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IN UNCLE SIAM’S NAVAL ACADEMY: AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM JOHN DOWELL. Capt. J.S. Dowell, of this city, is in receipt of a very inter esting letter from his son, J. S. Dowell, Jr., who recently suc cessfully passed the entrance ex amination to the United States naval academy at Annapolis, Maryland. We make the follow ing extracts from it which will be read with interest by all John’s Collin friends: ‘U.S. Naval Academy, Annapo lis, Md., Sept. 15, 1901. My Dear Father— I received years of the 8th, al 30 Mamma’s and Sadie’s letters last week. I am thankful to everyone who offers his congrat ulations to me, but as for myself, if I have attained any measure of success, I give all praise and con gratulations to you and mamma. I have done no more than my duty, and it is due to you both that I have been taught to do such. I entered the academy last Monday. Am now fully straight ened out and pretty well on to things. So far I am liking things ‘fo. k.’’ The following is an out ine of our daily routine of duties: We get up at 16a.m., dress and go to breakfeast at 6:30. After breakfast we go back to our rooms, make up our beds, clean up and go to drill in the armory 7:55, here we stay until about 10 o’clock. At 10:20 we go to an other drill which consists of tying all kinds of knots in ropes. This drill is in the rigging loft at the boat house. After this drill we march back to quarters and pre pare for dinner, which is had at 12:30. At 1 55 we go to another drill in the armory. At 3:55 we have another drill in the boats. This is to teach us how to row, sail, etc., after this drill comes supper. After supper we go to the gynasium where we get plenty more exercise and after exercis ing we all take a plunge in the pool and a shower bath. After this drill we go to bed at 10 a. m. So you see we have five drills ev ery day. ’Tis pretty hard work but I am liking it all right and have gained one pound since I came in. As to hazing I am get ting scarcely any as most all the upper class men are at home on vacation. Don’t think I am go ing to have the least bit of trouble as to hazing as it is only boys who seem to be fresh and try to make themselves conspicuous that get hazing. If a boy keeps in his face he will get along splendidly etc. We will not have so much drilling after this month as school begins next month and we will not have time for drills. I re ceived a nice letter from Con gressman Randell last week. I enclose you an exact copy. Mr. R. certainly treated me nice ly. I had no alternate at all. And was certainly glad that I got in on first examination. Herndon went home last week. His principal, Mr. Laird, is here in the academy. Was sorry Ray did not have a chance, but his principal, Laird seems to be a nice fellow. An order was read at breakfast formation this morn ing announcing that upon the death of President McKinley, Theo. Roosevelt was now presi dent of the country and that he was commander-in-chief of land and naval forces. I think it is certainly deplorable that McKin ley was assassinated and the more so because it was all without a cause. Everyone is very sad over the fact here. Think I will get along alright here.’ ’
Newspaper Details
Mckinney Democrat
Mckinney, Texas, US
Thu, Sep 26, 1901
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
AE, USA 18 Jan 2026
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