Abilene weekly reflector., 1899-10-26


All islands were very beautiful, COW
cred with abundant vegetation. How
ever all land was mountainous.
As we entered the Inland sea we
stopped while the pilot came aboard,
At times we would pass between mas
sive mountains, through narrow chan.
nels. We entered the Inland sea near
Nagasaki and about midway between
there and Yokohama we passed the
wreck Of the Morgan City showing
the masts and smokestack above the
water. In the distance could be seen
the tents where the American troops
were quartered. The transport ran
ashore near land and its wreck caused
but one death. The Japanese heard
the signal Of distress and furnished
some "sampans" and food. After
leaving the Inland sea we had about
20 hours ride to Yokohama.
That part Of the ride was extremely
rough, yet owing to the size Of our
ship it was not noticed much. As to
the weather we are now all shivering
when on deck and are wearing our
blue clothing. 1t is much like Kan
sas drizzling winter day. At differ
ent places we could see the japanese
guns looking down on us from the
hill tops. We could see the train
moving along the coast and the whis-
tie Of the engine made one think Of
the land be was trying to reach.
After inspection by quarantine Off
GERS in Yokohama we went ashore in
"sampans" for five cents American.
As we landed paper was handed us
directing us TO bureau OF informa-
tion conducted by American ladies.
At this place we were given a ticket
to a much needed bath room. The
bureau Of information also changed
our money for US. The ladies fur
nished lunch each day and tried in
every way to make our stay pleasant.
In Yokohama are about 50 Ameri.
can families also many English peo-
pie. What impressed us most was to
look down long street and see Old
Glory waving to direct us to some
reading room, restaurant or pleasure
resort.
As we landed in the afternoon we
waited until the next morning before
starting to Tokyo the capital OF
Japan. 1t costs 27 sen for second
class passage by rail to the ancient
city. After about an hours ride we
reached the city. A noticeable feat
ure is the deafening clatter OF the
sandals as they are being dragged
over the stone pavements. 1t would
take weeks to see all Of Tokyo as the
population is 100000.
The seat of government at Tokyo
is very strongly fortified. Around
the government buildings are two
moats, each wall strongly fortified.
We were permitted to enter the first
wall but not the second. Some went
to Ueno (Wayno) park, some went to
sheba park and various other places.
A great attraction was to see the two
trees that Gen. Grant planted while
on his tour Of the world. They have
erected a monument in his memory.
Through the great city are many
canals, the chief method Of business
transportation. AT certain places we
were great curiosity. The soldiers
that went through first had given the
impression that the American had
plenty of money and they, as aresult,
wanted to yet all possible.
After seeing all we could in short
time we returned to Yokohama. We
saw regiment Of japanese soldiers.
They were in heavy marching order,
dressed very neatly and about the
same size. The Japanese like the
English gave me the impression that
the United States was all right but
that they were little better.
At the spot where Perry consulted
with the japanese officials regarding
international relations now stands a
very large building used as pleas
ure resort.
Saturday night, Oct. I've have
between two and three days ride yet.
We average about 800 nautical miles
daily. Our rations are far superior