The
Cortland Democrat, Friday, May 13, 1898.
DEWEY'S VICTORY.
Entire
Spanish Fleet Destroyed and 618 Spaniards Killed.
HONG KONG, May 9.—Further particulars of the
glorious victory achieved by Commodore Dewey at the Philippine Islands have
been received here. With all its lights out the American squadron steamed into
Boca Grande at 8 o'clock on the evening of April 30, the crews at the guns. The
vessels composing the squadron were the flagship Olympia, the Baltimore,
Raleigh, Petrel, Concord and Boston. Not until the flagship was a mile beyond Corregidor
was a shot fired. Then the Spaniards on Corregidor Island opened fire on the
squadron. The Raleigh, Concord and Boston replied, the Concord's shells
exploding apparently exactly inside the shore battery which fired no more.
The squadron then slowed down to barely
steerage way and the men were allowed to sleep alongside their guns.
Commodore Dewey had timed his arrival so
when daylight arrived on Sunday morning, May 1, he was within five miles of the
city of Manila. Then the Spanish squadron was sighted off Cavite composed of
Admiral Montejo's flagship, the Reina Christina and the cruisers Don Juan de
Austria, Don Antonio de Ulloa, Isla de Cuba, Isla de Luzon, Quiros, Murquis del
Onero and General Lezox.
As our ships passed in front of Manila the
three batteries of mounted guns on shore opened fire upon the American ships.
The Concord fired two shots in reply, but Commodore Dewey stopped the firing
because it would endanger all the inhabitants of the city.
As the American vessels neared Cavite two
very powerful submarine mines were exploded ahead of the Olympia, but did no
damage. Then, the shore batteries opened fire on the American vessels,
supported by the Spanish squadron. All this time the American warships were
pouring hot shot and shell into the Spanish vessels.
Three of the Spanish vessels were seen to be
on fire.
This was kept up for two hours, when
Commodore Dewey withdrew his squadron out of range of the Spanish guns to give
his men breakfast and a little rest.
At 11 o'clock the attack was renewed. The Spaniards
replied very slowly, and the commodore signaled the Raleigh, Boston, Concord
and Petrel to go into the Inner harbor and destroy all the enemy's ships. By
her light draught the little Petrel was enabled to move within 1,000 yards.
Here, firing swiftly but accurately, she commanded everything still flying the
Spanish flag. Other ships were also doing their whole duty.
The Spanish flagship and the Castilla had
long been burning fiercely, and the last vessel to be abandoned was the Don
Antonio de Ulloa, which lurched over and sunk. Then the Spanish flag on the
arsenal staff was hauled down, and at 12:30 o'clock a white flag was hoisted.
Signal was made to the Petrel to destroy all
the vessels in the inner harbor,
and
Lieutenant Hughes, with an armed boat's crew, set fire to the Don Juan de
Austria, Marquis d'Uero, the Isla de
Cuba and the Correo.
The large transport Manila and many tugboats
and small craft were captured.
"Capture or destroy Spanish squadron,"
were Commodore Dewey's orders. Never were
instructions more effectually carried out. Within seven hours after arriving at
the scene of action nothing remained to be done and not one red and yellow
ensign remained aloft except on a battery away up the coast.
The cruiser Baltimore suffered the most of
any of the American ships. A dozen shots took effect on her, but none of her
officers or crew was seriously hurt. Only a few slight injuries were suffered
by the American fleet, the worst of which resulted from an explosion of
ammunition on the deck of the Baltimore. The other ships of the fleet were
practically unhurt.
After the fighting was over Commodore Dewey
sent an ultimatum to the city battery ordering it to cease firing or he would
bombard.
The Petrel chased a gunboat up the river
Pasig and the Spanish captain came in a boat to negotiate conditions of
surrender. The American captain replied: Unconditional surrender or
fight." To this the Spanish captain answered: "We are willing to
fight. Please allow us to send for ammunition because our store is
exhausted."
On a proposal to the existing authorities to
continue temporarily under the American flag pending the termination of the
war, the Spaniards delayed their decision and kept wiring to Madrid. The
Americans requested the privilege of using the wire, and when this was refused
they cut the cable.
The Esmeralda from Hong Kong arrived right
in the middle of the battle during the adjournment for breakfast. An American
cruiser was detached to meet her, as it was believed she might be a Spaniard.
