The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-10-23
A Clarendon Voice from the Philippines.
Editor The Manning Times:

EGltOr Inc MunQlup
Having in the past compiled some OF
my army life and travels, and having
promised to give description OF my
trip. I shall begin with my leaving
Ft. Sheridan H.. on August 10th. 1900,
with Co. NJ, 5 Inf We left over the
N. W. r. R., going through the States
of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming:
Utah, Nevada and California to San
Francisco. Our trip through the
West was pleasant one, and many
strange sights were presented, not
soon to be forgotten. The small mounds
and hills around South Platte, Neb,
were very pretty in their carpet OF
green grass, while I must not forget
the beautiful view we enjoyed of ''Buf-
falo Bill's Ranch" Soon we had fin
ished our trip through Nebraska, and
were gliding through the State OF
Wyoming. Most of our trip through
this State was through deserts: care
not to make again.
We changed on to the Southern
Pacific r. Il. track at Ogden Utah:
laying back Of the town to the North
was peak OF the Sierra Nevada Noun
tains almost perpendicular, and some
10000 feet high, its broad shoulders OF
red clay and the large rocks hanging
along the top and sides was picture
of beauty. ;, ,
Leaving Ogden, our train was pulled
bv two engines, which by degrees
pulled our train through the high and
lofty mountains of the Sierra Nevada
The mountain scenery was very
impressing, and time does not permit
full description, so l must hurry long.
Four days ride on the train found US on
the l4th of August at San Francisco.
We went in camp al Preside, some
three miles from the business parts OF
Frisco, and at the eastern portion.
The commodious camping grounds
were quite hilly, anil the pine-trees
decorating the hills of the West, while
to the East across the bay, high cliffs
presented themselves partly clothed in
living green, the indented clay tops,
gave enough contrast that stranger
could only admire this portion OF the
Occident. At night fall when the sun
had faded to it's night of rest, the gol-
den moon appeared from behind the
hanging clouds, peeplng from over the
distant ridge, locked our hearts with
love. And when we were in silent
sleep the golden rays guided our dreams
to everlasting love into the hand of
Morpheus. Awaking to find our
hearts free for days pleasure in the
great city of the golden West.
The first place for sightseeing for
the soldiers TO visit, was "China Town,
and so much did I see, to make an at
tempt to tell about it, would be fail
ure.
Visited the golden gate park, cliff
house and many other noted places,
during my stay in the city. l lost no
time in seeing all that was to be seen.
On the 21st of August we were paid off
and we went on board The Z. S. Trans
port Sherman at high noon for a trip
to China, mid the cheers of our many
Frisco friends, the motorman pulled
the bell-cord, and the conductor yell
ed all on board, and there was so much
yelling when our boat steamed for open
sea, that l could not hear myself talk,
however, our boat had soon steamed
from the docks and in few minutes
VIC had passed out of sight OF our
friends, entering through the golden
gates in the broad waters OF the Pa
cifc Ocean.
We were bound for China via the
great circle. over this route we had the
pleasure OF seeing and viewing part OF
Alaska: the hardest part of our jour
ney around this portion of the world,
was the cold wave-my, we almost
frozed to death. Before leaving Frisco,
we were assured heavy clothing and
furs, but with all the furs and clothing,
found it almost impossible to keep
warm, only when standing over the
grating of the engine room. We man
aged to live up to Sept. 9Th, when we
found our boat at anchor at the city OF
Kobe, Japan. The weather was warm,
and the scenery was beautiful. The
city of Kobe, 100000 in population, is
situated at the foot of a large noun
tain. The city runs along the coast
some or 5 miles.
The most important feature of our
being at Kobe, was the trip that lay in
wait for us through the Inland sea.
Our boat was compelled to take 4 pilot
for the trip through that sea: soon we
had made The start, and both sides of
the sea were high and lofty mountains
some or 5000 feet. The mountains
were beautiful, for the Japs had the
mountain sides built up in terraces.
used for the growing of tea.
The terraces look like patch quilt
work and are to be seen over all the
mountains and low lands. Several