Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-07-31

a large building within eight feet of it.
All this indicates lawless mob who
desires to plumber, and not mob OPP
posed to foreigners.
We have not had any rain since last
September. The, country is dry as a
bone. For three years there has been
little rain, and short crops, of course.
In lots of places none at all. The peo-
pie are desperate and seek any excuse
to steal, and lot of the ignorant think
the rain god is angry because they
don't drive the foreigners out of China.
II we could have about three days
good, hard rain it would do more to
put stop to all the trouble than all
the guards.
Tuesday, will try and finish this,
as it is mail day. Yesterday was a
very anxious day. Last night several
Americans on the outside edge of
town spent the night at the consulate.
All felt every apprehension Mr.. Rags
dale did not undress and lots of people
in Tien Tsin did not go to bed We
We're rather short of troops, as so
many had been sent on to Picking,
thinking there was no danger in Tien
Tsin. The great fear has been from
fire. If the Chinese succeeded in start
ing two or three fires, with the strong
winds prevailing at this season, it
would mean the destruction of the set
tlement. Every precaution was taken
and all feel the crisis is past.
Today will see 1000 troops landed
here. Fifty more Americans are on
the road up. Twenty gunboats are out
side the bar. The low water in the
river makes it out of the question for
them to come over the bar. They are
at least thirteen miles out.
You will get all the war news in the
papers, and before this reaches you
probably the empress will be dethron.
ed and the emperor put on the perch.
This state of things can't go on for
ever. Perhaps you would like to know
how the Ragsdale family is as we'll
as the news of the condition of China.
With SO much going on it is hard to
write of ourselves. First of all. the
baby is very we'll and just as good and
sweet as she can be. spend a lot of
time with her. She is beginning to
talk and can understand the Chinese
talk as well as she can what we say.
l will send you picture Earl took of
us on the verandah, by far the best we
have had of her, and also good of me.
Sadie is well. Effie is nearly as tall as
/ am, and Earl taller. He is such big
boy. Before he was Is, weighed $50
pounds. Just now he is out on the
warship Newark.
June s-Did not get chance to
write any on the date, and it is now
June 10. We are still in a state of ter.
ror, not for Tien Tsin, but for foreign.
ers outside in the interior. l think all
feel that this is the beginning of the
breaking up of China All have ex.
pected it, but also every one wished to
avoid action as long as possible. l
won't write any more about the situa.
ton if can help it. 1t is hard to keep
to anything long these days. So many
coming and going. People living out.
side come in to stop at night. We
have to put up extra beds. We are
certain to have very busy summer
So far it has been very cool, but the
extreme heat can not be far away
And, oh, it is so hot! never felt any.
thing like it anywhere. l must close
Gould just keep on from day to day
writing, but if l don't finish, it won't
do you much good. Mrs. Drummond
was in last evening. Lucy is well, and
keeps herself as bright as ever Dc
write and tell me all the doings OF
Santa Rosa. Very sincerely,
Fife l.. Ragsdale.