Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-02
COLON, PANAMA. Japusrv 8


MY DEAR FATHER: | am well and
in hostile waters. The Olympia, Ban.
croft, Topeka, Prairie, Dixie (warships),
Truxton and Stewart, torpedo boatsl,
and the Collda, COLLIER, are here, and
,veral others are scattered along the
coast Three days ago we were given
"a hours to leave the harbor by the Co
lombian Council but we are still here.
When the demand was received the
Olympia cleared ship for action. She
could do" all the Colombians herself
We received orders for scout duty
few days ago and the Topeka went along
the coast of the isthmus for 1870 miles.
When we came to the place where the
Atlantic discovered $50 Colombian
4roops, a whale boat was lowered, and
with - rifles and 6 revolvers we went
ashore, but found only two or three
cabins and few natives and started to
return. when two natives came toward
u.s. We took one on board and he was
told that he would be paid if he would
pilot us up the river. He says; mo,
me want clothes" Hs was given a suit
of whites, hat, underclothes and necker-
chief, and then he showed the officers
| where the Colombians landed ammuni
| tion and guns in certain cabin in the
| hills. He said: DE Colombians land
it by night when everybody sleep
not sleep every night, look and watch
the d Colombians.
He knew every hill, rock, mountain
! and lave for miles around.
| Colombia has few ships. One night
after we were told to leave the harbor
we came across one of their men-of war,
but she at once turned all her lights out
and disappeared in the darkness.
There are more marines guarding the
American railroad here in Colon than
the Colombians have troops. We got
800 rounds of shell out of the magazine
yesterday, and the Dixie unloaded am.
munition, guns, etc.
The Topeka is awaiting orders now,
as we do not know whether we will
stay here or go on our trip to Cuba,
Porto Rico, etc
We went to Kingston, Jamaica, for
coal after leaving Key West, Fla, and
| certainly had a swell time there, but
1t was awfully hot. When we anchored
bumboats came alongside with oranges,
cocoanuts, pireapples, bananas and
breadfruit, which sold at low prices,
generally cents dozen. l went to a
horse race, cricket game and up in the
mountains / rode in little cart about
halfway TO the summit of Blue Top
which is 5000 feet above the sea ieve
and then had to get out and climb.
/ bought necklace made of sea
beans and III English coin with q hear
engraved on it which / will send tC
Ethel from Havana. / also bought
cap made of cocoanut bark.
met an old negro ore afternoon il
Kingston and struck up conversation
with him. he said ooh, you an Amer
ican; great country, big ships; why vor
not take Jamaica from England like
Cuba from Srain?"
/ said why, don't you like th,
Kings ruler"
No." he said, it is too strict; WE
have no liberties. "
The prettiest parlt eyer saw is the
J Royal Gardens, and it was a beautiful
stght-the cocoanut palms and rare
flowers.
While was out sightseeing and en-
Joying myself in Jamaics, the Topekl
was taking on fo1r thousands tons OF
coal. and it was al carried ON board by
negro women in baskets on their heads
That was another strange sight for al
American to see. Bnt they seemed
happy enough suppose they are tn,
advanced example" of new woman.
The natives here are great swimmers
at times the ship is surrounded by then
waiting for some one to throw Down
penny or sandwich into the water fo
them TO dive after, and some one o
them always get, it, too.
We left Jamaica and were two day
at sea and arrived at Colon all safe
fired y salute to Admiral Colgate an(
anchored.
This letter will be taken by steame
to New York and mailed from there. a
of course we can not post letters here a
Colon. My next letter will probabl
be from Havana
Your affectionate son,
WAYNE w. DUNLAP.