Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.
A day of excitement. Relations with the Filipinos are so strained that a very small matter suffices to throw the city into a panic. This afternoon three shots were fired in rapid succession on Calle Jolo near the intersection of Calle Santa Elena. A neighborhood excitement immediately ensued. Soldiers who do the policing rushed along the street frightened people collected here & there. Several Utah artillerymen from across the street has bandsmen – hurried up the street to the scene of action; the other bandsmen buckled on their belts & revolves & prepared for a fight.
A panic also struck the Escolta. People rushed for shelter & shops closed immediately. Hines brought in news that the Nebraska men charged the Filipino pickets today & drove them back. If the news is true hostilities are probably at hand. I expect the Santa Mesa neighborhood will prove the chief battleground if fighting is done near Manila.
Our yard neighbors – Filipinos – are leaving town.
Last night across the street, our Utah artillerymen fired at a Filipino who was supposed to be trying to scale the wall. War’s rude alarms is now the regular order of affairs.
God blessed me in my soul this morning before arising. The Holy Ghost manifested His presence in me praise His name forever. Several times of late my God has filled me with His precious love.
My physical powers are feeling as if run down. Have a tired staff feeling. If I sit down a few minutes I fall asleep.
Cooked breakfast, dinner & supper. Had Private George Berry for dinner with me.
Berry & I went over into Old Manila to visit the Museum, owned & kept in order by Roman Catholic priests. The museum was closed. A sentry informed me that some drunken American soldiers broke a show-case or two, & so thought for that reason the place is closed to visitors. From there I went to another part of the old town & took 2 photographs – one of Spanish prisoners. These latter are beginning to grow less in numbers. Transports – Spanish – are taking them home. So endeth Spain’s power in the Philippines.
Geo. Berry, paid me $3.50 for tickets sold for gramophone exhibition some time ago. He also deposited $10 gold with me. I am banker for him. Have $20, gold of his money.
Called at the Anglo-Indian, Australian, Chino bank & bought a $5. (mex) Hongkong bill. Wrote & copied a letter & sent the money to pay the balance ($4.20) on the photographs printed in Hongkong. Sent letter & money to Staff Capt. Symons, Berry mailed the letter.
Visitors 2.
Private D.C. Hines Co. E. 2d Bat. 1st Montana vol. Inf. called this afternoon. He paid me in U.S. coin: Money collected for S.A. work $4; Tenth League payment $8, sale of gramophone tickets, credit for the exhibition held some time ago, $12.75. He suggested that I have another exhibitions. Gave him 100 tickets with instructions to learn if the Crys are favorable.
Rev. Chas Owens paid me rent this evening, $29.50 Mex. viz Nov. 15th to Dec. 15th 1898, $12 for 2 rooms & kitchen; 2d month Dec. 16th to Jan. 15th 1899 – 3 rooms & kitchen $17.50.