The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-04-06
MINING in THE PHILIPPINES.

DesMoines Register is from son OF
Mrs. Helen johnson Henry, formerly |
Of Northwood. Joe served his time out !
with the lst Montana regiment, one of
the regiments first sent to Manila, and
which took part in numerous battles.
When mustered out, he stayed at Man
ila, looking for business opening. He
is nephew of Mrs. A. c. Mcclure.
New Years Day on Board c. M.
Steamer, China Sea.-Dear Folks: We,
a party of six are on our way to the
port of Vigan, about 300 miles north of
Manila, to strike out in the mountains
prospecting. The party consists of
Sergeant McCauly, of Co. G, Sergeant
McClusky, of Co. B, and myself from
Butte, Andy Merton of Co. Q, Mon
tanas, an ex-thirteen6h Minnesota vol
unteer and civilian from New Mexico.
We have a good lot of men, good min
ers and men who have had experience.
l am the only young, inexperienced
lcllOW III 1uo CrOWo. we dro TuuuluS
along within rifle shot of the shore, the
same course over which we came a
year ago, the 23d of last August, only
then about that time we were busy get
ting our equipments ready and hoist
ing ammunition from the hold so as
not to delay in getting off to fight the
Spaniards. This ship is owned by a
company in Manila, and formerly flew
the Spanish flag. This is fine coun-
try we are now passing. The part OF
the country to which we are going has
mountains are hostile to all strangers,
but as they are armed with only bows
and arrows, we have little to fear. We
are all well armed and supplied with
ammunition. carry my Mauser and
a As caliber, double action Colts six
shooter. My bunkie is Jack McCauley
good miner and prOspector. ,...
Mamma, hated to go out on this triI
for l knew you would worry about me-
but if you knew how it is-there is ne
cause to worry. This is the only kline
of life that suits me. The only time
that am not restless is when starting
out on trip of this kind, which proves
that this is the thing 1 was intended
for. I do not take pleasure in a goOd
many things the other men care for
McClusky took a kodak picture of III
on board the boat. When they art
developed will send one home. sen
from Manila yesterday box of shells
a photograph of Flanagan and myself
This represents our dress here. Jus
now we have our old clothes On-blu,
woolen shirt, canvas pants, etc. 1 weal
a big cork helmet-a fine protection
from the SUD. The man on the watcl
has just struck ''four bells," o'clock
We live well here on shipboard, al
though do not like the Spanish sJyl
of cooking. They fry steak and egg
in olive oil. We passed out from unde
the shadow of the American fleet at
Io'clock this morning past the cruise
brooklyn, the prettiest ship 1 ever saw
past the Baltimore, the battleship Ore
gon, the English cruiser PloVer and th'
monitors Monadonock and Monterey
THE weather has been fine and the SCI
Ismooth like lake, with fine salt Sc,
breeze that gives man ravenous ap
Ipetite. The six Americans and Span
ish planter from Vigan are the onl,
first-class passengers on board. Thi
lSpaniard is a nice young fellow VIII
has lived here since he was years old
I have been talking to him today abou
this country. He possesses what j
rare in Spaniard-a sense of humot
He told some interesting stories of tn
time when he was prisoner OF the in
Isurrectoes. This trip is very differen
from my last ocean voyage. Then W
were crowded on an army transpor
} with little to eat. Now we have onl
to call "muchacho" (boyl if anything
is needed. l have little idea when W
will be back, but it may probably b
about the time that your reply to thi
letter reaches Manila. We will Sc
what there is in these mountains and
anything, will procure our outfit an
go to work. 1t hardly seems like Ne'
Years Day. am sitting on deck, tn
other boys are in easy chairs, eithe
asleep or reading. I went to Angelu
to see Yes Wilberg but found that
was in hospital in Manila. locke
him up and had several pleeiant talk
with him. My health is fine, and 1 Sc
no reason that it should be Otherwis
while stay here.
VIGAN, Jan. 3, 1900.
Will add but few lines. We leav
at a. m. I have many things to dt
clean my gun, I buy food for the tril
We are the first American prospectol
to go into this region of which eve
Span iards know nothing. This trip
fulfi llment of desire when sma
boy, i. e., to explore new country. w
are all feeling fine after our voyage.
With love to all,
JOE J. HERvEY.
P. S. Vigan is nice old town-th
loldest looking place l ever saw. Ha
large public buildings and is headqual
ters for Gen. Young.
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