When it was found that the new arrival was a British vessel she was warned to
keep away. The Esmeralda therefore moved up the bay 10 or 15 miles.
There are still two or three Spanish
gunboats about the Philippines, but no resistance from them is probable. One
recently captured an American bark loaded with coal.
 |
| Admiral George Dewey. |
DEWEY ACTING
ADMIRAL.
The
President Promotes the Hero of the Manila Engagement.
WASHINGTON, May 9.—One of the dispatches
sent to Commodore Dewey soon after receipt of official dispatches from him was
one from Secretary Long as follows:
"The president in the name of the
American people thanks you and your officers and men for your splendid
achievement and overwhelming victory. In recognition he has appointed you
acting admiral and will recommend a vote of thanks to you by congress."
A
Remarkable Paper.
Last Sunday's issue of the, Buffalo Courier
was one of the most complete and remarkable editions of a newspaper that ever
came to the exchange table of this paper.
The paper was made up of its two regular
news sections of eight pages each—a colored supplement of four pages finely
done, an eight-page supplement of half-tone illustrations, the printing of
which was as fine as any magazine work we ever saw. This made a total of
twenty-eight pages of reading matter with illustrations, but as though this was
not enough for one paper to give there were also included two extra
supplements, one a beautifully executed portrait of Admiral Dewey, size 15x17,
and the other a map of the Philippine Islands, printed in colors and to add to
the success of the paper from the reader's standpoint it was also a success, we
understand, from the publisher's point of view, as not a copy was to be had for
love or money on Monday morning.
Washington
Letter.
(From
Our Regular Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, May 9.—Patriotic enthusiasm
could scarcely go further than when it caused Senator Hanna, who was present
when Secretary Long received Commodore Dewey's official report of his
remarkable victory in Manila harbor, resulting in the destruction of eleven
Spanish ships, the demolition of heavy shore batteries, and the placing of the Philippine
islands under the stars and stripes, to purpose three cheers for Dewey. They
were given with a will by the crowd gathered in the Navy Department, including
many newspaper men and Senator Tillman. But even more astonishing than Commodore
Dewey's report that his victory was won without the loss of a man, or the
injury of a ship, and with only six men wounded, was what followed. Senators
Tillman and Hanna, two men as widely different in everything as could possibly
be brought together, locked arms and walked over to the White House to talk
over the glorious and extraordinary victory with Mr. McKinley. After seeing
that, most of us are prepared for any sort of miracle.
Secretary Long in the name of the President
cabled Commodore Dewey his promotion to Acting Admiral, and the thanks of the
people, and Congress is going to pass the resolution reported from the House
naval committee tendering him the thanks of Congress, also a bill creating an
additional rear admiral in the navy in order that the position can be given to Dewey.
Orders have been issued for the forwarding
of ten thousand troops from San Francisco to the Philippine Islands at the
earliest possible moment, and present expectations are that they can be started
by the 15th inst. The Philippine islands are a bigger prize than most people
suppose. Their area is ten per cent greater than that of New England, New York,
New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware combined, and their estimated population is
about 16,000,000. The fact is not generally known, either, that more than half
of the commerce of the islands is with the United States.
The next important war news is expected to
come from the vicinity of Cuba—it may come at any hour. It is easier to get a
commission in the volunteer army than it is to get a direct hint from officials
of either the War or the Navy Department, but they cannot disguise their
expectancy. News is expected from Admiral Sampson's fleet, which is believed to
be in the vicinity of Porto Rico, and to be charged with the double task of
whipping the Spanish fleet if it can be located, and of capturing Porto Rico.
The first section of the army of invasion is known to be ready for embarkation
and only waiting the command to start for Cuba.
Camping grounds for twenty-five or thirty
thousand men have been selected in Virginia, several miles from Washington, and
this week that portion of the volunteer army which is to be mobilized in the
vicinity of the National Capital will begin to arrive.
Secretary Gage was the man who was credited
last year with saying that no changes should be made in his department solely
because of politics. There have been numerous changes on account of politics in
his department, but Mr. Gage has always been able to escape responsibility by
saying that he approved the changes because they were recommended by his
subordinates as being "for the good of the service." Now he has shown
the cloven foot by making a change for politics himself, in forcing the
resignation of Worthington C. Ford, chief of the Bureau of Statistics, and
giving the place to O. P. Austin of the Republican National Committee, who had
been thrown out of a job by the closing of the Washington headquarters of that
committee.
 |
| American baseball. |
GOOD
BASEBALL.
