The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1917-07-21
Letters From
"Our Boys"
San Juan, Porto Rico.

Dear Mother: Will endeayor TO
write few lines while we are lying
in the harbor waiting TO sail for Pan
anna. We have had fine trip TO far.
The sea at times was just as smooth
and calm as little pond.
A lot OF the bunch were pretty
sick, but not SO with me. Have not
even felt that way and am feeling
fine. We only met two ships on our
way. All the rest OF the time moth
ing could be seen but vast expanse
OF blue water for miles around.
The first two evenings out there
were some kind OF fish, which, at
about 6 D. IN. would jump out OF the
water in twos and sometimes by ten
or more, all at the same time and
then dive again, keeping this up for
five minutes at a time, and then they
would disappear; saw nothing of
them since. They were about eight
feet long. Also all the way down
there were flying fish all around us.
Some a foot long and others about
the size of a beetle. jumping out OF
the water and nying for block or
less and then into the water again.
We sighted land about daybreak on
the morning of the 2lst. At first
faint almost invisible outline. and
gradually forming itself into a rug
ged piece OF land
This is a mountainous region and,
coming into the hsrbor was one Of
the most beautiful sights l have ever
seen. You cannot begin to realize
how picturesque II Is until you have
seen &C. II certainly Is grand.
Well, arriving at the dock the ma
tive youngsters swan out TO the ship
and dove for pennies. nickles, Or 9TH
er trinkets which were thrown TO
them They are regular water rats
and stay in the water two hours or
more at time.
We were taken up to the fort and
shown all over the parade grounds,
cemetery and all places of interest
The Porto Ricans sure are nice
bunch of fellows, although not as near
as active or quick to catch on as the
American
The streets here are all narrow and
quaint oxen and carts, little ponies
and old-fAshioned carts, and every
thing odd looking No wooden build
ings-au of concrete or some other
II sure must have taken
years and years to build up a place
like this The walls of the fort are
great and massive. You can see
where they have all been torn by
shot and shell, and some are crumbl-
ing away. The natives come up to
the vessels in row boats and sell CO.
coanuts, &c each; pineapples, &c each;
mangoes and other fruits.
We take on about 1000 Porto Ric-
an soldiers here Most of them have
never been off the island. They seem
to be very patriotic, and think a .ot /
Of the American soldier.
When we march through the mar
row streets the natives are all out
side or looking out the windows At
us. The little kids are stark naked,
and black or brown In color One
would not realize how II is here mot
even from reading books) II il
about 1000 years behind the United
States There are practically no
living here.
The mountains in the distance and
hills closer by, covered with green
is sure fine sight. 1t makes
one think OF the hills at home, and
makes me wish | could get out and
tramp them again.
Wen, think ! have written about
all OF interest so had better ring of
Tor now II will write further from
he canal zone. Hoping this finds
everybody az home in the best Of
health, and hope YOU are having fine
summer weather. | am
Your loving son,
FRED MCGEE
r. S.. Best regards to everyone.