Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1898 — On The Bark of a Palm Tree. [ARTICLE]

On The Bark of a Palm Tree.

Dr. Washburn received his second letter from his son Ira, at Santiago, this morning. It is a curiosity in that it is written on the bark of a tree instead of on paper. The letter is dated Santiago de Cuba, July 15th, and reads as follows: ♦ “I am well as ever and have struck the rainy 7 season in Cuba. This [bark] was taken from a royal palm, standing 60 feet high on San Juan hill and facing the besieged city. The city surrendered on July 14th. No Ist Illinois men killed or wounded. Ira Washburn.