Cortland
Team Won Two Exhibition Games.
Last Saturday the base ball team from the
University of New York came to Cortland and our state league [semi-pro] team
gave them a hot game, winning by a score of 4 to 1. The visitors played fast
ball every minute but Cortland played faster. Gildea was in our box and his
work was one of the features of the game. Another was a circus catch by Ketchum
in center field. Every man on our team
had gingered up immensely since the first game and gave an excellent account of
himself. They were pitted against a southpaw and he was a good one but was landed
on safely nine times against three scattering hits made off Gildea. The game
was one of the most hotly contested ever seen here and immensely pleased all
the fans.
Tuesday the team from St. John's Military
academy played here. The figures of the score, 20 to 5 in favor of Cortland, look
as though the game was a farce but that is not so. Cortland played every minute
as though the pennant depended on it and they introduced many base ball tricks
never before seen on this diamond. The St John's team is considered a strong
one having played with a good showing many heavy clubs and defeated the Shamrocks
two out of three in a series. Tuesday must have been an off day for them.
Considering the little practice the Cortland
team has had, too much should not be expected of them during the first two weeks
but after that they seem sure to hang near the top. The team were to open the
season in Lyons yesterday but the grounds were too wet and they remained at
home. This morning they go Canandaigua and to-morrow the first league game in
Cortland will be played, Canandaigua coming here. Next Tuesday Utica plays here.
Wednesday Cortland plays in Utica and Thursday in Oswego.
HERE AND
THERE.
Two tramps received each a sentence of
thirty-five days in jail Tuesday morning.
Arbor day exercises were held in all the village
schools and at the Normal last Friday.
O. W. Walter has just sold a fine Ivers
& Pond upright grand piano to go to
Mechanicsville,
Iowa.
Apple tree worms are already building their
nests in the trees and owners should take prompt measures to kill them.
The Loyal Circle of King's Daughters will
meet With Mrs. A. M. Johnson, 70 Maple-ave., Friday, May 13th at 2:30 P. M.
Elijah H. Kelley died last Thursday night at
his home on Groton-ave. of chronic bronchitis. The funeral was held Monday.
Last week's Groton Journal
spoke in very flattering terms of the recent concert given in that town by the
Susan Tompkins' Concert company.
In order to vacate the building recently purchased by Jeweler W. G.
Mead, Isaac Edgcomb has moved his harness store to No. 33 Railroad-st.
S. N. Holden [coal] has closed
his uptown office at 39 Main-st. and now has desk room in Brogden's drug store
where orders may be left or telephoned.
A number of Sir Knights went
to Syracuse last Friday evening as the guests of Central City Commandry to
participate in the work of the Temple degree.
Smith & Beaudry, who are
Cortland agents for the Elmira Advertiser, receive daily three war news
bulletins from that paper at 10 A. M., 1 P. M. and 4 P. M.
The first excursion so far
booked for Cortland park this season will be run by the Village Improvement
society of Cincinnatus on Saturday, May 28th via the E. & C. N. Y. R. R.
''John Bags'' Wilkinson was up
in police court again Tuesday morning on the charge of public intoxication but
sentence was suspended after much pleading on his promise to leave town within
three days and to remain away.
A letter received from J. P.
Gray, who is in Tacoma, Wash., on his way to the gold fields says that his
party are well and have purchased a 35 foot steamer with which they propose to
go up the Yukon. They leave Seattle about the 15th.
Col. Cascarets Calver is the
name assumed by an individual of odd appearance who was in town last Saturday
advertising the famous ''Cascarets Candy Cathartic'' and ''No-To-Bac.'' He is
an albino dressed as a colonial guard and appeared in the evening in the window
of Fred I. Grahams drug store.
Mr. G. J. Mager, who recently
purchased the residence, No. 10 Lincoln-ave., has let a contract for remodeling
to contractor Geo. Alport. New windows, a large hall, and stair case and a
broad veranda will be added. It will make a fine home for some one.
The Marathon Independent
speaks as follows of a brother of Sheriff A. E.
Brainard, though the Sheriff has not yet been apprised of the fact. By
nomination of the President on Monday, Capt. David L. Brainard, commissary of
Subsistence, was promoted to the rank of Lieut. Colonel. Good enough.
