Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-04-22
TO san FRANCISCO
Honeward FoyaQc-Last Days on
the Mighty Deep-Our Natire
Land Once More in Sight
ABOARD STEAMER CoPrIc,
GOLDEN GATE Ray. Feb "a tSos

OEAR NENS.--Ihursday afternoon,
January the 18th, when the shadows
were growing long in the city of Homo
lulu, and the suns rays were almost
horizontal with the placid surface OF
the water OF the bay, our steamer, the
Coptie, lifted anchor and sailed out
into the great ocean again. This was
50 he our home voyage. When we
reach land once more, 1850 miles away,
we are to plsnt our foot on its native
heath.
Bidding goodbye to Honolulu was
like bidding goodbye to home town
and its people. Hundreds of citizens
came aboard the ship to give us all ex-
pressions OF good wishes for pleasant
voyage, and from the pier to watch the
Coptic sail majestieally out into the
deep blue waters which separated us
from our native land. The deck and
library room of the steamer we're made
beautiful with leis and fragrant flow
ei's as parting gifts from our newly
made kins-people who are so proud to
be called American citizens.
Increasing distance and the black
ness OF the night soon shut off the
sight Of the lonely islands so far out
at sea, and our steamer was again alone
on the rolling pillows. At the dinner
hour, 1870 o'clock, we found the cabin
passenger list had been greatly in
creased, and that the dining hall could
not accommodate all at one meal The
late additions, in accordance with the
deplorable custom for children, had to
wait for the second table. The state
rooms, too. were oyertaxed and some
of the newcomers had to sleep on cots
in the library room. 1t is likely that
all steamers returning to America are
crowded from Honolulu to San Fran
cisco.
The passenger list of the Coptic was
made up of some elegant people and
pleasant companions for so long a yoy-
age With your permission we will
enumerate few: Sir Charles Beres-
ford, one OF the most distinguished and
best beloved citizens of England.
Every passenger and every officer OF
the ship soon knew him we'll and learn
ed TO esteem highly: Edward Andre,
Belgian minister at Manila, who has
spent is years in the Philippines: Col.
Lazelie, OF the United States Army, a
soldier, scholar aud author; DR.. Knapp,
representative of the government to
japan, China and the Philippines:
Capt. Wood, of the U. S. Navy who
commanded the Petrol in the capture
of the Spanish feet at Cavite, May LIST:
Capt. McLain, of Admiral Dewey s
staff F; DIR. Beamer and wife, mission
aries 70 China; Mr.. Scry rnser, of the
Pacific Cable T.ine: German naval
surgeon; It captain of the English navy,
and about twenty American naval Off
GERS and good number of wealthy cit
liens travelling for pleasure and to
learn OF the countries in the Far East.
AS from Yokohama to Honolulu the
waters were very rough and many of
the passengers who came aboard at
Honolulu were made distressiugly sick.
few of whom did not recover until
we sailed within the Golden Gate.
The Coptic broke all records for speed
from Yokohama to San Francisco, hay.
ing run into the bay four hours and
forty-iive minutes ahead of the bes,
time ever made by steamer sailing
between those cities.
Wednesday night. at IL o'clock, Feb
ruary LIST, we anchored in the bay to
await the morning ard the coming OF
the quarantine and custom house Off
GERS To look us and our baggage over
before We go ashore. AS day broke
we saw the thousands of electric lights
in the city, and our heart leaped with
joy. An hour later the lights are gone
and the brilliant rays of the sun from
clear sky shine over the city and
the green hills Of our native land. God
bless our home country! At ii o'clock
we are to end our long voyage of $500
miles on the wild waste of briny waters,
and go ashore on 'ithe land of the free
and the home of the brave - We re-
toice that our journey is so near its
close, that we are so near our home
and our people whom we love so we'll.
Goodbye, Old Ocean; sou have been
both kind and unkind to me. / may
never cross your waters again, but |
will never forget you. Good morning,
my native country; | am pleased at the
sight OF your mountains, hills and val
leys and cities again. Let my last days
be among your people and let me sleep
my long, peaceful sleep by the side of
loved ones in one of your silent cities
OF the dead.