The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-12
BEVERIDGE AT THE FRONT
STORY TOLD BY AN ASSISTANT Sur
GEoN WHO ACCOMPANIED HIM.
Some OF the outposts visited During
Furious storms-The Reception
Given the Senator. -
Cleveland Leader.

tons In the Philippines could gain a vsiu-
able lesson in patriotism from the soldier
boys who arc upholding the honor of the
flag In those faraway islands. The men who
are in the service of Uncle Sam are not
the men who are making the loud outcry
against suppressing the rebellion. a letter.
expressive OF the true feelings Of the service
men. was received the other day by Mr..
and Mrs. NJ j. Gilchrist, of No. "a Ham
ilton street, from their son. DR.. Harry Gil
christ. who Is assistant surgeon In one OF
the regiments now on duty in the Philip
pines. The letter was written at Iloilo.
Philippine islands. on May q. and teils OF
the visit paid TO that place by Senator Bev-
eridge. Of Indiana. who was studying the
conditions In the islands. In part Surgeon
Gilchrist says:
This has been an eventful week for me.
I have had the extreme pleasure of talking
with a real. live senator. Sunday afternoon
the Charleston came down from Manila, and
started on my usual trip TO meet her. but
the bay was so rough and the storm so Sc
we're was compelled to turn back.
Monday morning was some better. so
went aboard the tug Vicente ard away We
went. / found a heavy swell still rolling.
but / succeeded in reaching the Charleston.
which was lying IN little cove. in calm
weather. Boarding the ship was greeted
at the landing by Captain Whitney. / was
at once invited down TO his apartments to
breakfast with him. Having had nothing
since the evening before. l accepted. and
while wsitip big arm chair in walked
a smooth-fs chap thought TO be about
TWENTY-FIVE, : old, dressed in a common
Kahkee 81 wondered what that pri-
surprise when Captain whitney. turning to
me. said:
Mr.. Gilchrist allow me to present Sem
ator Beyeridge. of Indiana.
Thus l found myself before a real. live
senator, and how l did relish that meal in
the private apartments OF Captain Whitney
on the cruiser Charleston. with the captain
on my right and the senator TO my left. Out
side we could hear the wind blowing gale.
ANXIOUS TO GO ASHORE.
After breakfast the senator turned TO me
and said: will you let me go ashore with
you?
II tried to persuade him to wait. know
ing what i went through going to the ship.
but wait he would not Bidding Captain
Whitney and the officers goodbye. We
started on our little journey across Iloilo
bay. and never will forget that trip. Down
in the cabin sat the senator and myself, and
the way he fired questions at me was a eau
ton. He wanted to know about every
one and everything. and / may say his
greatest anxiety was about the poor soldiers
out at the front during the storm. Ar
irving at our mooring. we ventured out. but
were compelled to return because OF the
storm. Sitting in the dark and close little
cabin the senator made his plans for the
day. The rain abating somewhat. we
Headquarters. not
gone far when the storm was renewed with
increased vigor. We presented a sorrowful
sight when we arrived at the office OF the
provost marshal. 1 shall never forget the
expression on Major Parks face when In
troduced the senator. Securing a two
wheeled conveyance the senator and myself
started for the headquarters mile away:
Arriving at the headquarters We descended
the large old-fashioned mahogany stairs.
Gilchrist, will you go with me this after
noon and make tour of the outposts!
thought Of the weather for moment. but
finally. said l would be pleased to accom-
pany him. We arranged TO take an ex-
tensive and very damp journey.
Leaving headapsIters We went to D., the
This regiment is now occupying a very
large convent about four hundred yards
large building we walked up the stone stairs.
the senator with privatec outfit complete.
including a service hat. blue flannel shirt,
Kahkee trousers, tan-colored leggins and
poncho over his shoulders, and myself with
a little better outit. for had a good pair
of gum boots on and an officers cape. We
brushed by, but with some exertion sue
ceeded in stopping him, and you should
have seen him when i introduced the sena-
tor. The colonel invited us 10 his quar-,
tiers. and there we met Lieutenant Colonel
Balls and Major Cheatham, son of Gen.
Cheatham, Confederate general OF fame.
short, but when our friends heard of our
contemplated trip they offered their serv--
ices to accompany us, The hour S was agreed
that afternoon the stated hour found
fSs th hsv IL the hardest ,se brdr an
country. which was submerged eight or
ter inches in water. Just back of slaugh-
found 0use rudey
made by the boys, and under the matched
roof were four husky Tennesseeans high
and dry. At the appearances Of their ON,
and the colonel introduced the senator 20
the boys. stating that he had come all the
tor. with uncovered head. in the midst of
q storm. said:
Gentlemen. am glad TO see you. I
came out IL this storm this afternoon TO
see what soldering is like during the dis
agreeable season. / have visited all the out
posts at Manila and the surrounding coun-
try, but that was during sunshine.
boys. / am proud of you. I want you
to know that we back in the States have
been thinking or you, nave appreciated
your great work. and i hope that you Will
continue in the future as In the past. and
when your work IL completed. come back
with flying colors. / wish you good luck.
Goodbye
CHEERS FOR THE SENATOR.
Three cheers were given for the senator.
We visited all the posts. and the senator
offered words of cheer and shook hands
with nearly all. Leaving our lines We took
a beach road, and for nearly an hour We
rode through forests of bamboo. cocoanut
and tall palms and ferns. and finally We
found ourselves in a peaceful town. out
side our lines.
Leaving this town We soon foud our
selves at the starting point. Crossing the
Yaro bridge we started towards the town
of Yaro. but the river had oyerfiown its
banks due TO the incessant rains. and the
town was submerged with the rush
ing. roaring current some places six
colonel tried to persuade the SEN
but to no avail. so We went through the
town on our ponies. Sometimes nothing
could be seen of our ponies but their backs.
At the sugar mill beyond Yaro. our farthest
stairs high and dry. but having no boat
we could not reach them.
I'VE now turned 10 the right and started
| down the road 10 Topaz. submerged from
three 10 five feet under water. Both sides
| of the street are luckily built up with BAN
boo huts, but all being on stilts. the ma
tives were looking out of their little cones
and gave us their friendly grin. On near
ly ali Of these huts white flag flying.
All the Sentries had vamOosed to these