Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-11
VISITS ALCIERS|
Ralph Mahon Writes of Eastern
Sights.
is ON BOARD THE U. S. DIXIE
Vessel Touches at Gibraltar and OF
tumwa Boy Visits That Famous
Place--Spends Night in Spanish
Territory-May Go to Manila.

The two following letters have been
received during the past few days by
A. w. Mahon, from his son, Ralph Ma
hon, of the United States steamer
Dixie, which is at present cruising in
Mediterranean waters. The first one
was mailed from Algiers, Africa, and
the latter, received a few days after,
from Gibraltar. Mr.. Mahon made
two visits to the city of Algiers during
his short stay there and writes enter
tainingly of what he saw. In the lat
ter he describes a visit which he made
to Gibralter and a Spanish town, near
by. The two letters are as follows:
On Board the Dixie, Algiers, Africa.
Jan. 20, 1902.
Dear Father: We arrived here yes
terday Thursday at 1890 p. M. and
your letter of Jan. 2, was received last
evening. This is Monday and as pref
ty a day as ever saw in June. When
| e in your letter that the river is
covered with ice and the ground with
snow it makes the chills run up and
down my backdown my back. In this
part of the world winter is the pleas
ATTEST and most agreeable time of the
year. | have not been ashore here,
vet, but when l go in a day or so l ex-
pect to have quite a number of new
experiences.
On a Steep Hill.
This city is built on the side of a
steep hill and presents a magnificent
view from our anchorage. which is
only about 100 yards from shore and
right in front of the centre of the city.
| AT nipht with tho a1nofrio 1iohfc oil
turned on the city makes a sight worth
seeing. | will finish this when have
returned from ashore.
Tuesday, Jan. %.
| left the Dixie at n o'clock yes
terday and arrived on shore in about
two minutes. was quite surprised to
find that the city, that is the business
part of the city, is strictly up-to-date
and modern in all respects. The city
presents the somewhat unique appear
ance of being built on one edge, for all
the cross-streets running towards the
bay are very little more than a long
series of short stairways. l climbed
up about four hundred steps and then
hired a hack and drove clear around
the place, about six miles. The road
We We're drivingSo is away up high
above the city and a magnificent view
of all the surrounding country is pre-
scented from this eminence.
Fine Gardens.
The upper side of the road is border
ed with the finest gardens. in which
potatoes, and many other vegetables
can be seen growing. Ripe oranges
and bananas also abound and there
L nrN manu- Ill.,, E,.o0r AL $1,000, ~
which l do ne '-row, in blossom. The
soil, which is - color of brick-dirt,
just sets thing eff right and gives the
gardens a neat appearance. This coun-
try is ruled by France but almost ev-
cry variety of costume can be seen
here and the number of n~ationalities
represented is very great.
Liquor Is Cheap.
Intoxicating liquors are sold very
cheap and the members of the crew of
the Dixie are taking advantage of this.
One poor fellow who went ashore last
Monday has been there ever since
drunk. He will be court-martialed,
given thirty days in the brig, and loose
three months pay. He will not be al.
lowed to go ashore until four months
hence.
Leave Ahead of Time.
We arrived here ahead Of time and
arrive at Gibralter on January 30.
There we will meet the supply ship
Rainbow and take on supplies for We
are running a little short on provisions
While here we have taken on $50 tons
of coal. There is a ship coming in fir
ing a salute so she must be a man-of-
war. l will bid you adieu for a min
ute and go on deck to take a look at
her. Yes, she is a Swede trainer and
is tying up to a buoy at our stem. l
will close now and write you in a few
days from Gibralter. Your son,
Ralph.
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