Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-08-14
Letter From Ed Farrell.
Cottobato, P. /.
March IA, 1902
Mr.. J. W. B. Cole, ....
Audubon, Iowa.

Dear Sir
received your more thar
welcome letter some time ago, and il
answer will give you a short description
OF this country, as seen from the position
Of an enlisted man.
First, the geography Of this country
is the crudest Of any of the large islands
Of the Sulu archipelago and until II
Gently all that was known of the inter
Tor of this island was gained from the
reports and files OF Spanish missionaries
in Manila, which were very unreliable
even Butcher" Weyler who campaigned
against these natives in 1922 never
penetrated more than fifty miles from
the coast.
The population of this island is esti-
mated at 10000 almost all composed OF
Moros with small scattering of half
casts, moro Filipino, Moro Chino and
Filipino-Chino) In religion they are
followers Of Mohammet. They are a
war like people and are continually at
war with each other, and until recently
we're largely engaged in the slave traffic
(Which they still hold) and the coart
was infested by pirates, but since the
American occupation it has been EN-.
tirely stopped and broken up.
Each small faction or tribe is ruled
by what is known as Datto and they
are controlled by the mandates Of the
Sultan Of Sulu, who resides at Jolo, aud
who in turn acknowledges the authority
OF the United States.
These people are inveterate gamblers.
You might sac that their national game
is "Monte" and while they are penurious
in their business dealings they bet their
money freely, and will stake their entire
possessions on the turn of card.
They all go armed with kriss or
spear which they are quick to use
amonfi themselves upon the least pro-
vocation. They are ever ready to resent
an insult with violence, which is their
only means Of redress; they are dirty,
ignorant and have no sense Of decency
whatever, their morals being very loose.
The chief products of the island are
cane, rubber, hemp, tobacco and rice
and the country is very rich 10 fine
timber, some of the trees being fifteen
feet in diameter. All traffic is carried
on by water, there being no trails or
roads. There are Nipa shack built on
some stream that leads to some town
where they can easily dispose OF their
products.
The sanitary conditions of the towns
are Of the very worst. as all refuse is
allowed to congregate in the cutters and
canals and is washed away when it sees
fit to rain.
Well. with your permission we will
drop these natives and their habits and
take up subject that is MOI near so in
terestIng-namely myself. AS you see
b6 the heading OF this letter that l am
still in Cottobato and still working in
the Adiutant's office. l like the work
very we'll.
As you know from previous letter
that Will Hamilton and myself had to
transfer as private but since then /
have been appointed corporal again.
This regiment has also been ordered
home, in fact two battalions have al
ready sailed for the States and we are
expected to leave about the 1st of April
All privstes that have over six months
to serve will have to transfer and am
afraid that it will catch Hamilton again
but believe that will be lucky enough
to get home.
As i have already taken up more OF
your time than intenendsd, / will close
for this time.
With best wishes to yourself and all
my friends in Audubon, remain
very respectfully,
Corr. Ed. FARRELL.
Co. A 18th Infantry.
P. ST. do dot know where we will be
stationed in the United States. Will be
there shortly after you receive this.
When you write again please p ut care
Adiutsnt General U. s. A. Washington,
ID. G. and il will reach me. Eff.
The best physic - Chamberlain's