Tag: Chester Blaney

Thursday, May 4th, 1899

Cavite, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo

Taps is sounding over in the Cuartel Meisig as I commence to pen these lines. I am weary. Have been absent all day in Cavite including the ferry trip there & back. Read a chapter in Numbers and prayed. Next cooked breakfast & ate thereof but took not the time to wash dishes. Walked to the Cavite ferry. Was set down in C. about 9.45 a.m. My first business was to drop into a Filipino barber shop on Calle Real & get shaved. The sign says: “For Americans Only”. Next called on Bro. Z.K. Miller, engineer of the Ice factory. Had a spiritual talk. I mistake my first call after leaving the barber shop was an Private (Bro.) Chester Blaney of H.C. 10th Penn. Inf. is just pulling thro’ a spell of sickness. Encouraged him on religious lines & prayed with him. This was in the Collegio de Sagrada Familia. Gave Blaney some San Francisco War Crys for distribution among his comrades.

From the Ice factory I went to the Navy Hospital in the Arsenal where I remained sometime with Bro. Wm Eletson of the Flagship “Olympia”. Cheering him, specially on religious line, as the dear Lord is not unmindful of what happens to His servants. Eletson said Admiral Dewey while visiting the hospital recently spoke a few minutes to him & promised him that he should return home with his vessel. Eletson is afflicted with that mysterious & presumably incurable disease, beri-beri. Left some War Crys with Eletson & others to read. Pressed the subject of salvation on the attention of the chief nurse. Before bidding E. good-bye knelt down & prayed with hin. He gave me $1 greenback for the S.A. work. I advised him to help the Hongkong or Yokohama S.A. sailors’ houses, but he insisted that I should take it.

Had dinner, which a Chinese coolie cooked in the establishment of Mr. W.B. Silver on Calle Real. Paid 30 cts Mex for it. Very poor meal. S. said his place does not pay.

From the restaurant-salon, went over to the General Hospital to visit Bro. Hans Verwiebe (Salvationist) & Bro. [Sutton]. Gave Verweibe some War Crys for himself & the hospital people to read. He donated me 50 cts silver. I spoke to one of the hospital force who knew me in Mendocino county Cal. About the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayed with A.J. Smith in his room. He accompanied me across the street to make the acquaintance of Blaney. Two showers in Cavite while I was there.

Returned to Manila on the 4 p.m. ferry. Before going home called “Times Office” at the post office and purchased oatmeal in a Spanish store. Took street car back. Passed Clayton Scott, who brought some commissary supplies from H. Kline.

At home Private (Bro.) W. I. Mason Co. D. 9th U.S. Inf. was awaiting my return. A talk with him. Also did other personal dealing with men today re the importance of seeking Christ & His salvation.

Cooked supper & washed dishes. Am tired.

While standing over the cook pots heard rifle firing apparently in Malate. Sounded familiar.

Shooting is heard outside the city tonight; reminds me of the recent battles in the outskirts of Manila.

Wednesday, April 19th, 1899

Cavite, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo

Hot day, although heavy clouds hung in the sky and breezes fanned sultry atmosphere from time to time. Up early & out of bed. Bible lesson and prayer. Cooked breakfast, partook thereof and washed the dishes in a hurry. Then proceeded down to the quay on front of the U.S. Quartermaster’s depot paid 20 cents Mex, fare & traveled 12 miles to Cavite. Saw the battleship “Oregon” in all the glory of white paint and black guns. First time that I have seen the now famous fighter since her completion. Was present in San Francisco at the launching of the hull.

Cavite is filling with Filipinos again. When the war broke out these people cleared out in short order.

This day might appropriately be termed a prayer circle day. I chased up and down the streets of Cavite an hour or two trying to find Private Chester Blaney of H. G. 10th Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., who was on guard detail. At last I found my man in bed resting on the back second floor of the Colegio de la Sagrada Familia – Roman Catholic – made notorious by the Filipinos (this building) when filled with sick and starving Spanish prisoners when I first landed in Cavite last July. I talked with him about various subjects not omitting spiritual. When about to leave I knelt down & prayed & requested Blaney to do the same. He bowed his head but did not kneel or pray. Says he is keeping saved. Advised him to be brave for Jesus or be aggressive. Together we visited a backslider Salvationist, but the latter appeared asleep.

