ADMIRAL SAMPSON REDUCED THE FORTS AT SANTIAGO

USS Massachusetts (BB-2).

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, June 8, 1898.

REDUCED THE FORTS.

Another Attack Made at Santiago Harbor.

COMPLETE DESTRUCTION.

No Americans Were Killed or American War Ship Hit.

   KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 8.—Further details of the bombardment of the Spanish batteries defending the entrance to Santiago harbor Monday have been received here. The fleet formed in double column, six miles off Morro castle at 6 o'clock in the morning and steamed slowly 3,000 yards off shore, the Brooklyn leading, followed by the Marblehead, Texas and Massachusetts and turned westward. The second line, the New York leading, with the New Orleans, Yankee, Iowa and Oregon turned eastward. The Vixen and Suawanee were far out on the left flank, watching the riflemen on shore. The Dolphin and Porter did similar duty on the right flank.

   The line headed by the New York attacked the new earthworks opposite

Morro castle. The Brooklyn column took up a station opposite the Estrella and Catalina batteries and the new earthworks along shore. The Spanish batteries remained silent. It is doubtful whether the Spaniards were able to determine the character of the movement owing to the dense fog and heavy rain. Suddenly the Iowa fired a 12-inch shell which struck the base of the Estrella battery and tore the works. Instantly firing began from both Rear Admiral Sampson's' and Commodore Schley's columns and a torrent of shells from the ships fell upon the Spanish works.

   The Spaniards replied promptly, but their artillery work was of a very poor quality and most of their shots were wide. Smoke settled around the ships in dense clouds, rendering accurate aiming difficult. There was no maneuvering, the ships remaining at their original stations and firing steadily. The squadrons were so close in shore that it was difficult for the American gunners to reach the batteries on the hill tops, but their firing was excellent.

   Previous to the bombardment orders were issued to prevent firing on Morro castle, as the American admiral had been informed that Lieutenant Hobson and the other prisoners of the Merrimac were confined there. In spite of this, however, several stray shots damaged Morro castle somewhat.

   Commodore Schley's line moved closer in shore, firing at shorter range. The Brooklyn and Texas caused wild havoc among the Spanish shore batteries, quickly silencing them.

   While the larger ships were engaging the heavy batteries, the Suawanee and Vixen closed with the small inshore battery opposite them, raining rapid fire shots upon it and quickly placing the battery out of the fight.

   The Brooklyn closed to 800 yards and then the destruction caused by her guns and those of the Marblehead and Texas was really awful: In a few minutes the woodwork of the Estrella fort was burning and the battery was silenced, firing no more during the engagement.

   Eastward, the New York and New Orleans silenced the Cayo battery in quick order and then shelled the earthworks located higher up. The practice was not so accurate, owing to the elevation of the guns. Many of the shell, however, landed and the Spanish gunners retired.

   Shortly after 9 o'clock the firing ceased, the warships turning in order to permit the use of their port batteries. The firing then became a long reverberating crash of thunder and the shells raked the Spanish batteries with terrible effect. Fire broke out in the Catalina fort and silenced the Spanish guns there.

   The firing of the fleet continued until 10 o'clock, when the Spanish fire ceased entirely and Rear Admiral Sampson hoisted the "cease firing" signal.

   Generally the fire of the fleet was fairy destructive. Many of the earthworks were knocked to pieces and the Estrella and Catalina fortifications were so damaged that it is questionable whether they will ever be able to renew any effective work during the war.

   After the fleet had retired the Spaniards returned to their guns and sent 12 shells after the fleet, but no one was injured. One large shell fell close to the collier Justin.

   Throughout the engagement no American ship was hit and no American was injured.

   If the Spanish stuck to their guns, and all evidence is to the contrary, their loss must have been heavy.

Cervera's Account.

   MADRID, June 8.—Admiral Cervera cables that six American vessels bombarded Santiago and coast fortifications. Six men were killed and 17

wounded on board the Reina Mercedes, and three officers were killed and 17 men wounded among the troops. The damage inflicted on the batteries La Zocapa and Morro was unimportant. Morro barracks were damaged. The enemy had "noticeable losses."

Reina Mercedes.

SPANISH VESSEL SUNK.

Reina Mercedes Went Down in Santiago Harbor Monday.

   MADRID, June 8.—It is officially admitted that the Spanish cruiser Reina

Mercedes was sunk by the fire of the American fleet at Santiago de Cuba on Monday. Five sailors and twenty-nine marines on board of her were killed.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Santiago's Defenses Silenced.

