Manila, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo Dist.
I am reminded of some incidents related by Bro. Wm Eletson regarding Admiral Dewey Bro. E. served four years on the “Olympian” hence had numerous opportunities to see & hear the Admiral before & after the battle of Manila bay, May 1st1898. That great victory over the dons, brought the fame and the concomitants of fame – danger from enemies and ditto from friends. The Admiral minimized his chances from both. Many baskets of champagne, the finest cakes & the best of other table dainties were sent the American hero by his admirers but he would not drink and eat the presents sent if he could. Enemies might poison the wine and cake.
The Admiral’s mail was bulky yet but few letters ever reached his eyes. Time was required for more valuable work than reading letters written by people who had no good reason for writing them.
Officers who presumed upon their rank to gain access to the presence of the great [_____] without a good excuse for taxing his time, frequently retired crest fallen without seeing him.
The Admiral was easy of access to writers of the Press, and he was very affable to their kind ___ – book authors. Wise Admiral!! This I learned from Ike Russel who at one time owned & edited the Manila “American Soldiers.” Dewey would give literary people a place at his table occasionally.
When Dewey came ashore measure were taken in advance to guard his person from would-be assassins.
One day he was coming ashore in his launch. Seeing a small boat pulling in his direction, the Admiral exclaimed: “Coxswain, is that boat coming towards us?” “I think it is, sir”. “Then put back to the ship.” This last is from Bro. Eletson as near as I remember his story.
The Admiral is no coward, but prudence caused him to not give Spaniards an opportunity to arrange themselves for the destruction of their fleet.
Two chapters in Deuteronomy, prayer, then cooked breakfast.
Remained at home all day, overhauling my Diary for the past year securing statistics of work done by me. A tedious job.
The Filipino letter carrier bro’t me a N.Y. War Cry & letter from Lt.-Col. Wm Evans S.F. date May 26thcontained Postal Order No. 93664, Sta. B.S.F.; 4 weeks’ salary $36 U.S. coin.
Two A. Bat’y, Utah Light Artillery men called this evening. Desire to rent rooms for 6 men. Expect to be mustered out tomorrow.