The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-15
jim ELFRErII WATKINS.
~ \Nnu n
Ii Y I
IE bravcst deed you know OF
,Eall ...lani Ii

s'HT e Hfr ms u sss' il ys %as s"'" Of
This question ! have been
putting to officers OF various branches
of the government service wherein acts
OF valor are being performed month
after month-not the army and navy
alone, but those civilian establish
ments. whose function is the protec-
ton Of life and property
What 1 quote below represents the
cream Of the interesting replies cot
lectcd. No class Of anecdotc can be
more refreshing and wholesome than
that descriptive OF men acting under
their noblest impulses--thosc OF courA
age and self-sacrihcc.
Bravcst Deed Recalled by Arm,,s
Commander.
ct was perhaps during my service
in the Philippine Islands that en-
countcrcd the greatest number or
heroic deeds on the part or the men
who have fought with me in the
army" said General Leonard WOOD,
chief Of STAFF and ranking officer OF
our reg ular army. "rhc one however
that stands out most clearly IN my
mind was that OF II private soldier.
Fernando Kcithlcy, of the Twenty
eighth Infantry II occurred along
In November. 1903. while 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, a pco-
pie quite different from the til!pinos
OF other parts OF the islands. they
weic divided into small communities,
each having It's own head. each inde-
pendent OF any other. and all general
~ engaged in warfare to prove their
independence.
Their dress. too. was varied from
that OF he cther brown fellows, ana
their appearance was more or less
warlikc. turhan and "A sarong,
wide sash. completed the costume on
ordinary occasions, but il was the ma
tive kris or sword. thrust through the
sash. that gave the characteristic
touch 20 the Moro dress. To the in
haDitants OF Mindanao these long,
sharp swords were known as campi-
lnns. and they served AS their chief
weapons OF defense. After the cstab-
Ishmcnt OF our post, the Moros ceased
their ho.tiiitics toward the American
soldiers TO i certain extent during the
day, but continuous vigil was ncccs-
sury at night. Al the time descrii'~1,
We were engaged In raising the g1n-
boats sunk in the lake some ten years
previous by the famous Cuban. C;.n-
cral Wcyler. upon the failure of his
expedition into that country.
THE boats are now in the possess on
of the United states. and their rcstor-
alton was a serious undertaking Tn.
acquisition of any sort OF firearms
was In that country. n matter OF inn
portnncc, FOR in most Instances Tho
raids conducted by the Moros were
for the purpose Of obtaining our
rifles
Private Keithley was one Of four
men stationed at AN outpost some
threc-quartcrs Of milo from Mara
hui, on the night OF November IL
About midnight figures silently sur
rouvIrsd the four men and band OF
twenty Moros fell upon them. killing
three in ,hc first rush. Private keith
ley alone remained Weakened by
knife wounds he had received. he
slowly began hts backward retreat to-
ward the post. The Moros followed
SO closely that only the bayonet on
his musket was OF any practical use.
For thrce-Quartcrs Of nile he Kept
mp this brave fight. At last. STUMP
ling into camp, he gave the warning.
Being literally cut to pieces. he al
most Immediately fell dead. AS FAR
az possible this brave act was
wardcd, and In :, most unusual man
rcr. lie stands on record as tho only
private soldier for whom "a military
post has beer named. shortly after
his almost UNPARALLELED act OF valor,
the rule limiting the selection OF post
names 10 those OF deceased officers
was disreEaricd and Marahui becamc
Camp Keithlcy."
Lrcut Pluck Of TWO soldiers.
During the Filipino War the mon
in our branch OF the service had little
oppor,unity TO display their bravery,
said i3riSadierGcneral Erasmus NJ.
Weaver, chief OF Coast Artillery, but
the horoism OF n little band OF intar-
try. all former artillerymcn and Cali
fornians. ranks. 10 my mind, among
the bravest military encounters
s--------------------