The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-14
CITY NEWS
r. 9fsFfs-
SOLDIER SINGS A
COMIC OPERA ROLE
Former Memberof5T wenty-First
Regiment Who Has Had an
EventfuI Career.

Algernon Aspland, soldier in the
ranks of the United States army,
linguist, church choir singer, news
paper man and musician, with many
friends among the members of the
Twenty-first regiment at Fort Shell
ing who were his comrades in the
Philippines, appeared as the leading
tenor of the Whitney opera company
in when Johnnie Comes Marching
Home" at the metropolitan last night.
Mr.. Aspland, who is of a we'll
known English family as a member of
the regiment band accompanied the
Twenty first to- the Philippines in the
spring of 1899, becoming very popular
with the. members of the regiment.
Upon the arrival of the regiment in
Manila, Mr.. Aspland, on account of
his being an able Spanish scholar, was
detached from the regiment and as
signed to duty at the headquarters
of Gen. Otis as messenger and in
terpreter. Later, however, when the
regiment was ordered to Laguna prov
ince Off active campaign duty he went
with 1T, serving with Company H at
Los Banos. on Laguna de Bay.
On account of his vocal and lin
guistic abilities he soon became very
popular with the natives and he fire.
quently was their guest outside the
American lines, in the hottest insur-
recto territory. On one of these
hazardous trips two OF his companions
were captured. but Aspland, after some
thrilling adventures. made his way
pack to camp. where he was court
martialed for his breach of discipline.
Aspland~remained with the regiment
until early in 1900. when his discharge
was secured by Col Arthur Lee,
British military attache at Washing
ton. Following his discharge Aspland
worked for time on the Manila
American. and later; appeared for some
time at the Alhambra theater In
Manila. Upon his return to this
country he accepted a position as
tenor in the choir of one of the most
fashionable churches in Oakland. Cal,
which he held until he joined the
Whitney Opera company.
Mr.. Aspland was, very popular with
both the officers and enlisted men OF
the Twenty-first, and during his stay
in the city this week he will be the
guest Of his former comrades at Fort
Smelling. ,.,'7fs
Some amusing incidents are related
Of Aspland's experiences while with
the Twenty-first in the Philippines.
Upon one occasion he was invited
to social function at the home. of
one of the must aristocratic Spanish
families in Manila, where he was to
slHg. AFTER. considerable SkirmiShipg
among the officers of the regiment he
succeeded in borrowing. full-dress
suit, which, while trffie large and
paggy,s was considered SUFFICIENT to
save his social reputation. Before he
had completed his toilet, however, he
discovered that he had no white tie,
and none was. to be found in the camp.
The white. tie was very essential, and
the situation was only saved when
Aspland went to the supply depart
ment of the first aid to the injured
and procured roll of white bandage
cloth, from which he eimprovised. ! a
white tie which would pass muster at
any social function. s, ,saao 4gs.,.-
Mr.. Aspland has made augreat hit
as a tenor since he attached himself
to the Whitney Opera company. and
a number of his. friends from Fort
Smelling were out to hear him sing
last night.