Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-15

cream of the interesting replies col
lected. No class of anecdote can be more
refreshing and wholesome than that de-
scriPtive of men acting under their no
blcst impulses-those of courage and self
acr1fice.
1t was perhaps during my service in
the Philippine Islands that / encountered
the greatest number of heroic deeds on
the part of the men who have fought
with me in the army said Gen Leonard
Wood. chief of staff and ranking officer
of our regular army. The one. however,
that stands out most clearly in my mind
was that of q private soldier Fernando
heithley, of the 18th Infantry. 1t &C.
Cured along in November. 1903, while l
was in command of post established at
Marahui, one of the principal ports on
Lake Lanao. That part of the country
of Mindanao surrounding the lake was
inhabited by Moros. people quite diff
ierent from the Filipinos of other parts
of the islands. They were divided into
sfhaH communities each having it's own
head, each independent of any other and
all generally engaged in warfare to prove
their independence.
Their dress, too. was varied from
that OF the other brown fellows and their
appearance Was more or less warlike.
\ turoan and saronS, or wide sash, COM
pieted the costume on ordinary occasions,
nut 1T was the native kris or sword
thrust through the sash. that gave the
characteristic touch to the Moro dress
10 the inhabitants Of Mindanao these
iong, sharp swords were known campi-
ians and they served as their chief weap-
ons of defense. After the establishment
OF our post the Moros ceased their hos
ul1ties toward the American soldiers to
certain extent during the day, but
CONTINUOUS vigil was necessary at night.
AT the time described we were engaged
In raising the gunboats sunk in the lake
some ten years previous by the famous
SuDah- Zen Neyler. upon the failure OF
MS expedition into that country.
The boats are now in the possession OF
the United States and their restoration
vas a serious undertaking. The acuuisi-
ton OF any sort of firearms was in that
country matter of Importance for in
most instances the raids conducted by
the MoroS were for the purpose of OBJ
tanning our rifles.
Private keithley was one of four men
stationed at an outpost some three-quar-
tiers OF mile from Marahui on the night
of November ~. About midnight figures
silently surrounded the four men, and a
band of twenty Moros fell upon them,
killing three in the first rush. Private
keithley alone remained Weakened by
knife wounds ne had received, he slowly
Logan his backward retreat toward the
post The Moros followed so closely
that Only the bayonet on his musket
was OF any practical use. For three
quarters of a mile he kept up this brave
fight. At last, stumbling into camp, he
ave the warning. Being literally cut
TO pieces, he almost Immediately fell
dead. AS far as possible this brave act
vas rewarded. and in most unusual
manner. He stands on record as the only
private soldier for whom a military post
has been named. Shortly after his almost
unparalleled act of valor the rule limiting
the selection of post names to those of
deceased officers was disregarded and
Marahui became Camp Keithley."
.Dt,ripc the EiIipiro ba man in