Bidding Blaney good-bye I crossed the street to the Divisional hospital. Met Brother [A.J] Smith. Together we visited Bro. Hans [Verweibe], Salvationist, pastry cook, Verweibe, myself, Brother A.J. Smith, Hospital corps, Bro. Geo Baker of A. Battery, California Heavy Artillery had a little prayer gathering of our own in the sleeping room occupied by Verweibe and Smith on the ground floor of the hospital. Up stairs I was take to Bro. Z. K. Miller of the Ice factory. The latter not satisfied with the quietude of the ice plant, wen out to the front & helped the North Dakota regiment in battle. Consequence: sun struck or over heated. He is improving again. I kneeled down & prayed with him.

Verweibe accompanied me to the Naval Hospital down in the Arsenal. A sailor on Calle Real informed me that Bro. Eletson was therein sick. When I entered the main entrance the first thing that caught my eye was a commode with a bible & small book – help to the study of the bible – on top & behold near behind the door lay Brother e. on a cot. He is troubled with malaria, & thro’ too much hard work broke down. Looks pale. Comforted him. Before leaving kneeled down by his bedside & prayed. Says the Doctor may send him to the U.S. Naval hospital at Yokohama, Japan. Showed me two begging letters one from Adj. Ellis, Yokohama, which stated that the S.A. Sailors’ Home is running behind & that unless same thing was done financially it may have to be closed. I was under the impression that that home was a source of income. Staff Captain Symour S. A. Sailor’s Home at HongKong also wants money. The S/C complains of his wife’s poor health & hints that a change of climate may be necessary.

Verweibe gave me $7 U.S. coin Tenth League payment.
I spoke to several individuals personally re salvation.

Arriving in Manila, called at the post office. Returned home, cooked supper, washed dishes & am now tired & sleepy.

Friday, April 7th, 1899

Malolos, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

It is past 9.p.m. & I am tired and sleepy. Have been away from home 8.a.m. to 8.30.p.m. Got up with the dawn of the day, read Scripture, prayed, cooked breakfast partook thereof, then hurried away leaving the Filipino servant “muchacho” to wash them. Climbed into a section passenger car on the mixed military train down on the wharf below the Port Captain’s office. Two aimed soldiers watch each passenger car. One demanded to see my pass. Examined it & consented to taking me along. The train pulled out at 8.30 am.

The train stopped at several towns or what is left by the ruins: Caloocan, Malinta, Mariliao, Bocaue and Bigaa & Guiguinto. Soldiers everywhere. Two 2d Oregon Vol. Inf. companies got on the train-roof of the cars & alighted at Bocaue. They formed company right dress. One looked back at the train as it pulled out. I was surprised & gratified to see Bro. Geo. Schumerhorn, Salvationist. God bless him. The train passed elaborate trenches constructed by the Insurrecto. We arrived in Malolos at noon. Struck off to the right following a road along which thousands of our troops are encamped (It is their battle line) in a skirt of bamboo forest facing a large open field. I visited the 1st Nebraska vol. Inf. & 1st South Dakota Vol. Inf. Found Bro. V. Heron of the Nebraska, they came with me & we picked Brothers Waterman, Bertrand and Georgeson – all Salvationists – the latter backslidden. Two strangers joined us. We went to the side sluggish stream beneath the bamboos by the main road & sat down on the ground. The main burden of our talk was on salvation lines – personally. Closed with prayer. Waterman, Bertrand, Heron & myself prayed. I urged Georgeson to return to Jesus. Said it is no use he cannot serve God in the army. Also urged 2 other but they excused themselves.

Bade them good-bye. Saw three troops – E. I. & K. – of the 4th U.S. Cavalry, a rapid fire gun & an ambulance return from a reconnoitering tour of the front.