   The newspaper reports of the bombarding of the forts at Santiago are confirmed by the brief official report of Admiral Sampson to Secretary Long. Fire was opened on the harbor batteries Monday morning and they were "completely silenced." The Associated Press dispatches add particulars: The forts were utterly demolished. The admiral does not mention names, nor make an exception. The newspaper dispatches intimate that Morro was spared because of the reported confinement there of the Merrimac heroes.

   The effectiveness of the stopper placed in the harbor channel by Hobson is indicated by the failure of Cervera's ships to come to the aid of the land batteries. He hardly would have kept anchors down while the enemy was demolishing the defenses of the harbor if he could have got into the fight. With these batteries put out of service the American ships can take position at the mouth of the harbor, from which they can help the land forces when the latter are ready to assault the city. The surrender of the latter is a matter of a short time. And with its fall Cervera must surrender or sink his ships.

Annex Hawaii.

   The [steamer] Belgic brings news from Honolulu. The Charleston has arrived there and coaled—thus accepting on the part of the United States the assistance of an ally. Preparations were making for grand welcome to the troop ships en route to the Philippines. Yet congress delays annexation: Wake up, gentlemen servants of the people, and act as they desire!

   ◘ John Davis, gunner's mate on board the cruiser Marblehead, was wounded at the bombardment of Cienfuegos last month. He is among the wounded brought north in the hospital ship Solace. John is one of a family of eight children residing in New York, and is their main support, the father being ill. The story of the family's needs got abroad in the fleet and the hardy and not over-paid "jackies" made up purses and sent to aid their comrade's family. From the crew of the Marblehead $90 was received Monday, and $12 contributed by men on the Indiana. These contributions tell of generous natures under the plain vestments of the warships' crew, and they tell of sacrifices that ought not to be necessary. It is enough that men take their lives in their hands, on sea or land, as offerings for their country. They ought not to have to worry on account of sustenance of those at home.

COURT OF APPEALS.

Sheldon Decision Reversed—Thorn Sentence Affirmed.

   SARATOGA, N. Y., June 8.—The court of appeals yesterday reversed the judgment in the case of Frank N. Sheldon of Cayuga county, convicted of shooting his wife. On what grounds the judgment was reversed cannot be learned. The papers in the ease were sent to Albany, and the clerk of the court is not accessible.

   Sheldon was convicted on March 15, 1897, of murder in the first degree and sentenced to electrocution in Auburn prison on April 25, 1897, for the shooting of his wife, Eva Remington Sheldon, on April 30, 1896. The trial lasted seven weeks and was one of the hardest fought murder trials in the history of central New York. Since the trial Sheldon has occupied a cell in the prison for the condemned.

   The tragedy and subsequent legal proceedings abounded in sensational features. The evidence was wholly circumstantial and much of the time was spent in examining numerous famous experts in gunshot wounds called by both sides, whose conflicting testimony was a prominent feature of the trial. It was claimed by the prosecution that Sheldon shot his wife so that he might be free to marry his former servant girl, Ellen Sullivan, his relations with her being notorious. The defense claimed that Mrs. Sheldon committed suicide, being driven to it by her husband's unfaithfulness.

   Martin Thorn, who was convicted in Queens county early in December of last year, and sentenced to die in the electric chair at Sing Sing for the murder of William Guidensuppe, the bath rubber, will have to suffer the death penalty. The case has been before the court of appeals since early in the present year, and to-day judgment was affirmed in the case of The People vs. Martin Thorn.

   Thorn is now in the prison at Sing Sing, and Mrs. Augusta Nack, who also connived and helped at the killing of the bath rubber, it serving a sentence of fifteen years imprisonment in the female convict prison at Auburn.

BIG FIRE IN TRUXTON, N. Y.

Demus Pinder's Buildings Burned—Loss $5,000—Insurance $1,800.

   TRUXTON, June 7.—Last night this town was visited by the largest conflagration in years. About 6 o'clock fire was discovered in the dwelling house of Mr. Demus Pinder, who resides one and one-half miles from this village on the Cheningo road, and in less than an hour the buildings—which consisted of a house, horse barn, cow barn, hay barn, cheese house, shop and storehouse were in ashes. The entire contents of the buildings was burned. Mr. Pinder was in the barn milking and when the fire was discovered many men were at the scene, but the flames were so hot nothing could be saved.

   Among things burned was $43 in money, also three calves. How the fire originated is not known. The loss will be $5,000. The buildings and contents were insured for $1,800 in the Westchester Fire Insurance company.

Cortland Hospital.

Telephone at the Hospital.

   A number of public spirited people in Cortland have subscribed a sufficient amount to pay for a telephone to be placed in the office of the Cortland hospital for two years. The telephone company itself made a considerable concession in price for this telephone so that it really amounts to a valuable contribution by the company.

