Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-21
POLICE TOOK BRIDES
DR.. Harry J. Watson Says Filipinos
Learn Fast.
INTERESTING LETTER FROM MANILA

Dr.. Watson Expects to Be Home With
in Year-Is Attached to Thirty
Ninth v. S. VoIunteers-Americ
Mule King in That Country.
Judge Chas. Hall is in receipt of a
very interesting letter from DIR. Harry
j. Watson, formerly of this city, but
now surgeon in the United States
service stationed at Southern Luzon,
P. l. DR.. Watson's letter contains
much interesting news, and speaks of
several subjects that is not generally
known outside of limited circle.
The Letter.
Spanish Fort, Philippine Islands,
Feb. 1, 1901.
Dear Brother Hall:
l received a Letter frotm a friend a
few days ago and was informed that
on memorial day you did not forget
Gin the Philippines" Eckers and my
self.
Please convey to my brother Elks
my bOoI WloASS lOI SSG
that their motto is "Out of sight, not
out of mind" often think of all of
you and wonder when l shall again be
with you and take part in the SER
vices of that lodge. That every
thing is going on we'll with you is my
sincere wish. A military life is, to a
certain extent, one of the loneliest, and
when you are sitting in your tent
alone you cannot help but think of
those at home, however, it is always
best to think that all will go well with
yo1, otherwise life would not be worth
living.
Costly Buildings. =.
| wonder how many at home know
the true realities of war. No doubt
many of our citizens took part in the
civil war and can tell many sad
story. Over here many can do the
same. In many towns our soldiers are
quartered in buildings that have cost
thousands of dollars to build and have
almost all the necessary SAM
tary equipments to make them
comfortable. Others have to
live in tents and the place where
am now is fixed in this way. We
have about 100 tents, all nicely ar
ranged and number of buildings
built out of bamboo and covered with
grass which makes them cool and
comfortable.
Are Perfect Gardens.
The Philippine Islands are in some
places perfect gardens, and when they
are properly cultivated will yield good
returns for the money invested. I'm
fortunately these people cannot look
thru the same glasses that we do and
as result have broken out in active
rebellion against us.
In some parts they have turned to
their arms and have taken the oath
of allegiance. while in others they are
still holding out against our govern
| ment and refuse to surrender or be-
| come citizens of the United States.
Time is great healer, however, and
l believe with good and true men at the
helm of this ship of state" we will
soon see the dawn of a brighter and
happier era in the lives of inhabitants
| of this country.
Are Not "Nigeers."
Some people apply to these natives
the word niger" True, they are OF
a darker complexion than the Eu
ropean. but you cannot classify them
by the word that | have used above
try to treat them as near as possible
as l wish man to treat me.
have only met one brother ELI
| since have arrived here. He was
also doctor, but is now some dis
lance from me. We are scattered al
over the Island. Some places have as
many as three companies and others
one, while again others have from 6
quarter to half of company.
With seth Infantry.
l am surgeon of the 39th U. S. v
infantry at this post and / understand
that this regiment will leave for home
in few weeks. After they go it i.
possible that l may be kept here witt
another regiment but of that can
not say at present.
| / am feeling first rate under the cir
cumstances and my health is good, al
tho I have lost about eighteen pounds
rather too stout.
4 | trust that Otumwa lodge, No. BAT
B. P. o. E., is happy and prosperous
No doubt you will soon have an cleo
Il IlOn VI OluSCl .. Nldy Liz DCol ludl
win. I wish that l could be with you
but as it is distance will be a barrier
However, l expect to be with you be
fore another year rolls by.
1 Little Fighting Going On.
I Around here everything is peace
able at present and we are doing yer.
little marching or fighting. We hea
once in a while that captain of insur
gents is somewhere nearby, so we g
out and run him in.
\ OF course they all say they ar,
"mucho amiga which translated
means much of friend" 1t is reall,
hard to pick out the good from tn,
bad. am afraid sometimes the in
nocent have to suffer for the guilty
/ The law has to be respected, tho, ant
in this respect feel sure they all ge
/ justice. Every case is tried on it,
merits, no one is punished unless di
rect proof is furnished that he is gull
ty. Sometimes as many as hundred
prisoners are brought in and the da.
afterward is really very trying one
to the commanding officers as tn,
friends, wives and children ali come
in to intercede for them.
Will Contribute Senators.