I passed the 10th Pennsylvania encampment but did not meet Bro. Chester Blaney. Crossed the railroad near the depot & visited the 1st Montana encampment – E company. Boys lying on the ground. Brothers D. G. Hines & Lloyd glad to see me. Did not fail to inquire about their souls. With the other soldiers looking on we three prayed – each one in their presence. Lloyd gave me an order on Chaplain Stull of their reg’t for $10 U.S. coin & Hines $25. Some of this money is for me & some for others.

From the Montana camp crossed a slough by a short cut to the main part of Malolos, accompanied by Bro. Lloyd. I met & shook hands with Lieut England & Private Hammer & some others of the 3d Artillery. Lloyd visited with me the Filipino ex-prison where some American prisoners were incarcerated. Some of them wrote their names on the walls, but had been carried away by the retreating enemy.

Aguinaldo’s “palace”, a church building, was in ruins. Piles of rice in several places were still burning. I saw a group of Filipino non-combatants – coming in town to be fed. Waited in the shade of car an hour or more for the train from Manila. Our train pulled out about 5.15 p.m. for Manila. At the last moment 3 well built athletic Spaniards in the uniform of their country were brought in under guard. Appeared in good condition. Arriving at Bigaa station our train stopped. Suddenly a couple of shots rung out. Looking out of the car window I saw soldiers aiming their gun at the figure of a man who was running across the open field. I saw the poor fellow run. Then he fell flat to the ground, shot, & did not rise. Soldiers quickly reached his prostrate body & carried him back to the depot, but our train did not wait for him. The poor fellow was one of the 3 Spanish prisoners who were brought on our train at Malolos. They were arrested for spies. He jumped out of the car & tried to escape, but American marksmanship was too accurate.

On the train I found the acquaintance of Mr. Chas Ward Macdevitt, reporter of “Freedom”.

Arrived in Manila at about 745 p.m. I got off at the depot when the train slowed up. Was very hungry. Had nothing to eat since morning save an apple & a little water out of a well in Malolos. Turned to, and cooked supper. Mrs. Owens gave me same cold stew. Satisfied the demands of my appetite about 8.45 p.m.

One of the soldiers said it was reported among them that I was killed out at the Water Works.

When our train was approaching Caloocan from Malolos, the flash or rather search lights of a war vessel played upon our train at intervals of a few minutes through the darkness. The bright light would shine thro’ the mist with wonderful clearness. The commanders of our vessels are alert. I gave Mr. Chas Ward Macdevitt a small slip of paper (the latter he furnished) on which I wrote my address and that the Salvation Army, Army and Navy League conduct a reading and writing room there.

An interesting feature of the trip to Malolos was the sight of little groups of farmers – Filipinos – returning to their houses carrying white flags. This region is deserted. It is estimated that 100,000 people lived here. They fled from the American troops & are now somewhere beyond Malolos.

Last Tuesday E. company & other Montana men were ordered out to reconnoiter. They found the enemy in force at Calumpit and had to retire. One man was killed on our side & about 38 overcome with heat, not including those wounded about 7. Some are captains. Brother Hines was prostrated & lost his reason for a short time. Raved. Is recovering again.

Saturday, Jan. 7th, 1899

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

Cloudy and warm but not rain. This is the dry season. Wrote, copied & mailed 3 letters. Also received one from the post office written by Ensign May Jackson of Hongkong China. She has been praying re the opening of Salvation Army work in China & thinks I would make the best pioneer that she is acquainted with. She says Staff Capt. Symons who has change of the Salvation Army soldiers & sailors have does not want her in any of his meetings which grieves her very much.

I wrote for the War Cry some more copy & mailed the whole batch, 20 pages, to Lt.-Col Wm Evans. The subhead titles are: “Camp Santa Mesa” (Xmas Eve) “Christmas in Cavite”, “Corregidor Island”, “Bones”, “Mariveles”, “Riding their High Horse” and “Called to Quarters”.

Passing down Calle San Jacinto on my way to the post office I saw a new poster pasted on a wall. Going up to look at it saw that Emilio Aguinaldo’s name was signed to it. Is printed in Spanish, and in to all intents & purposes a counter proclamation to that of Gen’l Otis. I was told by Editor Wilson of the “New Orient” who translated it, that the gist of the pronouncements is liberty or death. Filipinos do not want annexation to the United States & will fight first.

