completed the course there he was
confronted by the question, What
shall be my future?" and spoke OF his
military ambition and his successful
application to the delegate. John t.
Game, for the appointment to the naval
academy at Annapolis.
Struggle Through the Academy.
He told of his hard struggle at that
school during four long years and how
he completed the course, graduated
and was sent to sea on a two years
cruise to gain practical experience.
| During this cruise orders were suddenly
received for the cadets to go to San
Francisco, which they did via Cape
Horn. On reaching San Francisco he
| was ordered to Annapolis to take the
] final examination, after which he got
a short vacation. His vacation was
cut short, he said, by orders to go to
China.
Lieutenant Pearson spoke entertain
! in DIV ~ RI nd Of hi
experience in the Sandwich islands and
in Japan, in which places he visited
all of the chief cities and places of in
terest. At one time he met the en-
peror and empress of Japan at a, grand
reception at Toxic. After leaving ia
pan his ship went to China and visited
all of the principle cities there. The
lieutenant gave very interesting de-
scription of the Chinese customs and
methods of punishment, also of their
temples and their gods. After leaving
China he went to Corea, where he
found shiftless, immoral, unpatriotic
class of people.
Lieutenant Pearson then described
the events leading up to the war with
Spain, referring feelingly to the blow
ing up of the Maine and the subse-
quent investigation. He said that dur
ing this investigation the Asiatic
squadron was being quietly assembled
at Hongkong and fitted out with every
thing in the way of supplies and am
munitiOn.
Put On War Paint.
He told of the Transforming of the
SHIPS of the squadron from the beauti-
ful white color of peace to the dull |
leaden color, which was done in a single /
night while the natives of Hongkong
slept. He then spoke of the receiving |
OF orders TO capture or destroy the !
Spanish fleet at Manila. Upon recent !
of the news, the English governor of |
Hongkong, in compliance with the /
rule of International law, ordered the /
fleet out of the harbor, and they were /
left on the mighty deep 1000 miles from |
the nearest friendly port
Lieutenant Pearson described graph
lcaIly the voyage of the fleet to LuZon,
and told Of the overhauling of the ma
tive boats and the inquiries as to the
whereabouts of the Spanish fleet AS
they approached the ilarbOr of Manila,
Admiral Dewey called the captains on
board the flagship and gave them in
structions as to how they should pass
IN one after the other. Not a light was
shown on the ships. The men stood
by their guns and some stood ready
to lower the boats in case of the ships
being blown UP by mines or torpedoes.
AS they were moving along between
L and o'clock in the morning a shot
suddenly rang out from one of the
forts, followed by a broadside. But
they passed the forts without replying
and steamed into the bay When
morning broke they saw the ships of
the enemy, arranged with every advan
tage of position on their side and with
the forts TO assist them. Lieutenant
Pearson said: Every man on the
feet knew that We had hard fight,
but we approached the ships and re-
;eived their fire without faltering."
Denied Breakfast Story.
He said that the story of them pull
ng off for breakfast was not true
They pulled off because the admiral
wanted to take stock of the ammuni-
ion. Mr.. Pearson spoke of the re-
of the fight and the final vic ,
Dry. He spoke of his visit to Spanish
hospitals and told of the Americans
airing for the fallen foe.
He described the nights of watching /,
md vigilance from the time of the VIC }
Dry until the 18th of August, when !
Ianila was captured. II
He paid a glowing tribute to Utah's
'olunteers and spoke some words of
omfort and consolation to the rela-
ives of the boys who would not return. ,
Lieutenant Pearson described the
esources of the islands and said that Il
he only question about retaining L
or the United States to retain islands
o far away from home. He said. in
losing, that we should hope for peace,
ut in times of peace should prepare ]
Dr. war.
r.