The employes of the Standard office
do not propose to see this section of the country immediately depopulated
either by war or enlistment. In five days last week three items were provided
by their force for the vital statistics column. Messrs. Chas. Mee, Jr., E. D.
Foote and F. B. Miner each having an increase in their families.
Dr. S. J. Sornberger performed
a very successful operation for appendicitis at the hospital Monday, assisted
by Dr. Ver Nooy, Dr. Miller. A specialist of Syracuse was present but found it
unnecessary to assist. The patient was Marie Dillon of Railway-ave. Nearly a
pint of pus was found in the appendix in addition to the small concretion.
Stroud Bush who resides on
Elm-st. has a bantam hen that has become a pet for the children. One day some
weeks ago it walked into the house and jumped into the waste basket and laid an
egg. Since that time it comes regularly to the house, pecks on the window and when
let in goes at once to the waste basket and deposits an egg. The hen then goes
merrily away.—Ithaca Democrat.
FROM EVERYWHERE.
The terms of fifty-six
convicts in Auburn prison expire during the month of May.
It is now lawful to fish in
Seneca lake with spears or large mesh nets from the fifteenth day of April to
the fifteenth day of June inclusive, for all except black bass.
Hon. Titus Sheard of Little
Falls has tendered to the United States the use of the Little Falls knit goods
plant for the purpose of manufacturing knit goods for Uncle Sams soldiers.
Syracuse has contributed a
volunteer to "Roosevelt's Rough Riders," in the person of Mason
Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell is a fine horseman. He served the Canadian government in
the Riel Rebellion in Manitoba as a scout and won distinction and honor, receiving
a medal of honor.
To be eligible physically,
would-be soldiers must have these points of health: Feet free from deformities or bad corns, expansion of the chest in
breathing at least two inches, ability to read readily with either eye, lungs
and heart sound, freedom from rheumatism, and the man must not be too much
overweight or underweight.
McGRAWVILLE.
McGRAWVILLE,
May 10.—S. A. Wells of Binghamton visited friends in town the latter part of
last week.
Rev. J. Barton French will
deliver the oration in this place decoration day.
Mrs. O. C. Wurst of New York is
visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. George
Palmer.
A. E. Seymour has been engaged
to deliver two addresses at Canastota on Decoration day.
Myron Moore of Utica a former
resident in this place visited relatives and friends in town on Friday.
B. H. Randall has sold his
stock of groceries to Elmer Humphries who took possession Wednesday.
Mrs. L. H. Clark and two
children of Syracuse are guests of Mrs. Clark's mother Mrs. Gretta Galpin.
Mrs. J. E. Wheeler is
improving the appearance of her residence by a fresh coat of paint. Jay Isaacs
is doing the work.
Dwight Goodell lost the end of
a finger on Saturday while working in a cornering machine at the Thos. P.
Taylor paper box factory.
The Milk depot of Seller Bros.
opened on the 2d inst. and is being liberally patronized by the farmers and the
receipts are increasing daily. The company now pays 65 cents for 40 quarts.
The Citizens of McGrawville
manifested their enthusiasm over the Dewey victory on Saturday evening by firing
cannon and other loud demonstrations.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Norcott
received a letter on Friday from their son Frank who left some time ago for the
Alaska gold fields. The letter was written at Port Valdes, Alaska, April 12th where
he had just landed after a tedious voyage of twenty-two days. He reported the snow
six feet deep and his party were to start immediately for the Copper river gold
region, a journey of about thirty miles by land, each man having to carry about
twelve hundred pounds.
Under the death notice as
published in the Cortland Standard of the 7th inst. We notice another woman had
died at the post office. It really seems too bad to convert the dead letter
office into a morgue. Much indignation is felt by our citizens by the attempt
of certain parties substituting the name of McGraw for McGrawville. Upwards of
ninety years ago a family by the name of McGraw settled in this place. A small
village sprung up which took the name of McGrawville. In 1869 the village of
McGrawville was incorporated by special act of the legislature under the
Corporate name of McGrawville. That name has never been changed. The name of
the post office only has been changed. Persons residing on Lot No. 79 in the
town of Cortlandville live in the village of McGrawville. All newspaper reporters,
correspondents, secretaries who report of people living, or dying, events taking
place at McGraw or delegates from McGraw are reporting of a place that does not
exist for there is no village in New York state by the name of McGraw.
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