Manila, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo
Hot and dry. Clammy heat. Wrote a letter to Lieut-Col. Wm Evans soon after prayer, a chapter in Numbers and breakfast which I did not cook. Mrs. Owens prepared the meal I furnished the bread, bacon and some butter. The 4 sailors partook thereof with us.
The letter to Lt.-Col. Evans requested him to send someone to Mrs. Wm Pollock in San Francisco with P. C. War Crys containing my articles re the Philippine expedition.
Had a long talk with Peter Weigner re himself and his fellow sailors. Said Col. Pope will give them transportation back to the United States but they must take some food aboard as food will not be furnished. I agreed to give $10 to purchase the same.
My next move was a hasty one, down to see Harry Kline at the U.S. Private (Bro.) Devine K. Bat. 3d Reg’t, Heavy Artillery. Kline wrote an order to Sergt. Wilson in another dept. the crackers to be charged to him. I paid K. 75 cts. American silver, then hastened thro’ the hot sun to the delivery dep’t near Binondo estero on Pasig quay. Had no trouble to secure an 8 lbs tin of XXX sodas. Now for home. Wrapped the tin with paper, but first wrote & copied a letter to Devine at Malolos re the crackers, tried the package up enclosing the letter therein then over to Cuartel Meisig where the box was left with instructions to send north by the 2 p.m. train. A soldier who said he takes things to the train promised to see that the crackers got off on the aforesaid train.
Returned home wet with perspiration. Settled down in the front room to rest & cool off. Bugler Mendenhall of the 1st Colorado Vol. Inf. dropped in having walked from the Water works 6 or 8 miles. Was hot & weary. Rested. We had a long conversation which ended with prayer. Is imbued with the missionary spirit. Mendenhall was a student when the war broke out & like many other students joined the U.S. army.
Rev. C. Owens returned from the post office bringing me several papers & a letter. The latter from Lieut-Col. Alice Lewis, New York; date: April 14th. The second paragraph reads: “The Commander read your 16th weekly letter (it described the Tondo uprising 22 & 23rd Feb) in its entirety to the great audience gathered in the Memorial Hall on April 10th, when the Self-Denial victories were being proclaimed. Your letter was heard with the deepest interest, and I am sure many prayers will be with you as a consequence.”
In the afternoon when the sun became more aslant and less fierce that at noon I pushed down to the post office & mailed 2 letters; also purchased stamps and at a store oatmeal. Going & returning on the Jolo street car I paid no fare because the conductor could not make charge for 10 cts. He made change for Filipino passengers.
Read several articles in Christian Alliance monthly re missions including the Philippines.
See by “Freedom” that Bro. A. W. Prautch, Methodist, has opened in Santa Cruz Dist. a reading, writing, resting & meeting room patterned after the one I am attempting to run.
Owens said he expects to return home by the next or following transport. Bade ex-Serg’t Leon Chic good-bye. Is returning home.
I laid out to purchase food for the S.S. Pennsylvania sailors 20 cts Mex yesterday and $4.20 Mex today. I buy the groceries and the Owens’ cook them.
The “Olympia” weighed anchor this p.m. She leaves for home bearing Admiral Geo. Dewey and – Brother William Eletson. Much noise will be made over George and but little over William; yet both men took part in the battle of Manila Bay, May 1st 1898, one as commanding officer in the bridge. The other as a unit, part of a great fighting machine, below. Why all the honors for George and none for William? Are they not both Americans, loyal, brave and true?
My opinion is that in the eyes of Heaven William is a greater man than George.
What a sorry picture earth’s great ones will present as they troop up to the throne of Judgement, arrayed in the rags and tatters of earthly glory. Give me my lot with Christ and His cause.