Diary 74-05: May, 1898 - preliminary transcript

Colorado Volunteer Infantry passed through Reno this PM for San Francisco -- 1,038 of them -- in four sections, pretty closely following each other, and each only stopped about half an hour, 14 to 16 cars each -- First one came shortly after 1 PM and last one about 4:30 -- Fine looking young fellows, from various parts of Montana, hearty & robust -- About half of them uniformed, but will be made all right in that respect at S.F. The Red Cross ladies rushed around lively before they came and treated them to cakes, sandwiches, etc and flowers which they collected into the depot, and passed along the side of the trains presenting to the boys at car windows & platforms -- or alongside -- Many got out and patronized lunch counters & restaurants & saloons -- I met Capt John Hallihan, Capt of Company M -- Used to live here, and several of his old friends, Judge Young, Sam Hamlin, Hymers, Barber, et al who knew he was coming, also met him & we had pleasant little meeting at the Palace -- He came in the third

Captain John Hallihan -- The "Pioneer" -- 1898 Nevada's New Quota, 142 Infantry University Windup -- Patriotic Nevada

section -- after all had passed, I wrote a nice bit of a send off for him, and took it to the Journal -- Nevada's quota under the new call for 75,000 volunteers, is 142, infantry -- Can be raised in 24 hours or less -- Evening down town -- a light shower or two of rain -- Bed 12 -- The annual windup or commencement exercises of the State University commenced today,

to last a week -- Among the empty Pullman cars, in a long train, being taken back from transportation of soldiers I saw the old "Pioneer" which came with the Nebraska soldiers (See May 19), and which they stated to be the first Pullman sleeper ever built, and the identical car which took the remains of Abraham Lincoln from Washington to his home in Illinois after his assassination --

80 -- Mrs J W McKinnon Leaves the Comstock Carson Valley Frost Bad Chill -- Got Cold No introduction

Saturday May 28

Clear & cold -- Breezy & dusty -- No troops today -- PM I stayed at home and commenced a long letter to sister Eunice -- Evening down town -- met Mrs J W McKinnon down from Va with her little boy, Russell, and family baggage, on way to S.F. to reside -- Johnny McK been there working the last two months -- Mrs Florence McKinnon -- She got me to go with her and hunt up Mrs Judge Marshall whom she desired to visit before the train leaves for the west -- Mrs M not at home -- Bed at 11 -- clear & cold --

Sunday May 29

Variable -- cold -- Breezy & dusty -- AM down town -- All sorts of contradictory telegrams as to the Spanish fleet -- Still bottled up in Santiago, and is running loose along the coast of Cuba, and hasn't been in Santiago at all, etc -- Nobody knows what to think. The frosts of last Sunday & Monday

nights did much damage to fruit in Carson valley, Genoa, etc, but will be a good crop anyhow -- PM I was taken with a severe chill for half an hour -- got cold -- Hot drink and to bed with fever -- also introduction barred -- bad -- stayed at home -- Bed at 10, relieved -- from 7 AM --

Memorial Day -- Another Chill The Big Fight On!!! Letter to Eunice

Monday May 30

Clear & Cool & pleasant -- Memorial Day -- About 11 AM procession went out to the Hillside cemetery, north of town, and afterward to the Masonic cemetery west of town and decorated soldiers' graves with flowers, held exercises, etc, at both places -- Band cadets, Reno Guard, G.A.R. vets -- Odd Fellows, and over 80 carriages, with other orders, school children and citizens generally -- closing exercises of the University still progressing -- I had another severe chill about 8 AM, succeeded by fever, same as yesterday, though not quite as severe -- Stayed at home most of day -- Evening down town -- Bed 11 -- Introductions all right again today --

Tuesday May 31

Variable, blustering -- cold -- PM and evening I wrote a long 6 page letter to Eunice -- Good war news, probably correct, that Schley has not only commenced battering down the fort defenses of Santiago but gone in and fighting the Spanish fleet inside the harbor today -- Troops also being