Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
ON BOARD THE BROOKLYN
WASHINGTON BOY WRITES HOME
FROM FAR-OFF CHINA.
How the Glorious Fourth Was CeIe-
brated I'm the Occident by Uncle
Sans Gallant Tars.

John E. Poole. a sailor on the L. s. s.
Brooklyn, flagship of the Asiatic station
Is the son of Mr.. and Mrs r. B. Poole. who
reside al No. ATS o street and is a frequent
letter writer to his parents Since August
l they have received three letters from him.
two of which were written after the arrival
OF the Brooklyn at Taku. one being written
In July, seamanlike, on several dates be-
ginning with the 9th of the month and the
other August 4. He describes the fleets OF
all nations gathered there and the arrival
or the transport Logan with the 9th Cav
airy aboard, and speaking of the forces al
ready landed says, The Russians are the
strongest force shore and are shooting
down every man. woman and child that
they come across"
A story About the Oregon.
Speaking of the Oregon running upon the
reef Mr. Poole writes: "A funny incident
occurred when the Oregon was on the
rocks. There was a ship sighted which
proved to be Chinese cruiser, first class
and she was closely followed by Japanese
and German war vessel about to capture
her. But the Chinese commander ran up a
white flag. which means surrender and
gave ner up to the Oregon. which was lying
helpless on the rocks. OF course, the Amer
leans took possession of her. They went
on board, took all the breech blocks out of
her guns and took all of the ammunition
off"
In another paragraph Seaman Poole ex-
presses the opinion that the conditions then
promised 10 end in serious trouble IF war
is declared he writes, 1.-The Chinese will
no doubt lose every inch OF land now in
their possession. for when they run up
against such powers as Russia, Germany.
England and the United States they don't
stand one, two. three. We have been very
busy the past two weeks looking after our
guns and seeing that they are in first-class
condition"
Celebrated the Fourth in China.
He gives a description OF the observance
of Independence day on the Brooklyn on
July 4. I'VE all got up at $40 m. as we
always do on board ship and fired a ma
tional salute of twenty-one guns from our
G-pound guns. The ships company. num-
bering 625 men. besides the marines we
have on board, had breakfast and at coors
that Is at 8 o'clock-the band played My
Country, IT'S Of Thee Then we dressed
ship to further celebrate the Fourth and at
o o'clock the call sounded to lay aft at the
pay office and draw monthly money. We
had an entertainment a large stage was
erected on the forecastle. and the ship was
decorated with flags. We had visitors from
all the English. Russian and German fleets
and had general good time
He inciosed the program of the enter
tainment very neatly printed. Upon the
tONeI page WAS.
Impromptu Entertainment
of the
Brooklyn Speciality Company
On Board the
L. S. Flagship Brooklyn,
Asiatic Squadron
July f. 1900.
The two inside pages were devoted to the
performance and their contents were as
follows:
PROGRAMME
Part /.
One-Act Sketch,
Entitled:
mo More Whisky No More Fits" or
Dutch Justice
Cast of Characters:
Judge Dnkelspiel. .............C. L. Nateous
l. Soakem, prosecuting attorney.
l. Scratch. clerk of the courts White
A. O'Rafferty, officer of the court,
J. o'Connen
A. Bum, a bum lawyer w Bastian
G. Marryall. arrested for bigamy. F. Ruley
7. Mutton, arrested for sheep steal
Tommy Sly. arrested for spelling j Ha p
Kitty Fly. arrested for spelling C. F. Monk
Jimmy Slick. arrested for stealing
bread. ......................G. Broderick
A. Soak. arrested for stealing
WHISKY -.--............-...-...-. II. H. Spear
Sentimental solo. .................J. H. Smith
C. W. Bastian and C. F. Monk
In Their Thrilling Trapeze Performance
Song and dance artist. -...-.......J. Hagerty
8. White and j. O'Connell,
In Their Original Characters, THE Irish
Partners
Overture ............... Orchestra
Part Ill
Simons. Bates and Bastian,
The Acrobatic Trio.
Irish song and dance. B. Campbell
F. Ruley and F. F. Spear,
The Mixed-Up Comedians. in Their Laugh
able Skit. ireland VS.. Germany"
c. L. Nateous and G. B. Campbell
Concluding With the Laughable Sketch.
THE Disappointed Minstrel Man.
Sau Au Revoir, but not Goodbye
The last page bears the names of the COM
mittee which had the entertainment In
charge. and which comprised Naval Cadet
w. Fl. Tardy. manager; ]. III. Smith. sec
rotary, and c. w. Bastian, stage manager.