Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-07-21
letter From Walter Williams.

On board transport Morgan City, May
Is, 1S99-Dtar Parents:-I thought
would write a little every day or so on
the way to Manila, so | would have a
letter ready to mail when got there.
We left San Francisco April %, and
arrived at Honolulu on the morning of
the Bird of May. We had very pleas
ant trip of eight days and nine nights
The sea was very calm and the weather
was fine We left San Francisco about
Z o'clock In the evening and it was a
beautiful scene passing out of the
Golden Gate. The first night we were
out there was one fellow that sat up all
night looking for tunnel. The boys
made him believe we would pass
through a tunnel. We have a good ship
and we have lots of fun. On the rear
of the ship we have shower baths, and
we drill every day one-half hour. There
are 5S7 of us and 9 officers: we have
very good officers.
We arrived at Honolulu about s
o'clock in the morning and it was a
beautiful scene. The entrance to the
harbor is only 300 feet wide and was
full Of ships from every nation. When
we sailed into the haI Dor we could see
the remains of the California which
was wrecked there about four months
ago. We were towed up to the docks
and were allowed shore leave until II
o'clock and we took in a good share of
the town. We visited Queens palace
which is very beautiful place. 1t is
only two stories high but Is very large
There is very large lawn all around
a ID very beautiful flowers. There are
great many beautiful buildings here
but none of them are over two stories
high. There are greet many earth
quakes which they say knock the houses
down if they are built any higher. The
streets are very narrow and the side
walks are only large enough for two to
walk on. Outside of the city couple
of miles is an old extinct volcano called
the Devils Dyke. 1t is an ugly looking
place and it makes you shiver to look
at it. The streets around Honlulu are
all paved with lava that came from it
and we saw so much there | can't be-
gin to tell you about. After two days
of running around we set sail on the
morning of the 9th and are a good
piece on our way now. Last Thursday
We passed the 180th meridian and we
gained one day, instead Of it being
Thursday it was Friday. Today is
Tuesday here and at home it is Monday
May I9.-This evening we passed a
group of islands and one was volcano.
We passed within 81 miles of 1t and
could see the smoke coming out of the
top of it. 1t is seven days run from
the islands to Manila.
May 2l.-This morning when we got
up the sea was calm, just as calm as
water in a wash pan. The sea looked
like one:large looking glass.
May 4.-Today we came in sight of !
the Philippine islands and tonight we
entered the China sea. | was on guard |
and about 4:30 in the morning it COM
menctd to rain and storm like every |
thing, but then it only lasted a short |
time. The China sea is very rough and |
for "a hours we only went 20 miles, but |
are going faster now. This Is the Goth |
of May and we are very near Manila.
We Will enter the bay sometime to-
night and lay there till tomorrow. | |
will have to close this letter now for we
have to mail them on the boat this eve
ming before retreat. Hoping to hear
from you soon, good-bye.'
Your atfectiOnate son,
WALTER WILLIAMS,
18th Infantry, Manila.