Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-25
Herman Kehm Leaves China for
The States.
EXPECTED HOME ON A FURLOUGH.
History OF Former ottumwa Young
Man Who Participated in the Span
ish-Amercan War and Recent Chi
nese Troubles.

Having brayed the awful ordeal to !
which the little band of foreigners
We're subjected recently in Picking,
China, Mr.. Kehm writes that he SIS
once more on an American man-of-war
and feels safe"
The Oregon is expected in the San
Francisco docks soon, where she will
undergo many needed repairs after her
long service in the east Mr.. Kehm
and other members of the crew are eX-
pecting a much deserved furlough, and
during portion of that time it is ex-
pected that the former will visit his
many relatives and friends in this city. |
Mr.. Kehm is brother of Mesdames
S. q. Adler and S. e. Park, of this
place. He has written many interest
ing letters to his friends in Ottumwa
concerning his experiences on the Ore
gon since the big battlesip was call
ed into service at the beginning of the
Spanish-American war. These letters
have been printed in the Courier from
time to time and have furnished much
interesting reading for not only his
friends, but for everyone who has
read them.
Mr.. Kehm was included in the little
band of American soldiers who were
sent to Peking to guard the American
legation. For several weeks he was
not heard from and his friends mourn
ed him as one dead. A few days ago
word was received that he was alive
and briefly stating some of the awful
trials to which he, with other foreign
ers in Peking, were subjected during
the trouble in the Chinese capital. Mr.
Kehm was wounded and only recently
4 70 cl1ff nin 1u IN CT ri hic
homeward journey. The portrait
which accompanies this article is
printed from a cut made from photo
graph of Mr.. Kehm taken in Hong
Kong, China short time before he
went to Picking.
Herman Kehm was born at Warsaw,
ILL.,, in 1875. He came with his par
ents to Ottumwa in 1880, remaining
here about 6 years when he went to
Portland, Oregon. In 1896 he entered
the naval training school at Vallejo,
California, and in March, 1897, was
transferred to the Oregon. He enlist
ed for term of five years. He was
hrst assigned to the duty of captains
orderly. In this capacity he went with
the Oregon on it's memorable trip
around the horn" to the seat of
trouble in the Cuban waters at the
breaking out of the Spanish-American
war. Later he was stationed at one
of the Hotchkiss rapid firing guns, and
1T was in that capacity that he par
ticipated in the memorable battle in
which Cervera's fleet was sent to the
bottom of the sea- Mr.. Kehm was also
one of the forty marines who first land
ed on Cuban soil after the victories
over the Spanish fleet had occurred.
From Cuban waters Mr.. Kehm accom-
panied the Oregon on it's mission to
the Philippines where he afterwards
had command of the marine forces
which were landed at Cavite.
On May "a Mr.. Kehm, with twenty
four other marines were detached to
the Newark, sailing that same night
for Taku, China, at the mouth of the
Peiho river, where they were summon
ed to protect the American interests
there and at Picking. On May 20, he
with 40 other marines and fifty blue
jackets manning a three-inch field
piece and Colts automatic gun at
tempted to land in tug. The boat
went aground when five miles from
shore. The men, or part of them,
were transferred to a steam launch
and started inland The launch strand
ed and it was with the greatest diff
Guilty that fifty-three of the crew land
ed and eventually reached Picking.
The little band of Americans were the
first foreigners to enter the walled
city. In former letter explaining
this journey, Mr.. Kehm related the
experience of the forced march, and
how they reached the gate of the wall
ed city just in time to enter before it
closed one evening. The communica-
ton describing their entrance to the
Chinese capital was written on the ev-
ening of June /, and that was the last
word received from him either directly
or indirectly until October 5. He was
wounded June "a and was not able to
write. His home coming is anticipat-
ed with much pleasure, because of the
fact that from his own lips Ottumwa
people will be permitted to hear many
of the interesting details of that aw-
full siege at Picking much of which has
never been related.
A Recent Letter.
The following communication from
Mr.. Kehm has just been received by
his sister, Mrs. S. e. Adler:
United States Flag Ship Brooklyn,
off Taku, China,
September 20, 1900.
dear Sister Louise:-With our feet
again on the deck of an American
man-of-war, we feel as tho we were
safe. Leaving Picking on the 9Th
inst. we marched to Tung Chow on the
Peiho river, where we engaged sever
al small houseboats to carry us to
Tien-Tsin. Reaching Tien-Tsin on the
18th we quarted with the Fifth battal-
ion United States marines under the
command of Major r. Dickens.
September ~ found us on board
the old Monocacy, that for the last
thirty years has represented the Unit
ed States in Chinese waters. The
next day we were transferred to the
Brooklyn where we were greeted with
hearty cheers from the ships compa-
ny and a hearty hand-shake and a
word OF welcome from Captain Thorn
as, of the Brooklyn. We are to leave
here soon to join the peerless Oregon
at Shanghai.
"The shallow open sea in the vicin-
ity of Taku presents a fine view with
z "A. 4 - hn