Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-01-04
FROM THE PHILIPPINES.
Interesting Letter From Cap
tain R. c. Day.
Aleaga. P. l.. Nov. Is. 1899,


forgotten you entirely. The fact
is, we were placed actively in the
field Immediately upon our land
ing and the regiment scattered go
that my hands have been full in
keeping the men in rations. Now
we have abandoned any attempt to
draw food from commissary and are
living off the country. l am just
now in a light condition as far as
Impedimenta is concerned; it all
goes in my pockets and on my
saddle. 1 won't abandon what
little l have if can help it and
now walk a great deal to keep my
horse in condition. For l can't
part with him.
This island, Captain, is a verita-
BILE bower of wealth and
luxury, and under the control
of progressive power will be a
won derful place. The mahogany
forests alone contain fortunes. |
have often heard the expression:
"Put your feet under a mahogany"
but l believe here is is the first
time l ever did. Here the very
poorest have tables, chairs and
even floors of it; they burn it in
their stoves. The flooring of the
house we now occupy is of polish
ed mahogany planks 2 IL inches
thick and from four to six feet in
width. Just think of the wealth
under my feet if it were in the U.
S. There are many other woods
here also, ebony abounds. l am
using a bedstead of it, the great
old fashioned kind, with bambo
bottom and canopy top, the pan
neling is inlsid with ivory and
mother Of pearl. An officer who
is a furniture dealer at home says
it's worth 500 in the U. s. i
asked the padre or priest, whose
house this is what it cost him. He
said 500 Mexican, which means
about s4S in our money. 1t is no
good now be says ana bss given
me a email framed mirror, a part
of the original set, which l hope
TO bring back with me.
There is no end to the wealth OF
the soil and fertilizIng is not
known. Labor is very, very cheap.
Scarce as men are even now, they
can be hired for So Mexican a
month and six ounces of rice day
for food. equal 10 81 50 month
gold and 80 cents per month for
food. A horse is worth 81 so gold,
4 COW is unknown. Water buffalo,
he native beast of burden IL
worth $40 gold. Good cigars Cost
2 cent each, cigarettes 20 for l
cent, eggs can BE- purchased at tht
rate of 20 ror 5 cents, chickens Z IL
nents, hog- rs cents to 81 90 and
fi.h for 2 cents that will weigh 20
pounds.
Fne natives fi-h for birds and
,noot fish. with bows and AFRO W..
wash their feet every time they
come in house, never wash their
hands. The women remind one
Of proverbial ostrich.
who thinks himself hid if his head
IS out of sight. They wear an
.labora,e apron from the neck
inwn, (msny are very pretty
specimens of needle work too) q ID
nave absolutely nothing to cover
he posterior portions. Allogeth
.ra very peculiar rae and as
-ule very moral They are good
Sorkers and very prompt, will
never tell the truth, but do not
,real They will give YOU any
hing they have that you take a
ancy to and very willingly, and
accept no pay, Dut will cheat the
daylight out of you if possible.
They never object to what work
you give them to do, no matter if
you hire them for one thing and
,et them at another Pay them
ust what you agree-everything
all right, give them 5 cents more
and they will everlastiDgly howl
or more. Talk decenJy to them
md they will insult you. Make
hem stand in your presence, hat
n hand and bow before they ad-
iress you and they are respectful.
1 will tell you more of this
.lrange people in my next if can
earn them any better, for they |
ire very interesting and very |
strange to us.
My regards to all the enquirers
ind much love to you and Mrs. |
White. From yours truly,
R. G. DAY,
let Lieut.. 34th Infty. U S. ",
P. l.
Three OF Kind.