Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-03-08
KIRK MUIR TELLS
OF HIS VOYAGE
Gives Interesting Account of His
Journey to the Far East as q
Soldier.

l eAsSA SSkA1 6ASSVoAk VI
Journey to the Far East as
Soldier.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. Muir received &
letter this week from their son
Corporal Kirk Muir, of the U, S. army
now on his way from the United
States to Manila. The letter tells O
his journey, and what he thinks O
the beautiful homes in Hawaii. Th,
letter runs:
| Feb. Is. We are now nearly Il
Honolulu. This morning land wa
sighted at 1880 O'Clock, and | will tr,
and tell you about our voyage SO far
We left the transport docks in Sar
Francisco at exactly noon February
| lO, amid the cheers of the enormous
crowd which had come down to set
us sail away, and the farewell toot.
from all the steamships in the harbor
Several bands were on the wharf, anC
they played piece after piece and were
answered by the band of the Second
Infantry on board. 1t was granC
sight to see that mass of people; il
was the largest crowd l ever saw.
After the government tug Slocun
| towed Us from the dock, we sailed
down the bay, and more beautiful
sight never saw. The islands and
hills on either side were as green as
emerald, and here and there could be
seen big gun pointing it's muzzle
down on US in very business-like
manner.
At 1915 we passed Fort Point and
sailed through the Golden Gate into
The great, broad ocean, and here the
fun began, for we struck rough sea
outside the gate. No sooner did the
ship begin to roll than cheeks began to
pale and enthusiasm to lull. Most of
the men had eaten big dinner just
before we left, but they lost it when
the ship began TO roll. OF all the
sick men l ever saw, those sea sick
fellows on the ship were the worst.
Almost everyone was sick, but l,
fortunately, escaped it; l wasn't
sick single day.
We had rough weather the first
three days, and it wasn't till we got
into calm sea that the Sea.SickneSs
disappeared. The third day out the
ships engine broke down, and we
drifted about thirty miles out of our
course. The engine was soon fixed,
however, and we went on our way
again. We had fine weather ever
since the fourth day, and the ocean
has been very smooth. Last Thurs
day saw my first flying fish, and the
next day we ran into a school of
porpoiSes. Well, it is twelve O'Clock,
and think we must be getting near
the harbor, SO I'll go up and see.
Sunday afternoon. Well, here we
are in Honolulu, and beautiful city
it is, too. l have been walking around
ever since We landed and / have seen
a great deal of it. 1t is just like an
immense park, and there are the
finest residences here / have ever seen.
L have seen finer houses, but the sur
roundingS were not like these homes
have. Beautiful palms and tropical
vegetation grow here in abundance,
and it is regular dream to me.
never thought there was such:a place
as this. l wish that all of you could
see it.
Tuesday, Feb. 20. We are stin in
Honolulu, and l have been making
the best of my time. Sunday nigh
went to the Methodist church. I en-
joyed it very much, as the people
there treated us fine. They all seemed
very anxious to have us tell them the
latest news from the states, and after
church my friend and / had a nice
talk with the pastor and several
ladies Of the church. They were very
good to us, and we are going up there
Wednesday night.
Yesterday and today the batteries
and all the companies of the Second
Infantry had to march through the
streets for exercise. Last night / went
up to the Queens Palace, as There
was fine band concert on, by the
Honolulu band. IL was fine; Just
Imagine, if you can. how grand it
would be te sit out in park, the like
of which you have never seen, and in
February listen to the band that took
second prize at the Worlds Fair.
This is as great trip as a person
could ever expect to take. aud l
went up to what is known as the
"Punch Bowl"; it is an old volcano
crater and an interesting sight to any
one who has never seen anything Of
the sort.
People haze banana and cocOanut
trees growing right in their yards
here One man can't carry ten cents
worth of bananas, and eoeoanuts are
three for nickle. Ten cents WILL buy
a bigger pineapple than / ever saw in
the United States. can't begin to
tell you all the things 1 have seen. but
when I come back will bring to you
some curios and tell you more than 1
can write. If don't write you again
before | reach Manila, you will know
that we went direct to Manila from
here.
Yesterday / had fine swim on the
beach, and it was great. Well, must
close and mail this, so that it will 90
out on the first boat out. We leave
Thursday. hope you are all as vel
aS | am Ramemhar me To auaruona.