The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-07-13
SOLDERING IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Experiences of an Edgerton Boy.


IRIGA p l., May T. 1900.
1t IS a cloudy, and for this country, a
cool day, that means about 80 in the
shade. As long as | can sit still, it is
reasonably comfortable, so will endeav-
or to write a letter. We have again
changed our residence, moving from
Buhi to lriga, eight miles nearer the
capitol. The change was very satisfac-
tory to all of US. While at Buhi we had
to boil all the water we used, here we
have five fine Springs but short dis
lance from the barracks. Then too, we
were always on the move at Buhi hunt
ing Ladranes. We got news that an in
surrecto lieutenant was in our vicinity,
organizing band of robbers, and went
for him one night, but he was too foxy
for us and got away. | enjoyed that
nights march immensely. 1t is cool
here nights, and the loveliest moonlight
imaginable. The only time we ever see
such moonlight in the states is on one of
those clear, cold nights in winter. You
can hear dog bark for miles, and when
we were coming back at three in the
morning, the ROSTERS commenced to
crow, and | almost imagined was some
where else.
There are no mosquitoes here, but lots
of teas, spiders the size of my hand, are
too common to mention. There are a
great variety of bugs, from the size of a
louise to that of an ink bottle, and every
color OF the rainbow. There is one bug
that is light green something like a
beetle, only twice as large, and shines
like new dollar. One of the most beau
tiful sights to be seen is on cloudy
night, when the fire flies gather in the
top of large trees, and looks like thou
sand Pickering lights, the effect is too
beautiful to describe.
There are plenty of snakes and lizards
here, but they keep in the swamps, so
that we rarely see them. [ have seen
just one snake while here, and that was
one of the most poisonous on the island.
1t was green snake about three feet
long and the thickness of ones finger.
There are plenty of wasps over here, but
they don't trouble me and l don't go out
of my way to hunt them. The flowers
are not all in bloom yet. There is one
kind which grows on a bush like the
snow ball, the odor is so strong you can
smell them hundred yards away and
sweet, guess so. never smelled any
thing like it, but they are sickening.
There is another bush that has a flower
resembling a carnation. [ have seen
thousands of these blossoms. The ma
tives plant these trees in hedges and you
can imagine the effect they produce
when in full bloom.
While at Buhi we were always on the
move, patroling the mountains or after
rations. Here we have but little march
ing to do, and that only every three or
four days; that gives US considerable
time to get cleaned up, and we need it..
If you could have seen me at Buhi, you
would have thought [ was one of the rag
mullins escaped from Fourth of July
celebration. My army pants were out
at both knees, and dirty, guess so. My
hat was open at the top and hung down
over both ears in very graceful manner.
NV blue shirt was buttonless and holes
ia it that looked as though they had
been cut by mauser bullets. Well, take
it all in ALL [ would have given good
price if Frank Talmadge could have
taken my picture. Of course, we wash
cur clothes now and then, mostly then.
It was particular job, now tell you,
just game of chance, whether they
would hold together or not. We drew
new clothes when we came here, and
now feel comfortable again. Iriga is
somewhat larger than Buhi, the popula-
ton is estimated at II 900, and [ think it
fair estimate. A few Chinese and
Spaniards are to be seen, but great ma
jority of the population are natives, but
of what tribe, have not learned. We
have few stores run by Chinese, among
them a bakery and very large market
run by the natives. OF the two, the
market is by far the most interesting.
Everything grown in the region is for
sale there, and the chattering of the ma
tive women over q piece of cloth, re-
minds one of sale day in department
store. These natives are something like
few clothing dealers. When you first
make an offer they don't want to sell.
Then they want about ten times it's
value, and after en- hour of dickering,
you get it for about what is worth. Of
late we do not bother that way. If we
see anything we want, we take it and
pay about what it's worth. The presi
denta fixes the price on most of the
things, and if native sells above the
price he is run off the market. Tobacco
in every form is cheap as dirt Eggs
are 15c per dozen.
Although the rebellion is entirely over
there are bands of ladranes who are very
troublesome to the natives, They never
attack soldier, but waits until he gets
out of sight and then jumps onto some
poor native, burns his house, rob, and
sometimes kill him. Between here and
the capitol there is a long stretch of
road on each side of the river with no
houses. That stretch of road seems to
be a favorite place for hold-ups. They
never modest native going to the CAPT
toll, but waits until he returns with his
goods, then rob him. Capt. Hands got
onto this thing and thought he would
show them trick. So the next time
train of bull carts went through he
went with them with twenty men. AS
he expected he was not molested while
going over. Instead of loading up the
goods he and his men got into the
wagon themselves and were just coming
down hill into the gully, when some of
the ladranes jumped out of the woods,
some of them jumped back, but most of