I went to the No. 24-next to the Suspension Bridge to secure at “La Republica Filipiniana” printing office a copy of Aguinaldo’s manifesto but failed. The men in charge were afraid they would get in trouble with the U.S. authorities for publishing it. Editor Wilson promised to get a copy for me.

Cooked supper. While eating Private Geo. Schurmerhorn of the 2d Oregon vols. Co. D. came in and gave me $4 U.S. coin – Tenth League payment. Bro. Chester Blaney of the 10th Penn. Did the same or two nights since.

During the day prayed several times with visiting comrades. Visitors as near as I can remember 3. The troops are almost all shut up in their quarters.

Made a 2d visit to the Escolta to buy Aguinaldo’s proclamation.

Saturday, Dec. 10th, 1898

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

Cool, cloudy weather. Want rain bad, because my water jars are getting empty. Remained at home during the forenoon reading newspapers & arranging Spanish manuscripts from the prison & the arsenal at Cavite for my library.

A Spanish artilleryman – private – commenced taking lessons from Rev. Owens in English for which he teaches Spanish. A Chinese boy also takes lessons in English. My parlor or reading room is used for this purpose. The back room & kitchen are now used by Mr. D. Brown. The supposition being that the Owens are renting them to him & are responsible to me for half the rent of this house $17.50 mex.

Cooked my own breakfast, took dinner with Rev. & Mrs. Owens & supper with Bros. Hines & Lloyd at a Chinese restaurant in Binondo square or Plaza.

Visitors 8.

Afternoon called at the post office. Rec’d a letter from Bro. Wm Eletson & one from Lieut-Com’dr G. Blacklinger of the U.S. S. “Charleston”. Latter granting request to hold services thereon.

Went to the Palace in Old Manila & read & corrected the proof of the Soldier’s Passes being printed for me.

Gave Bros. Chester Blaney 30 San Francisco War Crys for force distribution in the 2d Battalion of the 10th Pennsylvania Vol. Inf. viz., 15, No. 569 ed. Oct. 22d; 15 No. 570 ed Oct. 29th . Also prepared bundles of Crys for our trip to the fleet & Cavite tomorrow.

Saturday, November 19th, 1898

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

Since my blood has become thin from constant warm weather a little cool air goes a long way. Comparatively speaking the weather was cool and cloudy this day.

Visited the post office. No mail. Got shaved. Twice a week I go to a Spanish barbershop to be shaved. Don’t like to, but necessity makes it quite imperative.

Visitors 10.

Tried my gramophone. Rust is getting at it.

Wrote & copied a weekly letter (my second) to Lieut-Col. Alice Lewis re the war out here.

Watch the news from America & Europe closely. Am anxious to learn how events will affect this archipelago.

Bought 2 papers – 2o cts. Mex – “Uncle Sam” & “Freedom”.

Cooked breakfast & supper. Took dinner with Rev. & Mrs. Owens; also had a talk with them re missionary & S. A. work on these islands.

Gave Private Chester Blaney for distributions among the 10th Penn. Troops, 11 copies No. 567. Got 18th War Cry & 15 copies, No. 566 – Oct. 1st Crys.

Friday, Oct. 28th, 1898

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

Clear, bright day & quite warm but not uncomfortably so.

Wrote Lieut-Col. Henny Lippincott, Deputy Surgeon General for a permit to visit the hospitals. Copied the letter.

When down town purchased several vocabularies of Philippine Island dialects. Catalogued my pamphlets. Cooked breakfast & supper. Quartermaster Orderly C. J. Scott remained to supper. He is on the sick list. Looks bad. Dysentery pulled him down.

