The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-11-15
AT VICTORIA, p. !.

AT VICTORIA, p. !.
Otto BoIlman, Former o II S. Teach
err, Now Situated at TarIac Province.
in Our New Possessions.
Otto Bollman, last year a teacher in
the Owosso high school, but now in
structipg little brown children at Vic
toria, Tarlac Province, Philippine
Islands, has written the following In.
teresting letter to his parents at Vino
ma, Mimi:
Victoria, Tarlac Province, p. l.,
Sept. IL, 'O1.
My dear parents:-I shall try to tell
In as few words as possible what I've
done since writing last.
After two weeks stay in the bar
racks at Manila, Redmond and l were
glad to break up camp to leave for
our posts. BY this time all teachers
have probably left for the province.
After arranging for our baggage we
took passage on the Manila and Dagu-
pan railroad-the only railroad on the
islands. You have no conception of
how cumbersome and awkward &C
commodationS are on this primitive
makeshift of a railroad. Three classes
of passage are provided for. We were
given first.class, IS pounds of baggage
went free and we paid for 500 pounds
excess baggage. Primitive and awk-
ward as we found everything, we
rather enjoyed the novelty OF such
trip. Leaving Manila at 7 in the
morning, we reached Tarlac at II
o'clock. The governor Of the province
resides here. We were cordially
received by him and the commanding
officer who showed us many courtesies.
They promptly made arrangements to
have us and our baggage transferred
on the afternoon of the same day. We
soon found out, however, that the
presidente or native mayor OF Victoria
had already provided for Us, having
sent over three bull carts-rude two
wheeled makeshifts with six carlbous
or water buffaloes. A water buffalo is
stronger than an ordinary OK, but
infinitely slower.
A MILE AN HOUR.
Finding Vt rather late that after
noon with nine miles of frightful
oads'-(called "roads" by courtesy
we set out at o'clock the following
v,ooro;ox O,,r too IN m 3, 10 Hpal1y
constituted, consisted of three bull
carts, six caribous, six native drivers,
two native armed policemen as escorts,
all our baggage, Redmond and myself.
When this magnificent caravan was
finally made up we had ourselves
photographed with Relmond's camera
and were of on our weary tramp. You
must bear in mind this is during the
rainy reason so that the roads were In
a frightful condition. Ordinary vehi-
cles cannot undertake the trip at all.
Beginning at $3.50 we rode in mud up
to and above the axles most OF the time
After being stuck in the mud several
times we finally reached our destination
at 8 p. m. tired and hungry set. We
were lodged and fed at military head
quarters that night and are now lodged
temporarily at house provided us by
the president of the town.
As they are most unreasonable in
their house rent-s12 per month-we
have threatened to move into one OF
the school houses free of all cost. They
now ask 80. whicheis still unreasonable.
We have engaged native Filipino cook
who does our homework also at sl2
per month. The matter of obtaining
provisions Is still rather serious one
as we are unable to avail ourselves of
commissary privileges. Our lot is not
as hard as most others will find it, as we
are able to buy few things In Chinese
stores here. Our diet so far has been
kind of bread made by native baker
here-eggs, coffee, tea, rice, jam and
crackers brought with US from Manila.
Strange and very simple diet compared
to what am used to getting. but strange
to say haven't lost flesh, neither have
been sick. Weather delightful so far.
Especially in tho matter of eating can
not help but feel occasional pangs of
genuine inconsistencies.
NATIVES SEEN FRIENDLY.
We have decided not to teach for the