The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-04-20
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Serge ant Detrick Writes an interest
ing Letter From Our Island Pos
sessions.
ZAMBOANGA, Mindinao,

DedT MOJnor-Ju uSh feCelNeu d leGbeT
from you which was written on Dec. 81.
Gee! 1t takes letter long time to
get here, doesn't it? I have written
two or three letters to you since we
landed here, but have not received an
answer to them, although l have re-
ceived a couple from you.
l think 1 will have to send Uncle
Web some money to buy me camera
and material, because it is so dear in
Manila. 1 can get it by the first of
June, and we will still be here then, 1
think.
Had little trip on the 18th of this
month. Orders came for Capt. Ben
nett to take one sergeant, two corpor-
ais, and twenty-one men, and be ready
to leave at o'clock in the morning on
the "Churuca." Stillwell and I got to
go; also Kinnard and Staight. We
went from here to Port Isabella, and
from there went to another place,
where we took prisoner a fellow who
was stirring up the natives. Col. Pet
tit was along, and we got the fellow
without firing shot. All of US had
one hundred cartridges in our belts,
and it looked like business.
A messenger was sent from the
shore, and the agreements were made
on the ship, After it was over, the
Colonel told Captain that we could go
ashore, but not to take our arms.
Twelve of us went ashore and staid un-
til about dark. From the ship we
could see the natives, who were
armed with shields and spears,
bolos and rifles. The women all had
rifles. They had barricade built of
sand bags and 1 do not think
that half of us would have gotten to
the shore alive if the scrap had start
ed. The scene put me in mind of pic
lures which we have seen in STANLEY
in Africa" The half-clothed natives,
the big spears and shields, the big
knives, and funny mushroom shaped,
grass covered bamboo houses. The
of brown color, and all chew the
beetle NUT which makes their mouth
and lips blood red, and their teeth
black. They wear great pieces of
bone stuck through their ears and noses
and some dress with only a breech
cloth and belt, through which are al
ways thrust number of knives. Some
wear nothing but rings of ivory on
their wrists and ankles. 1t was surely
a great sight, and one never to be for
gotten. I am in hopes that can take
trip to Borneo before I am through,
but don't know whether 1 will make it
or not. 1t is only eight hours run
from here. Today being holiday, we
have no drills. Nothing to do but an
swer reveille and retreat roll calls,
and guard mounting. We have two
dentists here, one a member of the
band, and the other member of Co. D.
It is so alfred hot here that there is
no pleasure in writing. The sweat is
dropping all over this letter now.
The Yorktown and the other little
gunboat here looked fine today, with
ali their flags and bunting flying, and
just at noon the National salute was
fired from the Yorktown. We have
changed our quarters, that is, Co. c
has moved. We are now quartered in
fine building, which was formerly a
convent. have large room about
16x30 #. The clerk, 'Blondy Morris, "
and live and sleep together. He is a
fine fellow from New Castle, Indiana.
His father is recorder there. We have
a double bunk made of bamboo, and
mosquito netting over it and it looks
very much oriental.
One side of the room I have my col
lection of relics and souvenirs. have
two large, stabbing spears, two cruel
looking knives called kris. The blade
is about two feet long and wavy shaped.
Also have three bolos, two short Moro
dirks, a large, mushroom shaped hat OF
bamboo which the natives wear, also
two snouts of saw-fsh, one being about
four feet long, Moorish sailor knife,
a Spanish ammunition box and shells,
and coral Of every shape and descrip.
tion. have purple goods of some kind
draped over and around these weapons,
and have the whole thing topped out
with the American shield. Have a
fine table and stand lamp and easy
chairs, and we are taking life pretty
easy. I guess most of the scrapping
in Luzon is over, and if we have to de
garrison duty we might as well take it
as easy as possible. We also have si1
fine chefoniers which belong to the
Church, and we have them placed
around the room and use them fol
shelves and wash stands.
They are fine pieces of work, and
think they were made in Spain. ex
pect to have some palms taken up an(
put in my room. Everybody says tha
1 have the finest room in the whole bat
TALON. I will have regular museum
when I am mustered out, if l keep on a
this rate.
| Staight, Stillwell, and Kinnard are
in perfect health. l am feeling fine
and weigh lis pounds, which is II
pounds more than did when l enlist
ed. Sergt. Bennett is with his com
pany at Gotta Batta. Have not heart
from him since they left.
Don't know when there will be
chance to get this letter off. If 1 ha,