The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-07

In July of 1897, John Springer, an
Island boy, son of Henry Springer, Of
South Wabash street. ran away from
home, and enlisted In the regular army.
He was assigned TO the Eighteenth In
fantry, and until the war with Spain
broke out he was stationed at Fort
Bliss, in Texas. Soon after the out
break Of hostilltles the Eighteenth was
ordered to the Philippines. and SPRING
er, OF course, went with his regiment.
In December his term OF enlistment ex-
pired, and as Will be seen by perusal
Of the letter printed below, which was
received by his mother yesterday. he
has decided to come home, being sick
and tired Of the Philippines. The let
ter Is as follows:
CAvITE, P. l.. Dec. 5. 1893.
My Dear Mo;her:-I thought ! would
write You one more letter before leave
Cavlte for tho United States. am dis.
charged on next Sunday mornllg. and
have been waiting for q long time for
this day. and l can tell you truly that
! am glad. very glad. TO get away from
here. am In excellent health. never felt
better in my life, but 1 had n spell Of fever
short time ago, and am afraid " stayed
on the Island much longer would get
sick again. and TO be sick In this country
Is almost as bad as perd!tion. The sun
makes It as hot as that other place ~
proverb!ally said TO be, and the water at
It's best Is hardly fit for 4 dog to drink.
The natives 20 around hnlf dressed, nm
kempt hair. dirty and unwashed bodies
and faces. ana their mouths and lips made
hidtors by the use Of the obnoxious betei
nut, which stains their tongues and lips
a very bright red. but turns their teeth
black, giving them slckenlng look.
have many friends here who are sorry
TO see me leave. They have been trying
to have me re-enlist for another three
think their way. The doctor even offered
to make me q steward. the highest rank
an enlisted man can attain, but firmly
but kindly refused to think about 1t for
single minute.
Enclosed you will find n piece OF the
Spanish flag that waved over: the fort at
Manila. tore the piece or the flag my
self. anu ] Know that II Is genuine. / am
having cane made from piece OF the
bridge" OF the Spanish taE-ahip Relna
Christina; 1t is quite n novelty. ! have
several other curiosIties that am bring
!nE home with NE. and will send you some.
leave here Monday evening at o'clock.
and will arrive at Hong Kong December
y, and leave there tho same day for the
United States. VIII write to you upon
reaching San Francisco. Am sending also
book Of scenes around Manila, with the
titles translated into English. SO you will
understand what each represents.
Affect!onately your son. JOHN.
er tells about Is about six by four
inches, and shows equal parts of the
red and yellow that are the principal
colors OF Spain's standard. 1t has
been mounted on n card, and will be on
exhibition In the window at the INTEL
ligencer counting rooms to-day, to-
gcther with the pamphlet "Tipos Fill
ipinos," Spanish-Phllippine publica-
ton. showing types Of the inhabitants
of the Philippines, Illustrated in colors.
The titles of the illustrations are as
follows:
Car0matero Indio-Indian buggy.
Leche de Caraballa-Milk peddIers OF
the domesticated buffalo.
La Soltada-Ready for the cock fight
"a common sight.
Chino. veudedor ambulante de quln-
calla-Chinese lamp vendor.
Chino, rendedor ambulante de telas-
Chinese towel vendor.
Chino, limp!ador de oidos al aIre libre
Chinese ear doctor: they so about the
streets, and when they find q patient
they operate upon him in the public
highway.
1ndio. vendedor de zacate (yerba)-
Indian hay merchant.
Peluquerla Indla-Indiar barber.
India. rendedora ambulante de sag
uales-Native mat vendor.
1ndia-lndian.
Mestizas-F'emaie haif-breeds.
Mestizo-Halt breed.
Ell madorcillo-Governor OF the
province.
midlothian. male.
Amarre de la notwithstanding for
cock fight.
Fendedora de manga-Mango ped
der.
Chino, carSador de muebles-Chinese
knick-knack peddler
FL bano-Thc sponge bath.
The color drawings are fairly well en-
ecuted. but the black and white work
Is OF grade OF printing which no SELF
respecting American printer or litho-
grapher would admit of having perpe-
traied upon the W0rldPublic.
The envelope enclosing Sprlnger's
letter has in the corner the American
lag and reproduction of the Maine,
with the words, Remember the
Maine," and the additional words I'VE
did. August L., 49," which Is the: date
or the land battle OF Manila, In which
the Spanish were so declsively beaten
last summer.
Mr.. Springer IS expected to arrive In
Wheeling this week, on visit TO his
parents. He will be warmly welcomed
BY many old friends.