   The contributors in addition to the company itself are as follows: S. K Jones, E. D. Wood, F. B. Nourse, O. C. Smith, H. L. Smith, Warren, Tanner & Co., David Wesson, Kellogg & Van Hoesen, Cramer & Hollister, F. H. Cobb, E. M. Van Hoesen, Dr. H. P. Johnson, Geo. Watson, Angell & McFall, D. C. Beers, Robert Purvis, Wickwire Bros., M. L. Alexander, Mrs. S. Sturtevant, Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, Dr. F. J. Cheney, L. J. Fitzgerald, Dr. A. G. Henry, Dr. E. A. Didama, R. B. Smith, Wm. R. Hill, E. E. Ellis, A. H. Winchell, D. H. Brown, Beard & Peck, Dr. H. T. Dana, Dr. F. W. Higgins, Dr. E. M. Santee, J. W. Keese.

ALLEN WAS APPOINTED.

ENGINEER TO HAVE CHARGE OF THE MAIN-ST. PAVING.

The Vote of the Village Board of Trustees Was Made Unanimous—Mr. Allen Required to Execute a

  Contract and Bond Approved by the Board.

   Ex-City Engineer Henry C. Allen of Syracuse was last night appointed by the board of village trustees as the engineer to have charge of the paving of Main-st. The matter was laid over from Monday night at the request of Trustee Nodecker, who said he desired to ask Mr. Allen some questions in the presence of the full board. The clerk was authorized to communicate with Mr. Allen and ask him to be present last evening. Mr. Allen was not present, and in the beginning of the session it looked as though the appointment would be again put over. Clerk Crombie reported that he had telegraphed Mr. Allen at his Syracuse office early in the morning, but had not heard from him. While the board was in session last night a dispatch came from Mr. Allen who was in Rochester, saying that it was impossible for him to get to Cortland last night but could be here this evening if desired.

   Trustee Nodecker then explained that he wanted to ask Mr. Allen some questions regarding the appointment of inspectors, but would consent to act last night if the board would require a clause in the contract with the engineer giving the board the right to appoint inspectors. Mr. Nodecker said he understood that a certain party was after an inspectorship, of whom he could not approve. He did not care to call any names. Trustee O'Leary said he wished the board had a larger field of engineers to select from.

   Trustee White offered a resolution that Mr. Allen be employed on his executing a proper contract and bond to be approved by the board. Trustees White, Nodecker and Sprague voted in the affirmative, and after a little solicitation from President Stilson, Trustee O'Leary voted the same way, making it unanimous.

   President Stilson said that several of the grocery and fruit men had spoken to him about people coming in from outside and peddling on the streets. No action was taken.

   Trustee Nodecker, the committee on repairing the hook and ladder truck, reported that the wheels should be painted, and perhaps the body of the truck also. He was given power to act.

   The matter of terminating the south end of the pavement at the south line of the E., C. & N. railroad lands as requested by Lewis S. Hayes was not acted upon, the board having been satisfied that it was better not to touch the matter. The members reported advice to that effect from Attorneys Kellogg & Van Hoesen, S. S. Knox and W. C. Crombie. Had the objections been offered at the public meeting called for that purpose, action might have been taken, but now it is too late.

   The board referred the drawing up of the contract with Engineer Allen to the corporation counsel. Among the items to be insisted upon in the contract are that the board will reserve the right to name the inspectors; the engineer shall give the matter personal supervision; and home labor shall be employed so far as possible.

   The board adjourned until to-morrow night, when it is hoped that the contract with Engineer Allen will be ready for signatures.

   The board also voted to pay themselves their salaries for the quarter ending with June 1.

Had a Shock of Paralysis.

   Mr. Wilson Calvert of South Cortland had a slight shock of paralysis at about 1 o'clock this afternoon. A hurried summons was sent to Dr. Reese. The doctor found the left side partially paralyzed and Mr. Calvert unable to speak. It is too soon yet to be able to express any belief in the probabilities as to his recovery. Mr. and Mrs. Calvert live a short distance south of South Cortland on a fine farm and have with them their only daughter, Mrs. George H. Hyde, and her husband.

BREVITIES.

   —The Y. M. C. A. Bicycle club will have a club run this evening, starting from the rooms at 7:30. All members are invited to join.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Closing Out Sale of Suits, page 6; W. W. Bennett, Oil Cooker, page 6; Dey Bros. & Co., Sewing Machines, page 7.

   —Five new numbers of the American Navy Art portfolios have been received at The STANDARD office as samples and can be seen here. They are really finer in many respects than the original ten numbers.