KinSource - Tale of the Week - Navy Lad's Jolly Life

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Fairfax Standard, October 14, 1909, p. 1

NAVY LAD'S JOLLY LIFE.

Fairfax Young Man Participates in the Hudson-Fulton Celebration.

FOREIGN SAILORS LOSE IN CONTESTS.

Joseph Buehler Entertainingly Describes Life in Uncle Sam's Navy.

In the navy Uncle Sam offers a young man the opportunity to visit many foreign countries, and no public demonstration on the coasts are considered complete unless the "Jackies" take part. Joseph Buehler of Fairfax, member of the crew of the scout ship Chester, has written several interesting letters to the Standard in the past, but the one published herewith is the most entertaining of all. The young man has splendid descriptive ability and he has given his talent full sway writing about the Hudson-Fulton celebration held in New York recently. The letter follows:

Brooklyn Navy Yard, Oct. 7, '09
A. M. Wallace, Fairfax, Minn.

Dear Sir: -- As a representative of Fairfax in the navy I will drop you a few lines. We have been in New York since August 12th, having returned from our African cruise July 2d, spending July 4th at Newport, R. I. After that we made short runs on the Atlantic coast. On Aug. 1st we were ordered to Gloucester, Mass., to take part in the celebration which lasted seven days. We went there in company of our sister scouts, Salem and Birmingham; the Hartford, Olimpia, Chicago and Ponapah came in next day. The citizens of Gloucester gave us a royal welcome and we spent a very pleasant week while there.

I suppose you have read most of the details of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, so I will just tell you how we sailors spent our time. We had liberty every other day, commencing at 1 a. m. and until 10 p. m. next day. On Tuesday night the Hippodrome gave a naval entertainment to all sailors and over 4,000 attended; on Wednesday night the New Amsterdam gave a concert and over 2,000, both foreign and U. S. sailors were present. As every man entered he received two cigars and matches. The result was that in a little while after the entertainment started the smoke was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. All the national airs were played, and we cheered until we were hoarse. Friday night the Y. M. C. A. gave an entertainment and luncheon to all foreign sailors; we were requested to act as hosts. This also was a great success; first we had speeches and music and then the luncheon, consisting of every kind of cake imaginable, fruit and soft drinks, and it was great fun to see some of those foreign sailors go after the refreshments. I guess that some of them never knew what cake was like before. After luncheon was over, we went into the gymnasium at the Y. M. C. A. building and showed them a good time in the real American way.

Sunday afternoon and evening we were the guests of Miss Helen Miller Gould. Only U. S. sailors were invited; after dinner we went to James M. E. church in Brooklyn where we had a great time, especially with the young ladies. Besides the amusements I have mentioned, there were balls on some of the battleships. Balls on a battleship are swell affairs and everybody has to be in full dress uniform; no civilians are allowed except the ladies. At one of the balls last week there were over 1,000 couples on the Vermont. Dancing began at nine o'clock and lasted until day break; the midnight hour was devoted to supper. We danced on the gundeck and the hall was decorated with red, white and blue, mingled with different colored signal flags and the background of the scenery was made up with the big guns.

The foreign sailors had great hopes of taking back a trophy or two to their respective country, especially Great Britton, but the American sailors won all the races and boxing matches. Even in the big band parade the U. S. sailors outclassed all. Seven foreign nations with the British at the head, followed by the German, French, Italian, Dutch, Argentine and Mexicans were marching ahead of us. They were cheered wildly by a crowd of 2,500,000 people but when the first lines of the American bluejackets swung into fifth avenue the crowd jumped and yelled like crazy for the Americans in their natty uniforms and perfect marching order took them by surprise.

I had a talk with some of the people after the parade was over and they were all proud of us for the showing we made. About 15,000 sailors participated in the parade.

Our next port will be Chester, Pa., who is planning a celebration in honor of our ship, as our boat was named after that city and represents her in the navy. We are to have the post of honor as her guests and expect a big time as Chester is very seldom visited by warships.

We have many visitors abroad every afternoon, sometimes 3,000 or 4,000. We make lots of friends in this manner, and those who live near by ask us to call at their homes or write to them. I have cut out all promises of that kind for I wouldn't be able to write to all who requested it.

Will have to close for this time and hope these few lines find you in the best of health, likewise all my friends and acquaintances. With kindest regards and best wishes to all, I remain, your friend,

JOSEPH BUEHLER,
U. S. S. Chester.
New York, N. Y.