The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1909-03-11
William Higgins, a Marine
With the Big Fleet Re-
turns on a Furlough. 81.

-----'---->s -. /. II
Full of pleasant recoiiections of an
Interesting and notable voyage around
the world, William Higgins, son Of
James Higgins. of Meadowbrook, and
cousin of Nicholas whyte, OF the
clarksburg police force, Is back home
on ten days Through. He was In
clarksburg for a short time Tuesday
morning on his way TO Meadowbrook
and Telegram man had a pleasant
chat with him at the fnterurban troll
ley depot. I.
Mr.. Higgins is a marine in the
United States naval service and Is a
member OF the marine force on board.
the battleship Wisconsin, which vessel
was one of the big Atlantic fleet that
sailed around the world from Hamp-.
ton Roads He has been In the, ser.
Vice for three years. For sixteen
months before the departure of the
big fleet upon its notable voyage, he
was stationed aboard the Minnesota.
and was upon that ship when the fleet
started, but was transferred at Manii-
la. F. l.. to the Wisconsin. CAPTAIN
Hubbard commanded the Minnesota,
and Mr.. Higgins was under Captain
F. p. Beatty upon the Wisconsin. The
Wisconsin was the flagship Of the
fourth division. which was in charge
of Rear Admiral Potter, who was.
therefore. aboard the same ship.
All We're Welcomed.
We had one of the most delightful,
pleasant and Interesting trips You
could imagine" said Mr.. Higgins,
and ! wouldn't have missed 1t for
anything. We saw many people. and
many noted places and the voyage
was an education in itself. But the
fondest recollectionsj OF the many are
those of the hearty welcomes that
were rendered all of the fifteen thous-
and men who were with the fleet.
Not only the officers but also all of
the sailors were generously and hos
pitably entertained. at the ports
where We landed.
Everything was turned over 10 the
visitors and everything was free. We
FLOWS would go into q shop, and pur-
chase souvenirs. or go into a restau-
rant and eat something. or take a ride
upon trolley car, or go into athea-
tire, or any place else, ana when we
rendered money In payment for what
we got. 1t was invariably refused. In
many places signs of welcome includ-
ed the words. Everything free for
the American visitors"
The decorations were grand, brill
liant, dazzling. elaborate. When we
marched through the streets of the
japanese cities-the. streets arc mar
row there you know-we sometimes
had to reach out our hands and push
back some of the flags and other dec
orations in order to pass along.
Women Kissed Them.
Even the women took part in the
welcoming festivities in some OF the
cities. They would form in solid lines
along the sidewalks and wave big
American flags as we marched along.
And maybe some Of US didn't get lsiss-
ed. Why. some OF those pretty wo-
men would come right up to- you and
kiss you full upon the cheek. I'll bet
If some of the fellows got kissed once.
they We're kissed thousand times.
There We're all sorts OF ,entertain-
inents. and, I tell. you. we had dandy
times
Mr.. Higgins displayed two medals
he received, one in Melbourne and the
other in Toxic. Each man Of the
fleet was presented with one In each
city as souvenirs of the visits. They
bear flags of England ana Japan With
the American flag, and suitable in
scriptions indicating the hearty vel.