The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-01
CAPT. DEYORF Al JOLO.


Frigidity and Totridity Compared.
Captain D. B. Devore, Of the regular
army, brother of Mr.. j. Harvey De-
wore. of Wheeling, writes very inter-
esting letter to the Intelligencer from
Jolo. in the Philippines. He says;
Special Correspondence Of IntelliSencer.
JoLo. Philippine Islands; Nov. e.
After five months' special duty a. the
Presidio. California, was ordered the
last of August to Aal for Manila in
command of the transport city of
Pueblo. with troops ana supplies, We
stopped at Honolulu couple OF days
for coal. and found the colony from
the States very profuse in its hospitals
ties and entertainments, which was
quite enjoyable after week on the
water. The temperature OF those ISL
ands Is about the same all the year,
averaging 20. with only few degrees
variation either way for twelve months.
It's continual summer, with no oppres-
stve heat-where winter is a legend and
frost q fable possessing natures own
most beautiful landscapes. plotted in
velvet green. studded with shapely
shrubbery, garnished with all the
fruits indigenous to the tropics, fres-
coed and perfumed with perpetualhow-
ers in endless variety and color, make
81, perhaps, the most delightful coun-
try, as to climate and natural scenery,
in the world.
The Pueblo Is fast steamer ana
made the trip in twenty-stx days.
There was one death aboard-a private,
William Lyon, which brought sorrow
to the hearts and tears to the eyes Of
many Of his comrades. He was buried
at sea with all the military hcnors that
could be given to soldier.
If the sea were always as smooth az
It was during our trip from San Fran
cisco, no one. however tlfnid, would
need to have any fear Of an ocean yoy-
age.
Two weeks after my arrival at Man
fla General Otis sent me down here on
garrison duty with a detachment OF
the Twenry-third infantry, and We
will probably have no opportunity to
reach the firing line. II fighting is stiIl
in progress. Jolo is about 1--WE degrees
north Of the equator, and we have no
communication with the out or inside
world, except when a transport comes
in at irregular intervals Of two to three
weeks with mali and provisions, SO the
news from Manila is cid In America
before 1t reaches us.
The heat does not seem SO excessive
as summer in Texas, but 1t is decep-
tive, owing to It's humidity vunquish-
ing ones strength and energy insidlous-
ly, Outlines uniting one for active
duty. but as we have little to do OUT
side Of routine, we hope to win out and
get back 10 the land OF snow and other
good things before the last tattoo. It
requires strong constitution to en-
dure great contrasts in climate and
temperature with impunlty. Two years
ago spent part of;the winter In Nor
way and FINLAND, two hundred and
nifty miles north OF the Arctic circle,
amid ice and snow. where It was one
hundred and fifty degrees cooler than
here: but that cold was less rebellious
to the normal condition of my system
than the heat and rain which obtain
here.
A few days ago went up the bay
four or five miles to make an official
call on one OF the chiefs or governors
of the island. The water was SO shall
low at the landing that our launch
could get In, and our small boat weat
aground also. fifty or sixty feet from
the shore; SO perched on a natives
back. expecting 10 reach dry land in
good shape. but, to paraphrase an old
couplet, there's many a slip between
the beach and the ship" and was bap-
tized without ceremony. Involuntary
violating the regulations Of the cate
chlsm. came UP out Of the water
unchanged physically but with a
wider and better experience. Coming
back, waded to the row boat, which
I will do again, II occasion demands.
There was quite a large gathering to
meet US. though rain interfered some
what with the arrangements. The ma
ttves' ways are very crude, but inter
esting as a study of human nature.
Every man and boy was armed with
a knife, which weapon they always
carry. Their scanty dress was of varied
styles ana colors; nearly all bare
headed and barefooted. and many of
them dressed like the parents of Abel.
The orchestra which furnished the
music" produced an abundance Of dis
cordant tones, or rather noises. by
drumming on various things, which
would be libel to call them instruments
OF music. They seem to have no sense
Of harmony or time, each one drum
ming or strolIinE about rs he pleased,
or as the spirit moved him. The col
ony of sulus at the Worlds Fair was
about the same, as far as It went, as
the best adorned of this assembly.
Their method OF riding is quite pc
culiar and unique. The chief ut this
reception. for instance rode a small
pony. the best to be found; his saddle
was sort Of box with n high cushion
built up at the back. and narrow straps
for stlrrups; he put his great toes In
the straps, which bent his knees much
like 1ack-kn He carried one knee