The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-26
DOING GREAT WORK
Wichita Boy Compiling a
Manual for IIokanos.
KNOWS NATIVES TONGUE
Amos {. Allen Writes Home
From the Philippines.

Mr.. Amos Ed Allen OF Wichita, who q
little more than year ago, while travel
| ing during vacation as an attendant for
New York globe trotter, was left by
his employer in the hospital with typhoid
fever in Asia, and who enlisted in the
been heard from again. When cd Allen
left tie army at the close of the Cuban
war, after six years of service, he en-
tered Mercersburg academy in Pennsyl-
vania, where he in one year prepared 10
enter college. He was under the direction
Of the synod of the Reformed church
which was paying the greater part Of his
educational expenses with the agreement
that after graduation he should enter the
theological seminary and prepare for the
ministry at the close OF his freshman
year. When his mishap occurred and he
enlisted in the army he requested to be
granted leave of absence for two years
and he annually sends reports of his
work and wherea bouts TO the synod,
which meets in October. This letter is to
his pastor IN the city here and viii be
presented to the next meeting OF the
synod, October I6. He writes as follows.
Balaoan de Union, Luzon, P. L, August
10, 1901.
Ny Dear Friend Grifith:-As have not
heard from you for over six months, It is
probable that my letters have never yet
reached you, for the mails running from
Manila to the outposts are very unsta-
be But I shall make this attempt to
reach you before the synod meets to
give you an idea of what have been do
ing and what my plans for the future
are.
Since the surrender Of Generals Tinio
and Aglipsay in the northern part OF the
island we have had very little hard ser
vice. My station has been changed from
Laoag Ilocos Norte to Maniacpacan de
Union, and for the past two months I
have been detailed as instructor IN Eng
lish at this point, and have about 566
boys and girls to look after. 1 do not
receive any extra compensation for It,
but am excused from the ordinary duties
Of a soldier.
AS I'll my service has been among the
1lokanos, by close application have been
able 10 practically master that language
and at present am compiling with the
assistance OF the local presi6ente) an
Iuoco-English manual to facilitate the
learning Of English, as only about ten
per cent of the people Of the islands have
q thorough knowledge Of Spanish and the
present system employed by the govern
ment is to teach English from Spanish.
1 have my manuscripts nearly completed
and the presidento is making arrange
ments in Manila to have my work pub
lished IN pamphlet form. If II falls my
lot TO remain among these people an
other year (and it looks now as If such
was the case I shall endeavor to compile |
a complete system of teaching the Eng
lish directly from the Ilokano, for at least |
so per cent of the uokanos have no knowl- |
edge whatever of the Spanish.
For the past year have not been able |
to do any specific studying. yet I have !
studied these people in war and in peace, |
their language, their customs and their
religion. Therefore do not consider my |
time wasted, for if the church should !
ever decide to move this way I can be /
Of service to her.
I would like to give you detailed &C
count of the impressions lave received |
from these people. at this time, but |
really have not the time to do so. for be-
tween my manual and 566 pupils about all
my time is taken Up. But 1 viii do so at
some tine in the near future.
It will be impossible for me to return
to the states and enter college again this
fall. If you can set the synod to give
me another years leave of absence from
college the favor will be greatly appre-
,iated. If not, will commence reimb0rs-
ng the church for the assistance al
ready received in ny enducation and vii,
ievote the remainder Of ny enlistment
10 acquiring a knowledge Of these people.
I am in the best of health. though the
'ood the government is furnishing US al
his point is of very poor quality. SIN
,erely yours, Al Z. ALLEN,
Troop 4, Srd Cavalry. Manila. P. L