The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-16

| could not get ashore Then I set out TO
find the Y NJ c. A. which I finally
found in CristobaL CristobaI is where
| the government has put UP buildings
for the married and unmarried en-
pIoyes of the canal, and it is a very
| nice and pretty place with large palm
/ trees everywhere
When I entered the Y NJ C A the
first man saw behind the desk was a
man I got acquainted with in Chicago
and Lake Geneva, Wis, in the z NJ C
A work.
After I teIephoned to Ivor Davis at
building The building is well equipped
with electric lights running water, and
sanitary couveniences- OF course
found and interesting spot in the gym
nasium and d class Of small boys was
at the time in session They also have
& good reading room. lunch room, ice
cream parlor, game room, locker room
and baths in connection with the gym,
and altogether it is a very homelike
place
Secs Kansas Men and Big Cut
Then I went to the railroad depot in
Colon to take the 1880 a. m train across
I was 10 get of at CuIebra, about Is miles
this side Of Panama City, to see Ivor
Davis Three extra cars were on the rear
of the train for the exclusive use OF the
sailors for a free trip 10 Panama or as
far as they liked. and return TO Colon
The train was composed OF about Il
modern railway cars, pulled by a modern
engine and the train made good time II
felt good TO be riding on that train Eacn
train has a hospital ear
Arrived at CuIebra about 12:15 p m
| and found Ivor waiting at the depot
ernment eating house we saw the big
CuIebra cut which is the biggest cut Of
the Y NJ G A club house there and then
went toward the railroad station as had
leaving CuIebra at .. m
Ivor went back to Colon with me on the
train and explained all the canal and
pointed out the special places OF interest
and told all about them
I would like to have had papa had that
trip as know he would have appreciated
some OF the engineering stunts that are
being done and are still TO be done on the
work
Panama Worlds Fair in 1915
We dropped of the train at Crtsrobal.
went up to the Y N c A and had a
dish Of ice cream TO finish on and then
take the launch back TO the ship at 4
O'Clock Ivor was TO return 10 Cufebra on
q 40 train so he did not come over TO
I think that after f get through with
this party viii try something IN Pana- "a
at something. I believe that can get
something good in the electrical line there
BY that time. They are advertising a
Worlds Fair to be held at the opening OF
the canal N 1915. and I wish that by some
chance could be there at that time as
I would like to see that thing when It Is
finished -
We left Colon with I4tC ana party on
board February 7th at D n in fine
weather bound for South Pass. We came
TO the westward of Cuba this time, going
through what Is called YUcatau Pass,
which is between Cuba and a projection
from the southern end of Mexico Now.
Of course we are in the Gulf of Mexico
It has changed to colder quite rapidly
with the past II hours and we are now
wearing blue uniforms instead of white
Since writing the last paragraph have
been TO the library to get a book for Mrs
Taft TO read. and took it to her in the
cabin. She is a very plain looking woman.
but seems TO be very nice. From what
can see of her I think she can boss the
W hfte House servants all right
Well have written about all that can
for this time and hope that We get some
mail when we get to South Pass sup
pose one of the cruisers Will bring out some
mail to US If not there will be a lot of
disappointed men on this snip.
HOWARD.