Graham guardian., 1902-11-14
FROM MANILA.
I
Graham County Boy Writes From
That Place.

The following letter from Ed
Dillon, former school teacher at
Blue River, will prove interesting
to many of our readers. Mr.. Dill
lion went to the Philippines as
volunteer about four years ago and
as be had not been heard from for
a long time his friends supposed
he had been killed. The letter is
addressed to Mr.. G. B. Martin, of
Blue River, this county:
Manila, |. P, Sept. II, 1902.
Friend Martini suppose you
think l am no longer in the land
of the living, but 1 am still right
side up. We have had quite an
epidemic of cholera, but it has not
affected Americans living here.
| went to China with the Bird
Artillery, but got there too late TO
see much service. We never got
any further than Tien Tsien, but
saw the soldiers Of every European
nation. We got along all right
with most OF them, particularly
the English and Japs, and better
than | expected with the Germans,
but it WAS war between our men
and the French and Russians. The
Italians and Austrians-no one
paid any attention to except to
feed them; they were nearly
starved to death. Our men and
the miserable specimens of the
French that were there, were kept
away from each other by he Off
GERS as a fight, in which some one
would get hurt and possibly killed,
was sure to result. One Of the l4th
Infantry was murdered by the
French early in the game and our
men made them pay dearly for it.
A party OF artillerymen killed 7
land wounded 4 French on one oc.
casion at the Chcc Foo bridge
The Russians are brutal and cow
ardly savages,
The French soldiers are the low
est and most cowardiy scoundrels
ever saw. The German soldiers
arc short, dclccalc looking boys,
many of whom don't look to be
over 16 years of age, the only
thing about them that is noticeable
is their boots They have the
largest feet ] ever saw, they wear
high top boots with hob nailed,
3 4 inch so!es, and have the most
ridiculous way ofmarching, throw
ing their feet way up in the air
and bringing them down with Il
bang that shakes tie earth.
The Japs are fine little fellows,
neat, smart and good fighters and
great friends Of the Americans.
There was only one white
English regiment the Welch fusi-
leers, the rest Of the British con
tingent being Indian troops.
We had the 9th and l4th Infaut-
ry, the 9th Cavalry and battery
of Field Artillery (Riley's) and
the equal of about a regiment Of
heavy artillery, with the latter Of
which | served. | came back here
Is months ago and was discharged
shortly after, and have been work
ing in Manila since. | was clerk
in the Quartermaster's Department
for about six months and then
went to work rs agent for New
York concern handling hemp,
copra and cigars, and am doing
fairly well although expenses are
heavy.
The concern represents is Jew
house, (Weil, Hockmayer & Coz
but | have never seen them and
know them only by correspon-
dence. L believe l can work up a
good trade on my own account,
and shall cut loose as soon as [
can.
/ have lost track Of everyone,
even my own family, for nearly
two years, as l have not been in
one place long enough to let my
| people know where to reach me
by letter, but now | am located
here for at least year. My en-
gagemonts will keep me in Manila
for at least that time, How is
Mrs. Martin and the family? r.
member me to her and them. How
are you making out and how is the
business?
1 will not neglect so long again
as Fam through wandering around.
l had no business to go to China,
but l was so near there and the
opportunity was such a rare one
that l couldn't resist the tempta.
ton, so paid an artilleryman $50
in gold to exchange with me.
Let me hear from you. Address
simply Mr. Edward Dillon, Manila,
?. l. With best regards.
Yours sincerely,
Ed. Dillon.