The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-05-31
LETTER FROM PHILIPPINES.
j. b. THOMAS NOW OUT OF THE SERVICE
BUT WILL REMAIN IN THE ISLANDS.

MANILA, Z. l., Apr. q, 1901.
Dear Father and All:
| am no longer a soldier. | was dis
charged last night about $50, too late to
get my finals cashed, and to-day being
Sunday, | will have to wait until to-
morrow before get any money.
We left the south end of the island on
the 9Th, and after four days sailing on
the magnificent transport Sheridan, ar
rived in Manila, where we lay in Camp
Wallace until early this morning.
/ went to the docks this morning and
saw the boys off to the bay, where, to-
gether with the 46th, they will sail on
board the Sheridan for dear old America,
home and friends; and as Gen. Macarthur
said to them in the course of his speech
Friday evening, after passing in review,
"May the gentle breezes of the Pacific
watt them on safely and speedily through
the Golden Gate"
/ do not know how long it will be
before | shall follow; it depends on my
success, ard of course that depends
largely on my efforts. | have a good
ODDOI luDlNN III lilt Nlhhl ACl lltobtl hN lJui =
ment, but will not take it unless every
thing else fails. Within a few days,
expect to return to the southern part of
the island and there make the effort.
have friends that are willing to back me
who are the most responsible people in
that end of the island One of them is
Gen. Arjola, who has had command of
all the insurgent forces in the south.
He surrendered with 1900 men just be-
fore we left. His father is or has been a
millionaire When ] left, Gen. Arjola
wrote letter to my commanding officer
requesting that | might be allowed to
remain with him and assist him in his
business. His son-in-law is my special
friend, and there is nothing he has not
done to make it pleasant and agreeable
for me while was in that community
! They own large tracts of timber land
and rice fields A great portion of the
city there belongs to them. They also
have some good mines and intend tc
open coal mine soon They offer me
an interest in whatever business | wish
to start, and will furnish everything
themselves.
~
1t seems strange to think of being left
in Manila, it is not so bad, but when re
turn to the south, / will cut myself of
from the whole world. | would give most
anything to be home again, but cannot
help thinking there is something here
for me. When | babe Chandler and al
the boys goodbye and God speed this
morning, it nearly broke my heart wher
/ thought of the loved ones at home who
would soon greet them, and that | was
to return among those, where but so few
know there is any world or land outside
of their own.
~
/ have never done any duty with my
company at all. | was released from
duty the day the last troops left for the
bay. The first day out at sea | was de-
tailed in the regiment quartermastel
department, remaining there until mus
tered out.
The prices here are away out of sight
One cannot get any kind of meal at al
for less than 81, Mexican, go cents, and
from that up to So, gold
will keep you posted from now or
more frequently. | gave Chandler some
papers for you; he can see you and tel
you all about me, and | hope to have
continuous good news from you. Remem
Der me to my friends.
Your loving son,
| Address: j. Il. THOMAS,
Nueva Caceras, So Luzon, p. 1