The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-01-16
Life and Death Of SGaTClliglt a
Manila Mascot.
NATIVE OF PORTLAND
In n honolulu on the Zeaiandia-Was
on the Firing Line with
the Soldier Men


garded as their mascot, died Septem-
Der %. The following account is tax
en- from the Bounding Billow, a little
paper published by the men on board
the United States flagship Olympia. 1t
is headed - Searchlight'; His Life and
Death
Willie Doran, better known TO us as
"Searchlight," was born in Portland,
Or, in 1882, exact date known. When
8 years of age his father died leaving a
wife and two children, Willie and an
older sister, who is at present residing
either in San Francisco or Oakland.
leaving the boy an orphan, with an
undertaker's and doctors bill to pay.
The brave yOungster, obtaining en-
ployment in a box factory, where he
earned So a week, struggled on at his
work, saving his money until he had
enough to pay the bills which the
undertaken and doctor, seeing and APP
preciating the boys courage and firm
ness, cut down to half the original
amount.
Finally, thinking he could improve
his position, he drifted to San Francis
co, where, after trying his hand at al
most everything with varying success.
the war between the United States and
Spain broke out, and he fell in with
d. Tenth regiment, Pennsyl-
vania infantry, United States volun-
teers Being a bright, intelligent and
social boy, the men took a fancy TO
him and as he had no ties, took him
with them to Cavite or rather Camp
Dewey, where he was installed as mas
cot and permanent member of the COM
pany
He would be with the men whenever
they went on outpost, always making
himself useful assisting at whatever
he could. Night and day he would be
found in the same condition, and by
the side of the men, wet, cold and hun
CRY, but brave as ever, and never
word of complaint passed his lips.
The men in their rough. kind way
tried TO make everything easy for the
lad. and oftimes one of the fortunate
ones that had some eatable out of the
ordinary would save the luxury for
'Searchlight," and sit back in heart
felt enjoyment of the youngsters pleas
ure. But whenever the little fellow had
especially delectable he would
quietly stow it away and then find
some poor fellow who was sick, and
turn it over TO him. The sight of this
little hero going around quiet and un-
complaining gave many a weakening
man fortitude to go on fighting the
hardships with which he, too, steadily
had to contend So courageous was he
that it seemed to him but his duty to
share in all that befell the company.
On the morning of July 81, when the
regiment was lined up preparatory to
going to the support Of the trenches,
''Searchlight' was right with company
DIS line of ''file-closers," with canteen
and haversack at his side and spade
over his shoulder. All day he put in
his time examining the trenches, and
at 1920 D. m. when the company was
ordered on the right 10 reinforce
that part of the line he still kept his
position as ''file-clOser,' and when told
TO get back into the trenches or he
might get hit, he quietly remarked:
ION. no. I won't: they can't hit me,
and although Mauser bullets We're
whistIing and spatting uncomfortable
close they apparently could make no
impression on the heart Of this bold
little soldier.
He was finally persuaded TO go into
the trenches and keep watch on field
gun. Here he was found by wounded
soldier who had crawled back. hugging
the ground, his eyes fixed on the gun
Later. after the ammunition had been
exhausted and a new supply arrived
he busted himself distributing it to
the men and never once did he finch
or hesitate until all had been supplied
although bullets and shells were hiss
ling and screaming all around him.
After the fight, except when the com
pany was on outpost he would visit
1.-THE hospital regularly. taking the men
food. clothing and papers from the
camp.
When the regiment entered Manila
he held the same position. While in
Manila he put in his time sightseeing
and became acquainted with some OF
the men of the flagship Olympia, which
resulted in several visits to the vessel
where he won the hearts of the entire
crew.
When the flagship went TO Hongkong