The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-02-28
EIks RECEIVE LETTER FROM
FAR OFF PHILIPPINES.
ARE HIS ABSENT BROTHERS
Chaplain StuII Heeds Hour of Eleven
and Toasts Those At
Home.

There seemingly is something
about the Elks that causes both time
and distance to lose their power in
diminishing the ties of fraternity and
genuine brotherly regard which bind
the members of the order into a band
where friendship finds it's highest ex-
emplification and the spirit of demo-
cratic goodfellowship is ever the dis
tinguishing characteristic of inter-
course between those of the antlered
tribe. The most serious minded of
men who join find time for an occa-
sional joke and no matter where they
may be their thoughts fit back to
those whom they have left behind
and pleasant memories are recalled.
Among those who owe allegiance to
the Billings lodge of the order is the
Rev. George G. Stull, formerly pastor
of the local Methodist Episcopal
church. but now a chaplain in the reg
ular army and with his regiment is
stationed in the Philippines. While
here Mr.. Stull was always n Of the
most enthusiastic members the lodge
had and was ever foremost in all that
%pertained to its welfare and success.
Notwithstanding. he wore the cloth,
he could always be relied upon to
take an active part in the social feat
ures of the lodge and was among the
first to be called upon whenever m
Of the little entertainments so dear
to all loyal Elks was in progress. Last
fall he left for the islands and since
finding but little time fors aught else
than the duties of his position. Still
he never forgot he was an Elk and
never ceased to think of those whom
he had often met when jest and joke
were making the rounds. His mind
must have been with them on the day
that marked the coming of the new
year. for he wrote to them on that
date. Here is his letter:
MY Brothers: 1t is just II o'clock
and I have set down my glass long
enough to send greeting to you all.
I see you sitting together in pleas
ant converse with, perhaps. some luck
less fawn recovering from his own
inability to grasp all the pleasant
situations melted out to him. Perhaps
you are sitting at the festal board
I am with you in spirit though ten
thousand miles away.
I I'm not smoking any of Brother
Georges 'twofers," but even that in.
Fiction would be hailed with delight.
just for the sake of enjoying the COM
pany. How gladly would I exchange
the "deerie acho saboot' of the native
for the dulcet tones of the midnight
orator. Then again, the music of
Brother Griggs would be welcome to
me. 1t would soothe the homesick
longing and make me forget the dis
cordant noises of the night; to gaze
on the ample proportions of Brother
Babcock would comfort me after
watching the understood structure of
the average citizen of this burg. So
l might enumerate the blessings that
would be mine were I only at home.
I send you by this mail a box of
the best I can obtain in this region,
with only the wish that while putting
you may remember. among others,
this "absent brother"
These be troublous times. We go
to bed each night hugging our guns
Samar is just across the bay and we
see the smoke rising from the fires
burning as some village goes up in
smoke. The natives do not love us
and only the fear of the lead that is
sue from the other end of a Krag-
Jorgensen retsrains them from fall
ing upon us and making an end of us
all.
I do not expect to see the United
States for two years. My regiment
came here direct from Porto Rico in
July, 1901, and that means two or
three years foreign service. So be it.
If you care to, let me hear from my
lodge. Success to each and all. In
the loving cup by best wishes go out
to Billings lodge No. 1914.
Faithfully Yours,
GEORGE G. STULL.
Address me care Eleventh infantry,
U. S. A.. Manila, P. 1.