The Lord cheered me & my comrades after supper by bringing 14 U.S. soldiers to No. 2. A holiness meeting was inaugurated. The Holy Ghost made use of His servants praise His name, & 5 men kneeled down at the table: Chester Blaney, 10th Penn., Wm Stauffer, 10th Penn.; Geo. Berry, Co. H. 1st Montana; the foregoing 3 for sanctification. They claimed to get it. Private Henry Keyser, Co. E. 1st Montana & Alva Malony, Battery G. 6th U.S. Artillery, backsliders, were reclaimed thru Christ. Latter is chief engineer of the Ice Plant at Cavite. He formerly belonged to the Cambellite church. Glory to God for victory!

Visitors 15.

The comrades all separated in good spirits. Among the number of present was Private Peter Shipper of the Engineers. He appeared quite humble after the cigar episode. Said he would try to fetch Harry Kline down Sunday night.

Private Hummer of H. battery gave me $2. U.S. coin. He makes a practice of giving one-tenth of his income to the Lord. An excellent practice.

Monday, Oct. 24th, 1898

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

We are living in troublous times here on the Philippines at the present writing. Rumors of a clash with Aguinaldo’s men are rife. Is it a baseless excitement? It would be a reflection on our officers if they were timid & fearful like so many frightened jack rabbits. Soldiers of various regiments have been kept in their barracks since last Friday. Some have orders to keep ready by sleeping in their clothing & on their arms for instant actions. Manila is in danger of attack any night from the Filipinos. Night is their chosen time for such work. Some men say he claims that he has 90,000 men & will take the city the 27th of the present month – such preparations are disquieting.

Visitors to No. 2. 4.

Private Chas. Nelson L. Co. 13th Minn. Vol. Inf. called half sick, despondent & backslidden. Was given straight talk. Kneeled down & confessing his sins to Christ was pardoned. N – went away in better spirits & promised to help me fight. Gave him for free distribution War Cry (S.F.) 7 copies July 16th No. 555; 17 cop. Sept. 3d No. 562 for his comrades & 41 copies July 23d No. 556 for the General Hospital patients.

Private Chester Blaney of 10 Pennsylvania Vol. Inf. brought his comrade Salvationist Private Wm Stauffer of Co. H. Prayed with them, have the for distribution in Co’s A. & C. 45 copies of S.F. War Crys No. 562, Sept 3rd. Blaney brought me 3 copies New York War Cry. — I had a headache all day.

Thursday, Oct. 20th, 1898

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

My first volume of experiences connected with the Salvation Army pioneer work en route and on the Philippine islands is full and so I am under the necessity of commencing the second volume, but while the size is equal to Vol. I the shape is different: the width is elongated so to speak; however as this was the best I could get in the Manila bookstores it will have to do duty in place of a better one.

Visitors to No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, 11.

Brigadier General R. P. Hughes announced my letter of recent requesting permission to put up a tent in the burnt district near Calle del Rosario. He refused.

Private M. L. De Víne (Landrum) of K. Battery 3d Art’y went out forenoon and afternoon to sell San Francisco Chinese War cry (No. 11 edition Aug. ’97). The Chinese purchased them eagerly at 5 cents each – Spanish money. Our comrade disposed of 66 copies – my supply – on Calle de Jolo, before he reached the main business streets. Rec’d $6.76 Mex.

Philippine natives gathered around him to buy, but he would sell them none. They inquired why a Spanish paper was not printed by the Americans for them. Landrum returned rejoicing and offered to sell American crys for me. The comrade also bought an armful of War Cry packages, arrived by the “Coptic” from California. I rec’d copies No. copies No. Copies No. 563 – Sept. 10th appeared my second article re Philippines. After supper Private Peter Shipper of the Engineers brought me a single copy of No. 565 Sept. 24th which gave a front page portrait of myself and the third article, illustrated.

My tent is getting moldy. Spread it out on the floor.

Hired Filipinos to do my washing. Paid them $1, Mex.

Wrote & copied letters – (1) to Lt-Col. Mr. Evans & 3 to Valencia. I am trying to hold the latter in the Salvation Army. Is a good artist & has done ground work for the War Group.

Private Chester Blaney Co. H. 10th Pennsylvania Vol. Inf. called after supper – late – opened the house for him after closing. Gave him for force distributions 22 copies. Aug, ’98 & 57 July 23, ’98.