The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-01-23

A. c. Rogers, Louisville, (Ohio) boy,
who is doing duty in the Philippines,
writes to his friends at home as fol-
lows:
Las Banos, Dec. 2, 1899.
Thanksgiving day was celebrated in
nearly all the churches of Luzon, Thurs
day, November Both, and the town of
Las Banos equalled itself to the
occasion. Although the day seemed
more like the day of Independence than
one of Thanksgiving yet the natives in
the country have not learned how to
hold in remembrance the day set apart
for giving thanks. In front of the
trenches at Las Banos a sort of pavil-
lion was erected, consisting of bamboo
poles covered with banana and palm
leaves, under which the people sat-
while the games were not in progress
At one end of the main street a double
arch was erected of bamboo, profusely
decorated with the nations emblem. 1t
did not equal the Imperial arch of Titus
nor the Dewey arch at New York city,
yet the natives showed a good deal of
ingenuity in constructing it. To the
left of this arch, a grand stand was
raised, where a band discoursed sweet
music. In this band there was a
violin, a guitar, cornet, and baritone.
Their favorite air Is after the Ball."
and reminded me very much of a little
German band or Salvation Army band.
But nevertheless, as music is rare here,
we appreciated their struggling at
tempts at music. The festivities be-
gan at $3.50 a. m. The leader of the
people tossed a cocoanut in the air,
whereupon dozen or more boys made
a lunge at it and Rugby of the states
was initiated The boy that could get
hold of the cocoa and keep it would be
awarded a prize. Well, with such
howls Of delight only known to Young
America, they went at each other,
and it resulted in a heap of humanity
with a little coon struggling at the bot
tom of the mass with his valued prize
beneath him. He was given a peso for
his troubles. The next in order was
climbing the creased pole. After sew
eral futile attempts, the boys seemed
to give the idea up when one little lad
succeeded in climbing part way UP, at
least until he arrived at such a point
that he could go no farther when he
reached in his pockets and rubbed
sand on the pole, after tugglng and
twisting, while some of the boys tried
to pull him down and finally reached
the top and won his prize. Following
this two frying pans were suspended
from a string and on the back of each
several quarters were stuck. In this
exercise the boys were to pull the
money off with their teeth unaided
with their hands. 1t was very anus
ing to watch them and when they were
finished they were as black as any
stage minstrel. We then enjoyed a
cooking main and this pastime is one of
the chief amusementS of the natives
Several cocks were pitted against each
other, while the natives wagered gold
on their favorites. The birds fought
savagely until one of the spurs was
sent home, and as the bird lay on the
ground dying, the victor struck an at
titude of defiance amid the plaudits of
the crowd. Gladiatorial combats were
INDUCED in and the Olympic games
were repeated. The last feature Of the
day was the horse races, the course
was about quarter of a mile but prior
to the race, the parade took place,
headed by the band, followed by the
"select ladies'" then the jockies. The
ladies were escorted to the grandstand.
Their costumes were the gaudiest ever
seen. I think all the colors of the rain
bow, and then some, were brought into
play. Outside this stand was a bar,
and attached to it were rings( finger
rings) with ribbons attached, on which
were the names of the owners. 1t is
the aim of the rider while coming at a
speedy gait to thrust a small spear
through one of the rings. On finding
whose ring it is he forwards it to the
owner and she in turn gives him some
token of remembrance. The men went
into the race with vim and each had
his favorite. With the air of the
knights of old they tried to please their
lady friends. After the race, the pro-
cession proceeded down the street,
where the victor and his coal black
lady gave an "At Home" to their
friends. 1t was a great day for the
Filipinos, and probably in a few years
they will learn how to hold Thanks
giving Day as 1t is observed by civiliz-
ed people and not desecrate 1t so as
to make 1t a day Of feasting and jubilee.
OF course, 1t is a trait of these people to
follow in the footsteps Of their fore
fathers. This day was always cele-
brated by the Spaniards with bull
fights and ring contests. However,
in Manila, where ignorance and super
stition do not reign, no great feasts like
this were given. The soldiers here
had great dinner; not like that which
you would get at Delmonico, but II
was so much out Of the ordinary and
in such a position, that it was dinner
well worth remembering, but at sup
per we dropped to the army ration
such drop that we could hardly
''sabe" it. But soldier is destined to
live on substantial feed, and not on
sweets and dainties. / guess "Aggie'
has found out by this time that the
American troops can sprint as well as
shoot as we have him away up in the
northern part of Luzon, and 1t Is
thought by officials that the insurgent
republic is on its last legs as their
ardor has been dampened and theil
courage Is not bullet proof. The
American troops are in good health and
best Of spirits. but nevertheless are
anxious for an end Of hostilities. 1 re.
main, Very truly yours