Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-03-07
TWO INTERESTING S0LDIER-B0Y LETTERS.
Gustav CIosuit and Ernest Young, formerly of
Grand RAPIDS, Write of the Philippines.

Mongatarem, Province Pangasinan,
LuzOn, p. I.-EDITOR REPORTER:
SUNDAY. nothing to do, so will take d
little time and write home about the
islands. We left San Francisco Nov
ember 16 on the transport Sheridan.
After seven days sailing We rode into
Honolulu stopping three days to coal.
We had d days shore leave here and
took in the city. | have seen no city
that can compare with the residence
portion Of Honolulu. but the business
portion is q regular mud hole. There
are few nations that are not repre-
seuted in its population, Chinese and
japanese prcdOminatlng, The Homo
luIu band while here came aboard and
gave US a few selections. all rag time
This was the Royal Hawaiian band in
the time of the kingdom. Sailed from
Honolulu on the 9th Of NOvem Der,
had smooth sailing all the way, and on
the 18th of December rode into
Manila Bay passing the Sherman
which was hOmeward bound. Ships
have to anchor far from shore here:
trOOps and cargo brought ashore in
casc0es. We did not make very long
stay in the city landing at ) p N. and
tuSllSl OllU OIl JIlc lIuC dU LII. 1lCAl
day. We're in MOngatarem a town Of
5000 about $50 miles north of Manila.
The insurgents are not many here,
but what gives the troops the most
trouble are ladrOneS or rObber bands.
The island is full Of them. They ride
into some village at highland are gone
before the soldiers can get at them.
One was hanged in front of our
quarters December %, he having
halved two Americans. The health
of the troops is not what the news
papers in the states say it is; there is
little sickness. Took a trip to Artil-
lery Hill last Sunday for relics. Here
is where AgninaldO's army made its
last stand, These people seem to be
friendly, they all say ''me much
amigo" but few are trusted. A queer
sight to witness is a native band play
ing a "Hot Time" and "Mr. Johnsing
Turn Me Loose" at a funeral. Most
of the people seem to like the
Americans but their leaders are al
ways trying to rouse them to rebellion.
The people do not speak much English
but they speak Spanish well. Each
province has it's own language.
The development of these islands
will not begin until American schools
have been established The country
is very rich in woods and minerals.
| have seen fences and floors made of
wood that in the states would be used
for making pianos. There is much
rosewood and ebony timber some Of
which are five feet in diameter also
nara wood which takes polish like
glass. The inhabitants are great
boozerS. Some of their native drinks
such as Vine-pippa, Anisoda and Tinto
will put a white man to sleep in a
short time. [ have found the grub
here better than that at Presidio.
This is not very good country for
he sportsman. In the mountains
there are a few deer and wild hogs.
There is the iqddna, land lizard,
some of which are nearly four feet
long. These are eateB by the natives.
A long the coast there are wild ducks
and geese. The angler will find the
streams full of fish. The war depart
ment is issuing shoulder belts to hold
so rounds and waist belts to hold 20
rounds of ammunition. Will have to
close nearly time for retreat. | would
like to have some of the boys write
me; have received no letters as yet.
Gus. CLOsUIT,
MOngatarem,
Co. H. 18th Inf LuZOn.