Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-10-26
ABOUT SOLDIER LIFE
Carol O. stentz Talks to High
School Students Yesterday.
TELLS OF HIS OWN EXPERIENCES
was a Member of the Fourth U. s. Cav
airy, and Has just Returned From
the Philippines-Custom OF
the Natives.

the Natives -
From Wednesdays Daily. II
The students of the high school had
the pleasure yesterday morning OF list p
eneing to talk on soldier life in the Z
Philippines, given by Carol Stentz,
lately returned from Manila. During
his talk, Mr.. Stentz gave in a very r
pleasing manner few of the many
experiences he has had during his ser c
vice in the United States army as
private in Troop G, Fourth cavalry.
Mr.. Stentz said, in part: 81 became
anxious to join the army and
service. In looking around 1 :
learned that the Fourth cavalry was &
soon to leave for San Francisco, and
would probably see service either in ,
Cuba or the Philippines.
enlisted in the Fourth cavalry
and went into quarters at Fort Walla 2
Walla. On June IA we left Walla Walla :
for San Francisco. On the way we
were welcomed at every little station
! by crowds OF people, who gave us fruit
and all delicacies. The boys ate very
heartily of the good things, and con- :
sequently many OF us were, sick next
day. We arrived in San Francisco :
early in the morning, and at first sight :
we were not very well pleased with the
place, as heavy mist covered every-l I
thing. During the morning we march !
ed to the Preside and encamped here, I
to remain month.
Everything was new here and the
boys started out to see all they could.
The feeling with which we We're receiv-
ed was the same as we had received all I
alon~ the line. Everything was free to
soldier.
At last we We're taken aboard the /
City of Peru, preparatory to our jour
ney to Luzon. We were assigned hunks 1
in the hold. These were three deep.
and by the time we had our baggage in
we had about enough room to turn ov-
er, and none too much for that. Nearly
&, all the boys suffered from seasickness,
and this gave the unaffected ones a
great deal of mirth, but as soon as
they got sick themselves a very diff
ferent story was to be told. /,
We arrived at Honolulu, our first
stop, early in the morning. Here we II
were treated like princes. The hospi-
tally of the inhabitants of Honolulu
is something wonderful. They will
spend their last cent in order to treat |
friend in the best manner. We re-
NAMED at Honolulu twelve days. Dur
ing the trip we sighted the Ladrones,
which appeared to be very rocky, bar
rem islands.
Our first sight Of the Philippine Isl
ands was at 2:30 o'clock at night. We
cruised on down the coast and at last
entered Manila bay. The regiment
disembarked Aug. %, and the next dayd
took part in small skirmish. We went
through several old buildings. In one
we saw a machine to which captivesl
were tied and left until drowned byl
II the tidal waves, which overflow some
parts of Manila. We found the nativej
had no regard for moral law, was ig-
norant and very hot-headed.
Aguinaldo had arranged with his men
Ito loot Manila Sunday, Feb S, but our
troops received the news and were pre-
pared for the assault. AT this time
our regiment saw some hard fighting.
was with Lawton when he made
campaign into the interior. At this
time we marched eighty-four miles in
{ five days, which was some of the hard
est work we did"
Then Mr.. Stentz gave few points
concerning the islands and inhabitants.
Concerning the natives, he said:
1.-THE natives have no respect for their
nation or comrades and will steal from
comrade at the first chance. Wei,
found them very boastful, all the time !
telling us of their hard fighting with [
the Spaniards. but our boys not to be
outdone, gave them as good as they |
sent in this line.
They know practically nothing Of
religion, the Catholic mass being the
only service that is attended, and
"A this only by the women and children.
No 41,o$ how 1.nl loo, 1.
ject to some very peculiar taxes For
instance, a heavy tax was charged
when married, and when any one died
similar tax was paid the priest. We
hicles were taxed in proportion to the
number of wheels they had.
The houses are made of bamboo,
those of the lower class consisting of
but one room, in which all household
duties We're performed. The food wasl
prepared in large kettle, which was
set in the middle of the floor, and all
gathered around and ate what they
wanted, with chop-sticks.
The streets of Manila are very mar
row, a person being able to almost
narrow, being just wide enough for
two to walk abreast. The city has
pony cars. and some very elegant
drives. Some Of these are for the ex-
elusive use of Spaniards.
"On the return trip we stopped a
while in Hong Kong, to see the sights,
but we were all glad to again land in
America"
Bitten by Dog.
DeSoto, Oct. 24-Word was brought
to town Saturday that the infant
child of Oryal Rrooker one If 4he mill |