The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-01-04

Shields, the little Filipino boy whom
Will Shields brought home with him,
and who is now travelling with the 5lst
Iowa band in its tour of the state. He
sings Filipino song and also exhibits
his Mongoose. The Bedford Free Press
speaking Of the bands appearance in
that city says:
One Of the particularly interesting
features of the entertainment was the
appearance Of Filipino boy who was
brought over by VIM. Shields. This
boy is now twelve years old, and has
been an orphan for about six years.
His only brother WAS slain in battle.
While Mr.. Shields was in the hospital
Filimo took special interest in him,
waited on him and he became greatly
attached to the boy. A mutual interest
sprang up between them, and MIR.
Shields determined to bring his new
found friend to America. To defeatla
strict surveillance over him. the boy
was struggled through port hole in
Francisco, Mr.. Shields was compelled |
to give bond for the boys maintenance 7
and education before he vas allowed |
to land him on American soil. He will
look thoroughly after the boys welfare |
and see that he gets good education. 4
The lad is bright and intelligent and is
learning rapidly. Six months ago he
did not know word Of English. Now
he can speak it quite plainly, besides
writing, spelling, adding, etc. In an
interview with Mr.. Shields, the Free
Press learns that he is and always was
opposed to the policy of the administra-
ton in dealing with theasEilipinos. He
says that had this country treated those
people the same as the Cubans, there
would have been no war and many
precious lives would have been saved.
He saysthe large majority of the boys
fought because they were compelled to,
not because they thought it patriotic or
right; that the Filipinos are fighting for
| their freedom and Independence just rs
Muah us our forefathers did, and are
entitled to it. He said that when 2 lad
be could never have been taught to|
believe that America could have treated
any helpless and weak nation as inhu.,
name as We are treating the Filipinos.
He thinks the entire var wrong and
inhuman, and against the principles OF
American undergraduate, and thinks the
warfare will be continued for years
The Creston Advertiser says:
At the time Of the return of the 5lst
Iowa an interesting story was told of a
young twelve. year old Filipino boy who
was smuggled aboard the transport
Senator nv YIN. F. Shields, Of Leon,
private in Go. |, Bedford.
'Mr. Shields, with bis interesting
protese. was in this city Tuesday having
arrived last Monday from his bone in
Leon. He came hers to meet the regi
mental band in WHICH he has an interest
and proceeded with them to BEDFORD
Tuesday afternoon where they gave
concert that evening. Together viii,
his charge Mr.. Shields expects to travel
with the band during the remainder of
their toAf. y
"Mr. Shields is . pleasant, affable gen
tleman and talked eqtertslqlngly with
IAN Advertiser reporter of this young ma.
five for whom he seems TO cherish quite
an affection. The story of their meeting
is an interesting one. It occurred while
1 Shields vas an inmate OF the first re-
/ serve hospital at Manila, where he lay
| sick With the fever. The, boy was an
~ tothe hospital working TOR
NJ ld. He cared for and waited
upon the soldier and seemed to take
lquite q fancy to him. shields mani
Testing an interest in him, the boy
evineed desire to return with him to
this country. Application was made to
General Otis for peTpission to bring the
boy home but was refused. The same
answer was given him by Colonel Lopez.
Shields WAS determined 10 smuggled
the little fellow aboard the transport,
where he lay in hiding for two days
aunder bunk covered over with rub
| Der poneho. His desire to; remain con-
cealed was so great that be, did not even
|yenture to put his head out from under
the ponce during the two days and was
nearly exhausted when taken out. Mr..
Shields has given the boy his name and
he is now known as Filimo Shields. He
says he is first going to give him an ed
ucation and then probably 1T him for
some profession. A. yet he has not
been sent to school, but through MIR.
1Shield s tutelage is now able to count to
one hundred, repeat the alphabet, write
his own name and speak some English.
He understands English very well and
4seems to be very bright little fellow.
1.-THE severe weather Of this country as
1 compared with the mild climate Of his
native land causes him to suffer quite a
little from the cold. The carrying of
thick, heavy clothes also makes him
very tired. Six months agp he wore
scarcely no clothing. could neither speak
nor understand English and knew OF
nothing beyond the confines Of his own
community"
Blsmark's Iron Nerve.